mlynch21
Contributor
If i could afford the gas to tow my boat to Venice from Fort Myers every weekend i would go once a week. The price of gas alone just to tow costs me roughly 100 dollars and i have a small boat... I initially set up this RIB just for this purpose. It is easy to tow, cheap on gas, and good for a couple divers. Now i am having second thoughts... Maintenance towing cleaning launching and everything that comes with this endevour is a major pain.
By accident I came across someone who was selling their membership to freedom boat club in Venice florida. After a little more research I found that with the membership I would have unlimited use at any of their corporate locations including the one right here in fort myers as well as venice and several others around florida. I also have use to their franchise locations but on a limited basis (I think 4 times a year per location). I immediately started to picture myself leisurely loading my gear in my fuel efficient car, saving a ton in gas, hopping on the boat, doing my thing, and then tossing the keys to the boat back when im done. Not nearly as much work... No more preping, cleaning, fixing, launching or anything. Why do i want to own a boat to dive off of?
So what will this cost me? An Initiall buy in... their current membership plan calls for a 5000 dollar buy in then a membership fee of 199 monthly after 12 months. The membership for sale was a bit less for the buy in.... Apparently they have restructured their membership several times and if you can find an older membership for sale it can turn out to be a much better deal. (for example i found a 8000 dollar buy in and 50 dollars a month membership lifetime only problem is this one is on the east coast of florida and at a franchise location and i am not sure if it is transferable to the west coast corporate locations). Other than this the only other cost is gas everything else is covered. Unlimited usage and you can have 2 other members (i think this is supposed to be family). Can bring anyone on the boat as long as a member is present. Supposedly Diver friendly... No tank racks on the boats but this isnt that big of a concern as i could either make my own portable ones or use some bungies. Have locations in many dive locations including one in the keys coming up from what i was told. Several different boats to chose from.
I like the idea of 50 bucks a month a lot more than 199 but i think either way it is a better deal than what i do now. You are basically garunteed a selection of new boats (every january) for the rest of your life... Just replace the used gas.
I figure the cost of gas @ venice would be about nil as their dockage is right by the jettie so round trip to do diving would be a wopping 5 or 6 miles in gas max.
What do you guys think? Anyone ever done something like this? Anyone wanna be my long lost cousin or borther in law and split a membership? <----- i wonder how strict they are about this...
By accident I came across someone who was selling their membership to freedom boat club in Venice florida. After a little more research I found that with the membership I would have unlimited use at any of their corporate locations including the one right here in fort myers as well as venice and several others around florida. I also have use to their franchise locations but on a limited basis (I think 4 times a year per location). I immediately started to picture myself leisurely loading my gear in my fuel efficient car, saving a ton in gas, hopping on the boat, doing my thing, and then tossing the keys to the boat back when im done. Not nearly as much work... No more preping, cleaning, fixing, launching or anything. Why do i want to own a boat to dive off of?
So what will this cost me? An Initiall buy in... their current membership plan calls for a 5000 dollar buy in then a membership fee of 199 monthly after 12 months. The membership for sale was a bit less for the buy in.... Apparently they have restructured their membership several times and if you can find an older membership for sale it can turn out to be a much better deal. (for example i found a 8000 dollar buy in and 50 dollars a month membership lifetime only problem is this one is on the east coast of florida and at a franchise location and i am not sure if it is transferable to the west coast corporate locations). Other than this the only other cost is gas everything else is covered. Unlimited usage and you can have 2 other members (i think this is supposed to be family). Can bring anyone on the boat as long as a member is present. Supposedly Diver friendly... No tank racks on the boats but this isnt that big of a concern as i could either make my own portable ones or use some bungies. Have locations in many dive locations including one in the keys coming up from what i was told. Several different boats to chose from.
I like the idea of 50 bucks a month a lot more than 199 but i think either way it is a better deal than what i do now. You are basically garunteed a selection of new boats (every january) for the rest of your life... Just replace the used gas.
I figure the cost of gas @ venice would be about nil as their dockage is right by the jettie so round trip to do diving would be a wopping 5 or 6 miles in gas max.
What do you guys think? Anyone ever done something like this? Anyone wanna be my long lost cousin or borther in law and split a membership? <----- i wonder how strict they are about this...
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