In Depth: Comparing Boat Ownership and Boat Club Membership – Costs, Pros and Cons
How much does owning a boat really cost? Trying to navigate the true costs (and commitments) of owning a boat can be tough to figure out, especially for newer boaters. As a New Jersey boat dealer, we have helped hundreds of families buy the boat of their dreams, whether it’s a new boat from Four Winns or Starcraft Marine or a pre-owned boat.
Buying a boat from a local boat dealer and subsequently owning a boat can be a wonderful way to enjoy time on the water with family and friends. However, we encourage those looking to buy a boat for the first time to do their research in order to fully understand all the costs associated with boat ownership.
As a successful operator of a Boating Club since 2006, we have also helped thousands of families enjoy the boating lifestyle through our Boating Club, which offers Boat Club members the opportunity to access fantastic boating opportunities on Lake Hopatcong and in Highlands, NJ; our New Jersey based Boating Club allows members access to a fleet of beautiful boats that Bridge Marina owns and maintains.
Boating Club membership also includes other benefits when compared to boat ownership, including not having to worry about maintenance, repairs, cleaning and the like. However, since you don’t own the boat, there are some trade-offs as well.
Costs and Commitments of Owning a Boat vs. Joining a Boating Club
Join Ray Fernandez of Bridge Marina and well-known New Jersey Bayshore area author John Schneider as they take a deep dive into all the costs and true commitments associated with owning boat. This in-depth discussion about buying a boat, owning a boat, maintaining a boat and joining a boating club happens aboard a Bridge Marina Boating Club fleet boat on Lake Hopatcong, NJ. The pair also reviews how boat ownership is the perfect solution for many, while Club membership is a great fit for many as well – it all depends on what you are seeking out of the overall boating experience.
You can also watch this informative discussion about boating, as well as videos on how much a new or used boat costs, the most popular boat sizes, training costs, and more on our YouTube channel here.
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