During the pandemic, people have been investing in lake houses at higher rates than usual due to the social distancing benefits of the lake lifestyle. In particular, boating is a popular socially distant activity that also has clear benefits for your mental and physical health. If you’re new to boating, joining a boat club is a great option.
An exceptional alternative to buying a boat, joining a boat club offers plenty of benefits. These clubs are monthly memberships that allow their members access to a group of boats for a fee. Maggie Maskery of Discover Boating comments, “Boating is one of the safest, most enjoyable things to do to escape pandemic stress. If you are not quite ready to purchase a boat but want to test the waters, a boat club membership is an excellent alternative.”
Low Costs
One of the most apparent benefits of boat club membership is the lower costs. Especially compared to the cost of buying a boat, the price of boat club memberships is incredibly affordable. While the average cost of purchasing a boat is $20,000, an average boat club membership fee is between $1,000 and $6,000 with a couple of hundred dollars monthly fee. Plus, you don’t have the extra responsibility of maintaining the boat or handling insurance!
More Variety
One of the key benefits of boat club membership is the ability to check out multiple types of boats. You have an entire fleet of boats available to you. Especially if you’re trying to decide what kind of boat to buy, boat clubs are an excellent way to do extensive test drives and discern your favorite. Maskery adds, “Joining a boat club provides access to a wide range of boats, which allows you to experience different activities whether it’s fishing, watersports, cruising or sailing – you get endless adventures and something for everyone!”
Fun Perks
If you’ve just moved to a new lake area, boat clubs are excellent ways to connect with your lake community. By joining a boat club, you have immediate access to social events such as social club gatherings, parties, and cruises. If you’re new to boating, you’ll also benefit from the boating classes and on-water training that many boat clubs offer. Further, many boat clubs provide a complimentary supply of water skis, slides, and other water toys to enjoy. This way, you’ll be able to make the most of your time on the lake.
Location Flexibility
If your lake house is in a different location than your home state or if you frequently travel, a boat club might be perfect for you. Many boat clubs include reciprocal rights to rent boats at locations in different areas of the country. “You may be able to utilize your membership from coast to coast,” says Maskery. Of course, some policies have changed during COVID, but once things open up again, it may be possible to rent boats wherever you go.
Given all the benefits of boat club memberships, it’s no wonder that boat sales have recently reached an all-time high. Take advantage of this safe and fun water activity as soon as possible!