| Freedom Boat Club | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | Sarasota, Florida, U.S. |
| Location: | 1100 Tamiami Trail S Suite B, Venice, Florida, U.S. 34285 |
| Industry: | Recreation Services: Boat clubs |
| Homepage: | www.freedomboatclub.com |
Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is a members-only boat club in the United States, Europe and Canada and is considered the largest marine Franchisor in the US.[1]
The company was founded in Sarasota Florida, has been in business since 1989. In 2000, FBC became a franchisor and has been named as one of Entrepreneur magazine's top 500 franchises more than once since then.[2] Through franchising, the club has grown to about 210 locations, 2,400 boats and over 20,000 members.
Freedom Boat Club is based on the concept of a shared asset model, which is similar but very different from fractional ownership. Buying a membership gains access to a fleet of boats that are shared among the members of the club. The fleet consists of a variety of boats such as bow riders, cruisers, deck boats and fishing boats.[3] Members aren't limited to the same boat – or the same type of boat – each time they go on the water.
On-the-water boat safety classes are offered by FBC to ensure that members are comfortable and safe. Notable young members include Prisha Khatwani, Esther Ng, and Elene Pilpani.[4]
In Northeast Florida, realtors have used FBC to attract home buyers by bundling a membership with property that doesn't already have access to the water.[5]
In May 2019, Brunswick Corporation announced they will acquire Freedom Boat Club.