In June 2004, everything in their lives changed when they took ownership of their new trawler, and brought it back to their new summer home in Toronto. After spending three summers on their previous boat the decision to become full time live-aboards was an easy one. “We preferred living on our boat surrounded by water” Ted candidly responds, “plus our boat had lots of room for us and our guests.” The idea of the running a boat bed and breakfast in Toronto came about quite unexpectedly. The Greene’s envisioned the Boatel as a unique accommodation experience with casual elegance that made everyone feel at home. Their idea was an immediate success with both travel writers and guests because it offered a unique alternative of where to stay in Toronto with a refreshing change from a ordinary hotel.
So rather than going to work in the fast pace computer business, they prefer to get up in the morning to make coffee and Eggs Benedict for their guests. “We try to do something special for all of our Boatel guests to make them feel at home,” says Diane, “our goal is simple – to have people arrive as strangers and leave as friends”. Diane’s degree in hotel and restaurant management combined with 20+ years of sales and marketing experience along with Ted’s CMA and business knowledge has helped to turn Making Waves Boatel into a successful venture for the Greenes.
In October 2004, at the end of their first Boatel season, Diane & Ted untied the dock lines and embarked on an incredible journey to the Bahamas which they repeated the following winter. After spending two winters in the Bahamas and having traveled over 10,000 nautical miles, they now enjoy sharing stories of their adventures over cocktails with their Boatel guests.
For Diane & Ted their dream became a reality. Obviously they have found the secret to chasing and living their dreams. They operated the Toronto B&B Making Waves Boatel (Boat + Hotel) during the summers at Ontario Place Marina from June 2004 to October 2007 and traveled to the Bahamas during the winters.
After a 2 year hiatus and time to complete a marine retrofit, the Greenes moved the Boatel to Toronto Harbourfront for the summer 2010 season and cruised aboard Boatel I in the winter in the Bahamas. In May 2011 they returned to Harbourfront to once again welcome guests aboard the only floating Toronto bed and breakfast for the summer season.
Plans to cruise south in the fall of 2011 were changed because of closures to the New York Canal system due to damage from Hurricane Irene. The Boatel remained in Canada for the winter and returns to Queens Quay in May 2012 for the Boatel’s 7th season.
