I was looking at purchasing my 1st boat and while looking around I saw the boat club. It sounds like there’s an initiation fee and then monthly fees but then nothing else but gas.
What I am considering purchasing is a used 18-20ft boat with a trailer to keep at the house.
I was wondering if anyone has any experiences (good or bad) with the boat club. And if anyone has some ■■■■■■■■ for this rookie on buying vs. joining that club?
Thanks
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
I did the same thing you are when I was looking into a buying a boat. The biggest thing I saw when researching was there was no way to guarantee the boat you wanted was going to be there. The maintenance on the boat is sometimes questionable which could leave you stranded until they come and get you. The management changes hands all the time so you never know who you are dealing with. They are not always cleaned very well. The last thing I wanted was to have people come down to visit and I could not get a nice boat to take them out on. Overall, I think the boat club is less expensive but you get what you pay for.
There may be a few advantages to the club as far as things like not having to worry about maintenance, but I think you would be happier having your own boat to put in when you want and for as long as you want. If you seriously look into a boat club be sure to see how long you have the boat even when you do get it. I would doubt you can get it for a full day as they have to satisfy as many members as possible. It’s also nice to be able to load up your boat at the house instead of lugging everything back and forth. I’m sure they’ll make a case for paying less monthly than you would on a boat payment, insurance etc… but you also have to remember you would be paying to own your boat. Think of it like renting an apartment compared to paying a mortgage.
Wow…I just checked online and the boat club up here on Lake Murray is $1600 up front one time membership fee and then $200-$300/ mo. Try if for a year and decide you don’t like it and your out about $4k with nothing to show for it! (other than some time spent on the water)
IMO, I would go with purchasing a used boat in good condition. If you are willing to travel to somewhere like Columbia or Greenville you can even find one that has never been in salt water before.
Yeah, at least you are building some equity if you buy your own boat. Never been a fan of renting unless absolutely necessary. Just my two cents, but not intended to discourage you from the boat club.
I was hoping getting my own was the better option I just needed to see if I was missing something. I definitly felt that playing around with my own would be the most fun and keep me on the water more.
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
I have some friends that joined one…works for them b/c they usually get power boats but also like to sail and they have sail boats as well. Must be different between clubs b/c they have kept one until well after midnight on the water several times. As long as it’s tied up at the dock in the morning, no worries. I think they can schedule up to 4 trips in advance with the boat they want.
That being said, I would never be w/o my own boat.
If at first you don’t succeed, drink another beer!!!
If you are the kind of person that doesn’t like to cut your own grass or do any type of maintenance, it might be a good option for you. Some folks (like my dad) don’t like to mess with any type of maintenance issues. The drawback is the fact that the boats are probably not going to be as clean and tip top as most boats that people own themselves. Think about a rental car versus your own car.
I would personally never consider it because messing with the boat and waxing/detailing my rig is half the fun. I spend as much time on the dock tinkering with things as I do on the water.
If you join a boat club make sure they teach you about the Jetties and also provide you with an anchor that is suited to hold the boat you are on in the current if it picks up…Saw some unbelievable stuff yesterday out there. Wonder if the customer only had to pay the insurance deductible for a new motor or if he was on the hook(no pun intended) for the entire cost of the motor.
it seems like a lot of faith in up front money to a company with little to no track record. they change their name every few years, i assume to shake off their creditors.
get your own boat. it won’t disappear in the middle of the night and change it’s name (even if it does, you have insurance) and you actually have some form of equity in it.
it seems like a lot of faith in up front money to a company with little to no track record. they change their name every few years, i assume to shake off their creditors.
get your own boat. it won’t disappear in the middle of the night and change it’s name (even if it does, you have insurance) and you actually have some form of equity in it.
While I prefer that you buy your own boat and buy our canvas, folding T-Tops, boat shade kits or boat covers, in all fairness, I believe Freedom Boat Club (est 1989) has been in business for 15 years or more here in Mt. P (Patriots Point).
Thanks, Captain Ross http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea-Pro, McKee, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Hydrasports, Scout, Sea Fox, Grady White, Triton, Sea Hunt, Sea Ray, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto, Rinker, NauticStar, Carolina Skiff, Cobalt & more…</font id=“size1”>
it seems like a lot of faith in up front money to a company with little to no track record. they change their name every few years, i assume to shake off their creditors.
get your own boat. it won’t disappear in the middle of the night and change it’s name (even if it does, you have insurance) and you actually have some form of equity in it.
While I prefer that you buy your own boat and buy our canvas, folding T-Tops, boat shade kits or boat covers, in all fairness, I believe Freedom Boat Club (est 1989) has been in business for 15 years or more here in Mt. P (Patriots Point).
Thanks, Captain Ross http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea-Pro, McKee, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Hydrasports, Scout, Sea Fox, Grady White, Triton, Sea Hunt, Sea Ray, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto, Rinker, NauticStar, Carolina Skiff, Cobalt & more…</font id=“size1”>
you’re right, i was getting confused with care free boat club, freedom boat club, and i think there is another with a similar sounding generic name. i was u
I’ve been a member of Freedom Boat Club here in Mt. Pleasant for 4+ years. It has been a great experience so far. Some boats (and boat clubs;) are better than others but if you plan ahead a little you can get what you want. You can hold several reservations in their system. I also have a small flat boat I keep in the back of my house for fishing trips, so I’m enjoying the best of both worlds sort of. I trailered my bigger boat for several years before joining the club and really enjoy not trailering now! After a day on the water, instead of pulling the boat out, washing it, and bringing it to the storage spot, I go up to the Reel Bar, have a beer and some snacks while the kids jump in the pool. For me, it has resulted in more trips with the family on the water. As someone mentioned, if you can go out during the week, its even better.
(and repairs 
) with the boat club. 
