“We make it easy for them. Not only do our boats
come with a lower price tag than owning a single
boat, they come with less stress.”
Indeed, the club handles all cleaning, maintenance,
prep work, fueling and storage. Members don’t need
to worry about dock fees, insurance or trailers. They
simply hit the dock whenever the mood strikes.
“On average, boat owners use their boats 12
times per year,” Giglio says. “Our members get
out 24 or 25 times per year. They’re more engaged.
They’ll run out for lunch, or even just for an hour.”
Then there are the perks. FBC offers unlimited,
hands-on training at no extra cost. A partnership with West Marine
means discounts on fishing and boating supplies, electronics and
seminars. And social events are a huge draw.
“Boating is a lifestyle, and not just on the water,” he explains. “So
while we do have on-water events and docktail parties, we’ll also rent
out an entire restaurant or go to a hockey game.”
What’s more, members enjoy reciprocal benefits at all club locations.
That means boaters who are summering in the Great Lakes, wintering
in Florida, or going on vacation anywhere from California to New
England have access to club fleets and group insurance coverage.
“I want each member to derive so much value from a membership
that it becomes an integral part of life,” Giglio says. “And we add
to that every day. We listen to our members, and we’re willing to
innovate and evolve. If they don’t like something, we can change it.”
Membership costs vary based on location and available fleets, but
Giglio says entry fees range from $3,500 to $7,000, and monthly fees
run from $200 to $400. As he points out, even if you only use a boat
once or twice a year, you’ll still spend less than if you owned a boat.
“And if you don’t like it, you’ve still made a smaller commitment
and investment,” he notes.
The reality is that many club members eventually will become boat
owners, and manufacturers are recognizing this. While some FBC
members are former boat owners who have carefully weighed costs
against usage, others dream of buying a boat. As Giglio points out, FBC
gives those people an opportunity to get into boating 10 years early.
“Plus, instead of just buying the cheapest, smallest boat at a
dealership, they get to try different kinds of boats,” he says. “If thisis their first experience with boating, we want it
to be a good one.”
In fact, FBC has partnered with the Pro-Line,
Baja, Donzi and Fountain brands to offer a special
deal. Anyone who joins the club and decides to
buy a boat within the first year will get 20 percent
off the purchase, plus credit toward what they
paid to FBC during that year.
“People in the industry are saying, ‘We want to
partner with you,’” Giglio says. “It makes sense,
because everybody is our demographic. It’s amazing
how one concept can hit such a broad range of people.”Freedom in the Great Lakes
FBC first arrived in the Great Lakes at Catawba Island, Ohio, in- Jim and Beckett Spreng, franchisees in Savannah, Georgia,
had a cottage at Catawba and realized that bringing the club concept
to Lake Erie was a prime opportunity.
“We started with four boats in 2009,” says Jim Spreng, who grew
up in Ashland, Ohio. “Now we have four locations. Sandusky opened
in 2011, Rocky River (which serves metropolitan Cleveland) opened
in 2014, and Huron will open this summer.”
Club member Scott Van Dootingh says he and his wife, Lisa, joined
FBC because they couldn’t agree on the right boat to buy.
“My wife wanted a go-to-the-island and tubing boat, and I wanted
something more suitable for fishing,” Van Dootingh remembers. “We
absolutely love Freedom for the ease of use. We show up at the dock,
and they help us load our gear. We do a quick checkout, and they help
us launch. When we come back, a dockhand helps us dock and unload
the boat. Then we drive away while they clean the boat and take care
of all the maintenance. It’s truly hassle-free boating, and we love it.”
They use a Don Juan for cruising to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay,
while preferring a Mariah for sunning and tubing at East Harbor with their
three boys. Van Dootingh also makes sure to get in plenty of fishing time.
Member Matt Davis says he and his family have been able to use
boats up to four times per year at other club franchises, including
locations in southwest Florida and Charleston, South Carolina.
“We have a fleet of boats across the country at our disposal,” he
enthuses. “You cannot beat that. Here, my son and I use the club
John Giglio, CEO of Freedom Boat Club,
has taken the boat club concept and
elevated it to new heights.photos courtesy of freedom boat club42 april 2015 | laKelaNdboatiNG.comFreedomBC_APR15_2.indd 42 3/2/15 12:10 PM