Boating should be about enjoyment, not hassle. That’s the philosophy behind Freedom Boat Club, a global membership-based boating service that has now made its way to New Zealand. With a one-time joining fee and a monthly membership, members gain unlimited access to a fleet of boats without the burden of maintenance, storage, or insurance.
After recently moving to a smaller property with a dog legged driveway and being between boats, I decided to try this style of boating for 12 months as an option and report back on my experience to date.
How It Works
Freedom Boat Club operates on the concept of simplifying the boating experience
by offering an alternative to full boat ownership. While this may not appeal to those who prefer to have their own boat at their immediate disposal, fully equipped and ready to go, this option eliminates the responsibility of upkeep. With the Freedom experience, you simply reserve a boat, step aboard, and enjoy your time on the water.
Like all things convenient, this service comes at a cost: a one-time joining fee (starting at $7,400 in Auckland) and recurring monthly dues (starting at $429). The only additonal expense is fuel, which members pay for on a user-pay basis. The Freedom team refuels the boats, ensuring a seamless step-on, step-off experience.
Fuel is charged to members’ credit cards at the pump price, without markup.
Benefits Include
Unlimited access to the club’s fleet; at the moment, the Auckland fleet consists of two Rayglass 2350HTs (fishing fleet), a Sea Ray Sunsport 230 (as reviewed in our Jan/Feb 2023 edition of PowerBoat Magazine) and a Sea Ray SPX 230 (bowrider), all powered by Mercury 250 V8 outboard engines. Well-behaved pets are also welcome to join the family. Scott Williamson, the Director of the Freedom Boat Club New Zealand, tells us he is currently looking at two other sites, Christchurch and Queenstown. Members also have reciprocal membership access to boats at over 400 Freedom Boat Club locations worldwide. Boat maintenance, training, storage, cleaning, insurance, and repairs are all covered.
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Becoming a Member
Once Carla and I assessed our current situation, we approached the Freedom team about our next step: becoming members. We completed the application form for acceptance.
Now, despite having spent most of my life boating and being deeply involved in the marine industry, I had never received formal on-water training—which, I guess, is how many of us started 40-plus years ago.
One of the membership requirements was completing the Coastguard Day Skipper course. I was almost embarrassed that I hadn’t done this earlier, but once I did, I felt much better. It reinforced what I had naturally learned over the years and even introduced me to a few things I wasn’t aware of. I highly recommend the Day Skipper course (available in class or online, which is how I completed it) for anyone, regardless of age or boating experience.
Once I completed the Coastguard Day Skipper Course (Carla had completed hers the previous year), the next step was attending the mandatory orientation. As long as you are 21 years or older, regardless of boating experience, you are eligible.
Orientation is held at the Freedom Boating office in Westhaven, Auckland.
We were welcomed by Zach Du Burgess and Monty Wells, who briefed us on how the Freedom Boating system works. We were refreshed on general boating rules before heading out with Zach for a practical on-water assessment. Here, our boating skills were evaluated based on courtesy, boat operation, and safety practices. This session also served as an introduction to the boats and their features.
For those new to boating, optional on- water training is offered at no charge—an invaluable opportunity to build confidence when taking loved ones out on the water while ensuring safety and protecting the club’s assets.
In the rare event of a breakdown, each boat comes with a Coastguard membership. Additionally, members are provided with a 0508 phone number for non-life- threatening issues.
Bookings are managed through an online system, allowing members to reserve up
to four future dates in advance. Once a booking is used, another can be scheduled.
Summary
After just 12 weeks of operation in New Zealand, the club already has 20 members, with a goal of reaching 100 by year-end , many of whom had never previously considered boating as a pastime. With over 5,500 boats in more than 400 global locations, Freedom Boat Club is proving that hassle-free boating is an attractive alternative.
While the upfront cost may seem significant, when you compare it to the total cost of boat ownership – including purchase price, maintenance, depreciation, storage, and insurance – it starts to make financial sense for many. Some members may even fall further in love with boating and go on to own their own boats, which can only be a positive for the industry, getting more people out on the water.
Although I completed my orientation just one day before my full knee replacement surgery (and am currently writing this from bed), I’m already champing at the bit to get back out on the water. The toughest decision will be choosing which boat to take for the day.
