Freedom Boat Club

Time share for boats?

Not exactly a time share.

Their business model, from the consumer side, looks something like this.

FBC offers many different types of boats, from kayaks, to smaller bay boats, I.e., Boston Whalers Montauks, sailboats, pontoon boats, etc., up to there largest which is a 23’7” Cobia CC powered with 250hp. Boat are no older than 3 years old. There is much to be desired in the way of electronics but I’m beginning to work around that. You can use the boats as often as you like, if available of course. Availability has not been a problem as the locations I have seen and used have a lot of boats. Boats are available sunup to sundown. You pay a membership fee to join and a monthly after that. They are a nationwide company and I can take advantage of any of their locations with some restrictions. Here in Florida where I joined, the are 20 something locations between Naples and Sarasota with at least 5 of them less than a 30 minute drive. You pay for the fuel you use each time as well. They help you load the boat, and unload it. I like to tip them for that. Otherwise you walk away from it at the end of the day.……. They clean it etc., They also refuel it you don’t have to worry about that.

The biggest downside I've heard, and it is second hand info, is too many members and not enough boats. This is from people on either side of the skyway bridge in St. Pete and Bradenton/Sarasota
By that I mean I've heard from people that joined under the premise they could go out whenever they wanted but getting a boat wasn't as easy as promised
I hope it works out well for you!
Please share feedback of your experience

Had a friend who used them for two years. He liked it overall, but didn't like that the boat had to be back before sunset. Overall positive experience for him, but that was using the boats here on LI.

I guess you passed their boaters course 🙂

What boats are they offering? I understand it's owned by Brunswick now and I've seen Cobias both here in Freeport and down in Naples. They also have pontoon boats available and other cruising types.

I had called to get some pricing in Naples and they told me they were at maximum at the time. The idea of not having to worry about another boat really entices me. I love the idea of getting there and she's all iced up and filled with fuel and bait if needed. And then just handing off the lines to someone so they can clean it up. What's better than that?

I'm thinking a 21 Cobia, a boat I owned for a few seasons, in those backwaters. You have some excellent fishing there so don't forget your buddy George when it's time to go.

George, when you get back we can go. Just one thing, they don’t load the boat with ice and bait…….. but I will file a complaint with them regarding this oversight!! And I’ll mention adult beverages while I’m at it!!

Just don't keep spilling the vodka George, Matt gets very upset 😉

Looked at the one in Freeport a bunch of years ago, I can’t remember exactly why but I couldn’t get comfortable with their Personal (me) Liability coverage. I had no problem with the insurance coverage on the boat.

Just don't keep spilling the vodka George, Matt gets very upset 😉

I’ll try not to.