Freedom Boat Club - What does it cost to belong and is it right for you?

Is Freedom Boat Club right for you? Is it cheaper or better to belong to a boat club instead of buying a new boat? In this video I look into the cost associated with joining and belonging to Freedom Boat Club in my area. What does it cost to belong to Freedom Boat Club? Boat ownership might not be the right choice for you. Joining Freedom Boat Club might be a better choice for you to be able to enjoy boating if the cost of membership is within your budget. I compare the costs of the boat club to purchasing a new boat similar to some of the boats at my Freedom Boat Club location. Advantages and positive aspects of a boat club and negative aspects of boat clubs are also discussed. I hope this video helps you understand a little more about how Freedom Boat Club works and whether it is the right option for you!
#freedomboatclub #boatclubs #boating
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Freedom Boat Club Cost
02:15 Details and Cost Breakdown of Freedom Boat Club compared to boat ownership
05:48 Advantages and reasons to belong to Freedom Boat Club
07:19 Negative aspects of belonging to a boat club
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[@dougschemmel99]

This is a well made video.. very informative with honest finance numbers. Well done Wayne

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thank you kindly!

[@chriseisele9969]

Wayne good point of view i love how you cover both sides i honestly was going to cut off video after you mentioned the fee but I thought ill listen to all the video glad I did as it would be good depending on your situation also with whats going on with the boating industry

[@invesible101]

What a ripoff

[@MichaelWillems]

I joined in Ottawa and am very happy. You forgot one advantage and it’s a big one. It’s not that you don’t have to do maintenance… it’s that you don’t have to WORRY about it. If a boat were to break down, I just call FBC at the marina and they’ll come get me. That peace of mind is huge.

[@eddytorres2239]

Great video thank you for getting to the info I was looking for right at the beginning. Very nice.

[@joyceoconnor7980]

We belonged to Freedom Boat Club for a couple of years. It was convenient and a great way to learn about boating safety, handling, and determining whether boat ownership might be right for a family. The reservation system is designed so that boats are available for all members. Members can reserve boats for 4-hour increments or an 8-hour increment if you book back-to-back reservations; you can have 3 reservations active at once (an 8-hour booking counts as 2) and only one of the 3 reservations can be on a weekend. Where we live in Massachusetts, a weekend of rain or high winds/small craft warning can be highly disappointing. The pandemic made boat availability very challenging, though the club was attempting to buy more boats (like everyone else!). We decided to buy our own and appreciate the practical experience that the club gave us. And we appreciate learning from your experiences too, Wayne!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Jazzylala3]

We get 4 reservations on the West Coast. Yeah, the small craft advisories are bummers!

[@dennis771]

Not worth it

[@TheBeer4me]

So your not a member anymore what happens to your initiation fee?

[@JerzyBoy973]

Were you able to sleep on club boats overnight?

[@Mr600paul]

I really thank you for getting right straight to the point You're a great guy

[@SConnall]

Excellent video! This answered all of my questions. Thanks Wayne!

[@lanecosta980]

I love the way you explained the whole process very clear Thank you

[@StevehBe]

Thank you! for the upfront and efficient delivery. I knew I was out at 1:30 into your video

[@friendlysam1973]

Thank you getting to the point in 60 sec. I saved minutes of my finite life 🧬. I liked your video and subscribed. Thanks ☺️

[@mieroptimus]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I just moved to Glyndon MD and got into boating. We completed our educational boating license course and now we are thinking of options for our first boat or boat club options. It was great to get your input so close to home.

[@sgw7148]

One of the best videos I’ve ever seen on KZbin when you take into account honest commentary, get to the point info and answering the questions that we all had about cost. Very well done.Thank you!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I appreciate that!

[@joeburke9680]

Love the way you get right to the punch line about cost as the first item, and then the value. Excellent.

[@TimWat12345]

Thank you for making this!!! I originally thought the prices were ridiculous, but now you do the math it’s not that bad. Also…very happy you pointed out that sailboat!!! It’s actually what I’m looking for! Although I don’t think our location has any…:(

[@kevinmccarey5015]

Nice job Wayne, very informative

[@biggx2821]

This was full of great information thank you!

[@francknkashama7728]

Great info, thanks for helping us reach a decision

[@markmorrissey5260]

Great video! We have been members of FBC for a couple of years now. There a couple of things that aren't mentioned in the video that may be relevant. Your local location(s) and franchise owner / team make a huge difference in the overall experience (some locations are corporate owned, but many are locally owned). The locations are supposed to only keep new boats for a maximum of 3 years and maintain 1 boat in the fleet for every local 10 members. If this guideline is followed by the franchisee owner it really makes a huge difference in the value that your realize as a member. For example, our local club has 15+ boats a few miles from my house and 100+ boats across the 6 local locations within 1 hour of my house. All of the boats are less than 3 years old and some of the new ones are far exceeding $100K boats. They all have GPS and the fishing boats have nice fish finders. When you run the membership fee numbers in your video (which are also directionally accurate in my local area) the repeated newness (always getting a new boat experience year after year) and the price tag on these boats being 2X what you are showing in your video, this tilted the benefits in our favor when making our final decision on joining the club vs. buying a boat (or renting on a day by day basis as we did previously). On the other end of the spectrum, some of the negatives that we have found are that reciprocal locations haven't always maintained these standards (maybe acceptable number or type of boats for the local standards, but in our experience tend to be older / lower cost models or may be very restrictive on the number of reciprocal reservations they honor on a given day). In addition, some locations require special training that if you are only visiting for a couple of days on vacation may not be practical to obtain for a short trip if the same training is not required at your local club. Overall, its great to step on the boat and go and come back and step off the boat and leave. No cleaning, no maintenance, no gassing, no storage. My club is buying expensive boats and maintaining them well with no rips, no tears, no old boats. If you can afford it and don't want the headache of put in, pull out, storage, and breakdowns I recommend going for it. P.S. I don't work for this company! Shout out to our local owners / dockhands in Southwest Michigan for providing a great experience for us!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Awesome first hand info - thanks for sharing!

[@cfc7188]

En mi ubicación tenían 3 barcos nuevos y ahora sólo queda 1 viejo. Y han cerrado la oficina.

[@balancedlifecoachingwithRARA]

Thanks so much. Great video, very informative. You seem honest and authentic and knowledgeable.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I appreciate that!

[@brianclark6641]

I enjoyed your detailed video, done very well thank you for the information.

[@51soriano]

Very honest and educational video thank you.

[@katekemker4403]

The perfect information at the perfect time!! Thank you.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kaseyc5078]

Great video Wayne!

[@scottgill657]

Wayne….Very well done. Exactly what I needed to make a decision. One aspect not mentioned that attracts me to join is the local club in my area offers lessons and sources for boating skills, fishing etc. Since it has been years since I last was boating or fishing, this is also valuable for me. Boating safety is a stated priority and in Florida, even with the purchase of a large boat, there are limited requirements for licensing etc. Therefore would suggest, as I plan to at meeting set for next week with the club rep, what sources and unique membership benefits may be available….ie member activities. This ties into another benefit….that generally, as an indirect aspect, having just relocated to the area in the past months, we also see the club as another source for meeting others from the area. Overall, the video really helped summarize and helped confirm or consider what I had done in trying to weigh the pros and cons. Good stuff. Thank you

[@eugeneplum215]

Just wanted to say thanks you gave me the exact answer I was looking for and also is great cause you had the exact prices for my Area being a fellow Marylander Thanks so much appreciate your being straight to the point no extra BS Thanks again now I know it's definitely not worth it or even close to affordable for me!

[@mikejones5364]

Thanks for the video, very informative

[@bredellrichardson4921]

Thanks for the information and comparisons!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

My pleasure!

[@TheMrd140]

Excellent presentation and explanations. Thanks.

[@derrickturner8732]

Thanks getting straight to the point

[@petreaseclarkson4745]

Great unbiased assessment, Thx.

[@HayNakuDiba]

I am looking into FBC myself and your video is SO HELPFUL! Thank you for such a great video with all the hypothetical numbers for price geeks like me!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

You're so welcome!

[@user-ry3rz8ym8q]

Thank you! Very informative!

[@Revviews]

Great video, nice editing and like the B roll 👌

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thank you 🙌

[@stephenohimor2206]

This guy just did all the hard work for me. Great video!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Glad I could help!

[@stevemason5348]

Interesting video. I suppose it works for some. Cheers Wayne

[@bobwolff941]

Great video. I did a TON of research on this. If you have a slip at your property don’t do it. If you want on average a basically 2 year old or newer boat it’s perfect. I am under 2 miles to the club and local slip fees are almost $4000 per year by me. We paid $4000 Initiation and $420/mo. After the first year I am basically getting to boat for what my slip fee would be. Boats at my Freedom Boat Club are over $60,000+++ new. It’s a no brainer. As I mentioned unless you have water access at your house why do you want anything else.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Great example of the type of situation (and type of boater) that Freedom Boat Club is a logical choice!

[@rmhow1]

Excellent video thank you

[@daffyduck8244]

What a delight to find someone straight forward and honest. Good presentation. Thanks a bunch!!

[@timcason5588]

Great analysis of the membership. This showed me exactly what I needed to weigh out as options. I appreciate it.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Great to hear!

[@dennis771]

Better off buying.

[@ShannonLavenia-qb8mf]

This was super helpful. We are looking into Freedom Boat Club righ tnow.

[@randyfiles9980]

Awesome video! Lots of information without listening to a sales pitch!

[@blakewithadhd7358]

This is a great video. You put a lot of effort into this.

[@richardgriffiths0908]

I love the fact you ran the numbers. Thank you so much

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasonkusters5607]

Great breakdown

[@sol11286]

This is so helpful! I am trying to get my dad excited about retirement and we are in a nearby area, this will really help!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Good luck!!

[@robcaluori1811]

This was really helpful and provided exactly the information needed to make an informative decision without the hassle of a pushy sales rep who might not be so forthcoming with the upsides and the downside of the club.

[@rodwhite9769]

Good review! I've been boat owner for 30 years and agree with everything from Pro's and Con's in your review. One thing I discovered is that storing boat I would use 5 to 10 times a year. However, after getting boat slip as you mentioned I use it now 20-30 times a year. I can just walk out and ride for hour or so at any time. So the increase in slip I'm getting 3x more usage.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks! When it's close by and in the water, it's easier to be spontaneous!

[@trainroomgary]

Well done & Hi from Michigan 😎

[@connorl7679]

Great video! Thank you

[@jacobsmithjr]

Thanks for the price info. Nothing is more annoying than sales pitches where you can never get a straight answer when it comes to the price of something.

[@kkutube1972]

Thank you for this video.

[@lizgawelek2259]

This is great video. We went through a similar thought process when we wanted to start boating. Freedom BC made the most sense for us. My favorite part is taking boats out in lots of different locations.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That is a fun feature for people who travel or have other locations nearby.

[@omayragonzalez1397]

Great info! thanks

[@Edible_farm]

Awesome video dude

[@Paul-ou1rx]

I encourage all my friends to join Freedom Boat Club or buy a boat outright. I'll gladly pitch in for fuel and beer.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That's smart!

[@nursiebonibea]

🤣

[@reneap9049]

A friend with a boat is better than boat ownership!! LOL!! Boat stands for Break Out Another Thousand!!

[@joaquind.2932]

Very good video, well explained. First time owner? Spend some time on Freedom boat, a few years! Learn, see if you like it then buy one

[@djwashx]

Great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sharondrobinsonllc]

Thanks for the information.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

You're very welcome!

[@MrEd216]

Thank you for a very good video and comparison! My last boat had an outboard engine, and my current boat have an inboard engine. The reason for me to go from outboard to inboard was that outboard-engines very often get stolen and when they steal then they often just saw them of totally ruining the boat. At least that is the case here in Sweden where we have a lot of outboard engine theft, and big leagues that sell them in east EU. This was exacly what happend to my last boat and in my opinion is the biggest con with and outboard enginge. Appart from that i totaly agree with your analyzis. Kind regards Tommy

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Wow - that's some very serious theft!

[@joeinjax4545]

As a member of the maryland/dc franchise, I can say everything you said is 100% correct. Just wanted to add a couple things 1. The only time I couldn't get a boat is when the blue angels are flying over Annapolis 2. Another negative is that you can't customize the boats to add things you want 3. You can take out different types of boats depending on what you want to do 4. Freedom provides all the training you need or want

[@lucypalmer7973]

Thanks, this was soooo helpful! My husband and I live in Maine, are nearing retirement and would never want to own a boat due to the effort and work involved, and the unpredictable cost of ownership. Freedom boat club would work great for us, as long as we are willing to pay the price of belonging. Debating that......

[@72mespo]

Love the Channel.

[@darrylmcleman6456]

Half the fun for me in boating is working on the boat, Good hobby and feeling of self worth,etc, Darryl in Canada

[@Keithers_]

Thank you. Doesn't' seem unreasonable but outside of my current budget.

[@cgirl111]

The reservation system is very strict and , at least here in SE Florida, the clubs are seriously over booked. You have to plan weeks in advance unless you can boat on the weekdays. I researched it for weeks even going to the local club and asking them to bring up their reservation app to see how booked it was. That's what turned me off. I ended up joining a smaller club for a year to see if the wife was into it and after the year was up bought a boat. I had been a boat owner in the area from 1980 to 2000 but divorce ended that. My second wife loves the life so we bought a boat recently. One of the things to think about if you are into fishing as I am is that everything you need to bring has to be taken off the boat every time. Coolers, rods, tackle etc has to be brought to the boat and taken off the boat every time. You can't store anything on the boat. Anything that is a pain to do will be done less and less as time goes on.

[@wherethefishare]

Nice video. My local club offered a winter special initiation fee for half the price. I imagine one can wheel and deal price terms too. Thanks!

[@stacysteelemarykay4616]

great video. Can you do a video on comparing the several different boat club options in SWFL ? So many to choose from.

[@jimmywalters3071]

Great video !!! I too was thinking about Freedom Boat Club I did get the similar numbers...and now my local club is not charging monthly fees till 2023. I think the boat club is good for me because I don't know how to work on outboard motors (lack of tools and knowledge) . I owned a jet ski for many years and I could never find a cheap place to work on my jet ski.. then when it broke down in the middle of the summer , it was impossible to get it fixed in a timely matter. I spent thousands of dollars in maintaince on the jet ski but did all the oil changes and winterization myself. I just hoped Freedom Boat Club had a Jet Ski rental program at a lower cost. At this time I decided not to join due to the costs.

[@olyguy2000]

Excellent video. The decision varies per person and situation, but as a complete newbie boater I like the idea of training and access to new(-ish) boats with no mechanical/cleaning/hauling/ storage responsibilities. It would help me decide whether to 'dive in' (so to speak) on buying one later. (For instance, seeing how much I actually use it over the course of a year). I think it has value as a gateway and learning experience.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That is exactly their 'sweet spot' and you might come to the conclusion that membership is the ideal option for you! Have fun!

[@user-li9vt9pi3h]

Great video. Absolutely hits the nail on the head. Two parts to my story. We have been boat owners for over 32 years - lengths from 21' to 34'. I bought my 8th boat in June 2022 - 24' dual console - our first brand new boat. Enjoyed it (but sparsely) for two summers. Kept on my own private mooring at an annual cost of $100. Motor has 40 hours of use. We love boating but are in our mid 70's. Part two - we are in Ft Myers, FL from January through April. Got an email from Freedom on Sunday with a great deal - $ 3,000 off the initiation fee, payable 50% now and 50% in April 2024. Monthly dues commence in April 2024 also. The boats at my local club are similar to the boat I purchased - and the marina is less than one mile from our house. I mapped out your cost comparisons for ownership versus FBC. Totally supports my moves. Now we can enjoy boating for the Cape Cod and Florida seasons plus other areas if we travel around the USA. Last step - selling our current boat hopefully for a decent price. And I may also buy a small boat to keep on the mooring to maintain the mooring permit.

[@dantracy621]

You fail to take into account the cost of the new boat. Not gonna be $100. More like well over $100,000. There's maintenance, insurance, storage, and yes, slip fees if you're not on the water with a waterfront property. Then the waterfront property premium.... FBC, or any other one, knocks that out of the park!

[@brentbaker2324]

Very fair video, very helpful

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Glad to hear!

[@TheThegreenpi]

In my area a cabin cruiser rents for $500 per hour. Freedom boat club monthly already covers that. And slip fees are almost 2k/mo here in LA. Definitely worth it in my area

[@harrydistler6444]

Great video thanks

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

You bet

[@mjw9928]

It's an interesting concept, and makes a lot of sense for a lot of people. I own a boat, our 5th one, but I can see that a Boat Club would make a lot of sense for a first time boater, to find out if they will really boat enough to actually own one full time. We trailer ours as far away as 6 hours and spend weeks at a time on a lake. Being able to stay out past dark, is a lot of fun. These are all things one couldn't do in a Boat Club. When we travel to the FL Keys, we will rent a boat for a day or so. Most of those boats aren't all that great, and will cost between $350 and $450 for the day. So a boat club membership would be a benefit in that scenario. Our non boat owning friends own a house in Cape Coral FL. I have tried to convince them to get a membership, so we can boat when we come down there, plus we could get one from dozens of areas in Florida.

[@Hawk89gt]

Thanks for this video. Very similar to my findings, I have been researching this for nearly a year now. I’m on the South GA coast, and we have a club here as well, about 10 minutes from my house. Our buy in currently is a bit more, around $6800, monthly are same as you mentioned. We get to use it year round, so no down time. The remote locations are a huge value to me as well because we travel in a camper, and cannot also tow a boat.

[@rickpenn3066]

hello. I travel too. Have you found that there are any challenges reserving from a club thats not your local one? Extra charges for doing so? Team members treat you differently for not being local? Thanks in advance.

[@JR_SupportOurHeroes]

Being from Maryland and having a boat was always great

[@freedomboatclublakesaintcl5063]

Great unbiased video Wayne! Our spots are located on the east side of Michigan. Our initial payment is a couple thousand dollars cheaper than the Maryland location. I can agree and say it really just comes down to the person. Freedom makes a lot of sense to someone more than it does another. And the specific franchise. Our owner is always looking for new ways to make the club a better experience for everyone.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That's good to hear. There is certainly a 'sweet spot' where membership to Freedom Boat Club really makes good sense for some of us!

[@freedomboatclublakesaintcl5063]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy Come do a review at the best club in the nation!

[@jeffbradley7755]

We have a marina, how much does freedom boat club pay host marinas?

[@Letty4]

I just joined FBC and am very excited! There are 3 locations within 25 minutes of my home that are all owned by the same franchisee so they're all available as my "home" club and each has 10-15 boats. They've said they maintain the ratio of 7.5 members per boat across the 3 clubs, so hopefully getting reservations won't be a problem. Fingers crossed!

[@isaacbokri5795]

How has it been for you so far with reservations?

[@Letty4]

@@isaacbokri5795 It has been very easy to get reservations! The clubs in my area keep their memberships to 7-8 members per boat. I'm very happy I joined and it has absolutely been worth the money!

[@teamoakarrealestate-realty9966]

Great video. Here are some numbers from NY boater on Long Island who just sold his boat to join boat club. Boat I bought used for $40,000 so no payments. Slip and storage $5500 Winterizing $3000 Summerizing $3000 Maintenance throughout the year $7000 Total - $18,500 without boat payments. Just heard about freedom boat club and now it was a no brainer to make the switch!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

And you never have to think about and/or schedule all those things again!

[@FuturesTrader]

Thanks for sharing

[@keithquien8865]

Thanks Wayne! Awesome and very well-organized video. I own Carefree Boat Club of North Idaho and for some people, a club is a great idea, but it's really not for everyone. We only want people to join the club if they are able to use their membership enough to make it pencil out. Have you ever considered doing comparison to Freedom and Carefree Boat Clubs? Would be a very helpful video for a lot of folks.

[@dantracy621]

I see some Carefree clubs in the Chattanooga area. What does Carefree do that is different from FBC or Nautical BC?

[@steveclark2489]

Sold my 1986 aluminum boat last weekend and used the proceeds to pay for most of the FBC initiation fee. Club is a 20 minute drive for us. Boat ramp 5 minutes away but a fustercluck on the weekends… trailer lot is usually full by 8am on Sat and Sun. Showed up at the marina at 2pm, on the water at 2:05 Even more important for us is the fact that when we were done we drove home. No trailering, cleaning the deck, flushing the engine, then doing it a second time because it’s salt water. And I upgraded from a nearly 40-year-old bucket to a 2021 boat worth over $45K The math worked for us, especially considering we would have had to buy a new vehicle to tow a bigger boat than our aluminum craft. We’re so excited to be in FBC

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That's awesome - thanks for sharing!!

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

Boats AND RVs - yes - maintenance holes. Great comparison. Thanks.

[@dougschemmel99]

Great video

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks!

[@daviddufresne6159]

They just opened one in Puerto Rico. I'm excited. We can boat 365 days a year here. You forgot to mention the insurance costs and they can be quite high! Great video

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Good points!

[@nel2895]

very good info. Thanks. But is other ways to own a boat, you can buy a used good for around $20K, or if you are ok with a 17 or 20 footer you can find one for $12 to 16K been a few years old. an inboard boat is easy to maintain and less expensive to repair. Now if you don't care of the cost $$$$ go for the club membership.

[@howardhughes6212]

Thanks for the video. That's more expensive than I thought. I'm a welder. With 10K I could build a small boat in a year. At this price it seems smarter to buy.

[@itr0863]

Don’t forget on top of the monthly dues for the boat club is gas plus tip for the deckhands each session. I love the idea of the boat club if I did not already own a truck and not live in HOA community. It just depends on each person circumstances. I agree with you though. It was more expensive than I thought. So I just ended up purchasing.

[@MauroMarzorati]

thanks for starting from pricing

[@TheBeer4me]

Good video my wife and I were wondering what the cost was it definitely is not for everyone! We have owned a few boats over the years we do all the work ourselves I can see someone that isn’t mechanically incline joining a club. But there are places you can rent by the day or hour, half day so on . No member ship fee granted Not for everyone! Personally way to expensive ! Nice boats though. Thanks for the video!

[@AV8R_1]

Another thing to consider is that these boat clubs often also rotate in brand new boats every two or three years. So on the ownership front, you should also factor in what it would cost to do the same. Taking that depreciation hit on a new boat every 2 to 3 years Would be massively expensive over time. I am a Boat Club member of a different Club, but the fees are generally similar. One thing that really grinds my gears is the off-season cost. As you mentioned, I have to continue to pay the fees through a six or seven month winter off-season. Yes this is the same for Boat owners who have financed their boats. But it's really only the same for Boat owners who live in my area. Boat Club members that live in Florida have access to the boats year-round, and my Club costs are subsidizing their boat use. And that annoys me. They get a lot more use and availability paying the same fees that I'm paying With 6 to 8 months of winter.

[@thomasdent9502]

I guess it's a generational thing but thanks for gritting the most important questions answered first

[@stevespithaler984]

I'm looking to BUY a boat for less than the "buy in" fee!!! Thanks for the information!!

[@MichalLempicki]

I know a couple of people that are members and they love it. It works well for their needs and the area they boat. Both of them are not interested is owning and maintenance and having to trailer. I on the flip side own my boat out right and love the possibility of trailering where ever I want to. I don't dislike the idea of the club, just not for me.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@avotero]

I have a sea ray in the garage, 185 open bow, carburator 2001... bought it 10 years ago and payed 10K. Used it for 10 days only since I have winter and... I am in the restaurant business, I am very handy and can fix maintain the boat but.... the time I could do that I use that energy to maintain equipment in restaurant (5 star on google and best food - of course all the good quality maintenance I do:-) Did I say wife is the Chef.... Needless to say boat been a nice garage trophy... I did not know of FBC 10 years ago, if I known it would be a no brainer since what I do not have is time, Since then two kids grown out past their 20's (they got to see the trophy though) and now I still have an 11 year old and i want to take her water skiing. So FBC will likely be where I am heading for given 1. I can get a boat in FL (sister lives) or LA (where the oldest live)... 2. I am in Chicago and they have 4 bases here. (Try trailing in the city or the $4000K for 6 months at the City's Harbors..) 3. You can experiment with different BOATS ( something you forgot to mention I think :-) but I am curious to see how a Key West vs Hurricane vs Jenneau vs Pantoon etc handles differently from one another and 4. I would not have to find power boating friends --- all my friends are sailors and I sail weekly with them ( I did get the kids to learn sailing though but not skiing - can't get a wake on a sailboat ) ... yes sailing is not for tubing, fishing, or going fast :-) it is "Beer Can" racing on Wednesdays Evenings.... THANK YOU for the Video!!!

[@dclineshouston237]

Sounds good just a little out of our budget at the moment

[@karenshoopman615]

Thank you

[@kancocorp]

excellent video, thanks. one small point you missed- if you trailer your boat, you pay a lot less for gas from a regular gas station than you do at harbor gas station.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Good point! - Although in some areas we can only get ethanol free fuel at marinas.

[@michaelkane6797]

I've been weighing the pros and cons of FBC vs. buying, but was completely unaware of the dawn/dusk limitation.. not sure how I missed it. I'm sure that's not an issue for many boaters, but I'm an early riser and like to be out on the water by sun up... so I suppose that's the proverbial straw. Thanks for the presentation!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah - I am not sure if some locations might be a little flexible in that regard, but I would assume they would need staff to work those hours if they were to allow that.

[@TexasSlamFishing]

They told me they are there right when the sun comes up it's purely a safety issue

[@SeaFireSUP]

our local club allows you to grab the keys the night before, so you can head out early AM and not have to wait for the dockmaster...it's all case-by-case with the local club :)

[@jeffdeff8800]

As someone that would want it for fishing only the 830-9am is a huge deal breaker. Well and the price. I bought my 19' Grady and my place in a campground on the Chesapeake bay for the cost of 1 years fees.

[@arthurconfortiSRQ]

I have been a voting member for freedom of club over 20 years and currently on my own boat and I'm both and have a freedom boat club membership.. Because? Votes always need work and as a freedom number you never have to worry about that period period they are very professional and well one.. You won't be disappointed . I have taken it on several occasions to lightning games and stayed overnight which are also allowed to do as long as you left freedom know where you're gonna have the boat docked and you don't take it out after sunset

[@beboboymann3823]

Good reporting. We’ve moved near Crystal River Florida and wondered if this club would be something we could benefit from or just pay a rental fee for other boat renters for a four hour period without a membership fee. For us, Freedom Boat Club looks too expensive.

[@redciroc1211]

I'm from Cleveland Ohio our boats are on Lake Erie so the cost here shouldn't be to much lol but I'll definitely get some quotes and let everyone know the cost in my area