I’m having a tough time deciding whether to buy a boat or join a Boat Club. I would buy a nice boat but I HAVE to buy my wife a new car in the next year and we don’t believe in debt for cars or boats and I am ready to fish now! So … the question is:
If you had $5k to spend on a boat (that was water-ready with a motor and a trailer) would you buy one or would you pay $250 or so a month to have access to several boats and bypass the less fun part of fishing (boat clean-up)?
Get a used rig with the 5K…I would be very hesistant to get into payments, for use of a boat(s) you’ll never own in the end.
Better yet - get a fishing kayak 
–elgeebee–
WS Ride 135
A fishing kayak would be awesome but I’ll want something to take my wife, friends, etc. out in. I guess another question is for 5k can you really get a decent, reliable setup? I can keep the boat at my property so storage isn’t an issue but I really don’t want to have a 5k boat turn into a 5k boat plus a 2k annual maintenance nightmare.
Right now I’m fishing off of a boat ramp and it sucks - no bites in 5 trips out. I grew up bass fishing and can do that with the best of them but this salt water fishing is tricky.
What size boat are you looking for. 5k for a 16 ft boat is way different that 5k for a 23 ft boat.
The boat clubs can be a nice alternative, but if you want to fish or use sun up to sun down, you might not be able to. Find out the earliest you can get a boat in the morning and what is the latest you can return it. I would find out what the boat to member ratio is also. If you want a boat on July 4th weekend, what is the possibility. Also my worry would be its Thursday or Friday and you want to go Saturday, can you? or do you need to plan ahead?
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
If you can’t stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them.
I think I have pretty realistic expectations and could get my hands on a 14-17’ boat for about that price. I still have some research to do on Boat Clubs in the area - reviews are mixed based on the conversations I’ve had with people about them.
If anyone has a setup or knows of someone with a setup they’re looking to sell I’m all ears!
Seems like you could find a little creek boat for that price or less - maybe a used High Tide or Scout and a decent used motor. There is of course a risk in any used boat purchase. I own a 14’ High Tide with a 89 Johnson motor - had to finally replace the foot last year, after having it for over 12 years with no major problems. It just depends on how the previous owner(s) kept it maintained.
-Lewis Brownlee
“elgeebee”
WS Ride 135
I’ve got my Mckee in the classifieds http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/classDetail.asp?id=12515
if you don’t need a bigger boat(that’s why I’m selling it) its a great boat, the engine has a fresh rebuild on it and runs like a top, fell free to contact me with any questions.I’ll be glad to show it to you and take you for a ride in it.
As far as the boat clubs go, I’ve heard mixed reviews. Seems like most of the time you want to use one, they are all taken. If you work odd hours or days, it could be great, but if you have to use the weekends, you’re going to be in competition with every one else that’s a member, I know a fireman that loves it, he gets his pick of boat during the week. I’ve heard grumblings about the shape and maintenance of the boats, but I haven’t seen them so I couldn’t say personally
Some of the older boston whaler montauks are stable and comfortable for 4 people and you can prob find one in your price range. Very solid hulls. My buddy got an older Carolina Skiff and he lives it. However, the older Carolina skiffs have a work boat look.
I don’t know if your original question has been answered. WaterfrontLiving. I have a small aluminum boat that works great for me inshore, but am going to get a larger boat for offshore when I can.
How many boats types are available with the boat club? In 5 years you will pay out 15k for a club (@250 a month?) If you have access to a varied type of boat and you don’t have to spend time on maintenance, this might be a great option. Is there anybody here that is in one of these clubs? Has anybody tried one and didn’t like it?
My brother has been a member of the Freedom Boat Club in Savannah for 8 or 10 years, as long as it’s been there. He is very happy with it and it suits his needs, he is lazy I’ve been out with him on their boats a half dozen times and was fairly impressed. They have a large selection, flats, bay, deck, offshore CC, something for everyone. They are well maintained and well equipped, color chart plotter, fish finder, VHF, good safety gear. They trade them out every 2 years, so they don’t get ragged out.
Someone asked about the hours, he regularly stays out at late at night with them. If the marina is closed when you come in, just tie it to the dock.
Seems like a pretty good value, especially with the use of boats at other Freedom Clubs around the country.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats