Things to know

Everything you need to know about your hire with us

FAQ

Collection point for your hire is from the Rushcutters Arms Pub garden area, which is immediately opposite our boatyard across the river on Thorpe Island.  There is a small piece of lawn area beside the river that we have permission to collect our customers from – we will be waiting for you there with your boat and safety equipment. 

Unfortunately we do not have an on site car park, but there is ample free road parking along Yarmouth road, either side of The Rushcutters.  Please DO NOT park in the Rushcutters Arms car park, they have very limited space that is exclusively for the use of patrons of their pub.  Management of the Rushcutters will allow use of their car park provided you make a reservation to dine before, during or immediately after your electric boat hire with us.

We DO NOT offer refunds for the whole or part of your booking.  We DO allow amendments to the time/date of your booking with a minimum of 24 hours notice provided we have availability. 

Our boats and batteries are brand new in 2024, their battery packs have a run time of 8 hours and are always fully charged by the start of each day. 

No previous experience or qualification is necessary – our electric boats are extremely safe and easy to use.  We provide a full and thorough explanation and on-the-water demonstration for navigating our electric boats safely and responsibly.  All we ask is that you are sensible and respectful to the boat, other river users and the environment.

From our boatyard in Thorpe St Andrew you have the option of heading west (upstream) towards Norwich city, the limit of navigation on this route is New Mill’s Yard sluice.  This route takes 1.5 hours each way and winds through the heart of Norwich city.
 
Heading east from our yard towards the countryside, takes you downstream past Bramerton, Surlingham and Brundall to the very limit of navigation in our boats at Coldham Hall Public House. This route also takes 1.5 hours each way. 

Yes.  A  correctly sized buoyancy aid will be issued for each person in your group. 

Yes – we are VERY dog friendly.  Please bring a blanket or bedding to cover the seat cushions from muddy paws and hair.  We will charge for cleaning of the cushions should they be returned needing attention to return to a clean condition that is acceptable for the next hire. 

We do not allow fishing from our boats

This depends on the nature and level of disability, please contact us to discuss your requirements.  Unfortunately our boats are not wheelchair accessible but their open and spacious deck makes them very suitable for customers with limited mobility.

We strongly urge you to bring suitable clothing for the weather and a mobile phone.  Our boats DO NOT have a canopy of any type and we are unable to control precipitation! Sunscreen or a hat is always a great idea for a hot, sunny day.

Hire Terms

Your contract is with Electric Boat Hire Norwich referred to in these conditions as ‘the company’. Any contract to hire a boat with the company incorporates the conditions below and is between the company and you as the hirer.  Any contract to undertake a river trip with the company also incorporates the conditions below and is between the company and you as the customer. The contract does not take effect until the company despatch email confirmation of your booking to you. The contract is made in England and is governed in all aspects by English Law. All correspondence should be sent to our trading address which is – Electric Boat Hire Norwich, Field’s Boatyard, Thorpe Island, Thorpe St. Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0HE

The company may refuse to accept a booking at its discretion and will not accept any booking made by a person less than 18 years old. Single sex, and groups aged predominantly under 25, MUST check before booking. The Company reserves the right not to hire a boat to any person whom it considers is unsuitable to operate the vessel.

No refunds or transfers part or whole will be given on any booking made in advance, other than when the cancellation is made by the company.  To change your booking we require a MINIMUM of 24 hours notice prior to the commencement of any booking made in advance. 

Full payment must be made at the time of booking.

Prices may vary throughout the year. All prices are quoted inclusive of any applicable VAT and are quoted in £ sterling.

Electric boats are offered for hire by Electric Boat Hire Norwich, trading under the same name.

All boats offered for hire are licensed by the Broads Authority and are operated in accordance with the Broads Authority’s Day Boat Licencing code.

Boats are hired to members of the public age 18 years or over. There must be a minimum of two adults on all self-drive electric boats. (At the discretion of the company an adult with a child of 14 or over may be able to hire a day boat.) No minor may control the boat.

The stated maximum number of passengers and/or weight limits must not be exceeded.

The company reserves the right to refuse to hire a dayboat to any persons that it considers to be unsuitable to operate the boat.  

This includes people who are, or appear to be, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Broads Authority byelaws 1995 state that: ‘A person shall not navigate a vessel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of taking proper control of the vessel’.

A  £200 security deposit will be requested from certain party groups. 

The company reserves the right to refuse hire.

The company is not liable for the death or personal injury of the hirer (or any of the hirer’s party), or for loss or damage to the hirer’s (or any members of the hirer’s party’s) possessions, unless it is caused by negligence on the part of the company.

Use of the pontoons, quays and other landings on the Broads system is entirely at the risk of the hirer and members of their party.

  • Instruct the hirer how to operate and moor the boat.
  • Ensure that the boat and its equipment are in a fully functional state during the hire and that there is enough battery charge for the duration of the hire.
  • Ensure that hirers are provided with and shown the correct use of buoyancy aids for all persons on board. We insist that these are worn at all times by children and advise that these are worn at all times by adults.

 

Parties hiring multiple boats will be requested to pay an additional security deposit of £200 per boat.

You are responsible for the boat’s safe navigation and must take all reasonable care. No minor may control the boat. In the event of damage to the boat, however caused, no responsibility can be accepted by the company for loss of time or the cost of an alternative boat. In the case of any accident or damage to the boat, or any other craft, or to waterway property, or any third party’s property you must, for insurance reasons:

(a) record the name of any other boat involved with names, addresses and phone numbers of its owner and / or hirer (where applicable); and
(b) immediately report these facts to the boatyard (01603 387095) with full details and extent of the damage.

(c) report the full details in writing to the company on return from your hire.  No repairs to be undertaken without the company’s consent. On returning the boat at the end of your hire you must inform the company of any damage or items broken, lost or stolen.

All customers are responsible for their personal possessions and property at all times and are required to exercise due care and attention to ensure their own personal safety and wellbeing.

Pets are welcome, please bring a blanket to cover our seat cushions

There is a maximum of 2 dogs per booking.

Dogs must be always kept on a lead and must not be left unattended.

All persons using any part of the premises, vessels or equipment do so at their own risk. The Company will not be held liable for any loss, injury or damage caused to any person, vessel, vehicle or other property on the premises unless such loss, injury or damage is caused by the negligence or wilful act of the Company.

The company is not liable for death, personal injury, or loss or damage to you or your property, or any property belonging to or in the possession of the hirer or any member of the hirer’s party.

If you have any members of your party with limited mobility, you must enquire as to the suitability of our boats at the time of booking. Whilst no guarantee can be given, the company will offer information and advice to assist you.

Your statutory rights are not affected by anything contained within these conditions.

  • Sign the acceptance form, acknowledging they have understood the instruction given on safe navigation of the boat.
  •  Ensure that all members of the party conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the rules of navigation.  
  •  Return the boat by the stated time and in the same condition it was hired. If the boat is not returned by the stated time, a late fee of £100 per hour, whole or part, is charged.

Hirers are instructed that boating can be dangerous and, whilst the company has taken all reasonable care in the preparation of the vessel and in the provision of safety equipment, the hirer is responsible for their own safety, the safety of third parties around them and the safe return of the vessel.

  • Payments can be made by cash or card only.
  • Refunds or transfers will not be permitted.
  • In the case of unavoidable mechanical breakdown of the boat, the company will endeavour to provide an alternative boat. If this is not possible then a full refund or transfer to an alternative date will be offered. No compensation for other expenses incurred will be provided – this includes, but is not limited to, fuel, travel, accommodation, sustenance costs.
  • Bookings can be made online or in person on the day of the booking. Full payment must be made on booking.

ou may not take on the boat fishing equipment, portable cookers, heaters of any type, lighting equipment or anything that may cause danger to the boat, its equipment, or its occupants. 

Every boat is cleaned and checked before the start of each hire and, in the event of a mechanical failure, the right is reserved to delay departure until a repair has been affected. If a breakdown of any kind occurs, you must report it to the company immediately so that repairs can be made. Provided that the company is  informed we will take steps to repair the boat as quickly as possible. Apart from these obligations, the company shall not be liable in any respect for any indirect or consequential loss or damage, whether financial or otherwise, suffered as a result of such a breakdown. The company shall not be responsible for the consequences of delays or restrictions on navigation arising from obstruction, repairs or damage to waterways, flooding, shortage of water, industrial action or other circumstances beyond their control. The right is reserved to restrict navigation if unusual or hazardous conditions prevail.

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