Terms & Conditions of Hire

Please read this carefully. When you book your holiday with us you are entering into a contract which binds you and us in various ways. You'll see we have clearly set out the booking conditions with a list of responsibilities and commitments we and you have towards each other.  Definitions. In these terms, the boat operator (referred to as “we”, “our” or “us”) is Willow Wren Ltd also trading as Canal Breaks. References to “you” or “your” are references to the person making the booking and all members of your holiday party.

1. Terms. All terms are per week - 7 nights or short break 3 or 4 nights, for the boat as equipped and described. Prices include VAT (where applicable) at the rate applicable at the time of booking and are subject to change if the rate or application of the tax changes. In the event of a change in the rate of VAT during the course of the year, your holiday will be invoiced at the new amount of VAT unless you have already taken your holiday or paid the balance in full prior to the date of the change.

We reserve the right to correct errors in advertised prices. We will advise you of any error at the time of booking.

We will make a fuel surcharge if the diesel used is more than the allocated 60 ltrs per 7 nights or 30 ltrs per 3 nights or 40 ltrs per 4 nights with a maximum allowance of 2 x 11kg gas bottles (extra bottles will be charged at the day price) or if there is a change in duty.

Cancellation cover is not included within the hire cost. It is strongly advised that cancellation insurance is arranged by the hirer.

We reserve the right to make changes to and correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. In this case, we will contact you as soon as we become aware of the error. If the correct price is higher and you do not wish to pay this, you will be entitled to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies you have paid to us providing you notify us within 14 days of our advising you of the error. We promise we will not seek to correct any error in a confirmed price within 8 weeks of the start of your holiday or more than 7 days after you make your booking.

The time of take-over for your boat (subject to unavoidable delays) is between 12pm and 3.00pm or as shown on your Hire Invoice. You must advise us using the telephone number on your hire invoice if, due to unavoidable delays in your journey, your arrival time is likely to be outside normal working hours. Your boat must be returned to the boatyard at Rugby Wharf and vacated not later than 9.15am on the final day of your holiday. You are always welcome to moor at the boatyard on the evening before you hand back your boat but please always confirm that there will be space available prior to return.
You are obliged to leave everything in a clean and tidy condition. If you fail to return your boat on time and/or in a clean and tidy condition you are liable to an extra charge at our discretion.

2. Booking Confirmation. A binding contract between us will come into existence when we despatch by email the booking acceptance. The contract shall be deemed to have been made at our offices in Rugby and be subject to English Law. We both agree to submit any dispute to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales. In all cases these Conditions of Hire form the basis of your contract.

3. Number in Your Party. No boat may carry more persons than advertised. Any change of crew during a holiday must be authorised by us in advance.

4. Booking Monies. When you book, you must pay the applicable booking deposit.
Your balance-of-hire money (together with your Damage Waiver) is due and payable by you 8-weeks before the start of your holiday.
For bookings made within 8-weeks of the holiday start-date you pay the full monies at the time of booking.
We reserve the right to pass on to you any costs we incur if payment is made in a foreign currency, or by any other method not normally accepted by us or if we have to represent a cheque or process late payments.
The prices shown are cash prices only. You may choose to make your payment by debit card or credit card without any surcharges.

5. Changes by You. Up to 8 weeks before the holiday start date you may change your boat to another one within our fleet, subject to availability and payment of the above fee and any difference in the price. You may transfer your booking to someone else/another party (introduced by you) at any time providing you notify us and pay any outstanding balance at that time.

6. Cancellation by You. Telephone 07966 403 132 immediately if you have to cancel your holiday. Then on the same day send us by email, confirmation of your cancellation. Your cancellation is effective from the date we receive your written notification. Your cancellation will be acknowledged by us by email. If you cancel, you are still liable for the payment of your balance-of-hire money.

7. Minors. Bookings from persons under the age of 18 cannot be accepted.

8. Boat Trial. A free demonstration run is given to you at the time of take-over for inexperienced crews. Whenever possible the person responsible for the booking (the Captain) must be present and an additional person (designated crew member). This will mean the boat will leave the yard.

9. Damage, Breakdown and Defects. No responsibility will be accepted by us for loss of time or expenses occasioned through accidental damage to the boat while in your charge. No liability can be accepted for loss or damage or expense which occurs as the result of any defect or breakdown occurring during your cruise unless this is caused by proven reason of our failure to adequately maintain the boat in a fit state and condition or is caused by the acts or defaults of ourselves or our employees.
Any defect or breakdown must be reported immediately to us during your cruise so that steps can be taken to repair the boat or remedy the service. (It is unlikely that trouble of this nature will arise as every boat is carefully checked before the start of each cruise.)

10. Accidents. Your boat is insured but you have charge of the boat and are responsible for its safe navigation. In the unlikely event of structural or mechanical damage, however caused, no responsibility can be accepted by us for loss of time or the cost of any alternative accommodation or any other damages or expenses. In the case of any accident or damage to the boat, to other craft, to water property, or to any person, it is your responsibility to:
(a) Find out the name of the other boat involved together with the name of the owners and hirer.
(b) To report these facts, together with the extent of the damage to us as soon as possible. No repairs may be put in hand without our consent. (see limitations to cover)

11. Damage Waiver. This gives you full cover in the event of loss of or damage to your boat or its equipment except where any loss and/or damage is caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of you or any member of your party, (including where the person concerned is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any similar substance), or any failure by you to comply with these Conditions of Hire. Damage to the stern gear is not covered. In any case, we have the right to make a charge to cover the loss or damage.
Additional Deposits: You may be asked for an additional deposit (of up to £150 per boat) at our discretion for certain parties or for very large and/or valuable boats. This is payable on your arrival at the boatyard in cash. If additional cleaning of your boat is required on its return, an extra charge will be made.

12. Linen/Towels. Towels are now supplied with the boat linen.

13. Layout Plans of boats in our Brochure and website are for general guidance. They are not to scale and alteration to accommodation during building or refitting may occur. Some boats within classes have minor variations. Some boats have steps which may not be shown on the plan. If you have infirm or disabled members in your party you should enquire as to the suitability of your boat when booking.

14. Production Boats. Photos of standard production boats are sometimes used for a class group of boats. As production boats are not always finished in identical colour schemes, this means your boat exterior may be different in colour from the photograph.

15. Obeying the Waterway Rules. You must observe the Navigation Authorities byelaws, including in particular, the rule that you must not navigate after sunset, or before dawn (before 8am on River Thames) and your speed must not be such as would or may inconvenience or endanger other users of the waterway.
On no account may you tow or be towed by other craft, unless you have professional assistance as towing can be a hazardous operation if incorrectly undertaken. Boats may not be entered in races or used for business purposes.
No minor may control your boat without the supervision of an experienced adult.
No portable heaters, cookers or barbecues of any type, bicycles, lighting equipment, TV sets or electrical/gas appliances (other than an electric razor) may be taken or used aboard your boat without the express prior permission of the boat operator.

16. Availability. Your booking is accepted on the basis that your confirmed boat will be available for your use in accordance with these Conditions of Hire on your agreed start date. Unfortunately, this is occasionally not possible. If your confirmed boat is not available as agreed, this will almost always be due to events beyond our control (see Condition 17 below). If your boat is not available, we will offer you the choice of an alternative boat in the same boating area for the same holiday period (at no extra cost), if available, if no alternative boat is available we will issue a credit note for the full value of your original booking.

We have the right to refuse to hand over a boat to any person who, in our reasonable opinion is not suitable to take charge. In such cases, all hire charges paid to us will be refunded in full but we will have no further liability. In addition, we have the right to repossess a boat at any time if in our reasonable opinion you or any member of your party is unsuitable to remain in charge because of their age, ill health, inexperience, suspected or actual influence of alcohol or drugs or any other reason, or because of irresponsible behaviour which is causing or is likely to cause danger to you or any other person(s) or damage to any property. In this situation, we will have no further responsibility or liability and no refunds will be made or expenses met.

17. Events beyond our control. Unfortunately, events beyond our control occasionally affect bookings. When reference is made to such events in these Conditions of Hire, this means any event(s) or circumstance(s) which we could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include the following:
Destruction or damage of your boat (which cannot reasonably be remedied to a satisfactory standard before the start of your holiday) due to fire, flood, explosion, storm or other weather damage, accident, break-in, criminal damage or any similar cause.

Mechanical breakdown or other mechanical or technical problems affecting your boat (which cannot reasonably be remedied to a satisfactory standard before the start of your holiday).
Flooding, shortage of water, obstruction, repairs, damage or similar event affecting any waterway, waterway structure or facility such as a lock or bridge or navigational equipment which prevents or affects your taking your confirmed holiday.

Adverse weather conditions and tides (which may restrict navigation and passage through bridges/locks).
Shortage or non-availability of fuel for the boat.
Late return by previous hirers.
Industrial action, riots, civil strife, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, war, threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity and all similar situations.
We regret that we cannot accept responsibility or pay any compensation, costs or expenses where the performance of your contract with us is prevented or affected or you otherwise suffer any loss or damage as a result of events beyond our control. This includes any delays to and/or restrictions on cruising. However, if your boat has to be cancelled as a result, we will of course offer you the choice of an alternative boat (if available), or a credit note, as more fully described in Condition 16 above.

18. Your Pet. You are normally allowed to bring your cat or dog with you. There is no charge for the first pet and bringing a second pet will cost £20.00. Please check with us if you wish to bring more than two pets.
You must bring your pet-blanket or pet-basket as pets are allowed only on the clear understanding that in no circumstances may they lie on the bedding or on chairs. Your pet must not be left unattended in your boat or elsewhere.
If extra cleaning of your boat is required after your holiday because of your pet, a charge may be made.
In the interest of visitor's safety, and following government legislation, we are sorry we are unable to accept the following types of dog: American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and Dogo Argentino even where these types of dogs are muzzled as required by government legislation.

19. Any Shortcomings. You must notify us of any shortcomings with your boat immediately so that remedial action, if appropriate, can be taken.
If a significant problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, please contact us as soon as possible during your holiday.
For all complaints and claims which do not involve personal injury, illness or death, we regret we cannot accept any liability if you fail to notify us of any complaint or claim during your holiday and write to us with full details within 28 days of the end of your holiday.

20. Your Vehicles. Your vehicle and its accessories and contents are left entirely at your risk. We will not be responsible for any loss or damage from or to any vehicle from any cause whatsoever other than through the negligence of ourselves or our employees.

21. Liability. Except where otherwise specified in these Conditions, we cannot accept liability for any damage, expense, injury, death or loss of any nature whatsoever suffered by any person(s) from any cause whatsoever other than, in the case of the proven negligence of ourselves or our employees or agents.

22. Personal Holiday Insurance. You are strongly recommended to take out your own Personal Holiday Insurance.

23. Data Protection Policy. In order to process your booking and to ensure that your holiday arrangements run smoothly and meet your requirements we and our agents need to use the information you provide such as name, address, any special needs, etc. We take full responsibility for ensuring that proper security measures are in place to protect your information. We will not pass any information onto any person not responsible for part of your holiday arrangements.