Things To Know Before You Join A Boat Club

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Many people are now considering how they can access the waterways, given the popularity of boating in the last decade. Many people don't have a friend who owns a boat. Boat ownership can also be expensive. It can lead to costly headaches in the off-season. Finding rentals at local marinas can be difficult during high season. A boat club membership is one way to overcome this problem. But there are other things to consider before you join a boat club. 


What is a boat club?

A boat club is an organization that operates on the water, usually with its own marina and docks. It has a fleet boats that members can rent for their daily use. A membership fee is required to gain access to the club. Additional rental fees and fuel surcharges are also charged per rental. Members can only rent boats. A membership may include a limited number of rentals per year. For example, a $5K annual fee might be charged for access to the club and 10 rentals.

Although this may seem like the perfect solution for boating enthusiasts because it is much less expensive than buying a boat, there are several disadvantages to boat club memberships.

These are the top secrets that boat clubs won't tell you -- and reasons you might want to rent a boat for a one-time rental instead. 


Initial membership fees can be very high.

Although the individual rental rate is often very affordable, it is expensive to start a boat club. It varies from one business to another, but on average they charge $2,000-$4,000 for an initial sign up, while others charge $200-300 per month for the membership.

These costs can be prohibitive for casual boaters who only cruise a few times per year. They may also not have the time or resources to make the most of the fees and charges.

There will be a small selection of boats available.

A boat club might not have the right boat for you if you love boating and want to try out new types of watercraft. The club will usually only have the most popular boats, pontoons or small-to medium-sized powerboats. It is possible that you won't be able to choose from a catamaran, or a sailboat. This makes it difficult to enjoy a range of boating experiences in the summer.


Weekend availability can be restricted.

A boat club is a competition for the best boating dates. It can be difficult to get a vessel on a Saturday afternoon or holiday weekend during high season. To maximize your membership, you may need to take a weeknight cruise, or even vacation time.

Many clubs have seen a steady increase in memberships but not enough to expand their fleets. This has made it harder for members to get a boat. It is possible for members to be competing with hundreds of others to secure a boat. This can make it difficult to have a memorable day on the water. High demand on weekends can result in many booking rentals during the weekdays. This means that people have to work extra or rearrange their lives to make it possible to rent boats.


Renters are locked in to a time period.

Are you enjoying a wonderful day on the water Do you want to be out for longer than you originally planned?

Boat clubs often have boats booked back-to back on weekends. This makes it difficult for you to extend your time on water if there are no other boat members.

Although it is not always possible to extend your trip, most owners and captains will try to accommodate renters who wish to stay longer. If the owner has no other bookings that day, you may be able to agree to pay the fuel surcharge and continue using the boat for several hours.


There are no captains available. You can only drive yourself.

Do you have no boating experience? Do you prefer to drink while out on the water? Boat clubs operate on a membership basis. You can rent "bareboat" to drive your boat, and there are no captains available for hire to charter. This excludes people who don't have the boating experience nor the financial means to obtain their license.

The most popular type is the captained charter. More people can enjoy safe boating by connecting with licensed captains.


There is no room for spontaneity. Planning ahead is essential.

The availability of rental boats is limited with membership models. This means that you will need to reserve a boat well in advance. Boat clubs may also have strict cancellation policies. It is difficult to cancel or reschedule your boat day plans if you are affected by something. You might also have to pay a fee for rescheduling.

Retirees who intend to spend their boating season on the water can benefit from a boat club membership. Most people don't have the time or ability to get to the marina at 10:00 am on Tuesdays. Boat clubs are not practical for casual boaters due to the demands of work and their busy summer lifestyles.


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