If you’re in the St. Augustine or Jacksonville area and join Freedom Boat Club, you’ll have access to four locations: Camachee Cove, Julington Creek, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine Shipyard. Each location offers a different selection of boats, providing variety depending on your boating needs.
What is Freedom Boat Club?
For those who don’t own a boat, joining a boat club is a fantastic alternative. It allows you to try out different boats and locations to help you discover what kind of boater you are. With a boat club, you don’t have to worry about cleaning, fueling, or storing a boat. Location variety is a big advantage—be sure to check which marinas are available and what boats they offer before joining. In Northeast Florida, Freedom Boat Club gives you access to four local marinas, plus reciprocal locations nationwide.
Why Join Freedom Boat Club?
Joining a boat club eliminates many of the stresses of boat ownership, particularly in a state like Florida where hurricanes can be a concern. With a club membership, you don’t have to worry about boat damage or maintenance. You also gain access to a variety of boats, letting you pick the perfect one for each day—whether you’re tubing, fishing, or just cruising.
Boat Selection at Freedom Boat Club (Northeast Florida)
Pontoons are great for family outings. They are stable, easy to board, and ideal for both young kids and grandparents. While they aren’t fast or suited for rough waters, you can still pull a tube and enjoy a relaxing day.
- Length: 20 feet
- Capacity: Fits 6 comfortably
- Features: Very stable ride, plenty of cup holders, and lots of space for coolers, making it perfect for on-water picnics
- Cons: Lacks top speed and doesn’t handle well in choppy conditions
Center consoles offer deep V-hulls, making them great for handling rougher waters. These boats prioritize fishing but sacrifice some comfort. The helm provides excellent visibility and a sense of safety.
- Length: 20 feet 3 inches
- Capacity: Tight for more than 3 people, but great for solo or duo fishing trips
- Features: Live well, plenty of rod holders, fuel-efficient
- Cons: Size can make it uncomfortable in bigger wakes, and the deck can feel cramped when moving around
- Length: 23 feet 9 inches
- Capacity: Up to 9 people
- Features: Ample storage, multiple seating configurations, and this is the only boat you can take off-shore
- Cons: While it’s comfortable for fishing, other boats offer more relaxation for family outings
Bay Boats
Bay boats, with their shallow drafts, are great for navigating creeks and calm waters. They also have solid speed and fishing features.
- Length: 21 feet
- Capacity: Similar to the 203 FS, not ideal for more than 3 adults
- Features: Great bow deck for fishing, low draft for shallow areas
- Cons: Smaller sizes can limit seating options, and stability decreases in rougher waters
Dual consoles offer better seating and comfort than center consoles, making them popular for families. They maintain versatility for both fishing and watersports.
- Length: 23 feet 9 inches
- Capacity: Seats 6 comfortably, with good seating for 2 at the bow
- Features: More comfortable bow seating than center consoles, solid stability, and good for small families
- Cons: You lose the helm position of center consoles
Deck boats are a hybrid between bay boats and pontoons. They provide good seating, better stability than center consoles, and are well-suited for tubing, cruising, and relaxing.
- Length: 20 feet
- Capacity: Seats 6 comfortably
- Features: Stable in calm waters, great for tubing and picnicking, paired with a 150 HP Yamaha engine for decent fuel economy
- Cons: Handling can suffer in rougher waters
Conclusion
Joining a boat club is an excellent way to explore boating without the hassle of ownership. With access to various boats in different conditions, it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy the water without worrying about towing, cleaning, or storage.