I was looking at boats on Craigslist and ran across this ad…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPSpyGCeB38
Does anyone have any experience with boat clubs in the area? Are they fisherman friendly?
I called and they were $3500 upfront and then $200 per month. Sounds good but I wanted to get some other opinions.
Well, could ownership, be an option? Sounds to me that your footing the bill, and only receiving minimal benefits??
The cost of Liberty, is eternal vigilance!!
For that kind of money I’d rather buy my own. You can find a good used late model boat and use it whenever you want.
Agree with mixed nutz. Minimal benefits. Unless you get to take a boat out 4+ times a month, it’s not worth it.
That $3500 up front cost is a nice down payment on a nice boat. I suppose it’s right for some people (living in an apartment, no vehicle to tow, etc.) but not for me!
KeyWest 1720cc 90 Ymha
http://www.FishCFA.org
I agree with replies. You can get a lot of boat for the $5900 you are about to spend for a boat club. The market is way down and if you have cash there are deals to be had.
If you are looking to fish the rivers and some ICW, you don’t need alot of boat.
I would love to have a nice flats boat but kids college is in the way. My 14ft 25hp alumnacraft gets me on a lot of fish that the more expensive boats get to. Plus when I am done I just wheel it back into my garage no monthly storage fee.
Good luck with your decision.
Jack, I would like to offer you a deal. Give me a $3,500 down payment and $200 a month and I will provide you a boat to use. Hell, I will even have it ready for you at the landing any time. The best part, it won’t be a Trophy or SeaRay bowrider.
In all seriousness, I hope they have a lot of boats to use. I would hate to have a saturday planned for fishing and get stuck with a crappy boat because someone else has the “fishing” boat.
I looked at there website… they do have some nice boats. I would have no problem giving $200 a month to take out a 28’ Triton 3 times a month.
My dad is in a boat club down in Ft Meyer Fl. He thinks it is the best deal he has ever made.
He takes a boat out 4 times a week, and beats the hell out of them. They have a 26’ Rabolo W/A down there that he is starting to call his own he uses it so much.
If they had a boat club with offshore boats up here in Murrells i would do it. Most of them only have 21’ CC, but if you join one that has a couple 26+’ boats… I would be in.
1986 17’ Bayliner Capri
150 hp Force
It would be pretty smooth to roll up all those places and have a boat in the water ready to go. Membership includes all areas?
Definitely talk to them before getting too excited. I talked with the Lake Murray Boat club. There advertising price was “basic” membership, which meant that you were limited on the number of days you could use the boat, plus the # of boats you could choose from. It was a terrible deal. I’m more than happy to pay the $200+/mo to take my boat out whenever and wherever I want.
I’m a member of the local Freedom boat club. They actual lease my boat from me and I get free use of all the club benefits. I have been a member for a year and have enjoyed it. They have a good variety of boats 17, 20, 26, 30’ CCs, deckboats, a sailboat, a couple of dual consoles, a 26 Scout WA, a very nice 23 Shearwater flats/bay boat with power pole, jack plate and trolling motor (my favorite), and others. You also get to use the hotel amenities if you are a member (nice pool on the harbor). I have not had any problems with the boats or with getting reservations. I don’t think the local club has any levels of membership, you can use any of the boats as much as you want. You can also use boats at any of the other locations (57), mostly on east coast. My only cost is gas, they pay taxes, insurance and all maintenance. I like to sit at the bar at the marina after a day on the water and think about how long it used to take me to trailer, clean, and store my boat on my own. Definately not for everyone, but not a bad option.