Freedom Boat Club: Open For Business?

Freedom Boat Club is a boat club with locations across the globe. It offers its members unlimited access to boating at various locations, including Maine, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Florida. The club provides a diverse fleet of boats, such as pontoons, deck boats, and wake boats, and members can reserve a boat by phone or online. In addition to boat access, the club also offers unlimited training with licensed captains and covers maintenance, cleaning, repairs, insurance, and storage. Members can also enjoy reciprocal access to 400+ locations worldwide. The club operates with a one-time entry fee and monthly membership dues, providing an affordable alternative to boat ownership.

Membership and costs

Freedom Boat Club offers a range of membership plans to suit different needs and preferences. The company has hundreds of locations worldwide, and the cost of membership varies depending on the location.

There are two main components to the pricing of a Freedom Boat Club membership: a one-time entry fee paid upfront, and recurring monthly membership fees. The one-time entry fee varies depending on the local market conditions. For example, the fee is generally higher in larger metropolitan markets where marina costs are higher.

The recurring monthly membership fee depends on the type of membership plan chosen. Freedom Boat Club offers weekday-only, weekend-only, and unlimited boating options. The cost of the monthly membership also depends on location, with clubs in warm climates offering year-round boating, and clubs in seasonal markets offering boating during certain months.

In addition to the entry and monthly fees, fuel costs are not included in the membership and must be paid for separately. Some Freedom Boat Clubs also offer optional programs at an additional cost, such as special insurance coverage and towing provisions.

The specific costs of membership can vary, but one source outlines the costs for their plan as a $3999 initiation fee and $425 per month. Another source mentions that their membership costs $350 per month.

Freedom Boat Club also offers a referral rewards program where members can receive $250 when they refer someone who joins the club. There are also sometimes special promotions, such as a $2000 discount on the one-time membership fee for Freedom Boat Club of Maine.

Compared to the costs of boat ownership, which can include the purchase price, maintenance, storage, insurance, and supplies, Freedom Boat Club can present significant savings for members.

Locations

Freedom Boat Club has over 400 locations across the globe, including in North America, Europe, and Australia. In the United States, it has locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Washington, New Jersey, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Tennessee

Freedom Boat Club of Tennessee has 11 locations, including:

• Four Corners Resort & Marina
• Tennessee National Marina
• Louisville Landing Marina
• Volunteer Landing Marina
• Hidden Harbor Marina

North Carolina

There is a Freedom Boat Club at Jordan Lake in Apex, North Carolina.

Florida

There is a Freedom Boat Club in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. There are also several locations in Florida used by members from other states. These include:

• Lake Park Marina
• Coconut Grove
• The Cove - Deerfield Beach

Texas

Freedom Boat Club has locations in Austin and Dallas, Texas.

Washington

There is a Freedom Boat Club location in Washington state.

New Jersey

There is a Freedom Boat Club location in New Jersey.

Maine

Freedom Boat Club of Maine has 7 locations, including:

• Boothbay Harbor: Linekin Bay Resort
• Yarmouth: Yarmouth Boat Yard
• Naples: Moose Landing Marina
• Casco: Point Sebago Resort
• Portland: Fore Points Marina
• South Portland: Sunset Marina
• Kennebunk: DiMillo’s Marina

Massachusetts

There is a Freedom Boat Club location in Massachusetts.

Boat variety

Freedom Boat Club offers a diverse fleet of boats, ensuring that members have a variety of options to suit their preferences and boating needs. The club provides access to a range of vessels, including pontoons, deck boats, center consoles, and wake boats, among others. This selection caters to different activities and boating experiences, accommodating the diverse interests of its members.

The Freedom Boat Club of Maine, for instance, offers a broad fleet of vessels for its members to choose from. Their fleet includes boats from well-known brands such as SeaFox, Whaler, Eastern, BRIG, and Defiance. These boats vary in terms of seating capacity, engine horsepower, and length, ensuring that members can find a boat that suits their specific needs, whether they are cruising with a larger group, seeking a more intimate experience, or looking for a powerful vessel.

In addition to the variety of boats available within each club location, members of the Freedom Boat Club also have reciprocal access to 400+ locations across North America, Europe, and Australia. This extensive network of clubs provides members with the opportunity to explore different waterways and experience the joy of boating in new destinations. Whether members are interested in coastal cruising or lake life, the club's diverse fleet and expansive network of locations offer unparalleled flexibility and variety.

The Freedom Boat Club takes pride in selecting quality boats and maintaining them to the highest standards. They understand that boating preferences vary, and by offering a diverse range of vessels, they ensure that members can find the perfect boat for their desired experiences on the water. From tranquil cruises to thrilling water sports, the club's boat variety empowers members to create lasting memories on their aquatic adventures.

Training

Freedom Boat Club offers unlimited training to all its members. The training is provided by licensed captains, who are Coast Guard Certified. The training is free and members are encouraged to take advantage of it, especially if they are new to boating. Training is also recommended as a refresher course for those who are more experienced.

The training covers safety and how to be a confident captain. Members are taught the skills to be safe and confident at the helm. This includes how to handle different types of boats, such as pontoons, deck boats, center consoles, and wake boats. The training also covers how to navigate waterways and how to operate a boat in different locations.

For example, one member of the Freedom Boat Club of Maine praised the training they received at the Yarmouth Boat Yard location, commenting that:

> "Everything about my training at Freedom Boat Club at the Yarmouth Boat Yard location was top notch! Capt. Michael Ferland was very professional, informative and personable."

Another member from Maine also commented that the staff had helped them learn how to safely handle the boats:

> "The FBC staff has helped us learn how to safely handle the well-maintained boats. As confident captains, we have dashed out of our business to go explore Casco Bay and our beloved coast and see Maine life from a different perspective."

In addition to the training provided by Freedom Boat Club, there are also other resources available to members. For example, one member from North Carolina recommended getting a tidal app for your phone, which is "vital to know if it's high tide, low tide or in between, especially when considering beaching." The same member also recommended getting a battery-operated air pump for inflatables.

Opening times

Freedom Boat Club is open seven days a week, from 8 am to 5 pm ET. The club offers reciprocal access to its 400+ locations across North America, Europe, and Australia.

The Freedom Boat Club of Maine, for example, provides boating access to seven locations in the state, including Boothbay Harbor, Yarmouth, Naples, Sebago Lake, Portland, South Portland, and Kennebunk. Members can also explore waterways at 400+ reciprocal locations worldwide.

Similarly, the Freedom Boat Club of Tennessee has 11 locations across Middle and East Tennessee, including Four Corners Resort & Marina, Tennessee National Marina, Louisville Landing Marina, and Volunteer Landing Marina.

Specific locations may have varying operating hours, such as the Freedom Boat Club in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, which is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

It is always a good idea to check the operating hours of your local Freedom Boat Club location, as they may vary slightly from the standard hours listed above.

Frequently asked questions