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Installation Guide

Get your boat rental management system up and running in minutes.

Quick Start

  1. Download the latest version from our website
  2. Extract the files to your web server directory
  3. Visit your website URL - you'll be automatically redirected to the installer
  4. Follow the setup wizard to configure your system
Note: The installation wizard will automatically detect if the system needs to be set up and guide you through the process.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Database Configuration

Configure your MySQL database connection:

Database Host: localhost (or your database server)
Database Name: your_database_name
Username: your_mysql_username
Password: your_mysql_password

Step 2: Company Information

Enter your business details that will appear throughout the system and on invoices.

Step 3: Customer Information Setup

Choose your customer information collection level:

  • Minimal: Basic info + driver's license (2 min setup)
  • Standard: Adds emergency contact + preferences (5 min setup)
  • Comprehensive: Full compliance with all features (10 min setup)

Step 4: Admin Account

Create your administrator account for accessing the admin dashboard.

Step 5: Complete Setup

The system will automatically create all database tables and configure the application.

Post-Installation

  • Access the admin panel at yoursite.com/admin_dashboard.php
  • Configure your website settings in Admin → Settings → Website
  • Add your boat types and boats
  • Set up pricing tiers for your boats
  • Upload hero images for your public website
Success! Your boat rental management system is now ready to use.

System Requirements

Server Requirements

  • PHP: 8.0 or higher
  • MySQL: 5.7 or higher (MySQL 8.0+ recommended)
  • Web Server: Apache 2.4+ or Nginx 1.18+
  • PHP Extensions: PDO, MySQL, JSON, GD, fileinfo
  • Disk Space: 50MB minimum, 500MB recommended

Hosting Compatibility

✅ Compatible With:
  • Shared hosting (cPanel/Plesk)
  • VPS servers
  • Dedicated servers
  • Cloud hosting (AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.)
  • Local development (WAMP, XAMPP, MAMP)
🔧 Development Tools:
  • WAMP (Windows)
  • XAMPP (Cross-platform)
  • MAMP (macOS)
  • Docker containers
  • Local by Flywheel

Initial Setup

After Installation

Once installation is complete, follow these steps to get your system operational:

1. Configure Basic Settings

Go to Admin → Settings and configure:

  • Business hours and timezone
  • Tax rates (if applicable)
  • Invoice numbering format
  • Email settings

2. Set Up Your Fleet

  1. Create boat types (Pontoon, Fishing, Speed Boat, etc.)
  2. Add your boats with details and photos
  3. Configure pricing tiers for each boat

3. Customize Your Website

In Admin → Settings → Website:

  • Upload hero images for the slideshow
  • Set header colors and branding
  • Configure contact information
  • Set featured text and descriptions

4. Test the System

  • Create a test customer
  • Make a test booking on the calendar
  • Generate a test invoice
  • Check the public website appearance
Security Note: After installation, delete the /install/ directory for security.