Condition of Hire – Karnak Waters River Murray Houseboats

A deposit of $600 is required to confirm your booking and is payable within 7 days. The balance due must be paid 8 weeks prior to the commencement date.

Easter/Xmas/New Years periods will require payment 90 days prior to the departure date.

A Cash Security Bond of $600.00 or $1,200.00 (for all male or all-female crew) is payable on arrival (or direct debit 7 days prior to arrival). This bond is doubled for all male or all female crews. The bond is fully refundable (within 14 days after the end of hire) when the boat is returned on time, clean and in good condition. Any damage, cost of petrol/gas, and any ice or wood or any other incidentals purchased will be taken out of the bond at cost.

In the event of cancellation, no refund will be given unless the hire period is rebooked. Travel insurance is recommended. An administration fee of $50 will be charged on all cancellations.

Hire will commence at 3.00pm on the first day and the boat must be returned by 9:00-9:30am on the last day. By Law, the number of people on board must not exceed eight (8). Anyone driving the boat must be at least 21 years of age and hold a full and current driving or boat license.

Houseboat must not be driven after dusk or before dawn. All Marine and Harbour regulations must be agreed and adhered to at all times. Houseboat must not travel further south than the Wellington Ferry, or north past Renmark.

The fuel tank will be full when you board. Based on your consumption, fuel used will be deducted from your bond with the charge of fuel/gas. An additional $0.10c per liter will be added on top of pump cost.

Comprehensive instructions will be given in the handling of the craft, together with river map and DMH equipment. The owner/management reserve the right to refuse any person the use of the houseboat. Every endeavour will be made to have the boat, motors and accessories in good working order. However, should it be unavailable due to mechanical problems or unforeseen circumstances, full payment to the hirer will be refunded. The owner/agent will not be obligated to compensate the hirer for any loss of time due to mechanical problems during the hire period. Any service calls, caused by hirers mishandling of the vessel will be charged at cost.

Firearms, axes, chainsaws, trail bikes, animals and candles are strictly prohibited. NO SMOKING applies to the inside of the houseboat. NO FUEL can be carried or decanted on the houseboat.

For Your Information

Electrical Equipment

Are you bringing any electrical equipment onboard the boat? If so, we need to ensure that anything you are bringing is compatible with our power systems. Hair dryers/hair straightner, electric shavers, mobile phone and camera chargers are fine – anything apart from that MUST be approved! Failure to gain approval for any electrical appliances could result in damage to the power system for which the hirer is responsible.the houseboat.

Ski Boats, Jet skis and Dinghys

You are more than welcome to bring along your own boats and jet skis but please advise the office beforehand if you intend to do so. There are tow arms on the side of the houseboats so your equipment can be easily secured, all you need to bring is a rope to tie the back of your boat onto the houseboat. You also need to bring jerry cans for your fuel, and be mindful that your fuel CANNOT be stored on the houseboat at any time. Please ensure that you have your boat licence with you in case Marine and Harbour officers are carrying out checks.

No waterskiing

Although some houseboats are powerful and fast enough to pull skiers, doing so is dangerous because a houseboat is not maneuverable enough. It is also a time-consuming nuisance to come about and retrieve a spilled skier. In addition, the large wake produced is not only discourteous to other craft but can be dangerous.

About Those Brakes

So you’ve handled a sailboat or cruiser, have you? That’s very different from handling a houseboat, which averages 35 feet in length, goes between 15 and 20 miles an hour, and weighs about five tons. Have “no brakes” means that if you goof, you may be the cause of a hull-banging and paint-scraping experience, not to mention what can happen to what you’ve hit. Remember, reversing your engine is the only braking mechanism that you have for your houseboat.

Docking

Docking can be a real thrill, especially if you forget about not having brakes. Ten thousand pounds of boat will not stop short when power is cut. It’s best to approach the dock while heading upstream, or into the wind, since the houseboat is easier to control that way. Use only enough power to maintain steerageway (your minimum speed with control). Remember, speed times weight can equal a horrible crunch! At only two miles an hour, your houseboat can damage a dock as well as itself. Approach the dock at no more than one mile per hour. Practice working with minimum speed needed to maintain response before your first docking.

Person Overboard

Keep the victim in sight at all times. Throw a floatable item (PFD, large plastic bottle, thermos jug, ring buoy, etc.) to the person overboard and bring the boat around. Never reverse, as the propeller may strike the victim. Approach the person slowly and carefully in a manner that keeps them upwind of your boat. Whenever possible, cut the engine until the person is back aboard.

To Explore Our Vonni Diva

Book Now