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BOAT OWNERS


all you need to know
about renting your boat
FAQs & more

Boat Owner FAQs
& Getting Started

Below is a guide to give you more information about the process of renting your boat with BookMyBoat. 

We pride ourselves on achieving your outcomes. 

Our Australian support team are always on hand to assist you throughout the rental process.

Scroll down to find detailed information on about how BookMyBoat works for Boat Owners

WHY RENT OUT YOUR BOAT on BOOKMYBOAT?

BookMyBoat, your trusted boat hire marketplace provides automated processes to simplify and protect you from awkward situations during the hire including Stripe credit card payment processes systems, automated security bonds, and full comprehensive insurance.

Book My Boat aims to have the largest database of sophisticated rental customers

to ensure your listing is being viewed by the largest engaged audience possible.

Completing transactions on BookMyBoat gives you peace of mind that if something goes wrong there is process and documentation to eliminate the uncertainties whilst providing accurate information about who you are dealing with.

DO OWNERS DECIDE WHO RENTS THEIR BOAT?

Yes!

To be eligible to rent your boat via the BookMyBoat platform, a potential renter must meet all the following criteria;

  • Be at least 18 years of age (they must also meet the minimum age set by the boat owner, BookMyBoat restricts anyone under the age of 18 from hiring a boat.)
  • Possess a current, valid car driver’s license (if applicable for towing a vessel.)
  • Possess a current, valid recreational boat driver’s license.
  • Possess a verifiable email address.

 

If a boat owner feels that a specific renter is not qualified to rent their vessel, the owner is free to decline the booking request.

If a boat owner accepts a booking request but upon meeting the renter has a good and valid reason to believe that they are not qualified to handle the boat, then the boat owner can cancel the booking immediately and then contact support@bookmyboat.com.au. Conditions apply – please see our Cancellation policy

 

DO OWNERS HAVE CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE RENTAL PROCESS?

Yes! 

Owners have complete control throughout the entire process. They: 

  • Have full control over the listing.
  • Set the price.
  • Set the Boat availability through our online calendar
  • Set the minimum age limit for hirers 
  • Have the ability to dispute if the boat is damaged during the hire. ( pre and post inspection conditions apply )

WHAT ARE "BOAT RULES"?

 

“Boat Rules” are where Owners let renters know special rules that apply to their listing.

For example, some owners may prefer not to allow fishing or waterskiing etc This can be stated in the listing rules section when listing a boat.

By proceeding with the booking, Renters are agreeing to the Boat Owners rules.

Owners should have up to date rules so as to reduce the number of questions and also protect them in case of any disagreement.

If you require more information or a guide on how to create rules for your boat, contact us at support@bookmyboat.com.au

CAN THE OWNERS OFFER HALF DAY OR HOURLY RATES?

 

Boat Owners have the option on setting hires for Full-day, half-day rates.

Hourly Rates are not available at this time.

HOW DO OWNERS GET PAID?

 

Upon the successful completion of a rental, the Boat Owner marks the order as completed on their BookMyBoat owners portal. The Customer then has 2 days to do the same or lodge a dispute. Once this is done the payments are authorised.

  • Payment will be deposited directly into the account you specified at the time of registering with BookMyBoat.
  • Payment from the Stripe payment gateway to your account can take 3-5 business days from the time you complete the order transaction ( Please note the initial payment may take 7-10 business days as Stripe validates your account credentials. )
  • Once the transfer is released, your bank normally takes 24 hours to review the payment before crediting the account.
  • Refunds or payment adjustments may take 5-10 business days to reflect in the listed bank account.

Please Remember – All payouts are net of BookMyBoat Service Fees.

 

HOW MUCH SHOULD OWNERS CHARGE?

 

Typically, listing prices vary depending on boat type, amenities, age of boat and the market in which your vessel is located. 

The rates you decide on are completely up to you. As a new owner, you may want to charge lower than average rates to attract renters who are comparing your boat to those with reviews. 

For more  guidance or advice on rental rates contact us

 

PLATFORM SERVICE FEES

Book My Boat charges a service fee equal to 19 percent of the listing price.

The Service fees charged by BookMyBoat are as consideration for the services provided by BookMyBoat but not limited to, provision of an online marketplace, provision of a secure Stripe payment gateway including all associated fees and charges, provision of policies and procedures, and provision for insurance coverage (where applicable – conditions apply) 

 

For example: If a Boat Owner lists a boat at a price of $500 per day then the payout will be as follows;    

–             $500 Income

–             19% to BookMyBoat ($95)

–             81% to Boat Owner ($405)

To view the full range of fees and the Fee Policy Click Here

SECURITY DEPOSIT

Security Deposits are designed to provide coverage to the boat owner for any low value incidentals that may occur whilst the boat is on hire. For example, payment for fuel, optional equipment like fishing rods or minor repairs etc.

We find security deposits are also a useful tool that influences a rental customers behaviour whilst in control of your boat. We recommend a minimum $1000 security deposit on all boat listings.

Once the rental is completed the Security deposit is released back to the customers (unless the Owners lodges a dispute within 2 days after the hire is completed.)

For any claim event, the renter’s security deposit maybe used to pay for all or some of the costs to resolve the matter. If the full insurance excess is required to make a claim the security deposit will be used as a downpayment against the excess that the rental customer is liable for.

 The value of the standard insurance excess is subject to the sum insured value of the boat. The rental customer is liable for the full value of the insurance excess if they damage the boat unless they participate in the insurance buy down scheme at the time of booking.

For more information visit Insurance FAQs page

IS MY BOAT SUITABLE FOR RENT?

 

All Boats must be registered as domestic commercial vessels with AMSA. The BookMyBoat team understand the commercial registration requirements and we can assist you with the registration process. For boats under 12 meters long, that have an Australian Builders Plate and an outboard or diesel engine they may be subject to a survey exemption. The survey exemption registration is the cheapest registration in Australia at just $440 for a 5 year term. Depending on the size of your boat, this may represent a 75% saving on your recreational registration. Plus is tax deductible with all of your other boating expenses like servicing, berthing etc proportionate to its use.

Contact us to discover how we can quickly help you and how you can save on registration costs.

CAN BOOKMYBOAT HELP ME GET A CERTIFICATE OF OPERATIONS
SO I CAN LIST MY BOAT?

Yes, You can do it yourself or you can save time and get your boat listed faster by using BookMyBoat to assist you.

BookMyBoat is assisting Boat Owners all over Australia, we are experienced in this process and maintain an excellent relationship with AMSA (the regulator). With our assistance, you could be generating an income from your boat in no time.

Contact us anytime at support@bookmyboat.com.au

For more information on the commercial registration requirements Click Here. 

PRE HIRE / POST HIRE PROCESS

We have a standardised Pre/Post Hire Process for all Boat Owners.

This includes:

  • Vessel inspection, briefings, photographs and documentation before and after the hire.
  • Each boat owner will receive a guidance and supportive materials from our team on how to conduct a pre and post rental briefing and how to document the On Hire / Off Hire process.
  • All boat owners are emailed upon Sign Up with BookMyBoat and provided with full details and support on how the rental process works, but of course should you like more information or have any questions contact us.

PRE & POST HIRE INSPECTION

 

It is a BookMyBoat insurance requirement that the condition of the boat is recorded and agreed between the Owner and the Renter before and after the hire. This covers both parties in the event that a vessel gets damaged or there is a dispute over the condition of the vessel upon it’s return.

It is the responsibility of both the renter and the owner to assess the boat for any new damage caused during the rental period and to sign off on the state of the boat.

 

The rental inspection has the following components:

  1. Safety Briefing – Owners must show the renter all safety features of the boat including the location of lifejackets.
  2. Fuel – Prior to the booking, the owner and renter will agree on a fuel policy (if applicable). Pre and post rental fuel amounts must be noted.
  3. Start-Condition – Document the boat’s condition (include photos)
  4. End-Condition – Document the boat’s condition. In the event of damage, ensure it is clearly documented including photos and incident report.
  5. Owner/Renter Signatures – Both renter and owner/designated agent must sign the On Hire/Off Hire document during the inspection

FUEL REIMBURSEMENTS - HOW IT WORKS

BookMyBoat have a standardised procedure on Fuel Reimbursement for all rental agreements,

this is detailed in our Standard Conditions of Hire.

The fuel reimbursement method must be agreed upon between both parties prior to the day of rental.

VESSEL BREAKDOWNS

 

Should your vessel experience mechanical issues or breakdown which prevent a confirmed booking please contact us to action a cancellation.  View the full Vessel Breakdown Policy Click Here

To summarise the vessel Breakdown Policy:

If a vessel breakdown through no fault of the Renter the Boat Owner may be liable to refund the Renters payment.

If a vessel breakdown due to the Renters actions and is not considered wear and tear the Renter may be liable through their Security deposit and possibly insurance coverage to remedy the failure. 

CANCELLATION POLICY

BookMyBoat has a standardised Cancellation Policy that we strictly enforce to protect both the renter and boat owner.

To view the Cancellation Policy Click Here