8 Marina Strategies to Attract New Boaters
October 18, 2023
Buying a boat or joining a boat club appeal to two distinct groups of people. Which one are you?
Imagine walking into a towering High & Dry marina, where boats are stacked five stories high, gleaming under the summer sun yet sitting idle on racks. These vessels, built for the thrill of slicing through waves and bringing families together, are often grounded by unexpected repairs, financial strains, or health issues—challenges rarely mentioned during the sales pitch. Instead of risking the same fate as those landlocked boats, consider a smarter way to enjoy the water: joining a boat club. Boat clubs offer a hassle-free, cost-effective alternative to ownership, letting you focus on the joy of boating. Here are five compelling benefits of joining a boat club that might surprise you, with a deep dive into the cost and maintenance savings that make this option a game-changer.
Owning a boat involves substantial expenses beyond the initial purchase price, which can range from $20,000 for a small used boat to over $100,000 for a new mid-sized vessel. Additional costs include annual maintenance (estimated at 10% of the boat’s value, or $2,000–$10,000 per year), insurance ($500–$2,000 annually), docking fees ($1,000–$5,000 per year), and storage, especially in colder climates ($500–$2,000 for winterization and dry storage). In contrast, boat club memberships typically cost $2,000–$5,000 annually, often with a one-time initiation fee of $1,000–$3,000. This flat fee structure covers access to a fleet of boats, eliminating the need for members to pay for individual boat purchases, insurance, or docking. For someone boating 10–20 times per year, the cost per outing through a club ($100–$250) is far lower than the thousands spent maintaining a personal boat, making it a cost-effective alternative.
Boat maintenance is both costly and time-consuming, requiring regular tasks like engine tune-ups ($200–$500 per service), hull cleaning ($100–$300 per session), and unexpected repairs, such as fixing a damaged propeller or electrical system ($500–$5,000). Boat clubs absorb these expenses, as their staff handle all maintenance, from routine servicing to major repairs, at no additional cost to members. This saves not only money but also the hassle of scheduling services or troubleshooting issues. Members simply reserve a boat, use it, and return it, with the club ensuring the vessel is clean, fueled, and ready for the next user. This turnkey approach can save members thousands annually while freeing up time for enjoyment rather than upkeep.
Boat clubs offer a variety of boats—such as fishing boats, pontoons, speedboats, or yachts—allowing members to choose the ideal vessel for each outing without the prohibitive cost of owning multiple boats. Purchasing and maintaining several boats could easily exceed $50,000–$200,000 upfront, plus ongoing expenses for each. With a club, a single membership fee (e.g., $3,000/year) grants access to an entire fleet, effectively spreading the cost of ownership across all members. This shared model reduces individual financial burdens while providing flexibility, as members can enjoy a leisurely cruise one day and a high-speed water sport adventure the next, all without additional investment or maintenance costs for different boat types.
Boats depreciate quickly, often losing 20–30% of their value within the first few years, which means a $50,000 boat could be worth $35,000 or less after three years. Selling a boat can also incur costs like broker fees or advertising, and there’s no guarantee of recouping the investment. Boat club members avoid this financial risk entirely, as they don’t own the boats and aren’t responsible for their depreciation. The membership fee provides predictable budgeting, with no surprises from market fluctuations or costly repairs. Additionally, clubs often upgrade their fleets, ensuring members have access to modern, well-equipped boats without the expense of purchasing new models themselves, further enhancing cost savings.
Boat clubs typically include fuel, cleaning, and safety equipment in the membership fee or charge minimal per-use fees, offering transparency and predictability. In contrast, boat owners face recurring costs like fuel ($50–$200 per trip, depending on boat size and distance), cleaning supplies, and safety gear replacements ($100–$500 annually). Clubs also manage docking and storage, which can be a significant expense for owners, especially in premium marinas where slip fees can exceed $500/month. Many clubs offer online reservation systems, allowing members to book boats effortlessly, and some provide unlimited or high-frequency access plans, maximizing value. By consolidating these expenses into a single fee, boat clubs eliminate hidden costs and simplify the boating experience, saving members both money and effort.
