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.
Boat Clubs In Georgia You Should Know
Joining a boat club can be a significant financial investment, so how do you decide which one is right for you? Understanding the major advantages and differences between the various boating clubs is the first step toward making the right decision.
Georgia has a fairly large selection of prominent boating clubs that can help get you on the water this year. Whether you are a novice or an expert, each of these boating clubs has something unique to offer to its members. You simply have to take a look at their overall offering before you make a final decision about membership.
Before you decide which boat club is best for you, here are seven clubs that you should know.
Speak To A Membership Executive For Local Market Information
The membership executive in each local market knows all the available membership plans and associated costs, and will happily answer all your questions.
We understand that people are often reluctant to speak with a sales professional, but Freedom Boat Clubs membership executives are here to help you decide if a boat club is right for you or not. They can guide you through all the options, and explain the costs and benefits of each.
If the pricing or the membership plan doesnt suit your lifestyle, needs or budget, thats OK! The membership executive is just there to answer all of your questions, so you can make the best decision for you.
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Whats The First Thing I Should Do When Looking For A House
The first thing you should do before searching for rental homes is decide on an ideal budget. Consider how much of your income goes towards bills and what you have left over at the end of each month. Also, remember that when first moving in, you will need to account for at least a deposit and first months rent.
Freedom Boat Club: Getting Out On The Water This Summer
One of the boats from Freedom Boat Club.
Freedom Boat Club
Summer in the U.S. usually synonymous with boating, but this summer, boat sales are off the charts and availability is scarce. According to the Brunswick Corporation, the company that owns Mercury, Boston Whaler, Lund, Bayliner, Sea Ray, Lowe Boats, among other well-known brands, you can credit the pandemic for driving more people into boating in the past 18 months.
Last summer when COVID hit, demand for boats went through the roof, said Lee Gordon, a Vice President at Brunswick, noting that boating rose in popularity because it was an activity where people could safely social distance with their family and recreate at the same time. Buying a boat is tough right now as demand far outweighs what is in the market. We are currently selling boats into 2023.
A family on a Freedom Boat Club boat.
Freedom Boat Club.
Well, if you cant buy a boat, the next best thing is to rent one. If you cant do that, then consider joining a club. Carefree Boat Club, Nautical Boat Club, 321 Boat Club and Suntex are among the players in this field, but the largest one happens to be Freedom Boat Club, which Brunswick bought in 2019.
Boarding a Freedom Boat Club pontoon.
Freedom Boat Club
Once youre a member, you simply reserve the boat, get the keys and head out on the water. At days end, you turn in the keys. Thats it. Boating usage is unlimited at your home club.
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Nautical Boat Club At Lanier Islands
The Nautical Boat Club at Lanier Islands considers itself to be more of a country club with an emphasis on sailing. Their docks are tucked inside the Margaritaville entertainment center, giving you access to a wide variety of fun activities and delicious restaurants. You gain access to year-round boating in an idyllic location.
The fleet itself consists of new boats purchased each year including varieties like surf boats, double-decker party boats, tri-toons, and sport boats. Old boats are sold or replaced every two to three years so that you always have the most modern experience possible.
Unfortunately, you will find that the rates are rather high for entrance into this exclusive boating club. The one-time membership fee ranges from $1,000 to $6,000 with monthly costs potentially reaching as high as $600 per month thereafter.
For sailors who havent quite found their sea legs yet, Nautical Boat Club does offer:
- Quick courses in boating safety
- On-board orientation for every type of boat in the fleet
- Lifejackets
- S. Coast Guard vessel checks
- On-board walkthroughs of equipment safety points
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:
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Great Boat Clubs In Fort Myers Florida
Boat clubs are a great way to spend more time on the water without the high costs and hassle of owning a personal boat. Not to mention, many boat clubs allow you to test a wide variety of different boats instead of the same one each time.
The trick is finding the boat club that is going to be the right fit for your boating goals.
Fort Myers is home to some of the best boat clubs in the country. If you have been considering signing up for a membership, here are six of the top clubs you should know first!
How Many Boat Per Member
One of the many things that members want to look for in their boating club is exclusive usage. Some clubs do rent out their ships to non-members during slow seasons.
However, this can significantly impact how much boating you are able to do.
This is one area where you want to make sure you are getting what you pay for.
Fortunately, there arent too many differences between the two boat clubs in this regard. Neither of these companies rents their boats out to non-members. This allows you to rest easy knowing that the boat is more than likely available for you to use when you desire.
While both companies do maintain a private fleet, you should also know what the ratio is of members to boats. A higher ratio means that you may have to make reservations further in advance instead of making last-minute plans with friends and family.
Carefree Boat Club commits to limit its membership to ten members per boat in its fleet. While they do have fewer members and fewer boats, their boats are more accessible to members than those offered by Freedom Boat Club.
Freedom Boat Club has around 1,500 boats spread out across all of their locations. With more than 20,000 members, this makes the ratio of members per boat significantly higher.
It may require more advance planning to be able to use a boat through their service when compared to the ratios found at Carefree Boat Club.
Dont be afraid to ask questions of the staff at your local Freedom Boat Club location!
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Freedom Boat Club Overview
The monthly fee will entitle a member to unlimited boating at their home port location and four outings a year at any of the 80+ locations throughout the world. A member may have up to four active reservations at a time and can book as far out as six months in advance.
Freedom Boat Club boats range from 16 to 24 feet, including flats, skiffs, deck boats, pontoons, bow rides, sailboats, and kayaks, with almost all boats younger than three years old. All options will vary from location to location.
The club will clean, maintain, store and do all of the prep work on its fleet so you dont have to.
The membership will also include a two-hour training class to learn how to operate the various boats in the fleet.
According to members, a two million dollar insurance policy along with a $2,500 deductible is included as well, but this may vary from location to location.
Aside from the boats, clubs will hold a dock party at least once a month, offering a member the opportunity to meet other members of the club.
Is A Boat Club Like A Country Club
A boat club operates in a similar fashion to a country club: for a monthly fee, members have reserved access to a fleet of boats on local lakes and some other destinations as well. So what are the differences between boat ownership and boat club membership, and how do you decide which option is better for you?
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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.
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North Georgia Boating Club
North Georgia Boating Club boasts far more than the simple rental of a boat. This boating club is ideal for individuals and families who want to enjoy everything water has to offer both onshore and offshore. Membership includes the use of the fleet itself as well as access to waterfront rental properties.
Much like the Freedom Boat Club, this group also offers a wide variety of membership options depending on the number of people who plan to use these amenities. A basic individual plan starts at $200 while a corporate plan for six individuals totals $800.
Keep in mind that your first year of membership will be viewed as a trial basis to determine your eligibility for future years.
The downside to the North Georgia Boating Club is its relatively small size. Some of the larger national boat club chains boast thousands of boats. Meanwhile, this club has fewer than ten models available for your weekly rental.
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How Much Does A Freedom Boat Club Membership Cost
Freedom Boat Club
Thanks for your inquiry!
We will be sending you all the details about local plans, discounts & local partnerships. In the meantime, check out the local reviews, events and frequently asked questions for your local club.
Where would you like to boat?
Joining Freedom Boat Club really is one of the best investments I ever made! Im a five-time former boat-owner. Ownership was right for our family at the time, but, at this stage in our lives, club membership is an easy, cost-effective way to enjoy the boating lifestyle. Theres nothing like spending a day on the water, returning to the dock, and then just turning in the keys. Kenneth Smith, Venice, FL
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.
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How Many Times Can I Use A Boat
Your usage is unlimited.
You can make four reservations in advance using our proprietary online reservation system. Those reservations roll: as soon as you use one, you can book another.
You can also call your dock of choice at any time to check on availability. If theres a boat in the dock that has either returned for the day, or is unreserved, its yours!
Choosing The Right Boat Club
The right boat club can mean different things to different people. Georgia has a great selection of programs and memberships available based on your skill level, price range, and the type of boats you hope to have access to. Take some time to consider what you really want out of a boat club before you sign on the dotted line for an expensive annual membership.
Joining a boat club is an excellent way to gain unlimited access to a fleet of boats without the pressure of maintaining your own boat. Make sure to take some time to consider whether any of these boat clubs would be the right fit for you and your family before you decide which one to join!
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Suntex Expands Exclusive Boat Club And Rental Program
May 22, 2018
Suntex Marina Investors, LLC announced today the planned addition of a new Suntex Boat Club location at Cross Timbers Marina, located just north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, bringing the total to nine Boat Club locations across the U.S.
In addition, Suntex Watersports, the companys boat rental program, now offers six new locations in Northern California and Tennessee, bringing the total to 25 boat rental locations. Further, in response to growing demand, the company has significantly expanded both its boat club and rental fleets by purchasing more than 300 new boats. Catering to the demands of its growing customer base, these new boats represent a variety of applications including pontoons, tri-toons, center console fishing, deck boats, bow riders, ski and wakeboard boats.
The Suntex Boat Club is a private, members-only organization that allows full access to an entire fleet of boats. Boat Club members also get complimentary access to a complete inventory of accessories such as wakeboards, kneeboards, tubes, skis and more.
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.
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