Dacorum Sub Aqua Club

Hiring the Club Boat

This page provides information about hiring the boat.

Boat handlers

• a person who holds the DS-AC boat handler and VHF radio operator qualifications must always be in charge of the boat while its in the water
• to become a qualified DS-AC boat handler you must:
  • take the BSAC Boat handling Course
  • pass an assessment of your familiarity and skill in the use of the club boat
• as a boat handler or RIB trip organiser you will also need experience of :
  • using charts and planning navigation
  • interpreting tidal information and weather forecasts
  • towing the boat
  • using slips and harbours
  • locating dive sites
  • choosing dive sites
  • supervising divers
• if everyone is diving, a trip will need at least 2 DS-AC boat handlers, so that one can dive while the other tends the boat
• it is possible to arrange a trip with a single, non-diving, DS-AC boat handler

Participants

• the trip must be in the interest of club members
• generally the organisers must have made every attempt to fill places with members before inviting non-members
• if the boat is used on courses run be non-DS-AC instructors it must be accompanied by a DS-AC boat handler who is responsibility for its safety

Costs

• for trips between April and September the hire cost of the boat is £60 per day.
• for trips between October and March the hire cost of the boat is £30 per day.
• the participants share all other costs (boat fuel, oil, launchings, towing, damage etc).
• the participants arrange among themselves how much they pay towards the cost of towing the boat - it generally ranges from 50% to 100% of the towing vehicle's fuel cost
• the boat is booked with a £20 deposit. This is returnable only if the trip is cancelled due to bad weather.

Damage and loses

• the £20 deposit will be used to cover minor damage
• the boat is insured with a £150 excess which is payable by the participants before a claim is made
• if boat's equipment is lost or damaged the participants of the trip are responsible for the cost, up to £150.
• the participants are expected arrange the replacement or repair of any damage themselves before the next occasion the boat is due to be used.

Checking the boat out before use

• normally the Boat Officer and the hirer check the condition and inventory of the boat before it goes out
• it is the responsibility of the hirer to charge the VHF battery
• the hirer has the option of taking
• the spare propeller
• the boat cover
• the boat has a shot weight but no shot lines or buoys - the hirers must bring their own

Checking the boat in after use

• normally the Boat Officer and the hirer check the condition and inventory of the boat after it returns
• it is the responsibility of the hirer to return the boat, as soon as possible, with
  • both fuel tanks full
  • the 2 stroke oil tank full with Mercury Optimax two stroke oil
  • engine cooling system rinsed through with fresh water
  • carburetors empty of fuel
  • hull, inside and out, boat free of salt, litter and oil
  • trailer free of salt
  • brakes flushed with fresh water and dry
  • any damage repaired and losses replaced

Storing the boat

• flush the engine coolant system through with fresh water and empty the carburettors of fuel in one of two ways:
  • by starting the engines with the ear muffs and a hosepipe to supply water
  • flushing the engines using a hosepipe connected to the flushing port
• wash the trailer and particularly the brakes down with fresh water
• wash the hull down with fresh water
• wash the outside of the engine down with fresh water
• tow the trailer for a mile to dry the brakes
• check the ignition and other electrical switches are off
• leave the battery compartment cover off to allow it to dry
• leave the seat cover off to allow the console to dry
• put the wheel lock on

Trailer

• use of the trailer hand brake on wet brakes tends to seize the brakes if the trailer is allowed to stand for even a few hours, so:
  • use the trailer hand brake only in an emergency
  • dry the trailer brakes in the 4 wheels by running the trailer for a mile or 2 after wetting the brakes
• we recommend being very careful with the trailer tyres
  • they are very easily damaged
  • they cost £40 each - you damage it, you pay for it
  • check the tyres for damage after knocking curbs or going over rough ground.
  • tyres shread very easily at speed.
• the trailer tyre pressure is 60psi
• the trailer should be locked to the towing vehicle and the trailer wheel lock applied when the trailer or boat is left unsupervised
• the boat cover should be fitted when the boat is parked overnight or for long periods.

Towing

• the trailer is a 4 wheeled, braked roller coaster trailer
• the boat and trailer weigh about 1100 kg, wet
• the hirer must check that the towing vehicle is legally capable of towing a trailer weighing 1100 kg. Check your Driver's manual and insurance policy.
• the hirer must check that the towing vehicle is insured for towing the trailer
• we recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle for beach launches and for steep, wet or difficult slips. Front wheel drive saloon cars often wheel spin on slips.
• there are speed and motorway lane restrictions for trailers
• we recommend you test the trailer electrics before each journey
• if any part of the boat sticks out behind the trailers light board, it should be marked with a red bag or flag
• towing with diving equipment in the boat may raise the boat's weight above the legal limit for the car. Heavy equipment may also damage the boat on rough roads or in an accident.
• tow with the engines in the down position
• the trailer does not reverse easily up hills due to the way the trailer brakes operate
• secure all light equipment inside the boat before towing - flags, buoys and seat covers do blow out of the boat in the slip stream

See the Using the Club boat and Club Boat's equipment page.