How Much Does A Freedom Boat Club Membership Cost
Freedom Boat Club
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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
New Jersey Boat Clubs You Should Know
Those in the New Jersey area have several boat club options to get out on the water.
With a variety of choices, you should know the differences in the different clubs before you decide on which one to join.
Lets dive into the options you have!
Boat Club Memberships: Why Should You Join
You may not feel completely ready to choose a boat even after shopping around and using our Boat Finder tool, you might need to wait to pull the trigger because of economic factors, or maybe you just think easing your way into the boating lifestyle is a smart movewhatever the reason, boat clubs offer an excellent alternative to buying a new boat. In fact, boat clubs have experienced soaring popularity since they first began showing up a few decades ago.
Boat club costs are significantly less than purchasing a boat outright, boat club membership often comes with additional perks like boating education classes, on-the-water training, insurance coverage, and/or social events, and there are boat clubs near me, near you, and near just about everyone else who lives anywhere close to a popular waterway. In fact, there are hundreds of locations across the nation from several different providers and whichever you choose to be your boat club, endless boating opportunities for you and your family probably lay right around the corner.
Follow along as one family explores what a boat club membership is all about in their local area.
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Free Or Unlimited : 1 Training
Freedom Boat Club offers free or unlimited training for its members. This training is conducted by the licensed captains of the U.S. Coast Guard. Through this training, FBC exhibits its commitment to the boating safety of its members.
As a Freedom Boat Club member, you will not be able to go boating unless you have attended the training. Before the one-on-one training, a captain will orient you about your states boating regulations in a classroom setup. The captain will also discuss FBC guidelines, rules, and regulations.
Then, they will provide you with hands-on training and orientation. The coverage includes the following:
- Open-water navigation strategies,
- Close-quarter navigation techniques, and
- Docking maneuvers when it comes to on-water training.
Dont expect the training and orientation to be a short one. It is an extensive and comprehensive training session. Freedom Boat Club designed it in such a way that members will not only learn about how to be safe while boating. But members will also learn how to be confident boaters.
Freedom Boat Club Training is unlimited. In case you need a refresher session, it is possible. If you are looking for advanced boating sessions, FBC conducts these too. You can inquire through FBC membership executives about this.
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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Carefree Boat Club Membership Overview
A membership offers unlimited usage of all boats, which, depending on the location, range from 23 to 29 feet long. Most fleets include water sport boats, fishing boats, pontoons and sailboats, with most being less than three years old, but again, fleet choices will greatly depend on the location you sign up at. According to the club, there is no limit to how many times you can boat its truly unlimited, and again, depending on the exact geographical location, boats will be available year round.
All members receive free, unlimited training with a USCG certified captain, which includes navigating, docking, anchoring and safety strategies. The average training session can last up to five hours.
The company covers the insurance, boat purchase, slip fees, maintenance, repairs, taxes, towing, coverage, and winterization.
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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What About Boat Safety Rules
New to boating? It may feel overwhelming to consider all of the safety rules you must learn before you can be released onto the open water. Boating safety is one aspect of sailing that you can never overlook or underestimate. Should an emergency come up, you will be glad that you knew just what to do!
Fortunately, many of the most popular boat clubs offer some form of training for new skippers.For most of these locations, safety training is a mandatory part of your membership. You will not be permitted to reserve a boat until you have completed the necessary safety training.
Some clubs have members of the United States Coast Guard on hand to train their members and do official walk-throughs of their boats.
Freedom Boat Club offers both classroom training and on-the-water classes to get you up to speed quickly. Their courses cover basic safety and operation of the different types of boats included in their fleet.
Carefree Boat Club offers similar training. You start by reading their training manual and follow-up with a hands-on class that covers the same concepts.
Both clubs give you numerous opportunities to ask questions and see the demonstrations in person before being asked to perform them on your own. If you finish both training sessions and still feel like you need more assistance, dont be hesitant to ask for more help.
Every boat club would instead take the time to teach you how to sail safely rather than risk injury to you or the boat.
New Jersey Dragon Boat Club
The New Jersey Dragon Boat Club, located in Parsippany, NJ, is the states first dragon boat club. It was founded in 1999 and promotes boating with events, clinics, consulting and volunteering.
Unlike other clubs, this is a paddle club with teams and races. Anyone, even those without experience can join, but you must complete a paddler agreement, sign an individual waiver and pay the fee. Fees are $125 for adults and $25 for youth and college students.
The unique aspect of this club is that you can pay $10 each practice as a non-member until you decide whether you want to join. Also, non-members can join in on team activities with fees ranging from $5 to $20 a day.
There are four teams in this club. Two are for women and two are co-ed crews One is specifically for those new to the club.
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Is Freedom Boat Club A Good Deal Vs Buying A Boat
A boat club is always a good deal when you need to enjoy boating without the hassle of paying for insurance and maintaining your boat. It is estimated that up to 142 million Americans went boating in 2016, and you may have been one of them.
While boating is a great hobby, buying a boat and taking care of it doesnt come cheap. When you join a club membership, you enjoy the following benefits:
About Fbc Lewes Canal
Our Lewes Canal location is minutes from the center of the quaint, historic City of Lewes, just adjacent to the Roosevelt Inlet, providing easy access to the Delaware Bay and River, and the Atlantic Ocean. From our marina, a quick and enjoyable cruise takes you to our two scenic lighthouses, where dolphins are the main attraction, and the breakwaters create an ideal environment for fishing, tubing, and skiing.
Head up the Broadkill River to enjoy spectacular sunsets, nature preserves, and many species of wildlife, including Osprey and Bald Eagles! Cruise down the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to the amenity-filled Rehoboth Bay to enjoy waterfront dining or pontoon picnics. Or head offshore to your choice of premier fishing locations.
We Take Care of It All…Including the Boats
Pay a 1x Entry Fee and Monthly Dues
Get Unlimited Training from Licensed Captains
Your safety is our No. 1 concern. So we give all our members unlimited training with certified captains. And if you wish to boat in a new location, theyll show you the waterways.
Take Any Boat Out as Often as You Wish
- Worlds oldest and largest membership boat club with over 30 years of experience
- Reciprocal access to 300+ Locations in the US, Canada and Europe
- We take care of the maintenance, cleaning, repair, insurance and storage
- Fleet includes bowriders, pontoons, offshore/inshore fishing boats , deck boats and wake boats
- Insurance coverage of liability, hull and machinery
- 1-on-1 training by licensed captains
Irish Eyes
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Black Friday Deal: Save On Membership To Freedom Boat Club
Friday, November 24, 2017
Freedom Boat Club is the oldest and largest boat club in the United States with greater than 17,000 members, over 1600 boats and 148+ locations across the United States and Canada.
The Lake Erie franchise of Freedom Boat Club has three locations in Rocky River, Huron and Catawba Island . We have 20 beautiful boats and are in the process of purchasing some sleek, new models to add to the fleet for 2018!
Freedom Boat Club Of Toronto
Local Club Locations: Outer Harbor Marina
Conveniently located at beautiful Outer Harbour, Freedom Boat Club is here to take the hassle out of boating. When you become a member of the nations oldest and largest boat club, you gain access not only to your own clubs fleet, but over 3000 boats in over 275 locations across the US, Canada and Europe. Along with unlimited access to the fleet, and unlimited free training by certified captains, our members receive the exclusive opportunity to attend special events hosted by the staff at FBC.The Freedom Boat Club is not just a membership, its a lifestyle. Allow us to take care of maintenance, fueling, winter storage and all the hassles of boat ownership, while you enjoy the perks. Take a sunset cruise, sight-see along the Toronto waterfront, go tubing and water-skiing with friends, and soak up the sun. The boats are waiting… why are you?
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Can I Sell My Boat Club Membership
Not everyone enjoys boating as much as they thought they would. There is a possibility that you might want to sell your boat club membership if you arent having fun or have had a significant change in a work schedule that limits your ability to go out on the water.
Is it possible to sell your membership?
As with most of these frequently asked questions, the answer depends on the boat club. Freedom Boat Club does not allow you to sell your membership independently and transfer it to someone else.
However, you can have your member transferred to another location.
You can also simply cancel your membership entirely. Most Freedom Boat Club locations only require a sixty-day written notice to void your policy moving forward.
Some locations do require longer lead times, so make sure to talk with management if this is something that concerns you.
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Preparing For Your Boat Club Membership
Spending money on a boat club membership can be a major financial investment.
See: How Much Do Boat Club Memberships Cost?
Even though it often makes more sense to join one of these clubs instead of purchasing a boat, the cost is significant. It is so important to understand the ins-and-outs of the most popular boat clubs before you make a final decision to sign on the dotted line.
With some of your frequently asked questions covered, you can be confident about what you will encounter with your local boat club. Make sure to ask your local club for their specific rules as they may vary slightly from what you see here.
Every club is different, so make sure to do a little homework to figure out which one is right for you!
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Special Events And Social Gatherings
In essence, Freedom Boat Club is a social club. It is a great venue to have fun and meet interesting people who share your love for boats.
Some clubs host events every monthsome host seasonal events such as during prime boating months. Suffice to say that the weather condition is a big factor when conducting events. Clubs located in areas that have hot weather conditions conduct social events more often than others.
Freedom Boat Club also has a national partnership with West Marine. Thats why FBC sometimes, or most of the time, conducts fishing seminars in local West Marine stores. There are also times when they conduct other specialty programs for members.
Again, how much does the Freedom Boat Club membership cost? The Freedom membership cost differs depending on the area and membership plan you will get. A one-time entry fee costs around $5 000. Meanwhile, a membership plan may cost around $349 a month.
Making Boating Memories Has Never Been Easier
We Take Care of It All…Including the Boats
Weve taken care to select a variety of quality boats. And we always keep them clean and maintained. We also take care of the storage, insurance and repairs. So you can just focus on the fun!
Pay a 1x Entry Fee and Monthly Dues
Just pay a 1x entry fee and choose one of our membership plans. Boat every day of the year. Or just weekdays. Some clubs may even have 3 and 6 month plans. And you can change your plan as the need arises.
Get Unlimited Training from Licensed Captains
Your safety is our No. 1 concern. So we give all our members unlimited training with USCG-certified captains. And if you wish to boat in a new location, theyll show you the waterways.
Take Any Boat Out as Often as You Wish
Reserve a boat by phone or online. Then go fishing, tubing or head to a restaurant with friends. When youre done, just bring the boat back and pay for the fuel. We take care of everything else!
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Extended Hours For Boating
Depending on your location, some clubs offer extended hours so that you can rent the boats early in the morning and stay late past sunset. There is even a possibility that you could take the boat out overnight, perhaps docking it on a local island so that you can enjoy an evening under the stars.
While there are no hard and fast rules about how far you can take the boat away from the marina, you should be cognizant of how much time you have with the boat. Plan ahead to account for boating against the wind, against the current, and other factors that can influence how much time it will take to return to the dock.
How Do Boat Clubs Work
Boat clubs allow members to access a boat from their fleet after paying a monthly fee. A member can reserve a boat for a specific day and time and the club will ensure they have that boat for their boating needs. The club takes care of boats maintenance and insurance, and they also teach members how to boat.
If you do not have the money to buy and maintain a boat, boat club memberships allow you inexpensive access to a boat. This comes in handy for new boaters who are not sure whether boating is the right hobby for them. Before you buy a boat that you may only use a few times every year, try joining a boat club.
If you are new to boating, the boat club offers training to start you off with boating. There are several other perks that may come with a boat club membership, including slides and skis among other water toys.
You do not have to boat alone when you can join other boaters at the club and make new friends. The gatherings can be a great place to learn more about boating and make a few new friends.
How many boats do you have access to? If you join a small boat club serving a community by the lake, you will have access to only a few boats. However, if you join an Oceanside club serving tourists and larger communities, you will have access to several boats.
The Freedom Boat Club is one of the oldest boat clubs, and they have a variety of boats, including cruisers, bow riders, deck boats, and fishing boats. Such a club doesnt restrict the boat you take out each time.
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