Affordable, Stress-free Boating—The Club Experience

Days on the Water—Chasing a Cool Breeze, an Incredible Sunset, and a Taste of Serenity

What’s the funny thing they say about boats? “The best days are when you buy a boat and also when you sell a boat.” I suppose that’s true. It’s exciting when you buy a boat, and after owning one for a couple of years, it’s probably also true that you’ll be excited to sell the vessel. There’s a lot involved with owning a boat of any size. We contemplated getting a pontoon or tritoon or maybe a little fishing boat but decided the best option for us would be to join a boat club, and I cannot be more happy that we did. The boat club we decided to join is Freedom Boat Club (FBC) (Hilton Head Island, as our home club), and for discussion purposes within this article, I am going to dive into this particular location.

Whether you want to fish or simply traverse the waterways, you’ll find the perfect water craft for your excursion. They handle the cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and docking—they will help you dock when you radio that you’re headed in for the day. They also handle the refueling of the boat upon your return. Fuel is an add-on charge in addition to your monthly membership fees. FBC also offers an add-on insurance program in the unlikely event that you’re “at fault” for any damages (sign up for the insurance; you never know.) All the basic equipment is onboard, and while they do provide life jackets for the number of boat guests, it is highly recommended that you acquire appropriately fitted life jackets for toddlers. You can purchase these at most marine stores.

Another perk of FBC is the training programs they offer. We both completed an extensive online education course and passed the required boater certification tests from The BoatUS Foundation. Utilize this website; they offer a plethora of information and free courses. Check out this link to their free online courses. https://boatus.org/free-courses/ There is also an on-the-water training class before you can reserve your first boat. I enjoy knowing that when we’re on the water that most other boaters are knowledgeable about best safety practices and the rules of the water, including us! Additionally, FBC offers unlimited on-the-water training in different boats whenever requested. The certification levels are “inland” (ICW—Intracoastal Waterway) and “offshore.” Their certification programs are all NASBLA verified. (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) Confidence is key on the water, and I love that FBC offers unlimited training anytime you wish to brush up on your knowledge or just feel more comfortable with various maneuvers.

A huge part of our decision to join FBC was the sheer number of “reciprocal” locations available to us. FBC’s reciprocal program is far-reaching and even international. They have more than 400+ locations in North America, Europe, and Australia. It’s important to note in reference to international reciprocals that you will most likely need to complete additional certifications for that particular region of the world. We travel throughout the US often, and the reciprocals offered by FBC in North America are vast. This option is definitely a plus for us. FBC is the world’s largest boat club with over thirty-five years of experience empowering members with knowledge, confidence, and a concierge-level of service.

We look forward to visiting the Myrtle Beach (FBC of The Grand Strand) location this fall. They have six locations within their club network, ranging from Southport (just south of Wilmington) down to Murrells Inlet. Our Hilton Head club team and other members have praised the Grand Strand location. We also plan to visit the Sarasota/Siesta Key (FBC of Southwest Florida) locations in early 2027. The club offers more than twenty locations under their club umbrella, from Bradenton, FL (just south of Tampa) to Marco Island (just south of Naples); quite the number of locations to choose from! This club must be fantastic; after all, it’s where FBC started in 1989.

I assume that most Sasee readers would utilize the FBC locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. I have listed some of the FBC marinas for the coastal regions of NC, SC, and GA. Florida has over 75 FBC locations in the state—You can view the FL location list online.

https://www.freedomboatclub.com/#locationSearchModal

Coastal North Carolina

Southern Coastal NC
Morehead City
Beaufort, NC Boathouse Marina
Topsail Island
Carolina Beach
Southport Marina
Ocean Isle Beach

Coastal South Carolina

Grand Strand Area
North Myrtle Beach Harbourgate Marina
Myrtle Beach (Grand Dunes Marina near Carolina Forest)
Murrells Inlet (Crazy Sister)
Pawleys Island
Charleston Area
Charleston Wando River
Mt Pleasant
Charleston City Marina
Charleston River’s Edge Marina
Hilton Head/Beaufort, SC
Port Royal (near Beaufort)
Safe Harbour Skull Creek
Palmetto Bay

Coastal Georgia

Savannah Area
Savannah Boathouse Marina
Thunderbolt
Hutchinson Island
Richmond Hill Ft. Mcallister Marina
Brunswick, GA Area
Golden Isles (St. Simons)

Our experience thus far with FBC has been nothing less than extraordinary. We’ve enjoyed the ability to choose from a fleet of available boats for the days we desired a reservation. Keep in mind that you can be added to the wait list if they’ve depleted their fleet for the day. While some locations have a larger inventory than others, we haven’t experienced any days where there wasn’t an available boat. You are allowed to have up to four standing reservations within your account, and as soon as you use one, go into the system and reserve another day. The FBC app is user-friendly, and you can easily reserve vessels on your phone in under a minute.

We have occasionally arrived early at the dock without issue and have also returned to the dock earlier than anticipated, again without issue. The FBC crew has been super helpful to walk us through each boat, ensure all equipment is loaded, and set up the depth finder and map screen to our desired preference. We’ve had help docking upon return when the winds were up, and we’ve always been greeted with a smile when arriving.

FBC club hubs are all a little different. There are corporate locations and franchise locations; the basics remain the same, and the clubs frequently host member social events. These gatherings can be a great way to meet people. The boating community has always been so genuine and fun. I’d encourage you to attend a few of the events and mingle with your fellow boating enthusiasts. In comparison to owning a boat, the club experience offers a stress-free experience that is significantly more affordable. Hop on, enjoy your day, return to dock, and leave. Simple. No cleanup, maintenance, docking, storage, recreational vehicle insurance, or massive purchase price tags. That’s why it’s called “Freedom” Boat Club.

I hope this account of our experience with FBC is helpful; if you’re considering joining a boat club, you’ll absolutely fall in love with the freedom! Enjoy your days on the water chasing a cool breeze, a mesmerizing sunset, and a little taste of serenity. FREEDOM BOAT CLUB https://www.freedomboatclub.com/

Yacht Rock Playlist

“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
“Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison
“Cool Change” by The Little River Band
“Sailing” by Christopher Cross
“Come Sail Away” by Styx
“Son of a Son of a Sailor” by Jimmy Buffett
“Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash
“Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
“Sail Away” by David Gray