So, you’re interested in possibly joining a boat club, but you’re not really sure what to ask … or perhaps how to conduct a thorough analysis of clubs in your market.

Many of our prospective members are either brand new or relatively new to boating, while others are often seasoned boaters who are just learning about the boat club option.

At Freedom Boat Club, we believe our prospective members should be very well educated about boat clubs prior to making a decision to join. With a nationwide 90% retention rate and 50,000+ active members in 34 U.S. states, Canada, and France, we at Freedom Boat Club believe in full transparency. We also believe it is our business to help customers navigate through this important club review process so they can make the best decision for themselves and their family.

Founded in 1989, Freedom Boat Club is the largest and oldest boat club in North America. Our club managers know the questions prospective members want to know! As a service to help newcomers and experienced boaters alike, we have compiled a series of 31 Questions Most Frequently Asked about Boat Clubs and Memberships.

We believe a potential boat club member should invest the time to meet with club operators within their market to address each and every question. By doing your due diligence in this manner and comparing club responses, you will acquire solid intelligence that will allow you to make the best decision about whether boat clubs are a good option for you and your family, and ultimately, which club can best meet your personal wants and needs.

31 Questions Most Frequently Asked about Boat Clubs and Memberships

• How many years has your club been in business?
• How many locations do you have?
• If you have more than one location, where are they located? Am I able to boat at these other locations, or only the one where I join?
• Are you open 365 days a year … or what days of the year are you closed?
• How many boats are in the fleet?
• How many boats were in the fleet last year vs. this year?
• What is the age of the boats in your fleet? How old is the oldest, and how new is the newest?
• What different types of boats are in your fleet … and what are the brands?
• What is your member-to-boat ratio?
• How will I get a boat when I want it?
• How do I make a reservation?
• How many reservations can I schedule in advance at one time?
• Is there a limit to how many reservations I can make in one month?
• How far out can I book in advance?
• Is a reservation for all day?
• What kind of training program do you offer and what does it entail? (be very specific)
• Is training required for members?
• What is the qualifications/certifications of the training staff who will provide instructions?
• How quickly can I get trained after I join?
• Is there a comprehensive and official Rules and Regulations document available … and if yes, may I have a copy?
• Can my attorney review the Rules and Regulations?
• May I review your insurance summary and Certificate of Insurance?
• Do you offer liability insurance coverage for your members? If yes, how much is provided?
• Do you offer hull and machinery insurance coverage? If yes, how much is provided?
• Is towing insurance coverage available? How much is it?
• What is the entry fee to join?
• What are the membership plan options that are available and their prices?
• Once I join the club, can you raise my monthly dues?
• What types of social events are available for your club members and how often are they held?
• Can I bring my friends and family boating with me … and my dog?
• Can you provide a list of local member testimonials or contact information from people who live in my market?

We hope that this list will prove extremely valuable to you in your boat club analysis. We provide this as a service so that you can ask the questions that will allow you to form an educated and informed decision.

Our friendly and knowledgeable Freedom Boat Club Membership Executives are happy to assist you in any way possible, and are available to thoroughly answer each and every question, along with any additional questions you may have.
Good luck in your search to find the best solution to meet your unique boating needs!

© Freedom Boat Club