House boat in Richmond, VA

A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

Photo gallery for A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

 The GiaMaria resting in only 4 feet of water and a beautiful oxbow on the James.
Captain Ron on the James 2019
The Master's quarters with a 7' view, of course, coverlets change
Clean, Warm, Quaint, Cozy and Romantic...end of Story :)
Safe induction cooktop

Overview of A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

9.6 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 433 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Enjoy the area

Richmond, VA
  • Popular LocationRichmond National Battlefield Park11 min drive
  • Popular LocationDorey Park13 min drive
  • AirportRichmond, VA (RIC-Richmond Intl.)18 min drive
  • Popular LocationHenricus Historical Park35 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Main Salon

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city

Note: IF THE GIAMARIA IS NOT AVAILABLE, please check out my other boat the COOKIE B.
Available this spring. The ELIZABETH CLEMENTINE

Dear future guests,. I will admit there is no completely safe place to spend your time, but if you must get away please do it where the air flows free up and down a river or across farmer's fields or through a nearby forest if possible; areas similar to the one where all three of my boats are berthed.

We are blessed to be in a very unique country setting near the beautifully renovated Lily Pad Cafe; the only true outdoor riverside eatery in the Richmond area.

Here you will find what I believe is a safe place to hike, bike or run on nearby county roads in National Parks, or on the VIRGINIA CAPITOL TRAIL. Or you could just choose to read, paint, write, fish, sun, or work "from home" by using our internet service You will also find a great deal of personal space and solitude which will become immediately apparent as you drive down either of our three first highways in the entire United States of America: Osborne Turnpike, old route #5, or Kingsland Road before you get to experience America's first river; the James.
The GiaMaria and the Cookie B are berthed in very calm waters and are Indeed, awesome places to spend your time. They are in fact, places like no other in the entire United States, and I will make an honest attempt to back up this statement in the description that follows given the few words that are allowed.

As for the GiaMaria, she is a 50' Chris Craft houseboat that has been completely remodeled inside and out in order to give our guests a home-like atmosphere without losing the feel of being on an old riverboat. It is modern in every sense of the word. It has been reconstructed to have a large bathroom with a full sized vanity, a 4' designer shower, ventilator fans, and its own USCG certified sanitation system. It comes complete with a queen eleven inch memory foam mattress (Sleep Innovations) and high quality bedding, a small but complete galley and a large colorful salon with carpeted floors a 46" TV, and a fireplace to keep you warm and cozy. Outside you will find a large open upper deck with great views for morning coffee or evening drinks and a lower covered bow deck.

The Cookie B is equally as nice, however character limitations in this space do not allow such an elaborate description if I am to describe this unique area where these vessels are docked. But you can find the Cookie B's unique listing here on Homeaway as well.

But it is not just the GiaMaria or the Cookie B that you will enjoy. It is also there unique location. The Richmond Yacht Basin is less than 10 country road miles from downtown Richmond. And their setting cannot be duplicated. It is adjacent to the Richmond National Battlefield Park and well kept privately owned farms. Just one mile away is Osborne Landing, a county owned facility which has a nice fishing pier, a Bass Master's boat launch, a nice walking trail along the river's edge, a canoe and kayak launch ramp, pavilions for picnics/cookouts, bathrooms and a wonderful playground for kids. It is always kept in tip-top shape, and it is all free to the public.

After a beautiful canopied drive which will take you to the marina, you will find yourself standing on the ground where so many famous people lived and events took place that shaped our nation's history. Some of the historical people who lived in the nearby Indian settlement of Arrohateck included Chief Powhatan's son, Tanx or (Parahunt) and Pocahontas his daughter, who married her English born husband John Rolfe. Pocahontas and John Rolfe after marriage made their home on this property, and with the help of indentured servants and later African slaves, they helped to save Jamestown by producing tobacco from the "Varina" seed. It was the only "gold" that those early colonists would find, yet it would have tremendous economic value in many European countries and save the colony from being abandoned..

We are also located where Captain John Smith found his "sweetest water" during his early explorations, while others like, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee and his mother, Anne Hill Carter, John Marshall, 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Susannah Bowling, Layfayette, Benedict Arnold, Gen. Cornwallis and thousand of bound African slaves passed thru this oxbow in the James River on their way to build and transform our nation. Battles on land and in the river were fought here too, during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold sank our Colonial Fleet within eyesight of the GiaMaria and the Cookie B before burning Richmond. Union Ironclads like the Monitor and Galena fought other Ironclads like the Confederate's CSS Virginia while trying to pass Drewery's Bluff, the confederate's "Annapolis" while trying to subdue Richmond.

And Just around the river's bend east of Richmond Yacht Basin is Henricus, the London Company's second settlement after Jamestown in the New World. Unfortunately the original "cittie" was destroyed by Opechancanough, Chief Powhatan's successor "brother" during the Indian Massacre of 1622.
Today however, Henricus is a thriving reconstruction of what it was like in the days of Sir Thomas Dale's early 1600's "town", and many of my guests who have visited there say it is on par with Jamestown.

Just down the road heading east along Route 5 (a Virginia Bi-Way) are plantations like Shirley, still owned and operated by the same family since its beginning in the 1600's and Berkley, where Taps was first composed and played, and also where the first Thanksgiving was arguably held. There is also Westover, the home of President William Henry Harrison (Ole' Tippecanoe), Sherwood Forrest, the home of "His Accidency", President John Tyler, and Evergreen, the birthplace of Edmund Ruffin, who is the father of modern agriculture and the southern firebrand who is credited with firing the shot that started the Civil War. These are just a few of the historical places or attractions to be found within a few minutes of the docking space of the GiaMaria or the Cookie B. Then going west on Route 5 into Richmond you will find St. John's Episcopal Church where Patrick Henry told the King of England, to go to hell, or Hollywood Cemetery where a great many historical figures are buried like the Presidents Monroe and Tyler. Within minutes if you are a Civil War buff, then you are in luck because you will be set squarely in the middle of where the Battle of the Crater took place, as did Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamp, Deep Bottom, Chaffin's Farm, Pamplin Historical Park and City Point (Gen. Grants headquarters during the siege of Petersburg) and many other well known and not so well known battle sites and fortifications.

Much about our old and dusty beginnings causes us to be proud, but at the same time ashamed. However, because of the lessons learned from our past, the Richmond area today has become a bright and shiny place which is set like Rome on seven hills.
Here you will find many and varied museums or river rapids for those brave enough to take the plunge, sports events of every kind, major universities and hospitals like Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia, world class car races at Richmond International Raceway and cycling (the UCI world championship 2015), as well as the Richmond Marathon (rated the 18th largest in the nation). There are also restaurants galore from local favorites to world class dining. Richmond is fast becoming a gourmets delight and the Craft Brewery Capital of the South. Chic shopping districts like Carytown, River Road, Short Pump or Stoney Point are all within a short distance, as are outlet malls and several large shopping centers.
Watersports and tours of many kinds are offered in several nearby places. Major garden tours (voted one of the best in the country) like Lewis-Ginter Botanical Gardens or Maymont Park as well as national, state and local parks are all within minutes of the GiaMaria. And in one to two hours by car you can be in the Blue Ridge Mountains or Charlottesville or Virginia Beach or Washington, DC, or Williamsburg or Jamestown, or Yorktown, or Petersburg, or Kings Dominion, or Busch Gardens, and several major outlet malls.

We even now enjoy the Virginia Capital Trail. It is a cycling/walking, running hard surfaced path of 52 miles that links Richmond, the Capital of Virginia, and the Colonial Capitals of Williamsburg and Jamestown. And all of this is only a sampling of what you will find within a stones throw of either vessel.

The area though is also a wildlife lover's delight. There are many native species of plants and animals such as rare Lady Slippers, Bald Eagles, ancient swamps of Cypress and Junipers, Running Cedar, and Song Birds galore. There are Foxes, both red and silver, and occasional bobcats, beavers and otters. We are also a flyway for many species of creatures, such as Butterflies, Purple Martins, Ducks, Geese, Humming Birds, Robins, Northern Bald Eagles. Fish such as Striped Bass, American and Hickory Shad and American Eels spawn here in the spring. And in the fall, ancient Sturgeons weighing more than 500 pounds can be seen jumping out of the water.
As for fishing, we have both Large and Small Mouth Bass, several species of Catfish, record sized Crappie and several local guides will guarantee that you will catch a catfish of 40 pounds or more during late fall and throughout the winter.

But if dancing is your thing, then the Tobacco Company is just down the road where you can party late into the night.

Property manager

Ronald M. Blaha

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No drugs period!! Unless prescribed by your doctor.\nNo smoking on the vessel. inside or out. You must be on the dock or on the shore.\nNo open flames

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Richmond

Located in Richmond, this houseboat is in the city centre and on the beach. Malvern Hill Battlefield Park and Virginia Capital Trail: Richmond Trailhead are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Presquile National Wildlife Refuge and Pocahontas State Park. Richmond Railroad Museum and The Lazy Daisy are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hunting and hiking/biking trails.

What's nearby

  • Richmond National Battlefield Park - 11 min drive
  • Dorey Park - 13 min drive
  • Broad Street - 22 min drive
  • Virginia Commonwealth University - 24 min drive
  • Henricus Historical Park - 35 min drive

Getting around

  • Richmond Main Street Station - 22 min drive
  • Richmond, VA (RIC-Richmond Intl.) - 19 min drive

Restaurants

  • The Taphouse at Rivers Bend - 18 min drive
  • McDonald's - 18 min drive
  • McDonald's - 20 min drive
  • Pietro's Pizza & Italian Restaurant - 24 min drive
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill - 23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Warm and Cozy 50' Houseboat in gated, quaint and peaceful marina near the city located?

Located in Richmond, this beachfront houseboat is in the city centre, 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from James River, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Dorey Park. Malvern Hill Battlefield Park and Libby Hill Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 154 out of 190 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 190 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 190 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 190 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 190 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Escape on the Water
The Gia Maria was everything I was looking for and more. Perfectly serene houseboat on the water. Great views, great space for anyone looking for a taste of the nautical life. I stayed there by myself but it would be perfectly acceptable for a couple and kids. I will most certainly be back. Thank you, Captain Ron, for sharing this idyllic space with us.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shirley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing House Boat
Captain Ron was on sight when I arrived and showed me around. House boat had everything I needed and there were parks close by to walk my dog. The bed was a dream to sleep on. The boat has a lot of character which was delightful. If you need a lot of space this isn’t the place for you. I loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

E K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Houseboat
We stayed in the GiaMaria for the weekend and it was lovely. Very cozy and rustic. Capt Ron was wonderful to deal with and gave us great recommendations of things to do in the area. We can't wait to rent one of his other houseboats.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Hank W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bohemian Skipper 10/22
Amazing and unique place to stay. Captain Ron was a ideal host and was kind enough to give me a ride to downtown when I was running behind. Definitely will be back sooner than later.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Ronald M. Blaha

Host profile image
I am a retired tugboat company owner/captain who cannot get the James River out of my system, I began going on tugs with my dad when I was just four years old and that was more than 7 decades ago.
Throughout those years I was blessed to meet and befriend people from many seafaring nations and from all walks of life. Sometimes I wondered how some ships ever made it across oceans to come and load cargoes. The Captain's entire family would be living aboard with chickens and goats and dogs and dried fish hanging from many places on the outer decks. At other times the officers would be in full dress and sail spotless ships into the harbor.
Many of my personal stories can be found in Bohemian Skipper (Amazon), it is a collection of river stories and yet to be published, Chosen River l and ll. It is a book told from the heart by men who seldom saw their loved ones, or who had escaped their homelands and probable death for a better life, as was the case of a wonderful skipper who told of the atrocities committed by Mao Tse-Tung after the end of WWII.
During those years, I raised a family, built some homes/restaurants, earned a degree from Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary, with continued ed at Virginia Commonwealth University and University of North Florida.
In 1987, I was appointed by Governor Gerald Balliles as the Maritime Commander for Central Virginia in the Virginia State Guard with the rank of Lt Colonel.
I am currently married to my lovely wife, Ruth Christiane Rawlings, a Rocky Mountain girl turned Queen of the James who at age 60 received a Master of Teaching degree. Ruth has enjoyed a colorful background that spans from raising kids as a single mom to skydiving with the Golden Knights, to acting as the lead in many plays and musicals such as South Pacific, Zorba, Scrooge, Wait Until Dark, she also starred in Brigadoon and Pajama Game. And later, she sang alto with the Richmond Symphony Chorus for seven years.-

Why they chose this property

Virginia has its share of famous places to visit and no one can dispute this fact. For example we all know of Monticello, Mount Vernon, Civil War sites such as Manassas/Bull Run, City Point, and the Battle of the Crater. But then there is this little known place to lay your head that virtually no one has heard about, and it is in many ways far more historical than any other of these locations because of the varied influences it has had on our country's development. And that place is the area where the GiaMaria the Cookie B and the Jjewel resides. Consider this; on our shore and within a mile surrounding our marinas Chief Powhatan ruled over the village of Arrohateck, and Pocahontas and John Rolfe's farm abutted the marinas where they would grow the Varina tobacco that would save the colony from being abandoned. Captain John Smith wrote that he filled his ships with the best "sweetest" water from our spring, and Henricus became the second English settlement in America after Jamestown (open to the public as a restored "cittie"). Here Benedict Arnold would destroy our Colonial fleet of ships during the American Revolution and troops would pass by here on their way to fight in the War of 1812. Three Medals of Honor would be awarded here because of bravery during the Battle of New Market Heights/Chaffin's Farm. A major prisoner exchange took place just around the bend at Akien's farm at the end of the Civil War (my great grandfather Emmitt Brown was one of them). And sadly many slaves passed by our shores on the way upstream to Richmond where they would be sold. But thankfully those who would free them like Abraham Lincoln floated close behind. Men like Washington, Lafayette, John Marshall, Peter Jefferson (he lived here) and so many more passed within feet of our little marina. Yet we are only a stone's throw away from Richmond, Petersburg, Charlottesville Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown or Fredericksburg. Va. Beach or Washington, DC 2 hours by car.

What makes this property unique

Each of my guests seems to have found something that they liked about the GiaMaria or the Cookie B. For some it has been the comfort of the memory foamed mattress and high quality linens, for others it is the upper sun and viewing deck, still others like the large ceramic shower, some, the shaded forward deck or the large living quarters for lounging or reading. My guests books are filled with interesting things that some guests have shared with me. Read below an October note from Al and Mary Ann from Pittsburg.
Dear Captain Ron,
"This has been a very memorable experience. We have traveled extensively throughout the world and this overnight stay ranks as one of our most unique. Would love to have spent more time hearing about your life. My only regret is that our children and grandchildren were not here with us. They would have loved it."
Warmest regards,
Al and Mary Ann

Languages:

English
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