Native boat membership sees hike in memberships this spring

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — As journey prices maintain climbing, some persons are buying and selling airports and lengthy highway journeys for one thing nearer to residence.

Boat membership officers say memberships have been steadily rising, giving folks a strategy to escape and really feel like they’re on trip with out touring far.

At Freedom Boat Club in New Port Richey, blue waters and marine life — like dozens of pelicans floating amid the boats — abound.

“This is the best coast, we like to call it,” stated General Manager Les Ares. “Really, what we’re is a means so that you can entry the water along with your family and friends.”

Founded in Sarasota, Freedom Boat Club has 32 places all through Tampa Bay, and gives memberships to those that wish to get out on the water with out the accountability of proudly owning a ship. Ares stated the membership has doubled the variety of places since 2019. According to the group, there are greater than 400 places around the globe that serve upwards of 90,000 members.

Ares stated that progress might be linked to latest journey prices and lengthy traces being seen at airports. 

“I think what the members are telling us once they join is that this is really the best option for their families,” Ares said. “Instead of having to plan a trip, the costs associated and all the stress with that trip, they really like the membership club because it allows them to travel anywhere in Florida or beyond and reserve boats and have some private time with a family or friends on the water.”

Ares stated members have entry to greater than 700 boats within the Tampa Bay Area, which — paired with the very fact members wouldn’t have to keep up the boats — is an added incentive.

“You never have to maintain the boat, you never have to fuel the boat, you never have to clean the boat,” he said. “You essentially arrive, turn the keys, and you’re off to your, what we like to call it, ‘staycation.’”

Looking for that escape — one with out the price and problem of driving or flying — is getting folks like Evan Post out on the water.

“COVID really saw a spike of everyone going out on the boat, because that was pretty much all we could do,” he stated.

Post and his mates had been within the space visiting from Orlando. He stated having the membership is a pleasant strategy to unwind with out having to journey too far.

“It’s a way to have a cheap vacation, some might say, definitely better than traveling far,” he said. “For us, it’s only about an hour-and-a-half, so we try not to let the gas prices stop us from having a good time.”

With summer season simply across the nook, Ares stated he anticipates seeing extra folks out on the marina.

“Right now is the best time, because we’re getting into the summer season, which is our busiest season,” Ares said. “So, if you want to be trained on the boat, learn how to drive that boat and how to maneuver it, this is the best time.”