Lets Run A Quick Cost Analysis Looking At Our Flagship
Boat Ownership:
Loan terms: 20% down with a 5% loan over 10 years.
Downpayment: $14,000
Downpayment for Port & Starboard Plan = $3,900.
Monthly = $199
When you add in maintenance, repairs, storage and insurance
Youll save $30k+ over 3 years & $85k+ over 10 years with no repair surprises. More than that, well keep you in new boats all 10 years as each year we renew 1/3 of the fleet!
Youll find, as thousands of others have found in the Tampa area, Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay is the best value for the dollar.
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Any Way To Spend Less
Groupon-like deals are great for first-time customers. You should check to see if there is a deal near you before applying so that you wont miss out on savings.
If youre looking for a bargain, dont be scared to negotiate. Many people have been able to get lower rates on initiation fees and monthly dues by simply asking before joining.
Members who commit for more than one year are rewarded by the club. For example, if you know that you want to stay as a member of this club for longer than 12 months then it can be wise to sign up and commit with them long-term such as five years.
How Can I Save Money
Groupons daily deals can be a great way to save on your day at the boat club. For instance, the club in Venice, Florida offered at some point a $159 trial membership which you could have taken advantage of.
For those who are looking for a good deal, it may be worth traveling 15 to 25 miles to another location where you could get a better deal. For example, in Florida, there are more than 10 different locations where you can get a quote.
Its always a good idea to ask about promotions before committing. You might be able to take advantage of lower rates if you negotiate.
There are many ways to get a discounted membership. Some members will sell theirs at reduced rates on Craigslist and eBay.
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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!
What Is A Boat Club And What Other Options Are There
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?
Many people mistakenly confuse a boat club with other recreational boating enterprises and dont really understand the difference between a club, rental operator, a new or used boat dealership, fractional ownership or even the newer peer-to-peer organizations.
Each offers a great service to boaters, but has its own unique focus and distinctions, along with advantages and benefits.
Here is a brief primer and overview to explain what a club is, as well as a summary of other boating programs:
Boat Clubs
Boat Clubs are designed for folks who want to access a versatile fleet of boats on a regular basis, at an affordable cost of entry.
While clubs in general may differ in their membership structure, Freedom Boat Clubs all operate with a 1x entry fee and monthly dues. FBC members have unlimited access to the club fleet, but do not own them and never incur any service or storage fees. Reservations are made through a proprietary online system.
This is one of the most valued features of membership in Freedom Boat Club.
Boat Rental Operators
Boat Dealers
Fractional Ownership
Peer-to-Peer Boating
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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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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 .
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What Exactly Is A Boat Club
Boat clubs work by offering members access to a fleet of boats for a monthly fee. Members can reserve a boat to use without having to worry about the costs associated with maintenance, insurance, and boating education.
Boat clubs allow members access to a wide variety of boats for a much lower cost than purchasing a boat. This can make joining a boat club a good way to see if boating is the right hobby for you without having to commit to a large purchase.
In addition to providing members with boat training and well-maintained boats, boat clubs offer members many perks. Many boat clubs offer complimentary access to water toys such as skis and slides. Other clubs offer training for each specific vessel in their fleet to ensure your comfort and safety.
Boat clubs also act as social clubs that bring together people with similar interests. Many clubs offer member-only social gatherings, parties, and cruises.
These gatherings can be a great place to make new friends and connections in the boating scene.
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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Gulf Stream Boat Club
If you like the idea of having a full-service experience, then the Gulf Stream Boat Club is probably the right choice for you.
They can get you started the right way with a wide variety of activities, but first, you must choose from one of three convenient locations:
- Delray Beach
- Boynton Beach
- Hypoluxo
This club provides sunset cruises, wakeboarding and waterskiing lessons, and fishing guides or equipment. You can even enjoy a catered lunch or dinner while you are out and about on one of their seaworthy vessels.
Many boat clubs provide their boats solely for member use, but Gulf Stream Boat Club also offers chartered boats as well. If you want to take your family out on the water without the hassle of manning the boat yourself, you can take advantage of their licensed captains for a charter. This is an excellent option if you are just learning how to navigate a boat on your own.
For those who need a little help, they also offer lessons on boat safety and operation.
Contributor: Carefree Boat Club of Southern Connecticut
Do you have a close friend or family member who shares your love of boating? Do you like saving money? We are willing to bet that you do! That is why we have created and are offering prospective members the ability to split their membership with a friend or family member. Two people sharing a membership allows you to save a substantial percentage of the cost of membership.
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Can You Share A Freedom Boat Club Membership
There is one challenge that comes with a boat club membership you may not have the time to maximize the usage of your membership. If you do not have the time to go boating for months on end, you better cancel your membership as Freedom Boat Club does not allow sharing.
You can split your membership fifty-fifty with another member if you join Carefree Boat Club. Here, you will pay the entry fee in half, the monthly fee, and the reservation plan. Once you are a member of a shared plan, you will have equal access to boat reservations as the other member.
Any of the members of shared membership can manage reservations, and they need to be in communication to make reservations easy. You should request whether the Freedom Boat Club in your area allows you to split your membership as some may allow splitting to some extent.
Once you are a member, you are allowed to bring family and friends as you see fit. If you no longer need your membership, some boat clubs allow you to sell the membership while others only accept cancellation.
For Freedom Boat Club memberships, you cannot sell the membership to any other person. You can transfer it to a new town anywhere in the U.S., Canada, or France, but you cannot sell. To cancel the membership, you need to give Freedom Boat Club a sixty-day written notice.
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The Truth About Freedom Boat Club
I almost didnt do it
Growing up we always had a boat and recently Ive been itching to get one.
But then I started crunching the numbers
You need to pay for the down payment, monthly payments, registration, insurance, maintenance, trailer, and storage, among other things.
Plus, you only have one boat.
What if I want to take my kids out tubing, or go bass fishing, or get into some skinny water looking for snook and redfish?
One type of boat is not ideal for the variety of activities we like to do on the water
Which lead me to Freedom Boat Club.
Id heard lots of misinformation about Freedom Boat Club regarding their prices, the number of times you can take their boats out, etc., so Freedom Boat Club wasnt even on my radar for the longest time
But the price of getting my own boat made me reevaluate my options.
In this podcast episode, I have my man Alex Anchor from the Winter Haven Freedom Boat Club to help talk about the pros, cons, and misconceptions when it comes to Freedom Boat Club.
Im not getting paid by them and this is not a sponsored post, but Salt Strong is all about helping you make memories on the water with your loved ones and this is one of the best deals Ive done when it comes to boating and fishing.
Ive been enjoying being a part of the Club and I just wanted to share this with you in hopes of clearing up some misconceptions.
You can listen to this episode by clicking the play button below, or on iTunes,Stitcher, or Spotify.
Freedom Boat Club Details
While paying the monthly fee, a member will have unlimited access to boating at his/her homeport location, plus four outgoings anytime throughout the year at any location. You can make an appointment 6 months in advance and have a maximum of four active reservations at a time.
Boat sizes at the Freedom Boat Club vary between 16 and 24 feet and include deck boats, kayaks, floats, pontoons, skiffs, sailboats, and bow rides, but options vary by location. Most of them are newer than three years.
You dont have to worry about cleaning, maintaining, or storing the boats as the club will do all this work on its fleet.
As a member of this club, you will be offered a two-hour training class in order to learn how to operate different boats.
It is important to know that a two million dollar insurance policy along with a $3,000 deductible is included. However, this may vary from location to location.
The opportunity to meet other members is one of many perks that come with being part of a club. The monthly dock parties are where you can find all sorts of people.
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Access To Social Events
Part of the joy of being part of a club like the Freedom Boat Club is the sense of community that it offers members.
The Freedom Boat Club offers various social events throughout the year that members can attend for free.
Depending on your location, your local Freedom Boat Club might host these events on a monthly or seasonal basis.
Some club locations even offer fishing seminars for those boaters who also share a passion for fishing.
The club socials offered by the Freedom Boat Club are a great way to meet new people and form lasting friendships based on mutual interests.
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 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.
Members Gain Access To A Fleet Of Boats
Freedom Boat Clubs concept allows members to gain access to a fleet of boats such as fishing boats, deck boats, cruisers, and bowriders. Members have the opportunity to choose any boat every time they go on the water.
The club also conducts on-the-water boat safety classes for its members. This way, everyone will feel comfortable and safe, especially the new and young ones. The notable young FBC members include Elene Pilpani, Esther Ng, and Prisha Khatwani.
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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.
