| Owning a boat is a dream for many Americans, but | | | | local restaurants and a special price on gasoline and oil. |
| one that can turn into a nightmare of unforeseen | | | | Membership plans vary from club to club. Some offer |
| costs. Many novice boaters don't realize all the costs | | | | annual memberships with a high initial cost and lower |
| associated with purchasing a boat and wind up with | | | | costs for renewals. Some offer a flat annual fee with |
| an expensive driveway ornament aside their car | | | | no further rental costs. Some offer seasonal |
| instead because they can't afford gas, insurance or | | | | memberships. Be sure you understand all the terms |
| the other myriad things boat owners must pay for. | | | | of the membership agreement and don't allow |
| In recent years, enterprising business people have | | | | yourself to be pressured into more of a membership |
| begun offering a solution for the high price of boat | | | | than you feel you need. For example, if you're new |
| ownership: Boat rental clubs. These clubs rent out | | | | to boating and unsure how much you will actually use |
| their fleet of boats to members on a daily, weekend | | | | your membership, a multi-year contract is probably |
| or even monthly basis at a discounted cost. For | | | | not the best choice for you. |
| example, one marina in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida charges | | | | Finally, if you are an avid boater and plan on taking |
| non-members $329 to rent a 21-foot bow rider, but | | | | your boat out for several days every week, or for a |
| a member of the club would pay just $136, not | | | | series of long trips, a boat rental club may not offer |
| including gasoline. | | | | you the same savings as it would a more casual |
| Typically, boat rental club members must pay yearly | | | | boater. To see if a rental club would save you |
| dues in order to receive the discounted prices. | | | | money, total up all the costs associated with your |
| However, once most boaters add up the costs of | | | | boat and divide that by the number of days you plan |
| insurance, gasoline, storage, docking and maintenance, | | | | to use it in a year. Then add up all the costs |
| not to mention the actual purchase of the boat itself, | | | | associated with a boat rental club membership and |
| they find that joining a rental club saves them | | | | divide by the number of days you will use your |
| money. Boat rental clubs may also offer their | | | | membership. Whichever number is lower will be the |
| members other benefits such as discounts on | | | | most cost-effective option for you. |
| equipment rentals like skis or scuba gear, discounts at | | | | |