Boat Ownership vs. Joining a Boat Club
Boating is one of the best forms of a safe, outdoor recreational activity that you can enjoy with close family & friends. People now more than ever are wondering what the smartest way to go boating is, ownership or joining a boat club.
What is a boat club?
A boat club itself owns and maintains a fleet of various types of boats. You pay a membership fee and monthly dues to join the club. Then the boat fleet becomes available to you.
Here are some factors individuals use when making the decision to join or to own;
SCHEDULING
Club: Members must reserve their boat time beforehand. Peak season times such as weekends and holidays there is typically limited availability for the most popular boats and time slots. You must pick up and return the boat within your selected time slot. Most clubs require daily end times before sunset.
Ownership: Your boat, customized to you, is available any time of the day and for as many days as you want. You can boat for a full day, or an entire weekend instead of just a half day or only 1 day of the weekend. YOU can plan your families boating, it’s not up to a boat club scheduler
SELECTION
Club: Typically, the selection of boats you choose from are very limited, especially if it’s a weekend or holiday. Also, most clubs have a membership tier level for what boats may be available to you for your membership. This makes it hard to choose how many people can come boating with you. Boat Clubs also tend to only offer basic boats with lower horsepower and performance
Ownership: River Valley has hundreds of available boats and you can even order a boat to ensure you get exactly what you want.
FEES
Club: Club membership fees go towards the purchase and maintenance of the fleet of boats, the membership then grants you the usage of a club boat for a set number of hours per period.
Ownership: You pay one time or a set monthly amount towards the purchase of your own boat, you will also cover the costs of any maintenance. Owning the boat then grants you the usage of your boat whenever you want!
STORAGE
Club: People who have no place to store a boat are typically attracted to the boating without owning concept. Every time you use the boat your will have to bring ALL of you gear and belongings and remove them at the end of your time slot.
Ownership: River Valley offers off season boat storage with their VIP program. They also have slips available at their marina for in season storage.
MAINTENANCE
Club: The boat club handles all maintenance of its fleet
Ownership: River Valley’s service department offers winterization, maintenance, and detailing through its VIP program on an annual basis.
TRAINING
Club: Most clubs offer access to boating expertise and on the water training
Ownership: River Valley will make sure you know all of the ins and outs of your boat before you take ownership, including on water training. We are also available for help if you are on/off the water with questions.
ENTERTAINMENT
Club: Many boat clubs have social club gatherings for members.
Ownership: Owning a boat will allow you to have a social gathering whenever you want and with whomever you want. River Valley also hosts social events at their marina throughout the boating season.
If your just wanting to ease your way into boating and the boating lifestyle than joining a boat club may be a smart move for you, the overall cost can be significantly less than purchasing a boat initially but its important to remember you still need to play by the boat club “rules”. Also years of membership add up and typically ownership vs membership costs are more appealing in the long run.
If you want your own personal anytime ticket for a vacation on demand then ownership is the answer for you. Ownership enables you to go boating where YOU want, when YOU want to, with whom YOU want to, and YOU make the rules.