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Historic riverfront home with boathouse & private dock - dogs OK

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A lakeside property with a grassy area, trees, and a small structure.
A house with a lawn and trees.
A two-story house with a green door, white siding, and a small front porch.
A kitchen with a dining table, chairs, a stove, and a refrigerator.
A hotel room with a bed, a wooden dresser, a painting, a lamp, and a television.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Entire cabin

4 bedrooms2 bathrooms1664 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Boothbay, ME
  • Place, Hodgdon Island
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Boothbay Harbor Marina
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Wiscasset, ME (ISS)
    ‪28 min drive‬

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Boothbay

With a stay at this cabin in Boothbay, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 5-minute drive of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Hodgdon Island. .This cabin is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Knickerbocker Lake and 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Boothbay Farmers' Market.
View more Cabin Rentals in BoothbayOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Hodgdon Island - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - 2 min drive - 0.7 miles
  • Opera House at Boothbay Harbor - 9 min drive - 4.5 miles
  • Boothbay Harbor Marina - 9 min drive - 4.7 miles
  • LL Bean Flagship Store - 58 min drive - 50.4 miles

Getting around

  • Brunswick Station - 49 min drive
  • Wiscasset, ME (ISS) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Kitchen Garden Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Boothbay Lobster Wharf - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Tugboat Inn - ‬9 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic riverfront home with boathouse & private dock - dogs OK

Settle into a piece of coastal Maine history at this simple, classic waterfront cottage on Sawyer's Island in Boothbay. Built in 1832 as the home of sea captain John Kent, the house has been part of the island landscape for nearly two centuries. It later became home to the Sawyer Island Art Studio of artist Joseph Bailey Ellis, whose sculptures remain on exhibit at Carnegie Mellon University.

This is an older Maine home with character, history, and plenty of vintage touches. Antiques, period pieces, original details, and traditional furnishings have been intentionally kept throughout the cottage. The home is not new or modern, but offers a comfortable and memorable place to slow down and enjoy the coast.
Outside, the setting is the highlight. The 2.5-acre property is surrounded by water on three sides, with open lawns, mature shade trees, a boathouse, and a private dock. Walk across the lawn to the boathouse to sit by the water, watch the changing tides, or enjoy the evening sunset. Bring your kayaks and launch from the dock for a paddle around the island, where you may spot seals, seabirds, and other coastal wildlife.

Part of the property is also dedicated to native Maine wildflowers and pollinator habitat. Seasonal pathways wind through the meadow, where butterflies, fireflies, and other pollinators can be seen throughout the warmer months. The property participates in Monarch Watch and Firefly Watch programs, and nature guides are available inside the cottage for guests interested in exploring the area.

Inside the Cottage
The approximately 1,664-square-foot home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms spread across two floors.
First Floor
Kitchen and butler's pantry
Dining room
Family room
Bedroom with one double bed
¾ bathroom with soaking tub

Second Floor
Bedroom with one king bed and two twin beds
Bedroom with two twin beds
Bedroom with one queen bed
¾ bathroom with shower

Because the cottage dates to the 1830s, guests should expect some of the quirks that come with an older Maine home, including steep and narrow stairs, vintage finishes, antiques, and an older layout. These details are part of the character and history of the property.

What's Nearby
The cottage feels tucked away, but Boothbay's best-known destinations are just a short drive away.
Just over 2 miles to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Approximately 3 miles to Boothbay
Approximately 5 miles to Boothbay Harbor
Easy access to local restaurants, shops, breweries, boat cruises, and whale watching
Day-trip opportunities include the Maine State Aquarium, Maine Maritime Museum, and Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Things to Know
Dog-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Private washer and dryer
No air conditioning
Fireplace is not available for guest use
Steep, narrow staircase typical of an 1830s home
Driveway is shared with the owners
Private dock and waterfront access
Guests are welcome to bring their own kayaks

​​​​​​​This cottage is a good fit for guests who appreciate older homes, Maine history, antiques, nature, and a quiet waterfront setting. Come for the simple pleasures of island life—morning walks across the lawn, afternoons by the water, kayaking from the dock, and evenings watching the sun set over the coast.
Make yourself comfortable in this cabin, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cabin: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the ocean
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,664 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Children allowed

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

1092145

Historic riverfront home with boathouse & private dock - dogs OK Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 26 reviews

7.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charlene Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location

Very close to botanical garden and harbor. Perfect for our needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Barbara X.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Retreat

We really enjoyed our stay at Capt. Kent's, a rustic, quiet location yet close to Boothbay Harbor and all of it's amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Classic historical Maine

Beautiful views, fascinating historic home!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kenna R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay in a rustic home

Really good size for a group of 8 friends, definitely old home though. If you have mobility issues then this might not be the best fit as the stairs to the second floor are steep and narrow. The boathouse was perfect though, definitely the highlight for us.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Gary B.

Beautiful property with water on three sides.

Sunsets.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Kenna R.

Cost lake home <3

Excellent home for a friend trip to Maine. Very old and rustic but it has a lot of charm. The boathouse really made the whole stay worth it. Very relaxing and calming atmosphere. The stairs to the second floor are very steep and narrow so if anyone has mobility issues this may not be the best fit, but there is one bedroom and full bath on the first floor as well.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful home!

This home has the perfect mix of a traditional Maine cottage with some modern updates. Inside was very comfortable with views of the water from practically every window. The property itself is incredible and we can’t wait to come back in the summer months to really take advantage of the yard and waterfront. The sunsets were gorgeous.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Jeffrey W.

Historic home with tons of character

You'll either love or hate the patina of history of this home, but you can't deny that it's a great location with lots of nearby tourist attractions. The property is right on an ocean inlet and we enjoyed the wonderful views from the chairs in the backyard and the boathouse right on the water. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are right up the street and well worth a visit. The town of Boothbay Harbor is filled with things to do...we recommend taking part of one of the Cabbage Island Clambakes, which includes a narrated boat ride around the harbor and various islands in addition to a traditional twin lobster meal.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ashley O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Maine escape.

We traveled back in time in this charming Cottage. From the soaking tub to the pan sink and the Hoosier cabinet- we enjoyed all the charms while also appreciating the modern amenities. The views are breath taking and while we could have stayed on the property for our entire vacation- we loved that Boothbay was in close proximity. All in all- this house was a dream.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Allison K.

Fantastic views, old Maine home

The house is what you would expect if going to visit an old family home. Charming, and quaint with some modern upgrades - but not many. It’s rustic, with adorable dishes, and great space with some of the best views we’ve ever seen. Sunset is beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

hugh d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Antique house

Beautiful house with views. We enjoyed it. Be aware that it is antique (stairs and steps are very steep, in case anyone has mobility issues). Listed with 5 bedrooms; we only found 4, but it could easily sleep 10.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Dalton S.

🦞

Unique vintage home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
From a partner site

2/10 Terrible

Andrew W.

Non Functional Home

Idyllic location. The physical structure is in disrepair. I would not come back to this property and do not recommend to anyone with small children or older adults as the property presents many hazards and dangers.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Mary B.

Amazing relaxation awaits!

This quaint colonial home was absolutely phenomenal! I have never been more relaxed on vacation. The breeze is blowing across the property at all. Times are absolutely wonderful and the views are breathtaking. Plenty of room to spread out. The kids had so much fun playing in the yard and down by the beach and the dock. Truly a wonderful experience! Thank you so much!!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Donna S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family stay in beautiful Boothbay area

This house had a lot of charm, we stayed with our family here and enjoyed the spectacular view especially the sunsets. We rented kayaks for the week which were delivered to the home. The kids caught crabs from the dock. Overall a wonderful vacation with great quiet location! A side note: the stairs leading to the bedrooms upstairs were very narrow. Luckily there was a bedroom on main level that my parents used.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sam K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property & truly historic house

The yard is lovely and views were amazing. The house is truly historic, as is the furniture (not the most comfortable but we were there to be outside.) Some of creature comforts could be updated without losing the historic feel (We own an 1835 farm house.) We all loved the yard and boat house. The river had lots of Osprey and some harbor seal activity that we enjoyed from the dock and the boat house.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

Elizabeth F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic location

Location fantastic, furniture worn, kitchen is challenging due to location of sink in pantry. Lawn needs mowing although rain may have affected schedule. Fantastic views. Wish there had been working hose (gash is side likely from over wintering) and a swim ladder on dock. Recommend bringing your own pillows/drinking water. Great for price.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Dan H.

Captain Kent Home June 2023

Old and quirky home that works beautifully! Amazing property with large lawn surrounded on two sides by tidal waters. Has a magical boathouse that we used for cocktail hour. We rented kayaks and paddle boards that we kept at the awesome dock. Beds were comfortable. Stairs are very steep and difficult if you are elderly or have knee issues. We were a group of 7 and loved the house and property!
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Diamond Shamrock LTD J.

Vintage Charm

This is a beautiful location! There is ocean on 3 sides of the property and I'm pretty sure you can see it from every single window in the house. The house itself is historical and hasn't been updated much. There is running water, electricity and most modern amenities (TV, internet, fridge, dishwasher, etc...) but it still maintains its vintage feel. This was a wonderful vacation to help reset from the fast pace of life and remind me of the things that are important.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Eric and Lori W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Captain Kent's weekend getaway

Beautiful property surrounded by water on 3 sides! Loved the historic charm in this gorgeous 1832 cape built by Captain John Kent. Historic memorabilia throughout home. We have older children, but younger (toddlers ) & elderly may have a more difficult time with the stairs to upstairs bedrooms. Extremely steep, but to be expected in a home built in 1800's. Very clean and kept immaculate for a home of this age. Décor matches age of home, reminds you of your Great- Grandparent's home! Well- stocked with necessities - towels, blankets, dishes, soaps etc.. Can't beat the water views out just about every window of the home and the outdoor space!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Pilar O.

Cap’n Kent knew how to site his house

Gorgeous location. The house is surrounded by water on three sides. View of island preserve is astonishingly close. The private dock is great for boats, swimming and watching the impressive tides come and go. Sunset views are stunning. Grassy lawn and oaks provide lovely place to run and play and linger in the shade. Great walks in 3 directions on a relatively quiet road. Close to land trust sites, lobster shack, and grocery store. as well. House is charming— no fewer than 5 doors to outside. Full of wonderful antiques, angles and nooks. Wide pine floors. Butler pantry for sink and dishes and fridge and stove in an adjoining room meant we got a lot of steps while cooking. Sweet older dishes and glassware made it feel like we were staying in grandma’s house. Basic cookware, appliances and utensils. But lots of tools for boiling lobster and eating corn. Grateful for washer/dryer. Two families shared with plenty of privacy for each.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Gordon V.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Marvelous with misgivings galore

This was a beautiful spot and very private. Realized it was a historic house so not expecting modern, but screens with holes letting in bugs, light on the very narrow stairs that didn’t work even with change of light bulb (really a safety issue) all lamps unplugged so kids had to go upstairs with a flashlight to plug them in. We expected kids to be able to play in the water and maybe we should have known a tidal flat would be muddy but not being from there that was misleading for us. Would like to have had information about getting kayaks or someway to get to Indian preserve island.. Would like to have more information easily available about Capt. Kent.,beyond the clipping on the fireplace that was not easy to take down and read. Close to botanic garden and it was great - all ages enjoyed it and amazed that it has only been there since 2007. Kitchen was poorly organized and lacked a spatula for mixing. WiFi was somewhat sporadic but lots of available movies. We loved being able to live in an historic house. Just wished some details could be fixed, like faucets in the bathroom that were totally loose from sink itself. Pretty pricey for the number of basic maintenance issues that weren’t fixed. We had a great time, but renter beware.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Michelle S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion

This property has a great setting. The location is about 10-15 minutes from Boothbay Harbor. We enjoyed spending the mornings out on the lawn watching the seals swim by. It would’ve been nice if there was a fire pit so we could’ve sat out in the evenings. The property wasn’t very accessible for my older parents. There aren’t railings to get in and the steps are very tall and uneven. The second floor is accessed via VERY steep steps. My 3 year old grandchild had a very difficult time navigating the steps. The house is very old and the doors and windows are warped so lots of bugs get in. The appliances are old. The house still has the double faucets which make washing difficult. There’s a great breeze going through the house so the lack of ac wasn’t a problem. Be careful when you go into the garage that you don’t get locked in. My family members got locked in a couple of times and it’s away from the main house so no one hears you knocking to get out. The setting made up for most of the faults in the property. We really enjoyed the lawn and playing lawn games. This is an old house and with it come all the cobwebs and uneven floors but it certainly has a lot of character.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Andrew W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Non-Functional Home

Idyllic location. Breathtaking views. House is almost non-functional. This house has been frozen in time with almost no updates since the 1950’s. That would not be a problem in most cases but this property has made no effort to improve or even deep clean the property. The furniture is literally falling apart and filthy. The kitchen is not functional as the sink is located in a different room than the oven, fridge , and seating. The dishwasher hose is connected to the hot water faucet in the kitchen sink, they have not bothered to hook up a separate pipe. The fridge has dirty crusty food throughout and the dishes were put away without being washed. The grill does not work so cooking at the house, other than microwave food and toast, was not an option. We were not comfortable using the dishes and had to rewash them. The fans for the rooms are completely covered in dust and lint and half the windows do not open. Some of the windows seem original to the home and are covered in broken glass panes , peeling paint (probably lead) and years of dust and dirt. The staircase leading upstairs is so steep no one under the age of 10 or over the age of 60 should attempt to climb. The hand railings are covered in sticky substances , probably years of neglect. Finally the front yard could be an asset but unfortunately is covered in geese droppings. This is in no way a place for a family with young children or older adults.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Deb B.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unsanitary conditions, dangerous for small children

BEWARE. This "quaint cottage" is not quaint, it's dilapidated. Broken windows. Broken screens. A floor so dirty we had to put blankets down so my daughter could play in the livingroom. Peeling paint everywhere, and we were very concerned about lead. Dead bugs left in the shower and on the window sills. Dirty sheets on a "made" bed. A falling-apart couch matted in dog hair. To cap off our stay, we found a large bag of marijuana that had been left (at toddler eye level, no less) by the neglectful "cleaning" crew that obviously wasn't doing their job. Yes, the view is beautiful, but the outside grounds are *covered* in geese excrement. So if you have kids, they can't play in the grass. Which, needless to say, is sort of the point. We tried to resolve this several times and VRBO was less than helpful. Hung up on us multiple times. Wouldn't agree to any reasonable compensation. It's tragic because the home could be lovely but it's been left to rot. If you want to stay somewhere and let your dogs trash the place with no repercussions, maybe it's for you. But if you're looking for a charming family rental this is not the place. We'll take our business elsewhere because VRBO cannot be trusted.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023