![]() ![]() Savannah and Hilton Head members have unlimited boat privileges at the two clubs, and up to four uses (days) per year at each of the other locations nationwide. Now the clubs go as far west at Lake Travis, Texas, and include Lake Lanier in Georgia and the McCarthys' other franchise that they opened in March 2007 at Skull Creek marina on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Boats are replaced every two to three years based on hours of usage, Tom said. The club has purchased five 2011 models within the last two months, Brian said. The Savannah fleet now has multiple boats in the center console, deck boat and bowrider classes, as well as a 22-footer in the cuddy cabin class. They had four boats: a 20-foot-2 bowrider, an 18-6 center console, a 22-6 cruiser and a 20-4 deck boat. There were 33 along the East Coast when the McCarthys opened their Savannah branch in 1989 with eight members (now about 150) at Bahia Bleu marina in Thunderbolt. That's the slogan of the company, which began in 1989 with one club in Sarasota, Fla., and now boasts of 60 locations in the United States. "Own the water, not the boat," added Sherman. "All the hassle we take care of, so you enjoy the water," said Tom, 38. Tom McCarthy explained that the club purchases, cleans, maintains, stores, insures and prepares the boats for the members, who only have to make a reservation, show up and pay for fuel. "It's an intelligent alternative to boat ownership," amended Brian McCarthy. "It's an alternative to boat ownership," said Steve Sherman, the local franchise's membership executive director. Members don't own the boats, but pay a one-time, lifetime entry fee and monthly dues for full, year-round use of their club's fleet and some access to boats at other club locations. "We expect to be up to 30 boats by the end of the season (September-October)."Ĭalling itself a members-only boating club, Freedom Boat Club is akin to a timeshare system for condominiums. ![]() "We've grown it to two locations and 25 boats," Brian McCarthy said. At a time when some businesses are having trouble staying afloat, Freedom Boat Club is growing.īrian McCarthy and his son, Tom, opened a franchise in Savannah in April 2005 with four boats. ![]()
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