Freedom Boat Club Overview
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Freedom Boat Club was first mentioned on PissedConsumer on May 22, 2013 and since then this brand received 76 reviews.
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Freedom Boat Club ranks 7 of 226 in Water Transport category. The overall rating of the company is 3.4 and consumers are mostly neutral.
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Recent recommendations regarding this business are as follows: “waste of money, they are not honest or reputable.”, “Join and go to Galveston location”, “Verify everything the sales person says to you – Very dishonest”, “Purchase the boat US or tow boat policy ,make sure you know the waters and have a chart ,chart plotter on boat or your phone to show shallows or under water dangers”, “watch the details also, if you are limited to mostly weekends, be cautious”.
Making The Final Decision
When it comes to signing up for a boat club membership, you may be compelled to overthink every part of the decision. You might start measuring locations and amenities against monthly costs and eventually find yourself overwhelmed. You should know that its not a decision to lose sleep over. While boat clubs are an expensive investment, theyre often much cheaper than the cost of privately owning a boat. That means youre getting the freedom and enjoyment of the open sea at a discount.
Most boat clubs will offer extensive new-member onboarding processes, so you know exactly what to expect when you sign up. Take advantage of all of these amenities, from location and marina visits to boat ride-alongs and meetings with club representatives. Having more information is always best. Visiting the marina can also let you know if your nearest boat club location is in a convenient location for you.
When I was choosing which boat club to sign up with, I thought Id pick Carefree Boat Club. The membership plan was slightly more affordable, and I loved the nearest clubs on-site amenities. However, it was over an hour away, which was too far for me to get regular use out of my membership.
In the end, I picked a Freedom Boat Club location only 15 minutes from my home. I use my membership almost every weekend and often on weekdays too!
So How Much Does Carefree Boat Club Cost
Well break down an easy way to guesstimate this cost, as well as compare it to the cost of ownership. Here are the kinds of upfront and monthly prices / fees to expect. While we cant answer that in exact terms , we can give you the information you need to get a good idea of cost, and how it differs from area to area. Carefree Boat Club Cost can be calculated as twice the fee of dockage. Or stated another way, about half of the cost of a boat club is just the dockage fee you would have on a boat that you own. Another way to estimate the cost is to figure 1/3 the cost of owning a boat.
We cant answer in exact numbers because each boat club and location have differing rates. Some clubs are located in up-scale, high-profile marinas and some are tucked away in less expensive locations. The costs associated with boating in those areas will follow the local cost of living, just as other expenses would. Your best bet is to check with a local carefree boat club representative for a tour and a detailed quote.
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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.
See The Differences For Yourself
Many people still find themselves torn between the two boat clubs. Each has its own advantages that might appeal to some people more than others.
If you find that you are still conflicted about which boat club is right for you, it might help you to see the differences for yourself.
Look up the location that is closest to your home and take a trip to see the fleet itself and talk with employees. This can also help you to get the most accurate pricing on a membership that suits your schedule and sailing needs.
Both companies have been well-established for quite some time.
While you can hardly go wrong with either one, this comparison might help you to make a better decision for your vacation, summer sailing plans, and even your wallet.
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Freedom Boat Club Membership Cost
Membership cost of Freedom Boat Club is an essential issue to consider when you want to join them. But, dont forget one thing that the boat club membership cost may vary from one coast to another.
Despite having the variations, well try to give the bestpossible and the most accurate information about the pricing. We already haveknown about the pricing of the club membership which is in total $ 5,349.
In this amount, there is the inclusion of a one-time joiningfee along with a monthly fee. That means, when youll pay the amount, you justneed to pay a $349 for every other month.
You might be thinking that this is a large amount to becomea member of the club. But, this is indeed 60 to 70% cheaper than being an ownerof an individual boat. Its because youd need nothing to deal with a boatregarding wrapping, storing, or towing it.
Most of their members are have enough money to theirpersonal boat, but they dont do it. The reasons are that we have mentionedearlier and they simply like to avoid the mess.
Carefree Boat Club Membership Cost
If you love boating and being on the water, then this is your new go-to club. The Carefree Boat Club allows members to use their fleet of boats at any time. With clubs across the United States, theres a boat for every type of occasion: whether it be fast or slow-paced day or night theyve got everything covered.
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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!
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.
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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?
History Of Freedom And Carefree Boat Clubs
When it comes to boat clubs, both Freedom and Carefree have decades of experience when it comes to serving boaters worldwide. When you sign with one of these companies, you can feel comfortable that youre working with some of the most established clubs in the business.
Freedom Boat Club is the oldest company in the business. Starting in 1989 in Sarasota, Florida, Freedom Boat Club has provided boating services to customers in the US and worldwide for over 30 years.
While Freedom had humble beginnings as a small, local company located in a single marina, its now one of the biggest boating brands out there.
Carefree Boat Club is a bit younger. Its founders started the company in 2002 in Virginia. At this point, companies like Freedom Boat Club had been around for ten years or more, providing a great model to build on. Now, Carefree Boat Club is one of Freedoms closest competitors.
Carefree Boat Club gives you unlimited access to any vessel at any location. If you rent a boat at a specific marina, you also can use that sites amenities, which often include laundry services, picnic areas, and even a fitness center. All of these features make these locations a great place to spend a vacation.
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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!
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Boat Clubs
Lets break down the advantages and disadvantages of a boat club:
Advantages
- Boat clubs provide a wide range of boat types and sizes.
- Boat club prices are far less than buying most new boats, and in many cases different levels of membership are available at different price-points.
- Reservations can be made ahead of time for specific models, or you can grab whatevers available on the spur of the moment.
- Boat club membership comes with a number of perks ranging from boating education to insurance coverage.
- The club takes care of maintenance and tends to keep the fleet in excellent condition.
- Some membership plans include reciprocal rights to go boating at the clubs different locations, so you may be able to utilize your membership from coast to coast.
Disadvantages
- You dont actually own the boats, so you cant customize them.
- A boat youd like to take out on the spur of the moment may have been reserved by someone else on that particular day.
- There may be some restrictions and/or required training for overnight use.
- Although joining a boat club is far less expensive than owning the average boat, its still a substantial expense.
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Intro To Freedom Boat Club
Freedom Boat Club is one of the most well-known boat clubs on the market. While it started in Florida, it now has over 275 locations throughout the US, Canada, and France.
Members can use their memberships at each of the locations, which is excellent for those who want to travel. Membership rates vary between sites, but the startup fee is usually around $5,000. The good news is you only pay this once, so its best to keep your membership as long as possible in order to get the best value for your investment. Regular monthly dues usually fall between $200-$800, depending on the location of your home marina.
Aside from a great boat club experience, Freedom Boat Club members also benefit from complementary safety courses. Licensed captains also provide unlimited one-on-one training, so you know how to handle any situation on the water.
Freedom Boat Club maintains a high boat-to-member ratio at each marina and provides a variety of vessels to choose from. The boats available at each marina vary but include the most popular models, from bowriders to center consoles, and more.
What Factors Go Into Carefree Boat Club
When considering joining a boat club, the benefits may far outweigh the shortcoming, but it depends on the person.
Considerations:
One of the most significant benefits of becoming a Carefree Boat Club member is time. Pick up your phone, select the boat of your choice on available dates, and head to the dock.
Once youre done spending time on the water for the day, simply dock it up and walk away. No cleaning or maintenance is required. This is the greatest benefit of joining a club- Walking away!
Most clubs have a wide range of vessels to choose from. Select a fishing boat on the days you plan to bring along the rods and reels or a cruiser for heading to the beach or sightseeing.
For the avid vacationer, no need to trailer a boat to your vacation destination. Select a lake or coastal region with a Carefree Boat Club, and you will have reciprocal benefits. This eliminates a great deal of hassle.
A significant drawback can be availability. Its essential to speak with the specific club to ask about the number of boats offered and how readily each is available.
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How Much Do Exclusive Boat Clubs Cost
Exclusive boat clubs can cost thousands of dollars per month, as well as a hefty initial fee. Keep in mind that the most expensive boat clubs are typically those located in the most densely populated cities.
When slips come at a premium, you can expect the monthly dues to be more expensive as well.
A boat club that has a more extensive fleet is also likely to charge more per month. In return, you likely have access to much newer models and a wider variety of sailing opportunities.
Exclusive boat clubs must charge more to make up for the fact that they do not have incoming fees from a wider group of members.
However, this does come with some benefit to you.
When you are paying this much for a boat club membership, you are also likely receiving true unlimited access to the fleet.
You can typically place a reservation for any day of the week on any of their available boats with a greater degree of success. In fact, many exclusive boat clubs boast a reservation success rate of ninety percent or higher.
Does Freedom Boat Club Have Sailboats And How Much Can You Use The Boats
Freedom Boat Club started in 1989, making it one of the oldest operating boat clubs in the U.S. It started in Sarasota, Florida, and then grew all over the U.S. and later in Canada and France. Today, you can access FBC in more than 210 locations.
The club has at least 2,400 boats and more than 20,000 members. Although they do not have sailboats, they offer bow riders, cruisers, fishing boats, and . Most boats are between 12 and 25 feet. You do not have to limit yourself to the same boat as you can pick any boat you like as long as you are a member.
The boat fuel is not part of the fee you pay. Before you reserve a boat, you need to consider how much fuel it will consume in the duration you will have it out in the waters.
Some clubs offers special plans that may limit when you access the boats. Some of these plans include:
Weekday-only plan
Unlimited usage
Friends and family usage plan
You will have unlimited access to the boats during the time that the boats are accessible to you. For instance, if you pick a weekend-only plan, the boat will be available to you on weekends for unlimited usage.
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Welcome To Carefree Boating At The Shore
There are no dock fees or insurance costs. No back-breaking cleaning or maintenance, either.
Your boat will be fueled up and ready to go before you even step on board.
Welcome to boating without owning.
The Carefree Boat Club gives members all of the pleasures of being out on the water without the hassles and expense of actually owning a boat.
Now, Carefree Boat Club has arrived at the Jersey Shore, taking up residence in Avalon at the Commodore Bay Marina at 900 Ocean Drive.
A grand opening celebration featuring drinks, food and music will be held at the Commodore Bay Marina this Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Avalon location is part of a growing network that features nearly 80 Carefree Boat Club sites in the United States and Canada. Membership in Avalon gives boaters access to all U.S. and Canada locations. A boat slip will also be reserved at the Pier 88 Marina in Sea Isle City for members.
Business partners Sean McNulty and Adam Fox own the Avalon franchise. McNulty, 25, serves as director of sales, while the 44-year-old Fox will use his experience as a licensed charter boat captain to oversee the day-to-day operations as general manager.
Its really a first-class, concierge-type service. Thats what were striving for, Fox explained of the Carefree Boat Club experience.
Theyll feel safe and confident with the boat, Fox pointed out.
Were buying $100,000 boats, so theyre really nice boats, McNulty said.
