Important Info

Rental Terms & Conditions

1. Bookings and Payment

A non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking. This is typically 50% of the total amount, unless otherwise specified in your booking confirmation.
The outstanding balance must be paid in full by the date stated on your booking confirmation (usually 30 days prior to the rental date).
All payments are non-refundable, as we reserve the boat exclusively for you and decline other bookings.
A refundable damage deposit (typically between R2000 for one day rentals and R5000 for long term rentals) is due on the first day of the rental. It will be refunded at the end of your rental, provided no damage or loss has occurred.
The person making the booking (“the organiser”) accepts responsibility for ensuring that all members of their group are aware of and comply with these terms and conditions.

Contract Information

A binding rental contract will be considered in place once your booking has been confirmed in writing and a deposit has been received.
Verbal acknowledgements or informal communication prior to receiving the confirmation letter do not constitute a confirmed booking.
By paying the deposit, you agree to these Terms and Conditions on behalf of yourself and all other participants.

If you wish to assign a different organiser or responsible party for the booking, you must inform us in writing. We cannot acknowledge the change until written notice is received and confirmed.

You are responsible for:

Ensuring payment is made on time
Verifying the accuracy of booking confirmations and invoices
Notifying us immediately if any details are incorrect

2. Cancellations, Changes & No Shows

Change Requests: We will try to accommodate changes to your booking; however, we cannot guarantee availability. If changes incur additional costs, you will be informed and required to pay any difference immediately (especially for bookings within 7 days).
Boat Satisfaction: Refunds will not be issued for dissatisfaction related to aesthetic preferences (e.g., size, engine noise, smoke, colour). Refunds will only be provided if the boat is deemed unsafe due to mechanical failure.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing. Charges may apply depending on the losses incurred.
If you indicate uncertainty or intention to cancel, we may cancel the booking and retain your deposit. If you later confirm your intent to proceed, we may require an additional payment to reconfirm your commitment.
Postponement Fees: If we agree to postpone your booking, a postponement fee will be charged at our discretion.

3. Rental Agreement Terms

3.1 Boat, Motor & Trailer Condition

The Owner declares the boat, motor, and trailer to be in safe, working condition at the time of handover.
All required safety equipment will be onboard and in working order.
The Renter confirms inspection of the boat and equipment and deems them fit for use.

3.2 Qualifications

The Renter confirms they are legally and physically qualified to operate the boat.
Fuel usage during the rental is the Renter’s responsibility.

3.3 Prohibited Use (Exclusions)

The Renter agrees the boat will not be used:

For commercial hire or transport of goods/people
Beyond rated passenger or weight capacity
For towing other vessels or objects (without written consent)
In races or competitions
For illegal purposes
Negligently or recklessly
By anyone other than the Renter (unless approved in writing)
With the motor removed from the boat
To carry passengers while the trailer is in motion

3.4 Insurance & Damage Responsibility

The Renter accepts full financial responsibility for any damage or loss to the boat, motor, trailer or equipment during the rental period, regardless of cause, except where caused by prior defects.
No refund will be given if damage is due to customer negligence. The boat will be repaired, and the rental will resume. A new breakage deposit may be required.

3.5 Breakage Deposit

A breakage deposit must be paid to cover potential damage or loss. If no damage occurs, the deposit will be refunded in full.
If damage occurs, the deposit will be used for repairs or replacement. Any unused portion will be refunded, or additional charges may apply if damage exceeds the deposit amount.

4. Website Terms of Use

4.1 General Use

By accessing this website, you agree to abide by these terms. Terminology used (“Client”, “Company”, “We”, etc.) follows standard usage for legal agreements under South African law.

4.2 Privacy Statement

We are committed to protecting your privacy.
Personal information is only shared with authorised employees and not sold, rented, or distributed to third parties unless legally required.
You may request access to your personal information with reasonable notice.

4.3 Confidentiality

Client information is confidential and not disclosed unless required by law.
Clients are encouraged to keep copies of all relevant documents provided.

4.4 Disclaimer

The website content is provided “as is” without warranties.
The Company is not liable for losses arising from use of the website.
Users are responsible for ensuring that downloaded content suits their needs.

4.5 Copyright & IP

All text, images, and content are protected by copyright laws.
Linking to our website requires prior written consent.
If you believe content on our site violates copyright, please notify us.

4.6 Cookies & Tracking

Cookies may be used to enhance user experience.
IP addresses may be logged for security, analytics, and administration.

4.7 External Links

We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external websites linked from ours.
Evaluate any third-party website before sharing personal information.

5. Jurisdiction & Legal Enforcement

These Terms are governed by the laws of South Africa.
If any part of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest remain in effect.
No waiver of any provision shall be deemed a waiver of any other provision or of our rights under this agreement.
These Terms can only be modified in writing by authorised representatives of Knysna Boat Rental.

6. Updates to These Terms

Knysna Boat Rental reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. Continued use of our services or website after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. Notification of changes may be posted on our homepage or sent to affected users where necessary.

By proceeding with your booking or using our website, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms & Conditions.