Oftentimes, when I tell people about Freedom Boat they say that it sounds too good to be true. I get it. But there are many reasons why Freedom Boat Club, the nation’s oldest and largest boating club, continues to grow at a steady, rapid rate. We take the hassles out of boating, maintain a large fleet of late-model boats, and provide superior service. As a result, our retention rate is a remarkable 93 percent.
But not all boat clubs are the same. A little research goes a long way. Before you join a club, be sure to ask many questions.
Here are some good ones to start with:
- How many years has your club been operating?
- How many locations do you have?
- When is the club closed?
- How many boats are in your fleet?
- What year, brand, and model of boats do you have?
- What is your member-to-boat ratio?
- How do you reserve boats and what limitations are there?
- What kind of training do you offer and is training required?
- What happens if a boat breaks down or I get stuck on a sandbar?
- How is insurance handled?
- What extra expenses might members be required to pay?
- What are the membership plan options and what is included with each option?
- Can I bring my friends and family boating with me … and my dog?
- Can I get contact information for some local members to ask about their experiences?
It pays to do your homework. Boating clubs are a great alternative to boat ownership but not all clubs are the same. Don’t be shy about asking questions. You’ll be glad you did.
