Many people are drawn to boating. Whether it’s spending time on the water with family and friends or the sense of being close to nature, boating has a unique appeal. But boating is an expensive endeavor. Boat clubs offer one possible solution to minimize costs associated with accessing the watery world.
The promise of cost savings is one of the main attractions of joining a boating club. The costs of owning, maintaining, and storing a boat can be substantial. Boat clubs allow you to spread these costs amongst the other members.
Another allure of these clubs is the concept of carefree boating. You basically show up at the marina, load up your crew and gear, and off you go. When you return after your day on the water, you disembark and hand the keys to the dock hands – no cleaning, no maintenance, no hassles, just a wave goodbye.

How it Works
Joining a boat club usually involves an initial fee and monthly membership fees (any fuel used while boating is your responsibility). These fees will vary by company and are based on the size and quality of their fleet of vessels.
It’s also likely that different membership tiers are available. These tiers may offer access to larger boats within the fleet, enhanced abilities to reserve vessels and other amenities. Some boat clubs also have multiple locations locally and nationally, giving you access to enjoy boating almost anywhere.
Your membership allows you to reserve boats in advance using an online reservation system and use them without the cost of ownership, maintenance, and insurance.
Pros
Cost Savings
The primary benefit of joining a boat club is the cost savings. Buying a boat is a considerable investment. Add to that boat insurance, maintenance costs, dockage or storage, personal labor, etc., and you’re looking at some significant numbers. In a boat club, these costs are shared among members.
Some people say that membership fees and dues are still too expensive, and you can easily buy a boat for your personal use for the same price. While you may be able to buy a boat for a similar price, these calculations usually do not include the total cost of ownership, which includes insurance, maintenance, dockage, and all the labor and time it takes to maintain a boat.
I suggest you do your own financial analysis and make sure you factor in the time spent maintaining a boat. Lastly, there is the added benefit of not having to worry about a boat when you’re not using it—like when a storm is approaching.
Carefree Boating
As I mentioned above, not owning a boat can provide great peace of mind. It’s a luxury to have access to boating and enjoy the lifestyle without any of the hassles that come along with boat ownership.
Bring your family and friends, enjoy quality time on the water, and then just dock the boat and walk away. There is no boat cleaning, no flushing the engines, and no pumping out the toilet.
Access to a Fleet of Boats
Boat clubs offer access to a wide range of vessels within their fleet. This is great if you are considering buying a boat but are unsure what type fits your style. Try them all and see what kind of boating you enjoy the most. Also, see if the boat is a good fit for your family and friends in terms of size, layout, and features.
Boat clubs can also shine in locations that offer different boating opportunities. One day, you may want to do some fishing, and there are boats better suited for fishing. On another day, if you want to go cruising with the family and do some beach combing – a bow rider may be the best choice. One other day, you may want to explore the downtown waterways and stop at a restaurant – a boat with a cabin or enclosure may be the best fit. With a boat club, you will have many options that are impossible with owning a single boat.

Develop Boating Skills
Another benefit of boating clubs is access to training. Many offer – in fact, require – training courses, especially for operating some of their larger vessels. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from professionals while practicing and developing confidence. Another way to learn is by interacting with the new community of boaters of which you are a part.
Cons
Scheduling and Availability
One of the biggest challenges in boating clubs is scheduling and reserving your boat. Weekends and holidays are especially busy, and it is more challenging to secure a reservation.
There are several facets to this problem. First and foremost, boat clubs try to maximize membership, and therefore, many people try to reserve a limited number of boats—often during the same peak times. This can be an unexpected nuisance in clubs that have been oversold and overcrowded. Second, reservation systems limit the number of reservations you can make and hold at any given time.
I inquired about this issue at a nationally known club and found that a basic membership allows you to hold two, four-hour reservations. That means if you want to go boating for a full day, you need to use both your reservation slots for one day, and you cannot make another reservation until those reservations have been used.
Do your research carefully on reservation restrictions and limitations. Some clubs offer variations to alleviate this problem, like an increased number of weekday reservations. Other clubs offer higher membership tiers with additional reservation slots.
Usage Restrictions
Most clubs have strict operating hours. Boats must be taken and returned within these hours, or you may incur additional fees if the boat is returned after operating hours without prior consent. Many clubs also do not allow night-time boating or keeping the boat overnight. This will limit your boating options if you intend to do multi-day trips or if you want to visit a restaurant after dark.
Cancelation Policies
It may be challenging to break your contractual agreement with a boating club. Many club memberships have a contractual term, and if you break the membership before the end of the term, there may be additional penalties and fees. Check your membership documents carefully before signing to ensure you know the consequences of severing your agreement.
Alternatives
If joining a boat club is not appealing, there are several alternatives. Some of these will be the subject of future posts:
- Chartering a Boat
- Renting a Boat
- Renting from Private Owners
- Fractional Boat Ownership
- Buying a Boat