Question 1

How do I make a booking?

Accepted Answer

Search for boats by location, dates and capacity. Once you find one you like, you can send an inquiry to the host or book directly. The host will accept or decline the request, and if accepted, you can pay by card to confirm the booking.

Question 2

Can I cancel a booking? What is the policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel from "My Bookings" as long as the rental has not yet started. Each boat has a cancellation policy (Flexible, Moderate or Strict) visible before booking. The refund depends on the policy and the days remaining until the start of the rental. Once the rental start date has passed, cancellation is no longer possible.

Question 3

How do I know the boat is real and verified?

Accepted Answer

All hosts go through an identity verification process via Stripe Connect. Additionally, ratings from other renters help you learn about the real experience with each boat.

Question 4

What does the price include? (fuel, skipper, fees)

Accepted Answer

The total price you see already includes everything: the boat rental and Proavela's service fee. There are no extra charges at checkout. Fuel is usually NOT included and is paid separately at the marina. The skipper, if needed or desired, has an additional cost clearly shown in the breakdown.

Question 5

How do I contact the host before booking?

Accepted Answer

On each boat's listing page you'll find the "Inquire about booking" button. This opens a direct conversation with the host where you can ask all your questions with no commitment.

Question 6

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the type and power of the vessel. For small boats (up to 6m length and 15 HP) no license is required. For larger vessels, you'll need the corresponding license. If you don't have a license, you can rent with a professional skipper included.

Question 7

What happens if there's bad weather on the booking day?

Accepted Answer

Safety is the priority. If weather conditions don't allow safe navigation, contact the host via messaging to arrange a date change. In case of extreme weather, you can cancel the booking according to the applicable cancellation policy.

Question 8

Is insurance included?

Accepted Answer

Each vessel must have its own mandatory insurance, which is the host's responsibility. We recommend checking with the host about coverage details before heading out to sea.

Question 9

Can I bring children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most boats allow children. Make sure not to exceed the maximum capacity shown in the listing. Children must wear life jackets at all times. Check with the host if the boat has children's life jackets.

Question 10

What do I do in case of emergency?

Accepted Answer

In case of emergency at sea, call 112 or VHF channel 16 (Maritime Rescue). If you've rented with a skipper, they will handle the situation. Also inform the host through Proavela's messaging system.

Question 11

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) through Stripe. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available in production. All payments are secure and encrypted.

Question 12

When is the payment charged?

Accepted Answer

The charge is made when you confirm the payment, once the host has accepted your booking request. Nothing is charged until the host accepts.

Question 13

How do refunds work?

Accepted Answer

Refunds are processed to the same original payment method. Processing time is 5-10 business days depending on your bank. The amount depends on the boat's cancellation policy and the remaining days.

Question 14

How do I list my boat?

Accepted Answer

Go to "List your boat" and our Proachat assistant will guide you step by step: boat type, brand, model, location, prices, photos... Once the draft is created, complete the listing and publish it.

Question 15

What commission does Proavela charge?

Accepted Answer

Proavela charges a 12% commission per booking, significantly lower than competitors (up to 20%). The remaining 88% goes directly to your account via Stripe Connect.

Question 16

How do I receive payments?

Accepted Answer

Connect your Stripe account from the host dashboard. When a guest pays a booking, the money is held by the platform. Your payment (88% of the total) is automatically transferred 24 hours after the rental start date. It may take an additional 2-3 business days to arrive in your bank account.

Question 17

Can I block dates on the calendar?

Accepted Answer

Yes, from the host dashboard calendar you can block dates when your boat isn't available. Dates with confirmed bookings are blocked automatically.

How can we help you?

Bookings