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