The Freedom Boat Club employs trends and practices of the sharing economy to expand the public’s boating participation. It allows its members to expose themselves to a fleet of boats and the opportunity to participate in social events. How much does a Freedom Boat Club membership cost?
The Freedom Boat Club membership cost varies, depending on your area and the type of plan you choose. To give you an idea, the one-time entry fee may cost $5,000. Whereas the monthly membership plan may cost $349.
Read on to learn more about the Freedom Boat Club membership price and the perks of becoming a member.
Freedom Boat Club Cost
The cost of Freedom Boat Club membership varies. It depends on your location and the membership plan that you choose. On average, the one-time entry fee costs $5,000, while the monthly membership plan costs $349.
If you’re interested in joining the Freedom Boat Club (FBC), or any boat clubs for that matter, the membership cost is always a critical consideration. The costs don’t come cheap, but they are reasonable, considering all the membership perks. At FBC, you will definitely have the ultimate boating experience.
So, how much does Freedom Boat Club membership cost?
All Freedom Boat Club membership plans have two distinct pricing components. The first one is the One-Time Entry Fee to join the club. At the same time, the other one is the Monthly Membership Plan that you choose.
Both fees vary as it depends on your location and the type of plan that you choose. When deciding which membership plan to get, choose the one that suits your needs best.
Cost of One-time Entry Fee
The cost of the Freedom Boat Club’s one-time entry fee highly depends on local market conditions. These, as we all know, can widely vary.
Let’s say a club franchise operates in a popular boating destination. In this case, the marina operator can command top dollar since the location is more costly to maintain. The Freedom Boat Club franchise owner will be charged for the office space, dock space, and slip fees, to name a few.
This is why it is more costly for the Freedom Boat Club franchise owner to operate in a famous location. Logically speaking, the cost of entry fees in metropolitan markets is generally higher.
Monthly Membership Plans
Aside from the varying cost of Freedom Boat Club’s one-time entry fee, pricing also varies for its monthly membership options and plans. The location of the Freedom Boat Club franchise has a great impact on this.
Clubs that are located in warm climates are generally more costly. It’s because they offer unlimited boating activities year-round. This also means year-round service and maintenance, operations, and staffing.
Clubs are operating in seasonal markets. They are located in areas with inclement weather conditions. Membership is indeed less costly than in areas with warm climates. But the difference is minimal since business and operational expenses are still incurred.
For instance, the fleet must also be properly maintained. The boats must be winterized, serviced, and properly stored.
Several clubs offer special membership plans such as weekday-only or weekend-only plans. Some clubs offer plans exclusively for retired military, active-duty military, and first responders. Some clubs offer plans for the members’ friends and family.
With all these plans, it’s quite apparent why the cost of monthly membership plans varies. Aside from the location, the features of the plans vary too. That way, FBC will be able to cater to all types of boaters.
Throughout North America, there are over 250 active Freedom Boat Clubs. Each club offers different types of membership plans ideal for different types of people living in their area.
This is why there are no standardized costs posted on the Freedom Boat Club website. To know the exact amount of fees, it’s best to contact the FBC franchise where you wish to become a member.
Get Local Market Information from Freedom Boat Club Membership Executives
Each Freedom Boat Club has membership executives who are highly familiar with all available membership plans and other costs. They know the features and amenities of each plan, so it’s best to get information from them.
Membership executives will also help you decide which is the right plan for you. They may ask you a series of questions that will help in your decision-making.
Whether or not you will join Freedom Boat Club, the membership executives are always there to answer your inquiries. So, don’t hesitate to contact them.
Freedom Boat Club Membership Coverage
Since membership plans vary per location, the features of those plans vary too. However, they have general features and amenities, which include the following:
- Unlimited Boat Usage
- Free or Unlimited 1:1 Training
- Insurance Coverage
- Special Events and Social Gatherings
1. Unlimited Boat Usage
Once you become a member, you can use any boat unlimitedly.
Freedom Boat Club has a proprietary online reservation system. Using this system, you are allowed to make four boat reservations in advance. As FBC members describe it, these reservations “roll.” Meaning, after using one, you can immediately book another one.
If you have a preferred dock, you can check their availability. If it’s open or unreserved, you have the right to use it too.
There are also membership plans that allow you to access boats nationwide.
2. Free or Unlimited 1:1 Training
Freedom Boat Club offers free or unlimited training for its members. This training is conducted by the licensed captains of the U.S. Coast Guard. Through this training, FBC exhibits its commitment to the boating safety of its members.
As a Freedom Boat Club member, you will not be able to go boating unless you have attended the training. Before the one-on-one training, a captain will orient you about your state’s boating regulations in a classroom setup. The captain will also discuss FBC guidelines, rules, and regulations.
Then, they will provide you with hands-on training and orientation. The coverage includes the following:
- Open-water navigation strategies,
- Close-quarter navigation techniques, and
- Docking maneuvers when it comes to on-water training.
Don’t expect the training and orientation to be a short one. It is an extensive and comprehensive training session. Freedom Boat Club designed it in such a way that members will not only learn about how to be safe while boating. But members will also learn how to be confident boaters.
Freedom Boat Club Training is unlimited. In case you need a refresher session, it is possible. If you are looking for advanced boating sessions, FBC conducts these too. You can inquire through FBC membership executives about this.
3. Insurance Coverage
The insurance plan you will get as a Freedom Boat Club member will most likely be the same plan had you purchased your own boat instead. FBC assures that your insurance coverage is a comprehensive one.
The plan includes coverage for physical damage to protect you and the boat. It includes coverage for Watercraft Liability worth $1M for an additional person. This protects you from third-party claims while the Freedom boat is under your control, custody, or care.
4. Special Events and Social Gatherings
In essence, Freedom Boat Club is a social club. It is a great venue to have fun and meet interesting people who share your love for boats.
Some clubs host events every month—some host seasonal events such as during prime boating months. Suffice to say that the weather condition is a big factor when conducting events. Clubs located in areas that have hot weather conditions conduct social events more often than others.
Freedom Boat Club also has a national partnership with West Marine. That’s why FBC sometimes, or most of the time, conducts fishing seminars in local West Marine stores. There are also times when they conduct other specialty programs for members.
Again, how much does the Freedom Boat Club membership cost? The Freedom membership cost differs depending on the area and membership plan you will get. A one-time entry fee costs around $5 000. Meanwhile, a membership plan may cost around $349 a month.
What Is Not Include in the Freedom Boat Club Membership Fee
There are many perks for becoming a Freedom Boat Club member. However, there is one thing that is not covered by any Freedom Boat Club plan. It is the fuel.
Freedom Boat clubs make use of fuel flow meters. When you check out from the dock, a fuel flow meter is initiated. This will then be reviewed upon return to determine the amount of fuel consumed. This means that FBC only charges you for the fuel used during your outing.
Several Freedom Boat Club franchises also offer optional programs. These programs may include special insurance coverage. They can also include towing provisions.
At the dock, someone will assist you with boarding, check-in, dock departure, and returns. Freedom Boat Club has a dedicated professional dock staff for all members. They will also assist you when it comes to loading and unloading your gear.
Members can tip them for their service. While tipping is fully done at the members’ discretion, FBC nonetheless encourages members to tip them.
Boats Available for Freedom Boat Club Members
The FBC owns more than 2,000 boats of different kinds. One of the perks of becoming a Freedom Boat Club member is your opportunity to use and enjoy all kinds of boats available. That way, you also get to enjoy different types of boating activities.
Freedom Boat Club has tied up with several boat manufacturers. However, this does not mean that all clubs have similar types of boats. Franchisees, club owners, and operators are free to choose boat models that they think are ideal for their local market and waterways.
Most boat types available in Florida are fishing boats, bowriders, deck boats, and pontoons to give you an idea. Whereas kayaks, sailboats, and wakeboard boats are more popular in southern areas.
About the Freedom Boat Club
In 1989, the Freedom Boat Club was founded in Sarasota, Florida. It has always been recognized as the oldest and the largest boat club in the United States.
Boating Made Simple
The motto of Freedom Boat Club is “Boating Made Simple.” They aim to provide a convenient, enjoyable, and exciting recreational boating experience for all its members.
In the early years, the boat club concept was known as revolutionary and breakthrough. There were traditional boat owners and friends of boat owners. But boat clubs did not exist. So did boat rental facilities, boating timeshare, and fractional boating.
There was, however, an exclusive fraternity of boat owners. They stored their vessels at home docks, marinas, or at the yacht club. Then, an exciting new alternative came with the introduction of the FBC. Even new and lapsed boaters were excited.
Largest Marine Franchisor
As the largest marine franchisor in the United States, Freedom Boat Club has long been active in Europe and Canada. Several times, Entrepreneur Magazine has named it as one of the Top 500 Franchises since 2000. It has more than 20,000 members in over 200 locations. The club also owns more than 2,000 boats.
The Freedom Boat Club concept is a shared asset model. It may seem like a fractional ownership concept, but the shared asset model has other features.
Members Gain Access to a Fleet of Boats
Freedom Boat Club’s concept allows members to gain access to a fleet of boats such as fishing boats, deck boats, cruisers, and bowriders. Members have the opportunity to choose any boat every time they go on the water.
The club also conducts on-the-water boat safety classes for its members. This way, everyone will feel comfortable and safe, especially the new and young ones. The notable young FBC members include Elene Pilpani, Esther Ng, and Prisha Khatwani.
Conclusion – Freedom Boat Club Membership Cost
On average, the cost of Freedom Boat Club is $5,000, while the monthly membership plan costs $349. The cost of Freedom Boat Club membership plans varies. It depends on your location and the membership plan that you choose.
If you’re considering joining Freedom Boat Club, the membership cost is always a significant consideration. The fees don’t come cheap, but they are reasonable, considering all the membership perks. At FBC, you will definitely have the ultimate boating experience.
Once you become a Freedom Boat Club member, there’s nothing else to do but to enjoy boating and social events. Leave everything else up to the management. They will be in charge of buying and maintaining boats, providing insurance to members, organizing events, and all other aspects of boating.
