The Fine Print, Made Simple
Everything worth knowing before you book, licences, weather, the bond, fuel and what happens if plans change.
Licences & Who Can Hire
Yes, the skipper needs a WA Recreational Skipper's Ticket or your home state's equivalent. Overseas visitors staying under 3 months can usually use their home boating licence, contact us before booking to confirm.
The hirer and skipper must be 18 or over.
Absolutely. First-time hirers watch a short Safe Boating video and get a full walk-through briefing before heading out. Most of our five-star reviews are from first-timers.
Where You Can Go & Weather
The Swan and Canning river system is the classic day out, and there is a full day's worth of cruising, swimming spots and fishing grounds in it. The boats are not restricted to the river. Your permitted area is confirmed with you at handover, so if you have somewhere particular in mind just tell us when you book.
Merv. It is the larger forward-cab plate aluminium boat and it is the one we point people towards for ocean trips and serious fishing. Bear in mind open water is far more weather dependent than the river, so an ocean day is more likely to move if the forecast turns.
Hires run when swell is 2 metres or under and wind is 20 knots or under. If the forecast breaches those limits we'll transfer your booking free of charge, weather transfers are always no-cost.
Booking, Payment & Cancellation
A 20% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due the day before hire by bank transfer.
Yes, with more than 72 hours' notice you can transfer your booking, and transfers stay valid for 3 months. Inside 72 hours, transfers aren't available (except for weather, which is always free).
Cancel with more than 72 hours' notice and you'll receive a credit. Cancellations inside 72 hours are charged in full, the boat's been held for you and can't be re-booked at short notice.
Bond & Fuel
A $1,000 refundable security deposit applies to each hire. It is equal to the insurance excess. It's refunded within about 3 working days of the boat coming back in good shape.
The boat goes out with a full tank of Premium 98 and comes back with a full tank. Prefer us to refuel it? That's a $100 service fee plus the cost of fuel.
Late returns are charged at $50 per hour, the next crew is usually waiting.
On The Day
Yes, fishing is welcome on all boats, and Merv is purpose-built for it. Please rinse the boat down after fishing, or a $50 cleaning fee applies.
BYO picnic, snacks and refreshments are encouraged. It is your day. Just take your rubbish with you.
No, skiing, wakeboarding and towing anything behind the boat aren't permitted on any hire.
Your Skipper's Ticket, sun protection, towels, food and drinks, and your sense of adventure. Life jackets and all safety gear are already on board.
Question we haven't answered? Call Jim on 0409 323 881 or send an enquiry.
Pick a boat, pick a date, online booking takes a couple of minutes.