Boat Clubs on the Gulf Coast, and the Club That Started in Sarasota

Love boating but not boat ownership? How boat clubs work, and why Freedom Boat Club calls Sarasota home.

There is an old saying that the two happiest days of a boat owner's life are the day they buy it and the day they sell it. Boat clubs were invented for everyone who loves the water but not the maintenance, insurance, storage and cleanup.

The idea is simple. Members pay to join and then reserve boats from the club's fleet, often at several locations. The club handles maintenance, cleaning and dockage, and you just show up, head out and hand back the keys.

One of the best-known boat clubs in the country was born right here. Freedom Boat Club was founded in Sarasota in 1989, and its headquarters is still nearby in Venice. It grew into a network of hundreds of locations across North America and Europe, and it has been part of Brunswick Corporation since 2019. Members can typically use boats at other club locations too. Other boat clubs and rental companies operate along the Gulf Coast as well, so compare what each one includes.

For visitors, a boat club can make sense for a long stay or for snowbirds who come every winter. For a single week, a half-day or full-day rental is usually simpler.

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