Collecting deposits for boat hire bookings has always been a headache. Chasing bank transfers, taking card details over the phone, or hoping customers remember to bring cash on the day. It's slow, unreliable, and frankly a bit awkward.
Today we're making it dead simple: one click sends a branded payment link to your customer by email. They open it, tap "Pay Deposit", enter their card details, and it's done. The booking updates automatically.
How It Works
From any booking in HireHelm, open the Payment section and click "Request Deposit". That's it. Your customer receives a professional email with:
- Their booking reference and date
- The craft they're hiring
- The deposit amount
- A big, obvious "Pay Deposit" button
The payment is processed securely through Stripe Checkout — the same technology used by thousands of UK businesses.
Works with Both Payment Modes
This feature works regardless of how you've set up payments:
PayCamp Payments
If you use PayCamp Payments (our built-in card processing), there's nothing extra to set up. A 5% + 50p fee applies per transaction — no monthly costs, no Stripe account to manage. Funds settle to your bank after 7 days.
Your Own Stripe Account
If you've connected your own Stripe account in HireHelm Settings, the payment goes directly to you. No platform fees. You manage your own Stripe dashboard and payouts as usual.
Occupancy
78%
+4% vs last period
Revenue
£2,480
+12% vs last period
Outstanding
£340
-8% vs last period
Daily Occupancy
Switch time periods above — stats and chart animate instantly
What If the Email Doesn't Send?
We've built in a fallback. If the payment link is created successfully but the email can't be delivered, you'll see a "Copy Link" button. Share it via text, WhatsApp, or however you normally communicate with your customers.
See Yard Manager in Action
Discover how marinas and boatyards streamline operations with PayCamp's purpose-built tools.
Why This Matters
For small operators running kayak hire, day boats, or paddleboard rental, every minute counts. You shouldn't need to chase payments manually when you could be getting customers on the water. This feature turns deposit collection from a multi-step admin task into a single click.
It's available now for all HireHelm users. Open a booking, click the button, and get paid.
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See Yard Manager in Action
Discover how marinas and boatyards streamline operations with PayCamp's purpose-built tools.