Learn How To Be Your Own Captain
Are you thinking about buying a boat but dont know the first thing about operating one? One big perk of joining a boating club is the availability of lessons.
For your monthly membership fee, you have access to licensed captains who will teach you the ins and outs of boat stewardship.
With their lessons, you can branch out by renting a boat from the fleet to steer yourself. Once you get comfortable on your own, you can eventually buy a boat of your own.
A boat club membership is a great way to stick your toe in the water of boating without the initial start-up investment. There is always so much to learn, and a boating club membership is the safest way to learn it.
How Much Does It Cost To Be In A Yacht Club
You may think joining a yacht club requires a lot of money. While that may be so with some of the older, more exclusive clubs, there are yacht club membership options for all levels of income. Fees vary from yacht club to yacht club. Lets look at what costs go into being a member of a yacht club.
- Location, Location
- Sometimes Its who you know
What Is Included In The Boat Membership Price
This question really does depend on the specific boat club and which location is closest to you. For most of the leading boat clubs, you gain unlimited access to their entire fleet of boats across the country.
Each location will have a unique lineup, but you should have several makes and models to choose from.
The monthly fee paid toward your dues includes any insurance that you may require, safety lessons on how to use the boat properly, and slip fees.
The only thing that it does not cover is the cost of fuel.
It would be hard for a boating club to factor fuel into the monthly fees as this can vary depending on which boat you choose and how far you sail.
Many boat clubs also include complimentary access to water toys such as tubes or wakeboards. Be sure to inquire if this is something that interests you.
Recommended Reading: Where Do I Register My Boat In Kansas
Welcome To Nautical Boat Club Nashville
Formerly known as Nashville Boat Club. New name, same great club. We have been affiliated with Nautical Boat Club since day one. Nothing has changed except the name. Same crew and same Owners. Changing the name simply aligns us better with all of our sister clubs where you have reciprocal boating privileges nationwide.We are the nations first and only Boating Country Club® offering unlimited access to our fine fleet. Nautical Boat Club Nashville is one of the oldest and largest boat clubs in the entire country.
Were conveniently located all around the Nashville area where our members have unlimited boat use at Percy Priest, Old Hickory, Center Hill, and Tims Ford Lakes.
Are Boat Club Memberships Worth It
If you do not have a boat, yet you want to enjoy the fun that comes with sailing, you can either rent a boat or join a boat club. When you rent a boat, the cost will depend on the hours you are out with the boat. When you join a boat club, you pay a month fee and then pick a boat whenever you are available.
If you do not want to rent or join a boat club, you can buy a boat which comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Is a boat club membership worth it?
Read Also: How To Register Boat Without Bill Of Sale
Which Club Has More Locations
One of the major differences between the Freedom and Carefree Boat Clubs is their variety of locations. When you sign up for a membership with either of these boat clubs, you gain access to the fleets at every location.
This can be an excellent way to spend a vacation out on the water in a different locale.
Choosing the boat club with the most locations gives you the ultimate flexibility regarding where you can travel with access to the water.
Freedom Boat Club has been well established for many years and boasts more than 190 different locations. They cover more than thirty states and Canada.
More than 20,000 members have already signed up for their extensive offering.
However, they still manage to boast impressive success rates for the reservation of their ships.
Carefree Boat Club definitely comes in second when it comes to locations. Throughout the United States and Canada, they have just 77 unique locations.
Here are a few more statistics that you might want to consider before deciding to sign up with Carefree:
- 39,000 boat trips
- 3,300 members
- 530 boats
While they may not have the same breadth as Freedom Boat Club, they still have many members across the country who are successfully sailing on their fleet.
Because of their low numbers, they can offer more personalized services, as you can see in the section below.
Boatsetter Vs 321 Boat Club
321 Boat Club is a Florida-based boat club with initiation costs ranging from $975 to $3,450 and monthly costs ranging from $149 to $249. 321 Boat Club membership levels largely depend on what day and time you would like to take out a boat. With 321 Boat Clubs fleet being limited to specific parts of Florida, this may not be the best option for everyone. With Boatsetter, you can rent boats across the country on any day of the week!
Don’t Miss: Suntex Boat Club Membership Cost
What Does The One
Your local membership executive can review this in detail, but, in a nutshell, when you join Freedom Boat Club, you receive the following benefits:
How Much Do The Cheapest Boat Clubs Cost
The cheapest boat clubs can cost just a few hundred dollars per month.
Keep in mind that this may not cover unlimited access to the boats. A cheaper membership could restrict your usage to certain days of the week or certain months out of the year.
If you are looking for a way to get on the water without spending a small fortune, these cheaper boat clubs may be a good fit for you.
Look for boat clubs that offer a variety of membership options to find one that will work for your budget.
Keep in mind that the best bargain may be to opt for weekday-only or weekend-only plans. It is best to ensure that you fully understand the membership guidelines before you sign on the dotted line.
Read Also: How To Get Mold Stains Out Of Boat Seats
What If I Need Some Education
New boaters may be a little hesitant to sign up for a membership, even if they feel like the water is calling to them.
It can be extremely nerve-wracking to try to learn everything necessary to sail successfully and safely.
While some of the smaller clubs offer little more than a short video, both Carefree Boat Club and Freedom Boat Club offer more extensive education.
Freedom Boat Club is proud to offer unlimited one-on-one training with the United States Coast Guard licensed captains. You will learn everything in a classroom setting before transferring to an actual boat on the water.
Class topics include:
- Advanced courses
If you need a refresher, you are free to sign up for an additional session.
It may take you more than one or two brief lessons to feel completely competent and confident in the open water, so be patient with yourself.
Similarly, Carefree Boat Club also offers training. You will receive a training manual, one classroom session, and a hands-on class with the dockmaster.
Members learn Carefree Boat Club processes, general navigation, docking, and safety protocols.
Most of the topics covered in these classes will be equivalent to those taught at Freedom Boat Club.
Carefree Boat Club Tampa
Carefree Boat Club is a large boat club with locations across America and Canada. This club focuses on boating affordability and helping its members enjoy their time out on the water.
The St. Petersburg location features a fleet of center console boats, pontoons, and even paddleboards for members to use.
Also Check: How To Keep Birds Off Boat Canopy
The 5 Secrets Boat Clubs Dont Want You To Know About
On the surface, boat clubs seem like a great idea. Instead of buying a boat, you pay a monthly fee and have access to a range of different vessels. The problem is that, in reality, things dont work out quite that smoothly. Here are the top five secrets that boat clubs dont want you to know about.
1) Limited Selection of Boats
When we join a boat club, there is this idea that one weekend we can take out a fast speedboat and the next, a family-sized catamaran. The problem is that most clubs really only offer a pretty narrow selection of boats. Not only that, with most people having the same free time as in being off on the weekends, holidays, and certain summer months, then you may find yourself standing empty-handed.
2) Too Much Pressure
The problem is that once you join a club, you feel pressure to get the most out of it. The average annual boat club is 275 dollars per month. If you dont boat that often or have a hectic month, it feels like money just is thrown down the drain and just another wasted expense.
3) Limited Places
While some clubs have locations worldwide, youre still limited to whatever places theyre in. For the most part, this basically keeps you stuck around the most touristy places. And those are only the biggest clubs with typically the highest prices.
4) The Clubs Might Be Full
5) Cost
How Do You Join A Boat Club
To join a boat club you must pay an initial membership fee and fill out your clubs paperwork. Today, most boat clubs use an online registration and reservation system. Your boat clubs administration will be able to walk you through the steps required to join their club.
Be sure to carefully read the terms of your agreement with the boat club, as these terms often contain important information about how the clubs reservation system works and any restrictions on the use of club boats
Many boat clubs require that new members go through training before taking boats out on the water.
Often, you are given the option between individual and group training. Group training can serve as a way to introduce yourself to fellow boat club members.
Read Also: What Does Geico Boat Insurance Cover
Do You Want To Quickly Find New Fishing Spots In Your Area
Then youve got to see this private fishing club!
Heres what youll receive today:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing where the inshore fish are feeding all year long
- Weekly spot dissection videos that walk you through all the best spots in certain areas
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you cant find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently .
Group Cruises And Individual Cruising
Some people love to travel. With membership in a yacht club, you can plan a group cruise with friends and other yacht club members. At a yacht club, a group cruise allows you to plan your trip and travel with your fellow members to new or familiar destinations.
Because you are a member of a yacht club, you may have the option of cruising on a friends boat or borrowing one from the yacht club marina. Some yacht clubs offer shorter, more local trips, while some yacht clubs offer longer cruises or even international journeys.
At some yacht clubs, you may find some cruises are centered around activities such as fishing or visiting other places. Because most cruising yachts are bigger and slower than boats designed for racing, they are the perfect way to get to your destination in a relaxed, easy style.
You May Like: Does Aaa Cover Boat Trailers
How Much Do Boat Club Memberships Cost
Boat club memberships can come with quite a few perks. You gain access to an entire fleet of boats without the headache of maintaining them yourself. Of course, the benefits of joining a boat club inevitably come with a cost.
How much do boat club memberships cost?
Here are price examples from a few of the bigger boating clubs.
| Boat Club |
Prices vary based on your location.
Why Join A Yacht Club
Joining a yacht club can be a great benefit for you whether you own a yacht or not. However, if you own a boat, a yacht club lets you keep your boat there and take it out when you want. A yacht club has so many membership benefits. It is easy to see why people all over the world think yacht clubs are worth it and want to join.
A yacht club is not only a place for likeminded boat owners to get together to meet and socialize, but by joining a yacht club, you have the advantage of many other benefits. These include:
- Take a swim
You May Like: How To Get Boat Registration Number
How Much Does A Carefree Boat Club Membership Cost
The cost of a Carefree Boat Club membership will greatly depend upon the type of membership you sign up for and the location you sign up at. From what we researched, the average one-time initiation fee is about $5,500 to $3,500 and the monthly dues for the highest tiered membership will cost close to $350 per month, on average, to remain active at the club. Some lower-tiered memberships, however, could be as little as $175 a month. These memberships, unlike the full membership, would only allow you to reserve a boat on a weekday only, for example.
The official company says the costs will depend on the location, local costs, fleet, the membership options and the availability of the membership.
This Boating Magazine article talked about one couple who resided in Maryland, and at their local location, they paid $315 a month, plus fuel, to boat at one of the four waterways available.
One entry on RipoffReport.com claimed they paid $3,500 to join the club and another $350 a month to remain active.
According to one Yelp review for the Washington, D.C. location, a member said his final costs were $385 a month and $2,490 to join.
Boat Clubs In Tampa Florida You Should Know
Tampa Bay offers a beautiful vista perfect for fishing, cruising, and sailing along the coast or to the Gulf of Mexico.
Tampa, Florida and the surrounding cities are therefore a hub for boat and yacht clubs alike.
People join boat clubs to access a fleet of boats without owning their own, and yacht clubs are joined by sailors looking for access to social events and communities.
One of the best things about boat clubs besides the boats are the people, and you want to make sure you like the crowd and the vibe of the club that you choose.
Weve done the research to locate the best boat and yacht clubs in and around Tampa, Florida. Our findings of the various boat clubs surrounding Tampa Bay are listed below.
Also Check: Which Propeller Is Best For My Boat
How Can I Save Money
Groupon, from time to time, does offer daily deals for the Freedom Boat Club. For example, in the past, one club in Venice, Florida, offered a $149 trial membership. Check out these daily deal websites to see if you can save.
Be sure to compare more than one location. For example, in Florida, there are more than 10 locations, each offering its own pricing. While most will offer a quote via email, some may ask for you to come in. In some cases, it may be worth it to travel an additional 15 to 25 miles in order to save $50+ a month.
Promotions may be available, so it doesnt hurt to ask before committing. Some members have also had luck haggling on the initiation fee.
Check out Craigslist and eBay. There are times when members will sell their membership at a discounted rate. Since you do have to commit, often as much as three years at a time, some members simply dont want to make payments anymore and are willing to get rid of them at a discount.
Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info.
What Is The Difference In Pricing
Both Carefree and Freedom Boat Clubs will have pricing that varies based on location.
They can agree that larger metropolitan areas will have more expensive one-time initial fees and monthly membership fees. This is because dock slips are at a premium in these busy marinas, and companies can command top dollar for this precious space.
Many cities are not forthcoming with the rates you can expect for membership.
This is in part due to the fact that both companies offer multiple types of membership.
For example, Freedom Boat Club offers five different membership levels:
- Three-month seasonal membership
- Weekend-only membership
- Friends and family programs
At Freedom Boat Clubs West Palm Beach location in Florida, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,750 to $5,500 for a one-time fee. Their monthly rates are a little more affordable with prices ranging from $149 to $299.
You can see some price examples on membership costs from various boat clubs in our article here.
Carefree Boat Club also has an initial fee that can vary.
However, they do offer an affordable solution for members who want to enjoy boating without the commitment of owning their own ship. You can join for as low as $300 per month at their Clinton, Connecticut location.
One of the benefits of the Carefree Boat Club is that you arent locked into lengthy contracts.
You can sign up for as little as a single year instead of being stuck long-term contracts.
The same policy applies to the Freedom Boat Club.
Recommended Reading: Does Capital One Offer Boat Loans
