Your Boat or Mine? Boat clubs are a fun alternative to owning a boat

by Heidi Strantz

What a perfect way to spend the day — boating on the South Carolina waterways, basking in the southern sunshine. Fishing, crabbing, tubing, skiing, swimming, relaxing, and exploring the rivers and marshes. So it makes sense to buy a boat, right? Everyone will love it. Think of all the fish you’ll catch.

But boats are more than a motor and a rudder. When it all adds up, you have insurance, maintenance, taxes, dock fees, plus the cost of the boat, and don’t forget you have to clean the boat, too. A growing alternative to owning a boat is membership in a boat club. “We’re not a timeshare, not a rental, we are hassle-free boating,” says Josh Ricker, owner of Freedom Boat Club on Seabrook Island and North Myrtle Beach.

Boat clubs provide members with an ample supply of popular boats and the ease of making a reservation and later stepping in the boat to wave goodbye. “We like to say they own the ocean not the boat,” says Ricker. “We do the maintenance, the insurance, the taxes, and the clean up. Members only have to show up and buy fuel.”

Freedom Boat Clubs dot the east coast. Phillip Holley owns the Mount Pleasant franchise at Patriots Point and one in Florida. “Many of our members are previous boat owners. They are so happy to be done with it. We’ll even help people sell their boats.”
Avid boater Rick Dunn, James Island resident and father of three, is one of those members. “I had a sailboat in Charleston City Marina and a powerboat in dry dock. Neither was used enough to justify the cost.” So Dunn sold his boats. Now as a club member, he has access to a sailboat for himself and a powerboat to take the kids tubing.

Also, boat clubs attract people who have never boated before. For that reason, clubs are committed to water safety. “We offer DNR (Department of Natural Resources) classroom training,” says Phillip Holley, “and we take members out in the water if they are new to boating. We don’t want anyone going out until they are ready.” All the clubs inform their members about the waterways unique to their area, such as shipping lanes, fishing holes, wildlife vistas, and points of interest.

While clubs require reservations for boat use, member Rick Dunn says that usually isn’t a problem. “You just have to plan ahead. That’s the only disadvantage. You don’t have the flexibility of having your own boat.” When the weather is nice, popular boats are quickly reserved.

But for many members, the advantages outweigh any inconvenience. With 50 Freedom Boat Clubs on the east coast, members can enjoy boating when they are out of town. “We offer reciprocity with other Freedom Boat Clubs four times a year,” Josh Ricker points out.

For Columbia residents, Lake Murray Boat Club, a licensee of Nautical Toys International, features a variety of power boats for lake-lovers. Owner Jon Dukes says he keeps his boats in excellent condition. “I replace boats every two years and add boats as the membership grows.” In addition, the Lake Murray Boat club offers free use of wakeboards, skis, kneeboards, kayaks, and tubes. “They are included in the membership.”

So what’s the bottom line? Boat clubs say they are a fraction of the cost of owning a boat. Freedom Boat Clubs offer three or five year memberships. “If you averaged out a three year membership,” says Phillip Holley, “it would be roughly $380 a month.” In Columbia, Lake Murray Boat Club offers a variety of plans starting at $250 a month.

“It’s an opportunity to relax and have a good time with your friends and family,” says Tim Putnam, father of two and Lake Murray Boat Club member. “Out in the water, you’re in an entirely different place.”