Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
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In this episode, Dave discusses the pros and cons of joining the Freedom Boat Club instead of buying or renting a boat.
Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is the world’s largest boat-sharing/membership club, founded in 1989 in Sarasota, Florida. It operates like a “gym membership for boats”: you pay a one-time joining fee + monthly dues, and in return you get unlimited access to a fleet of boats at your home club (and reciprocal access at 400+ locations worldwide) without ever owning, maintaining, storing, or insuring a boat yourself.
As of November 2025:
400+ locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe (UK, France, Spain, etc.), and Australia
Owned by Brunswick Corporation (the parent company of Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Bayliner, etc.), so most boats in the fleet are new or nearly new Brunswick brands.
How It Works
Join your local club (each is independently owned/franchised).
Complete 3–4 hours of free, one-on-one on-water training with a licensed captain.
Reserve boats online or via app (usually up to 4 reservations at a time).
Show up, hop on a clean, fueled boat, go have fun.
Return the boat; dockhands clean it and refuel (you pay only for the fuel you used).
Typical reservation rules (varies slightly by location):
Weekdays: unlimited full-day or half-day bookings
Weekends/holidays: usually one half-day (morning or afternoon) per day, or full-day with restrictions
You can book months in advance or as little as a few hours ahead
Fleet (what you typically get to use)
18–28 ft center-consoles (Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Grady-White)
Pontoon/tritoon boats
Deck boats
Bowriders
ItemTypical Range (U.S.)NotesOne-time Entry Fee$3,500 – $11,000Higher in coastal Florida, California, etc.Monthly Dues$249 – $499$249–329 weekday-only; $349–499 for 7-day unlimitedFuelYou pay only what you burn$50–$200 per outing typicalUpgrades (Gold, Platinum, etc.)+$50–$150/month extraMore reservations, priority booking, reciprocal perks
Who It’s Great For
People who boat 8–25 times per year
Beginners or families who want training and zero hassle
Travelers who like using boats in different cities/countries
Those who hate winterizing, trailering, or paying for dock slips
Who Usually Ends Up Disappointed
Heavy weekend warriors in oversold markets (South Florida, Lake Norman, San Diego, etc.) who can’t get weekend reservations
People who want the exact same boat every time with all their gear left onboard
Anyone who boats more than ~30–40 days a year (at that point buying often becomes cheaper)
#FreedomBoatClub, #BoatLife, #BoatClub, #NoBoatNoProblem, #UnlimitedBoating #travel #boating #boat
Please subscribe to the Dave & Kathy Unplugged Youtube Channel where we cover RV, Travel & Food
info@dandkunplugged.com
Twitter / X: @DandKunplugged
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dave@outofspecstudios.com
Twitter / X: @OutofSpecDave
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Enjoy 3W Floor Liners Black Friday Exclusive Sale!
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🚨 Shop At Our Amazon Influencer Store! 👉 amazon.com/shop/davekathyunplugged?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_ASJ7XJ6W0JPEVAA1ZMW9
Enjoy 3W Floor Mats Christmas Exclusive Sale!
Official Website: Up to 35% OFF
3wliners.com/?ref=OUTOFDAVE&utm_source=ref%26utm_media
Code: DAVID3WMATS
In this episode, Dave discusses the pros and cons of joining the Freedom Boat Club instead of buying or renting a boat.
Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is the world’s largest boat-sharing/membership club, founded in 1989 in Sarasota, Florida. It operates like a “gym membership for boats”: you pay a one-time joining fee + monthly dues, and in return you get unlimited access to a fleet of boats at your home club (and reciprocal access at 400+ locations worldwide) without ever owning, maintaining, storing, or insuring a boat yourself.
As of November 2025:
400+ locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe (UK, France, Spain, etc.), and Australia
Owned by Brunswick Corporation (the parent company of Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Bayliner, etc.), so most boats in the fleet are new or nearly new Brunswick brands.
How It Works
Join your local club (each is independently owned/franchised).
Complete 3–4 hours of free, one-on-one on-water training with a licensed captain.
Reserve boats online or via app (usually up to 4 reservations at a time).
Show up, hop on a clean, fueled boat, go have fun.
Return the boat; dockhands clean it and refuel (you pay only for the fuel you used).
Typical reservation rules (varies slightly by location):
Weekdays: unlimited full-day or half-day bookings
Weekends/holidays: usually one half-day (morning or afternoon) per day, or full-day with restrictions
You can book months in advance or as little as a few hours ahead
Fleet (what you typically get to use)
18–28 ft center-consoles (Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, Grady-White)
Pontoon/tritoon boats
Deck boats
Bowriders
ItemTypical Range (U.S.)NotesOne-time Entry Fee$3,500 – $11,000Higher in coastal Florida, California, etc.Monthly Dues$249 – $499$249–329 weekday-only; $349–499 for 7-day unlimitedFuelYou pay only what you burn$50–$200 per outing typicalUpgrades (Gold, Platinum, etc.)+$50–$150/month extraMore reservations, priority booking, reciprocal perks
Who It’s Great For
People who boat 8–25 times per year
Beginners or families who want training and zero hassle
Travelers who like using boats in different cities/countries
Those who hate winterizing, trailering, or paying for dock slips
Who Usually Ends Up Disappointed
Heavy weekend warriors in oversold markets (South Florida, Lake Norman, San Diego, etc.) who can’t get weekend reservations
People who want the exact same boat every time with all their gear left onboard
Anyone who boats more than ~30–40 days a year (at that point buying often becomes cheaper)
#FreedomBoatClub, #BoatLife, #BoatClub, #NoBoatNoProblem, #UnlimitedBoating #travel #boating #boat
Please subscribe to the Dave & Kathy Unplugged Youtube Channel where we cover RV, Travel & Food
info@dandkunplugged.com
Twitter / X: @DandKunplugged
Please also subscribe to the Out of Spec Dave Youtube Channel where we cover EV content
dave@outofspecstudios.com
Twitter / X: @OutofSpecDave
Need floor mats/liners for your car or truck? The 3W Liners are awesome!
Enjoy 3W Floor Liners Black Friday Exclusive Sale!
💡Official Website (11.10 – 12.2): Up to 35% OFF
👉3wliners.com/?ref=OUTOFDAVE&utm_source=ref%26utm_media
Code: OUTOFDAVEBF
💡Amazon (11.21 – 12.2): Up to $45 OFF
Tesla floor liners:amzn.to/449pQbE
EV floor liners:amzn.to/4hXWbbi
Code:OUTOFDAVEBF
Tesla Discount! Please use my referral code when ordering any new Tesla:: http://ts.la/david9464
