Can My Son Use My Freedom Boat Club Membership?

Boating is a great, relaxing hobby for all ages that many families can enjoy together. Boat club memberships are a smart way to take full advantage of perks and benefits so the whole family can spend more time enjoying the water and less time worrying about boat upkeep and other annoying aspects of boat ownership.

It’s important to know all the details of your boat club membership to fully enjoy all the resources available to you. With Freedom Boat Club, a great local carefree boat club in over 300 worldwide locations, the resources and benefits are endless. 

One of the most commonly asked questions that members have is whether or not they can share their memberships with their children or another family member. Can your son or daughter use your Freedom Boat Club membership?

Keep reading to learn more on this important topic and the other membership details for this premier boat club.

Short Answer

The one main rule to keep in mind for non-members is that they must be accompanied by a member for entrance and to enjoy the entire fleet available through Freedom Boat Club. 

So, a child may accompany a parent who is a member. As a matter of fact, there’s no limit on the number of guests a member can bring with them to their location or, if they have a reciprocal membership, to any of the 300+ memberships worldwide. 

However, one of the disadvantages is that a non-member cannot use someone else’s membership without that person present. So, parents cannot confer their membership onto children or family members to go boating without them.

Still, there are many other ways to take advantage of a Freedom Boat Club membership, so keep reading to learn more about becoming a member and enjoying the boating lifestyle and community that goes along with it.

Member Privileges

If your child is over 21 years of age and wants to enjoy boating on their own time, a separate membership would be a great place to start. Whether they have years of experience on the water or are just getting started, they can enjoy all that Freedom Boat Club has to offer, too.

After choosing a home location and a plan corresponding to their desired boating frequency, new members will pay a one-time membership fee and then have monthly dues. 

These fees will save them lots of hassle compared to traditional boat ownership. Freedom Boat Club offers a large fleet that is fully insured and takes care of all upkeep and repairs, saving members both time and money.

The fleet choices are extensive at every location, from pontoon boats to center consoles, deck boats, sailboats, fishing boats, bowriders, and more. Whether you want to use paddleboards, go wakeboarding, enjoy some fishing, or just relax on the water, the type of boat you need will be ready and available.

Boats can be reserved up to six months in advance through the mobile app reservation system. But because of the extensiveness of the boat club’s fleets, your desired vessel will likely also be available for a spur of the moment trip, as well.

Members also have access to unlimited training, lessons, and social events to integrate them into the boating community and help them feel safe on the waterways.

Additionally, members can customize their access to the fleet through their plan. For boaters who want access every weekday to weekend boaters or even members who may come around more sporadically, there’s a plan to fit everyone’s wants and needs.

Pros and Cons of Membership

Still deciding whether a membership is suitable for you or your loved one? Consider some of these advantages and drawbacks to joining the Freedom Boat Club.

Pros

• Club membership is less expensive than boat membership. You save money on upkeep, insurance, repairs, and transportation to and from the water. You also save the time and effort of maintaining the boat and ensuring safety on your own. 
• Each location has an active and thriving boating community, so it’s easy to share your favorite pastime with other equally passionate individuals.
• There are no hidden fees or responsibilities. A one-time membership fee and monthly dues are the only membership costs, and the only other associated cost is refilling the fuel tank when you bring back the boat. 
• Locations span across the United States, Canada, and Europe, so no matter where you are in the world, you can have waterfront access without the hassle.

Cons

• Memberships are non-transferrable, so people who are not members cannot use the services without a member present.
• Your access will depend on your membership plan, which can be changed easily with 30- to 60-day contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still want to know more? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers to help you better understand what Freedom Boat Club ownership is like so your whole family can enjoy being on the water either together or separately.

How did Freedom Boat Club start?

This boat club was founded in Sarasota, Florida, in 1989. It’s now the most prominent and oldest boat club in the nation, and it was started with the belief that all water-lovers should have access to resources and tools for boating without the hassle.

How long can you reserve a boat for?

If you like to take overnight trips, then never fear. At Freedom Boat Club, you can rent a boat for up to four consecutive days before returning. When reserving a boat, there’s no need to return it overnight. 

Can a member bring guests?

As long as a member is present, they can bring as many guests as they want: family members, friends from work, and even furry friends. Children are free to join in on the fun as well. All members must be 21 years of age or older, but all skill levels are welcome.

How do membership plans work?

Plans are customizable to fit your needs. All plans give members unlimited access to their home location fleets. For access to other locations, you will need a reciprocal membership. Enjoy a 30-day, 60-day, or year-round membership.

Details for membership might vary across locations, so check the website to request information specific to your nearest club location.

How are the boats maintained?

The staff takes care of all insurance, repair, and maintenance tasks, including ensuring that proper safety equipment is on board and ready to use at every departure. Fleets are also rotated every three to four years to ensure that all the vessels are clean, reliable, and easy to use.

Final Thoughts

While non-members cannot enjoy membership privileges without a boat club member present, there are lots of great perks to take advantage of with Freedom Boat Club membership. 

If you know of a friend or family member over 21 years of age who wants to use your membership, consider gifting them a membership or helping them look into membership of their own so that they can skip the hassles of boat ownership and plug into a great local boating community that offers a ton of learning resources and leisure that fit into their schedule.