Freedom Boat Club

There’s an old joke about buying a boat, which essentially states the best way to buy a boat is to have a friend who already owns one and use his.

Well, the second best way might well be to join a boat club. It’s a concept that seems to be growing, especially in the current sharing economy. To dig a bit deeper, I recently had a chance to connect with Brenna Preisser of the Freedom Boat Club, which is part of the Brunswick Boat Group.

Everett Potter: Brenna, what is the business model for a boat club? 

Brenna Preisser: A boat club employs the trends and practices of the sharing economy to increase participation in boating. At Freedom Boat Club, the motto is “Boating Made Simple.” The club model allows the member to enjoy all the perks of the water while we take care of the purchasing, maintaining, insuring, and other aspects of boating. Once someone becomes a member, they can take advantage of a fleet of boats and social events that the club has to offer. It’s as simple as reserving the boat, showing up, getting the keys and enjoying the day. When the member and their friends/family are done, they hand the keys back to the dock staff – and then look forward to the next time on the water.  Boating allows our members to create a lifetime of memories with friends and family with great times on the water. Another benefit of the membership model is that it helps to grow the industry by getting more people active in on water recreation. Freedom Boat Club has more than 195 locations, and most of them are franchisees but a small portion are company-owned.

Potter: What kind of boats are available – motor or sail, make and model?

Preisser: At Freedom Boat Club, the majority of our fleet is comprised of powerboats in the 20’ to 25’ range. There are a variety of makes and models from freshwater and saltwater fishing boats focusing on both inshore and offshore models as well as pontoon boats, deck boats, runabouts and even sailboats, kayaks and paddle boards. Because members have access to several different types of boats, they have the flexibility take the family out cruising on a pontoon one day and go fishing on a center console with friends the next. Having boats in the 20’ to 25’ range gives the driver the confidence to enjoy the day without having to drive a large boat or hire a captain, though extensive training is provided to all club members upon joining the club. Boat models include brands that are part of the Brunswick Boat Group as well as many of our independent OEM customers.

Potter: What are the upfront and monthly costs we’re talking about?

Preisser: Our one-time membership fee and monthly dues vary by Freedom Boat Club location. Like the real estate market or gas station prices, location plays a large part in membership pricing. Monthly dues range from $200 to $700, depending on membership type. Prospective members are encouraged to connect with their local club to discuss club benefits and gather specific pricing for their area. We currently have 20,000 plus members.

Potter:  What about boating skills, safety, navigation and tide tables – is instruction mandatory?

Preisser: Yes, a four-hour class is part of our mandatory new member orientation training. Instruction includes both classroom and on the water training that covers a variety of topics including navigating the boat, safety procedures, docking and other standard operating measures to ensure a fun and safe experience on the water. Additionally, we offer intermediate training and offshore training to ensure our members are prepared beyond the basics. We are proud that our hands-on training program is one of only two in the country that is certified by NASBLA. Freedom Boat Club members are welcome to additional, unlimited training at no extra charge – we want to make sure every member has the confidence to operate a boat.

Potter: Am I restricted to a single boat or do I get to pick and choose among watercraft?

Preisser: Our members have choices. Each of our clubs will be showcase a fleet that includes center consoles, bow riders, pontoons, and deck boats. Members simply select the type of boat that fits their desired water adventures during the reservation process.

Potter: Do I need to reserve every time I go out?

Freedom Boat Club members can make a reservation by calling their local reservationist or by logging onto our reservation system or mobile app. Depending on their membership type (Seasonal, Weekday and Full Plan options are available), a member can select the day, time, and type of boat they would like. Based on availability they will receive confirmation and proceed with their outing. Additionally, our members enjoy unlimited “spur of the moment” boating. If they do not have an advanced reservation scheduled, they can still call a local club location and secure a boat for the day based on availability. 

Potter: How about fuel – am I charged for an entire tank or for just what I use?

Preisser: Members are only charged for the fuel that they use on their adventure.

Potter: Am I restricted to one location? Or if I’m flying somewhere on vacation, can I connect with the local club? 

Preisser: One of the best parts about Freedom Boat Club is the reciprocal boat access that is offered to our members. There are now close to 2,500 boats in the fleet, in 31 states, Canada and Europe. We just recently had a member in Ft. Myers, Florida who was visiting France and was able to take a boat out. Recent changes to our reciprocal program allow members to seamlessly reserve boats outside of their home location using the same process as a making a reservation at their home location. This provides our members a chance to boat in over 195 locations in the US, Canada and Europe each year! We want our members to enjoy the club no matter where they are in the world.

Potter: What if I decide that boating is not for me?

Preisser: Members are free to leave the club as they wish. There is no contract, though we do ask for 60-day written notice. However, our retention rate remains steady each year, roughly 92%, which is a strong indicator that members are finding satisfaction with the club.

Potter: On the other hand, what if I get hooked? Can I parlay a membership into a boat purchase?

Preisser: Absolutely, and this is a very popular option as well. The synergies between our Brunswick Boat Group, Mercury Marine and Freedom Boat Club are in their infant stages and we are very excited about the opportunities to expose our members to everything that Brunswick has to offer.