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Much of the money invested in marketing was spent on developing relationships with local "grass roots" initiatives like newcomers' clubs and the Boston Harbor Alliance. This, in turn, allows their Freedom Boat Club franchises to become more involved as local members of their communities. For instance, the Freedom Boat Club of Hingham was recently a very active sponsor of the Friends of Hingham Harbor's Touch-A-Boat Event, an annual partnership with the Hingham Harbormaster that promotes boating safety. Boating safety is a primary benefit of membership at FBC that many overlook. In keeping with the mission of making boating enjoyable, Freedom Boat Club welcomes all types of boaters, from novice to old salt. Their boats are all power boats, mainly, Carrick said, because sailing is a more difficult skill to master. He has 8 captains on staff at all times to offer boater instruction. Freedom's typical member is not what many expect. Carrick said even he thought it would be more of a "country club" atmosphere when he first researched it. In fact, his typical members are aged 35-50, have young families, and don't want to be tied to the responsibilities of a boat because of their many family activities. Between the Hingham, Scituate and Quincy clubs, there are 20 boats of varying sizes and types, from cabin cruisers to fishing boats. Members may make up to four reservations at a time, with full days available during the week, and half days on weekends. No night boating is allowed. (For more information on the reservation system, call 888-BOATBOS or 888-262-8267.) Once you make the reservation, all you need to do is fuel up and enjoy the day. The club provides you with safety gear, charts, and GPS systems. When you return to port, don't worry about docking the boat—the staff has that covered. And, they clean the boat too. As a member of Freedom Boat Club, you can enjoy this level of service whenever you travel. Reciprocity with any Freedom location in the country is the most attractive benefit for many members. Carrick says "the member has the key to his boat in his back pocket year-round, wherever he goes." What's the cost for all this Freedom? Much less than you might think. According to Carrick, there is a one-time entry fee of $5,500 and a monthly fee of $299. Depending on the type of boat you'd buy, a Freedom Boat Club membership could cost 60-70% less than owning. Carrick said the cost to own rule of thumb is, if someone boats less than 30 days per year, it's better and less costly to use Freedom. The reciprocity, service, and opportunity to use a more expensive boat make it an even better option for many people. There are other types of memberships available, including friends and family plans and corporate plans, which are popular at the Boston club. In addition, Carrick said he is always looking to add to his fleet by offering lease agreements or trade in lieu of membership agreements. All agreements are negotiated on an individual basis. Is a lifetime of carefree memories of summers on the water in your future? Is this an Impossible Dream or not? Not impossible, if you choose to join Freedom Boat Club. Yes, there is an affordable, fun, carefree way for you and your family to enjoy life on the water. For more information on locations, go to: www.freedomboatclub. com/locations/. Freedom Boat Club 888.781.7363 info@freedomboatclub.com www.freedomboatclub.com Freedom Boat Club Locations in the South Shore Area: Freedom Boat Club of Hingham: Hingham Shipyard Marina, 24 Shipyard Drive Freedom Boat Club of Scituate: The Quarterdeck Marina, 206 Front Street Freedom Boat Club of Quincy: Marina Bay, 333 Victory Road Freedom Boat Club of Boston: India Wharf Marina, 85 East India Row TheSouthShoreMagazine.com 17