What Isnt Covered In The Monthly Membership Fee
The answer to this question is the same for every Freedom Boat Club location: fuel.
Many of our clubs use fuel flow meters that are initiated at check-out from the dock, and then reviewed in full upon return. In all cases, you are only charged for the fuel that you use during your outing.
Some Freedom Boat Clubs offer optional programs that include special insurance coverage and towing provisions. Your local membership executive can provide full details.
Finally, every Freedom Boat Club has a professional dock staff, whose total focus is to assist members with boarding, check-in, dock departure and returns. They are happy to help load and unload your gear. Many of our satisfied members choose to tip for outstanding service, and the dock staff appreciates the consideration, this is fully at the members discretion.
Being Safe On The Water
Although there are not a whole lot of requirements to become a member, Lee said they train all members with a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain before allowing use of the boats.
Jordan said he is glad the club makes people take safety training before they are allowed on the boat.
Taking a boater safety course is huge, it just helps, thats what I love about Freedom Boat Club, they make you do a training, so I know how to operate a boat, Jordan said.
With a number of recent drownings in the area, Jordan said its important for people to wear life jackets, to not drink and make sure you know what you are doing when using a boat.
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Boatsetter Vs Nautical Boat Club
Like many other boat clubs on this list, Nautical Boat Club has an initial one-time membership cost and an ongoing monthly cost. The monthly membership cost may vary depending on the boat and the location. The total for your first year with Nautical Boat Club can range from $4535 to $14,355. Our goal at Boatsetter is to make boating accessible to everyone by not tying our customers to recurring fees. All 4500 of our boats across the country are available for rent, no catches.
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Questions Most Frequently Asked About Boat Clubs And Memberships
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?
So, youre interested in possibly joining a boat club, but youre not really sure what to ask or perhaps how to conduct a thorough analysis of clubs in your market.
Many of our prospective members are either brand new or relatively new to boating, while others are often seasoned boaters who are just learning about the boat club option.
At Freedom Boat Club, we believe our prospective members should be very well educated about boat clubs prior to making a decision to join. With a nationwide 93% retention rate and 20,000+ active members in 31+ U.S. states, Canada, and France, we at Freedom Boat Club believe in full transparency. We also believe it is our business to help customers navigate through this important club review process so they can make the best decision for themselves and their family.
Founded in 1989, Freedom Boat Club is the largest and oldest boat club in North America. Our club managers know the questions prospective members want to know! As a service to help newcomers and experienced boaters alike, we have compiled a series of 31 Questions Most Frequently Asked about Boat Clubs and Memberships.
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.
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What Does The Monthly Membership Fee Covers & What Dont
Freedom Boat Club is nothing but a type of community clubthats a nice way to meet new people and get fun. Also, its great to make newfriends and to learn about their passion and experience of boating.
Besides, they have a partnership to joint venture with WestMarine. So, many of them arrange fishing seminar and some other special eventsfor the members. But, the clubs of all locations dont offer fuel for theirmembers to operate the boat.
Some of their clubs have had meters to monitor the flow ofthe fuel that they review upon return. In every case, you just need to take thecharge of taking the fuel that youll be using while youre outing.
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.
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For The Freedom Boat Club More Flow On The Water In 2021
DEEP RIVER, Conn. “Think of it like Zip Cars.
That’s according to Dick Cromwell, the owner of the Freedom Boat Club, a boat share business that, he says, has bloomed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Cromwell runs the Freedom Boat Club out of seven marinas in Connecticut, giving members the chance to get out on the water without having to own a boat. You come down, take a boat and have fun, Cromwell said, then you hand us the keys and walk away.
Cromwell typically offers boats in the 22 to 24-foot range and members can take advantage of the service across the country. Cromwell added that due to the desire for so many to socially distance and find an escape, he has seen steady growth. We were one of the few things that people could do that was Covid safe, he said.
Members pay a $3,900-dollar one-time initiation fee, and then about $400 dollars a month for the luxury of using a boat when they want. Theres none of the headaches of maintenance plus its less money than owning a boat, said Cromwell.
Bart Crossman, the lead salesman for the Freedom Boat Club said, you can get out on the water its a whole different world. Cromwell, who runs the Freedom Boat Club franchise in both Connecticut and Rhode Island added, its going to be a very busy year out on the water but its going to be fun.
To find out more about the Freedom Boat Club click www.freedomboatclub.com
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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What Is Not Include In The Freedom Boat Club Membership Fee
There are many perks for becoming a Freedom Boat Club member. However, there is one thing that is not covered by any Freedom Boat Club plan. It is the fuel.
Freedom Boat clubs make use of fuel flow meters. When you check out from the dock, a fuel flow meter is initiated. This will then be reviewed upon return to determine the amount of fuel consumed. This means that FBC only charges you for the fuel used during your outing.
Several Freedom Boat Club franchises also offer optional programs. These programs may include special insurance coverage. They can also include towing provisions.
At the dock, someone will assist you with boarding, check-in, dock departure, and returns. Freedom Boat Club has a dedicated professional dock staff for all members. They will also assist you when it comes to loading and unloading your gear.
Members can tip them for their service. While tipping is fully done at the members discretion, FBC nonetheless encourages members to tip them.
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!
Also Check: Freedom Boat Club Costs 2021
Were Proud To Be Part Of The Brunswick Family
As part of the Brunswick Family, Freedom Boat Club franchisees have access to an extensive portfolio of brands and services offered through Brunswick Boat Group, Mercury Propulsion, Mercury Parts & Accessories, and Brunswick Boating Services. Partnering with Brunswick is partnering with the Worlds Largest Marine Parts & Accessories Portfolio, World Leader in Marine Propulsion Systems and Worlds Largest Manufacturer of Recreational Boats with the Most Recognized Boat Brands.
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Is A Boat A Bad Investment
Boats are a good investment if you dont overshoot your budget. If you research your options and go for a vessel that you can afford, nothing trumps the joy of spending time on the water. However, a boat can definitely also be a bad investment. A rule of thumb is to only buy a boat you can afford to pay for in cash.
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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.
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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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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What Type Of Boats Do You Have
We have the finest fleet in the Southeast US with a wide variety of great boats for our members use deck and ski boats, fishing boats, express cruisers, twin engine offshore boats, and bow riders many that you can even take your pets on. The fleet ranges from 16 to 36 feet! Please check out the photos on our home page or feel free to call us and schedule a time to view our fleet in person.
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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.
What Is The Jacksonville Boat Club
Golfers dont buy golf courses they join the Country Club and share the facilities. Jacksonville Boat Club operates a lot like that. We are a private Boating Club whose members have all the benefits of owning their own boat but none of the hassles and expense of maintenance and repairs that go along with it. They also dont have a boat loan or insurance payments. They dont even pay to store the boats. Without all that aggravation, they also go boating a lot more and are able to experience just the enjoyable part of being on the water with family and friends and none of the aggravations.
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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.
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