In Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, there are many lakes and coastal shorelines to get out boating. There are thousands of boater owners between these three states but purchasing a boat is not always the best option because of the commitment. Boat rentals and boat clubs are a good option. What is a boat rental versus a boat club?

What Is a Boat Club

A boat club is a business that owns and maintains a large number of boats for its members. The members pay an initiation fee and a monthly fee to utilize the available vessels.

 Not all clubs have the same number of vessels in the fleet. As a boat club grows or reduces its membership size, so does the number of boats. Typically a club is required to have one boat for every ten members. 

What Are The Largest Boat Clubs

The two largest boat clubs are the Carefree Boat Club and the Freedom Boat Club. Keep in mind these two companies are independent of each other. There are nearly 400 locations between both clubs to choose from or take advantage of the reciprocal program. With a reciprocal booking, you can live in a coastal region and travel on vacation to enjoy a north Georgia boating club. Take it from me I have personally taken advantage of the reciprocal program.

Remember, if you live on a lake or in a coastal town, make sure to choose a club that has a location nearby. Search, for example, boat clubs Lake Norman or carefree boat club Lake Lanier. Just enter the name of the body of water or coastal town when searching the internet, as you may have one or more options to choose from.

Also, understand that a freedom boat club lanier, for example, may have more boats in the fleet to select from when compared to a Carefree or another club.

What Is a Boat Rental 

A boat rental is a vessel that is paid to be used on a one-time basis. Boat rental operations are most often run from marinas by the marina staff. 

Rather than buying into a club, boaters have the option to rent a boat from a local marina without upfront costs. Keep in mind that the daily rate exceeds the monthly cost of a boat club membership.

Boat Rental Vs. Boat Club Which Has Better Availability

The obvious benefit to owning a boat is the ability to use it whenever and wherever you want. Boat rentals and clubs limit the number of hours and the range in which the vessel can travel.

When it comes to availability between the best boat club & rentals, it is an even wash. Holidays and weekends book up quickly, while weekday slots remain primarily open.

Whether you’re utilizing either of the two, plan ahead of time to ensure that you will get the boat you want on the date you want to spend time offshore. 

Boat Club Vs. Boat Rental What Is The Best Choice

Determining whether to join a club or rent a boat from a marina is challenging. However, creating a list of the pros and cons will lead you to an informed decision.

Take into account the following considerations. 

Are you financially stable enough to pay the initiation fee of a boat club in addition to the monthly membership and fuel cost?

How frequently can you spend time on the water?

What is the number of family members who are interested in boating?

Is a boat rental club membership nearby?

The answers to these questions will lead you to the correct decision. When the fees are stretching the budget, avoid putting yourself in a jam. Instead, rent a boat as frequently or infrequently as preferred. 

We all want more time to spend on the water, but free time is in short supply between housework, careers, and other hobbies. Taking into account the cost of a boat club, don’t join if you cant use it.

Make boating a family event. Bring the kids, wife, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. However, if the immediate family isn’t on board, so to speak, steer clear of the club and rent occasionally.

Despite clubs being scattered across the United States, one may not be in your backyard. Check out the list of locations to see if one is located nearby. You’ll enjoy it whether it is a boat rental club Lake Norman or in a coastal city.

So It’s Time To Make A Decision

Remember to do your research on the best boat club and rentals before deciding. Again, two of the most notable are the Freedom Boat Club vs Carefree Boat Club. No matter which option is chosen, spending time on the water is hard to beat. For boaters who are passionate and dedicated to the hobby, spend the money on club membership. Anyone who is floundering must decide to rent. After a few rentals, you may be permanently converted to a boat club member because you have relaized it’s a passion.