How it works


RENTAL TIMES

 Four-Hour/Half-Day Rentals: Our half-day rentals are scheduled in blocks of 4 hours from 9:30am-1:30pm or 2:30-6:30pm.  If you prefer greater flexibility in times we suggest the Full Day rental.  

 8-Hour/Full Day Rentals: Our full day rentals are up to 8 hours between the hours of 9:30am and 6:00pm (9:30am-5:30pm or 10am-6pm).  

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WHAT TO EXPECT UPON ARRIVAL

 Our staff works hard to make it a fun and painless rental process, we promise!

 

WHO MUST BE PRESENT

Upon arrival we REQUIRE RENTER AND ALL OPERATORS (must be 25 years or older to rent regardless of past experience) TO BE PRESENT UPON INITIAL INSTRUCTION. We need to guarantee everyone involved is of the same understanding, has filled out our rental forms, and has been through our instruction. No Exceptions. We want your rental experience to be problem free. We find problems are most common when someone used the equipment who did not go through our instruction or was not authorized. We have an excellent system to virtually eliminate problems.

 

WHEN TO ARRIVE

Arrive prepared at least 45 minutes prior to your rental start time. Most groups take 45 minutes from arrival to the time they are on the water. Our staff is very efficient and thorough, but if your group is large, unorganized, or inexperienced and may need extra instruction, please be sure to arrive sooner; otherwise your rental time may be cut short. We occasionally have some groups that can take 45min to an hour. Please plan accordingly. 

 

WHAT TO BRING

 Renter taking responsibility must bring driver license and Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit card (NOT A DEBIT CARD) for damages. We do not accept a debit card for card on file for damages. All operators of our equipment must bring a driver license or form of identification. All safety gear, life vests, etc. is included in our rentals. We have life vest sizes from infant up to 4XL. We offer tubes for rental. All you need to bring is food, beverages, towels, clothes sufficient for the weather (it can be cooler on the water), sunscreen, and for the fisherman: bait, tackle, fishing license, etc. We highly recommend coming prepared and ready. We sell only individual bottles of water, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks. 

Any questions feel free to call us
(814) 602-5846

Reservation Policies

GENERAL POLICIES

▪ No pets are permitted on any boat

▪Must be 18 years of age with valid drivers license to rent equipment (does not include boats)

▪  Must be 25 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER with valid drivers license to rent any boat

▪  Renter must be present to complete rental contract.

▪  Qualified persons other than renter whom plan to operate rental equipment MUST be present with renter for full instruction and will be required to fill required forms.

• If you have your Boaters Safety License in any state you do not need to watch the instructional video. However, you must bring your Boaters Safety License with you. We have no way of looking it up.

▪  We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone whom we feel is not capable, mature, and/or comfortable enough to operate our equipment.

▪  We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

▪  If your group is larger than the boat’s capacity (even if not everyone will be using or riding it at the same time) you must call for approval.  We reserve the right to refuse service and rentals to very large groups or parties (ie. reunions, large family gatherings, wedding receptions, corporate parties, and the like).  It is best to call if you have a large group.

▪  Rentals on the great lakes (ie. Lake Erie) are strictly prohibited.

▪  All renters and those who plan to operate or drive our equipment must be present at time of instruction and fill out applicable forms.

▪  All persons involved with our activities acknowledge that said activities are potentially dangerous and agree to hold Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals, all owners, employees and affiliated properties harmless.

 

RESERVATIONS

▪  Reservations are strongly recommended and encouraged.

▪  Walk-in traffic will be accommodated based on availability. We recommend that you call first.

▪  You are responsible for the full rental amount to be paid in full at time of purchase in order to reserve date and time.

▪  If you must cancel for whatever reason it is in your best interest to call us at least one full week prior. Our season is very short (12-14 weeks) and so we must be able to rent when we can. 

▪  Reservations may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. (credit card, not debit card, is still required to have on file).

 

CREDIT CARDS

▪  We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

▪  Customers must have a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover CREDIT CARD (NOT a debit card) on file in the event of damage to the equipment.  The person renting must be the same person on the credit card.  You may, however, pay with a debit card, credit card or cash.

▪  All credit card transactions must be made by the person named on the card. A valid drivers license must accompany the credit card.

 

CANCELLATIONS

▪  No cancellations will be accepted other than as stated in “Reservations”.

▪  We reserve the right to cancel your reservation for violations of our policies.

▪  We reserve the right, solely at our discretion, to reschedule and/or cancel your reservation in the event of inclement weather. Please see “Weather” for more details.

▪  No refunds/exchanges for early returns.

▪  Cancellations made more than 7 days in advance of rental date are fully refundable.

▪  $250 of full rental cost will be nonrefundable if cancellations are made less than 7 days of rental date

 

SUBSTITUTIONS

▪  It is inevitable that reserved equipment will occasionally be unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances at the time of your rental reservation. We reserve the right to offer you substitute equipment in lieu of the originally reserved equipment. If no alternate equipment is available, we really have no choice but to reschedule or cancel your reservation.  

 

DAMAGES

▪  We require a signed CREDIT CARD (NOT A DEBIT CARD) imprint in case of damages of powered equipment (all boats) 

▪ Renter is responsible for any and all damages to our equipment, while in your care, up to and including replacement cost.

▪  Renter will receive copy of signed damage imprint back if equipment is returned unharmed

▪ All Damages in excess of $100 must be reported to Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals and local law enforcement immediately. 

▪ If damage occurs repairs will be made by a local qualified boat shop at our discretion.

▪  Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals wants the following to be known. Damages greater than $100 are very infrequent (normally no more than 2-5 occurrences per year). We do not profit from damages. The renter is responsible only for exact cost of repair and/or replacement. We do not charge for equipment downtime or the time it takes Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals to coordinate repairs.

 

INSURANCE

▪  Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals offers no insurance coverage on equipment during your rental.

▪ Please check with your homeowner, auto, or credit card company to see if there is an insurance option available to you.

 

WEATHER

▪  What constitutes good and bad weather for water sports activities is highly subjective. The following are things the renter shall keep in mind regarding weather

▪  As mentioned in “Cancellations”: We reserve the right, solely at our discretion, to reschedule and/or cancel your reservation in the event of inclement weather.

▪  While Erie, PA summers are generally known to be very nice, we understand that there are certain weather related events that make our rental activities unsafe. Obvious cancellations include all day thunder, lightning, and/or rainstorms.

▪  DO NOT Rely on weather forecasts! These are only predictions (especially precipitation) and not necessarily what will take place. For example, there are many days throughout the summer in Erie, PA that are forecasted a certain percentage of rain but turn out to be gorgeous days. Do not be scared by the rain cloud on TV or online…especially when its only a 10-30% chance.

▪  If the morning looks uncertain, there is a very high probability it will be beautiful once the sun gets higher in the sky; usually somewhere between 10am to 12pm. We will not cancel unless it’s proven otherwise.

▪  We will not cancel based on a weather predictions or before the morning has a chance to clear up.

▪  While some parts of the bay may be windy and rough other parts may be calmer and very nice. We will gladly show you where the best places to go are based on weather conditions.

▪  Dress for the weather. It can be a good idea to pack a sweatshirt, windbreaker, or blanket in case you get a little chilly.

▪  Occasionally we get the brief afternoon thundershower. As long as it is not an all-day event we do not allow for cancellations or partial refunds

▪  Less weather discrepancy on boats. Boats: Generally, cancellations occur only if it is a rainout day or extremely windy/choppy across the majority of the rental area.

▪  We at Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals want you to enjoy your experience with our equipment out on the water. If you have any questions regarding our weather policies or changes in the rental charge because of weather, please feel free to give us a call.

 

GAS/FUEL

▪  Gas is not included on rentals.

▪  There will be a full tank of gas at the start of the rental. The equipment will be refueled by Presque Isle Boat Tours Inc. DBA Hidden Harbor Water Rentals or marina staff and paid by the renter at the end of the rental.

▪  Remember to have funds (i.e. cash or Visa/MasterCard) on hand to pay for the fuel at the end of the rental.

 

Note: Policies are subject to change at any time without notice.