Without HireHelm
Customers arrive without the right licence and you have to turn them away
Engine maintenance gets missed during busy weekends and craft break down
Fuel costs are unpredictable because you can't track usage per hire
Damage deposits are handled in cash and disputes drag on for weeks
You're juggling phone bookings, walk-ins, and online enquiries with no single view
With HireHelm
Slot & Day Booking
Offer half-day, full-day, or hourly hires with automatic turnaround buffers for refuelling and safety checks.
Licence Verification
Collect and verify customer boat licences or RYA certificates before they arrive. No guesswork at the pontoon.
Engine & Hull Tracking
Log engine hours, schedule servicing, and track hull inspections per craft. Never miss a maintenance window.
Damage Deposits
Collect and hold damage deposits via Stripe. Release or deduct automatically after the hire period.
See HireHelm in Action
Licence Verification
Booking #MB-2847 · James W.
Booking Received
10:32 AM
Licence Upload Requested
10:32 AM
Customer Uploaded RYA Level 2
11:15 AM
Licence Verified ✓
Auto
Motorboat Fleet
Thunder 180
RIB · 180hp
Cruiser Elite
Day Cruiser · 115hp
Speedster X
Bowrider · 200hp
Everything included
Everything You Need to Run Your Motorboat Fleet
Every feature is included with your HireHelm plan. No add-ons, no hidden costs.
Automatic Licence Checks
Request RYA certification or ICC documents at booking. Customers upload before arrival so you can verify in advance.
Engine Hour Tracking
Log engine hours per craft per hire. Set maintenance alerts at configurable thresholds so servicing happens on schedule.
Fuel Usage Logging
Record fuel levels at departure and return. Calculate fuel costs per hire for accurate pricing and expense tracking.
Damage Deposit Automation
Hold deposits via Stripe pre-authorisation. Release automatically after a clean return or deduct for damages with photographic evidence.
Safety Equipment Checklists
Digital pre-departure checklists ensure every craft goes out with the correct safety gear — fire extinguisher, flares, VHF radio.
Multi-Day Hire Support
Handle overnight and multi-day hires with flexible pricing, mid-hire check-ins, and automated return reminders.
Keep exploring
More from HireHelm
Dive into the UK software guides, the full feature set, or another craft type.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can HireHelm record licence and competency checks?+
Yes. Capture and store helmsman or ICC details, ID and any required competency confirmation against each booking before the customer collects the boat, so you have a clear record for insurance and compliance.
Does it track fuel use and engine maintenance?+
It does. Log fuel at collection and return, track engine hours per boat, and schedule servicing so day cruisers and RIBs are always ready. You're flagged before a boat is due maintenance.
How are damage deposits and security bonds managed?+
Take a refundable damage deposit at booking, record the boat's condition with photos at handover and return, then deduct for any damage and refund the balance from the dashboard — all tied to the booking.
Can customers book day cruises and hourly slots online?+
Yes. Offer hourly, half-day and full-day hire with live availability on your own site, take payment instantly, and manage walk-ups and advance bookings from one calendar.
Does it handle a mixed fleet of RIBs, day boats and cruisers?+
HireHelm manages different boat classes with their own pricing, deposit and licence rules in a single fleet view, so a self-drive day boat and a skippered RIB are both handled correctly.
What makes HireHelm different from a generic rental app?+
It speaks boats — licence checks, fuel, engine hours and bonds are built in — and connects to verified GotAPal reviews from real paid hires plus estate payments, so you build trust and take money without per-booking commission.