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Step by step guide on how to book a rental boat on the Boatopia platform.
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Find a Boat
Once on Boatopia.com, you click find a boat and it will bring you to the search page. On the search page you can filter your search by location, dates available, keywords, included features, activities you can do with your boat, boat type, boat size, max. Number of guests, steering type, and other information like if a license is required, if pickup is available or delivery is available.
The boats that match your search criteria will populate in your search window. The listing previews will allow you to see lowest daily rate available, boat type, length, number of guests, extras, delivery available, steering type, and activities as well as which dealer is the rentee and their location.
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To get more information on a listing, you can click anywhere on the listing preview. On the Listing page you will see the pricing breakdown, more information on features and inclusions, any policies that the dealer would like to highlight.
You can also add some extras to your rental package if the dealer offers them.
You can see the boat's availability in the calendar and the possible delivery locations available from the dealer. Please note that the dealer may charge a delivery fee. Then you can see more information about the dealer and any of their reviews and other listings.
When you find the boat you would like to book, click the Book Now button on the boats listing page.
Fill in the information such as the rental dates and times, your name and phone number as well as any extras you would like to add at this time. You need to choose whether you would like it picked up or delivered. If you would like to pick it up, it will show you the towing weight so you know what vehicle towing capacity you will need. If you choose delivery, you can choose from the dealerships preset delivery locations. The locations may have a fee associated with them and that will populate in the price breakdown on the right as a delivery fee.
When you are ready to complete your booking, click Save and Continue. If you are not already logged in to Boatopia.com, you will need to sign up and create an account or login.
You can then click, confirm your rental.
Once you click confirm your rental, it will bring you to the secure payment page.
When paying, your card will only be charged the deposit amount that the dealer requires. If there is a remaining balance, it will be charged the day before your rental starts.
There will also be a security deposit hold put on your card when booking if the dealer has chosen. The security deposit will start the day before your rental period. This charge will be removed after your booking has completed and the boat and all additional equipment is returned in good condition. If the dealer notices any damage, missing items, low fuel, or is returned late, they can charge the security deposit and will notify you if they do so. If damage is above the security deposit amount, the dealer will be in contact with you to make arrangements for repayment.
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Once you have created an account and have a booking, you will be taken to the Renter Portal. In the renter portal you can see all your future bookings, contact the dealer in the chat, and retrieve any trip information you may require.
To manage your trip or to see messages, click on the booking you would like to manage or message. This will take you to the booking page. You can then Cancel your booking, contact Boatopia support, and see your rental information.
If you would like to message your renting dealer, you can do so on the trip page in the messages tab.
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Click the arrow and you will be able to type a message and add attachments and send them to the dealer. The dealer will get a notification that you have messaged and will answer in a timely manner. When a dealer has replied, you will receive notification emails and you can come back to the portal and continue the messages.
In the documents section of your booking, you will be able to see any documents that the dealer would like you to complete prior to taking delivery or picking up your rental boat.
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The dealer may require you to watch a video orientation or safety briefing then to fill and sign any documents. The links to the videos will be found with the documents.
Simply watch the video if needed, download the original document, fill it in save, and reupload the document using the Click Here to Upload a File. You can also choose to print the document and reupload a scanned copy of the signed document.
Completing all the necessary paperwork prior to your rental will save you time at the launch or dealership and give you more time out on the water enjoying your rental.
If you need to cancel a booking, you can do so by clicking on the Cancel Booking button located on the Booking page. If you are within the free cancellation period (minimum of 48 hours prior to the rental period), it will ask you to enter a message for why you are canceling and choose Cancel Booking and Refund deposit.
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Your rental period has finished and your rental boat has been returned to the dealer. The dealer will do an inspection of the boat once it has been returned and not any issues or missing items that may have come up. If everything is returned in good condition, the dealer will change the status of the booking to Returned and you will receive a notification email to complete a review of your rental experience with that dealer.
If the dealer notices any damage, missing items, low fuel, or is returned late, they can charge the security deposit and will notify you if they do so. If damage is above the security deposit amount, the dealer will be in contact with you to make arrangements for repayment.
If the dealer notices any damage, missing items, low fuel, or is returned late, they can charge the security deposit and will notify you if they do so. If damage is above the security deposit amount, the dealer will be in contact with you to make arrangements for repayment.
You will receive a notification email to complete a review of your rental experience with the dealer. Reviews are extremely important to all of our dealers and are taken very seriously.
To review your dealer, login to your Boatopia Renter portal and click on the booking you wish to review. Beside the messaging and documents tabs you will now notice a Review tab.
Clicking on the tab will populate a review form. Your review is based on the dealer and the boat. You can choose your star rating 1-5 with 5 stars being the best score. You can write a review and click submit. The dealer will be notified of the review and it will be visible on their dealer page and their listings to help other customers know what experience the dealer provides.
The dealer may follow up with you using the contact information you have provided to address any issues or for more information about your experience so they can better the customer experience for future renters.
Hope this helps you make your first Boatopia booking! If you need additional help, please feel free to reach out to Boatopia Support by emailing [email protected] or you can contact the rental partner for the listing you would like to book and they would love to give you a hand!