A boat comes back with less fuel, an occasional scratch and sometimes late. The deposit, the fuel policy and the return inspection are how those become a line on the invoice instead of an argument at the dock.
Hold the deposit, do not charge it
Place a pre-authorization hold on the card at checkout, sized to the boat: a few hundred dollars for a jet ski, more for a pontoon or a wake boat. Release it the same day on a clean return; capture part of it, with photos and a reason, for damage. Holds convert better than charged deposits and reconcile in one step. Share Marketplace supports holds and refundable deposits on Stripe and Square, with capture or release from the booking.
Fuel, three ways
- Return full. The boat leaves full and comes back full; a fuel fee is charged if it does not. Simple, but the customer has to find a marina pump.
- Charged on return. Fuel used is measured (gauge or hours) and charged at your rate from the card on file. Fair and hands-off for the customer.
- Included. A fuel allowance is built into the rate for short rentals. Best for jet skis and hourly bookings.
Put the model and the rate in the agreement and at checkout.
The return inspection
Walk the boat with the customer: hull, prop, upholstery, equipment count, fuel. Photograph anything new against the pickup photos. Settle fuel and any damage from the card on file before the customer leaves; a charge explained on the dock is accepted, a charge that appears three days later is disputed.
Late returns
Boats have a next departure. The late fee should reflect the hourly rate and apply automatically, and the departures board should flag a boat that is late against its next booking so the crew can call.
Weather and cancellations
State the weather policy in the agreement: who decides the water is unsafe, and what the customer gets (a reschedule, a credit, a refund). A clear policy avoids the deposit becoming the argument.
Card on file for the season
Repeat renters and captained-trip guests can keep a card on file so fuel and extras are charged without a new checkout. Keep the consent in the agreement.
Checklist
- Hold sized by boat class; release the same day when clean
- One fuel model, stated at checkout
- Pickup and return photos; settle on the dock
- Automatic late fee tied to the hourly rate
- Weather policy in the agreement
The waivers and agreements guide covers the documents, and the boat rental software page shows holds and the departures board in Share.