Are you looking for a great way to get active, spend time in the fresh air, and socialize with your friends and family? Then you might want to join the 142 million Americans who enjoy boating every year. There is a reason why this pastime is so popular! 

That said, buying your own boat is a serious investment, particularly if you have never tried boating before. This is why a lot of people choose to join boat clubs across America instead. If you're living in the Tampa Bay area, you can't do better than a Freedom Boat Club.

In fact, thousands of people have already become members of Freedom Boat Clubs around the world! So what is a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa and what sets our clubs apart from the rest of them? If you are looking to join a boat club then you've come to the right place.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about joining a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa now.

Why is Boating So Popular in Tampa? 

Each year, more than 30 million people visit Tampa Bay and it is not hard to understand why! Whether you are visiting on vacation or live in Tampa full-time, it is the perfect location for a water-based vacation. 

Perhaps one of the most obvious reasons for this is the variety of boating experiences that Tampa has to offer. There really is something for everyone. 

If you are into fishing then you can set out into the bay or even charter a boat to go off-shore. Or you can explore Downtown Tampa from the river and stop in at some of the area's best dock-and-dine restaurants.

If relaxing in the sun is more your thing, then the islands and sandbanks in the Tampa Bay area make for ideal picnic spots. Just drop anchor around Caladesi Island or Egmont Key and soak up some rays. 

Speaking of catching some rays, the weather in Tampa gives you plenty of opportunities to get out and about. Tampa's weather is at its optimum from late February to May and from October to early December. However, even outside of these months, the temperature averages between 52°F and 90°F — so you can easily enjoy a day on the water.

Whether you are looking to try out a new hobby, get fit, or spend quality time with your loved ones, boating in Tampa is the perfect activity. However, not everyone in Tampa owns a boat.

This is why a lot of people choose to join a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa. So how does this work?

How Does a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa Work?

Freedom Boat Club is a franchise of boat clubs that operate in the United States, Canada, and Europe. First founded in 1989 by John Giglio in Florida, it now has more than 350 locations around the world.

Each location is situated at a marina or dock and this is where you will find our fleets of boats. Our fleets are made up of a range of powerboats, such as: 

• Offshore and Inshore Center Consoles
• Fishing Boats and Bowriders 
• Deck Boats 
• Inflatables
• Bay or Flat Boats
• Pontoons

So no matter what you are looking for our teams will help you to find a boat to suit you!

Joining a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa means that you will get access to any of the boats in the Freedom fleet. All you have to do is choose a boat and the day that you want to hire it for! Members are entitled to unlimited boat hire, so you can take out your favorite boats as much as you like all year round.

If that isn't enough to convince you, then let's take a look at some of the other benefits of joining a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa.

Joining a Boat Club is Easier Than Buying Your Own Boat

First things first, let's take a look at how joining a Freedom Boat Club compares to your alternatives. Obviously, if you are going to go boating regularly you will need access to a boat. In that case, your options are to join a club, rent a boat from a private hire company, or buy your own. 

Last year, more than 300,000 boats were sold in America, so clearly there is a market for them. However, in comparison to renting a boat or buying one, joining a boating club is much cheaper.

Joining a boat club is also practically much easier than buying your own boat. When you buy a boat you have to spend time researching which type of boat you want and tracking down a seller. Once you have found somewhere to buy your boat you will also have to negotiate a deal that suits your budget. 

On top of this, after buying your boat, you have to organize how to transport it. This might mean buying or renting a boat trailer or hiring a company to help you. 

Finally, you have to find and pay for somewhere to store your boat or moor it. The cost of this can seriously add up before you even get your boat out on the water.

Your monthly membership will cover all of these costs. This makes boat maintenance simple, affordable, and hassle-free. So you end up paying a fraction of what you would pay to maintain a single boat on your own!

Freedom Boat Club Memberships Cover Insurance

If you are going to take a boat out on the water then you will need insurance. Every year in America, more than 4,000 boating accidents take place. These can result in injuries and damage to personal property, which can also lead to serious financial losses. 

If you are involved in a boating accident or found liable for one then your insurance can cover you financially. However, in order to get insurance coverage, you will have to pay monthly premiums.

When you rent a boat through a private company, you will have to pay an additional insurance fee every time you go out. This can make the cost of regular boating trips add up over time.

This is not the case for Freedom Boat Club members. Your membership provides liability coverage while you are out on the water. Your home and medical insurance should cover you for everything else.

So you can go out and enjoy a day of boating without worrying about your insurance coverage or having to pay extra.

Freedom Boat Club Maintains Its Own Fleet 

Boat maintenance is essential to keep everyone safe on the water. It also ensures that your boat will not break down while you are out on a day trip. The last thing you want is to end up phoning the coast guard for help! 

If you own your own boat then you are responsible for maintaining it properly and have to cover the cost of this. However, when it comes to the Freedom Boat Club fleet, we will take care of everything. 

Freedom Boat Clubs have a committed team of experts who know how to keep our boats in good working order. This includes carrying out routine checks and maintenance, such as replacing the engine fluid or oil in a boat. They will also use our maintenance boat trip checklist to ensure that only boats in good working order are allowed out on the water.

If you or our staff are concerned about an issue then this will be looked at by a professional nautical engineer or mechanic before the boat is used. This means that the safety of you and your loved ones is in the best possible hands.

Your Membership Gives You Access to the Whole Fleet 

As we have already mentioned, a Freedom Boat Club membership for Tampa locations will give you unlimited access to the whole fleet. This means that you can choose a boat to suit the size of your trip, rather than having to commit to a single model.

For example, if you are going for a quiet day's fishing with a friend, you might choose a smaller boat. However, if you want a luxurious boat picnic with your family then you can reserve one of our boats with a bigger deck (and more sunbathing space!) There will always be a boat to suit your needs!

If you are thinking about buying your own boat then you can use your membership to try out different models. You can even learn about the key parts of boat maintenance so that you choose the perfect boat for you.

We Employ Licensed Captains

Every Freedom Boat Club has a team of licensed captains on staff and their captains have expert knowledge of the local area. This is one of the reasons why we are the best boat club in Florida.

These captains are on-hand to provide training for all of our members. So if you are relatively new to boating they provide all the training you need to feel comfortable going out on your own.

If you already have your boating license, then our captains will make sure you understand our fleet operations and procedures. There are group training classes and opportunities to practice your maneuvers on a variety of boats. This is great if you do not have experience driving different types of boats.

Even if you have plenty of boating experience, our captains are still a valuable resource. They will be happy to show you some of their favorite trips in the local area and teach you how to navigate them on your own. 

Your Club is a Great Place to Learn About Boating 

Even if you have been boating for years, every trip you take will be a learning experience. You might explore a new area of the water, find a more efficient route, or perfect a new maneuver.

At Freedom Boat Club, we understand this and are committed to helping our members learn as much about boating as they want. This is why we offer all members unlimited one-on-one training and can provide special local knowledge for your trips.

When you first join, you will have the opportunity to learn all about the boats in our fleets and how to operate them. We also provide comprehensive health and safety training so that you can stay safe on your days out. This commitment to safety will continue throughout your time at Freedom Boat Clubs.

Before you head out on the water, our checkout procedure ensures that you know how to access and use all of the safety equipment on your boat. So each time you head out you can relax knowing you are fully prepared for a day's boating.

Freedom Boat Club Offers a Sense of Community

As you may already have realized Freedom Boat Clubs offer much more than a fleet of powerboats. We are committed to helping all of our members really embrace the boating lifestyle and everything it has to offer. 

Because of this, we foster a sense of community at each of our boating clubs. If you live locally then you will quickly get to know familiar faces around the club. Or if you are visiting on vacation, this is a great opportunity to meet other families or groups who also enjoy boating.

Freedom Boat Clubs regularly hold social events to help you get to know people from your club better on land.

You Can Get Started Straight Away

If you are keen to try out boating or are desperate for a day on the water then you do not want to be waiting around. Joining a boat club is the quickest way to get out on the water in the boat of your choice. 

It is fairly straightforward to rent a boat from a private company. However, when you do this, you will only have access to the boats that they have available for hire at the time. 

Most smaller private rental companies usually only have small fleets. So you can't guarantee that the boat you want to use will be available when you want to get out on the water.

Buying your own boat will take even longer to organize. Once you have chosen a boat you need to transport it and get it in the water before you can even think about taking it out for the day!

In comparison, joining a Freedom Boat Club is very straightforward and takes no time at all. Once you have signed up for your membership and paid, we will get you trained and you will be able to start using it right away.

Online Boat Booking is Quick and Easy 

Speaking of getting started as soon as possible, Freedom Boat Clubs have a great online booking system. This makes it easier than ever before for members to book their favorite boats for a day out.

When you first join a Freedom Boat Club you will receive details for your online account. To use the Freedom Boat Club reservation system, all you have to do is log into your online account and choose the location you would like to embark from. Then you will be able to see all of the available boats at this location.

Once you know the boat you want, you can reserve it with a click and turn up at the marina to take it out on the day!

This system is up and running 24/7 so you can book a boat whenever works best for you. This is particularly handy if you want to make a last-minute booking. For example, if the weather suddenly takes a great turn and you want to make the most of it, you will have no problems getting a boat sorted.

Of course, if you would rather book a boat over the phone or via email then you can also do this. Each Freedom Boat Club has an office that you can call to reserve a boat quickly and easily. 

Our members also have unlimited 'same-day' reservations. If a boat is available at one of our locations, you can give the dock a call and they will get you out on the water right away. Our goal is to make your boating experience as simple as possible.

We'll Help You Find the Best Boat to Suit You

If you are new to boating then deciding which type of boat to take out can be challenging. Two of the main factors in this decision include the water/weather conditions and what you are planning to do.

It also requires a thorough understanding of the different boats in a Freedom Fleet. Fortunately, our Freedom Boat Club staff have exactly that! 

They will be happy to talk you through your options and find a boat to suit your trip. For example, if you have not done a lot of boating before they might recommend a pontoon as a good boat for beginners. 

Our staff will also be able to help you organize the equipment that you might need for specific boating trips.

All necessary safety equipment and accessories are always included and available on our vessels. During the check-out process, our dock staff will help you identify all the important safety equipment onboard. Helping families enjoy safe and relaxing days on the water is what we do best!

We love when our members travel to other locations across the state and country. When you visit any of our locations, our staff will be happy to share all the nearby points of interest, dock-and-dines, and fishing spots. With their help, you are sure to make a great catch!

Freedom Boat Club Memberships Offer Flexibility 

We have already talked a lot about how much of a commitment it is to buy your own boat. However, a lot of people feel that boating also involves a financial commitment. Boat Club Memberships do as well, but one of the key features is flexibility.

At Freedom, we understand that some people might not want to make a long-term commitment to boating or that you might want to keep your options open for the future. If you move, for example, you don't want to be tied to a large boat loan or storage fees.

Because of this, we offer our members flexible contracts that work for them. After all, freedom is in our name!

We offer simple, easy-to-understand, monthly dues with a one-time initiation fee. From there, hundreds of Freedom Boat Club locations become available to everyone on your account. Now that's boating made simple!

This flexibility means that you can terminate your membership whenever you want to without having to pay hidden exit fees. Your membership will still be valid up to the date that you've paid, so you will still have access to fleets during this time.

If you are thinking of moving then you do not necessarily have to cancel your membership. In fact, if there is a Freedom Boat Club near your new home, you can transfer your membership to this location instead! That way you can keep enjoying all the benefits of boating with Freedom without any hassle.

Once you know where you're heading, our staff will be happy to help you sort your transfer out. There are no hidden transfer fees in our memberships. So you will only be responsible for covering the difference in fees between the clubs (if there is one!)

How Many Freedom Boat Clubs Are There in Tampa?

Given its coastal location, Tampa is a great spot for boating, and Freedom Boat Club makes the most of this. There are more than 30 Freedom Boat Club locations in the Tampa Bay area alone.

This includes clubs in Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus, and Pinellas. We also have multiple clubs around Tampa's lakes, such as Lake Dora and Lake Harris, and along Tampa's most popular rivers. If you consider the dozens of clubs from Sarasota through to Southwest Florida, there's an incredible amount of exploration at your fingertips!

When Can You Use Freedom Boat Club Locations in Tampa?

Most Freedom Boat Clubs in Tampa are open from 8 am to 7 pm every day of the week. This means that boats need to be back in the marina by 7 pm unless you have organized to use them for longer than this. 

As we mentioned earlier, most clubs allow you to book last-minute boating trips online easily. Most clubs do, however, have a limit on the number of reservations you can make in one go.

This is usually capped at 4 rolling reservations per member. Let's say, for example, you have booked a boat for a Monday and Friday one week. This will leave you with 2 reservations left to use for any trips you want to make. 

However, once you have taken your boat out on the Monday and returned it to the marina, you will have completed that booking. So the number of reservations you can make will go back up to 3.

Essentially, this means that you can book up to 4 boating trips at a time. It also means that no single member can have a monopoly over certain boats in the fleet. This ensures that all Freedom Boat Clubs members have plenty of opportunities to take our boats out on a regular basis. 

To find out more about when you can use your membership, speak to one of the staff at your Freedom Boat Club location.

Can You Use Your Membership Anywhere Else?

Where you can use your Freedom Boat Club membership depends a little on the type of membership that you have signed up for. 

Across America, Canada, and Europe, Freedom Boat Club has more than 350 different locations. Some of these are coastal while others are based on rivers or lakes and each club is home to one of our excellent fleets. 

Our members have access to all of the Freedom Boat Club locations around the world. This means that no matter where you go if there's a Freedom Boat Club nearby, you will be able to get out on the water in no time. You could even plan a boating vacation to try out some of our different clubs. 

If you live in the Tampa Bay area, you have a whole range of Freedom Boat Clubs a short drive away.

So getting a membership that you can use at multiple clubs is a great choice, especially compared to the alternative. For most boaters, this would mean trailering and towing your boat from location to location. Not to mention the amount of time you have to spend getting your boat in and out of the water!

How Much Does Freedom Boat Club Cost?

The Freedom Boat Club memberships are broken down into two different payments:

1. A one-time sign-up cost 
2. Monthly payments

Some clubs also offer their members the first month's membership for free. So, why can the sign-up costs and monthly membership rates vary so much between different Freedom Boat Clubs? Well, there are several factors that affect the price of membership — let's take a closer look at these.

The Location of Your Freedom Boat Club

If your Freedom Boat Club is located in a popular boating area then it will cost more. This is because popular marinas can charge more for office spaces, docking, and slip access.

The Type of Access Your Membership Offers

As we've already mentioned, some memberships give you access to more boats than others and their price reflects this. Members who have access for the full week (7 days) will pay slightly higher monthly dues than 'weekday only' (5 days) members.

If you are working with a tight budget, it might also be worth asking clubs near you if they offer off-peak memberships or any special promotions for reduced rates.

Whether You Qualify for Membership Reductions

Freedom Boat Clubs offer membership reductions for certain people. This includes: 

• Retirees 
• Anyone working in the education sector
• Active-duty military personnel and veterans
• First responders

If these apply to you then make sure you mention it when signing up for your membership.

How Do You Get Started With a Freedom Boat Club Membership?

As you can see, when it comes to delivering quality boats and great value, Freedom Boat Clubs in Tampa will help you make the most of everything the area has to offer. If you are ready to sign up for your membership then you will need:

• Your basic personal information (including your name, address, and contact details)
• The name of the Freedom Boat Club that you would like to join
• A credit card to pay the sign-up cost

If you want to fill out a membership form online, one of our club representatives will call you back to discuss your options. Alternatively, you can sign up for a Freedom Boat Club membership by calling your preferred club.

Join a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa Today

If you want to join a quality boat club that offers you fun, community, and a great range of boats and locations to explore, you will not do better than a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa. Every single one of our clubs is designed to make your individual boating experience special. From staff support to boat maintenance and social events — we've got you covered! 

So what are you waiting for? To join a Freedom Boat Club in Tampa today, fill out your membership form now. One of our representatives will give you a call to finalize your membership and you'll be on the water in no time at all!