| Owning a boat is a dream for many Americans, but | | | | local restaurants and a special price on gasoline and |
| one that can turn into a nightmare of unforeseen | | | | oil.Membership plans vary from club to club. Some |
| costs. Many novice boaters don't realize all the costs | | | | offer annual memberships with a high initial cost and |
| associated with purchasing a boat and wind up with | | | | lower costs for renewals. Some offer a flat annual |
| an expensive driveway ornament aside their car | | | | fee with no further rental costs. Some offer seasonal |
| instead because they can't afford gas, insurance or | | | | memberships. Be sure you understand all the terms |
| the other myriad things boat owners must pay for.In | | | | of the membership agreement and don't allow |
| recent years, enterprising business people have | | | | yourself to be pressured into more of a membership |
| begun offering a solution for the high price of boat | | | | than you feel you need. For example, if you're new |
| ownership: Boat rental clubs. These clubs rent out | | | | to boating and unsure how much you will actually use |
| their fleet of boats to members on a daily, weekend | | | | your membership, a multi-year contract is probably |
| or even monthly basis at a discounted cost. For | | | | not the best choice for you.Finally, if you are an avid |
| example, one marina in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida charges | | | | boater and plan on taking your boat out for several |
| non-members $329 to rent a 21-foot bow rider, but | | | | days every week, or for a series of long trips, a |
| a member of the club would pay just $136, not | | | | boat rental club may not offer you the same savings |
| including gasoline.Typically, boat rental club members | | | | as it would a more casual boater. To see if a rental |
| must pay yearly dues in order to receive the | | | | club would save you money, total up all the costs |
| discounted prices. However, once most boaters add | | | | associated with your boat and divide that by the |
| up the costs of insurance, gasoline, storage, docking | | | | number of days you plan to use it in a year. Then |
| and maintenance, not to mention the actual purchase | | | | add up all the costs associated with a boat rental club |
| of the boat itself, they find that joining a rental club | | | | membership and divide by the number of days you |
| saves them money. Boat rental clubs may also offer | | | | will use your membership. Whichever number is lower |
| their members other benefits such as discounts on | | | | will be the most cost-effective option for you. |
| equipment rentals like skis or scuba gear, discounts at | | | | |