What is a boat club?
Why should I join a boat club instead of buying my own boat?
What if I have little or no boating experience?
How do I reserve a boat and how long can I use it?
What kind of boats are available, what condition are they in and what accessories come with them?
Am I guaranteed a boat every time I want one?
Who is included in the membership?
What if I move and no longer need the boat club? May I sell my membership?
What are the costs? How do the costs compare to traditional boat ownership?
How do I sign up?
What is a boat club?
The Carolina Boat Club is a private membership organization that provides its members with unlimited use of a fleet of boats, jet skis, kayaks and water toys. Similar to a country club membership, you pay a membership fee and have unlimited use of all of our boats anytime you want to use them. It is essentially "valet boating" - we take care of all of the typical headaches that come with boat ownership like maintenance, towing, launching and cleaning - all you have to do is show up, get on, have fun and leave all the work to us.
Why should I join a boat club instead of buying my own boat?
Data shows that most families own a boat for just four years. Statistically, you will use the boat less than ten times the first year, less the second year and the average boat owner will typically sell the boat around the fourth year. Decreased utilization is blamed on the hassles of both towing/storing the boat and regular maintenance/cleaning (there is nothing more frustrating than towing a boat to the lake, waiting in line to launch it, get it in the water and it will not start). Eventually the decreased utilization doesn't justify the hassles and costs of ownership and a decision is made to sell the boat!
At a fraction of the cost of owning a single boat, you will have unlimited use of a wide variety of boats that include power/ski boats, deck boats, pontoons, jet skis and kayaks plus recreational accessories such as skis, wake boards and tubes. You will never tow the boat and you will never have to worry about the boat starting once you arrive. Furthermore, you will never have to clean a boat, worry about storage, or deal with annual maintenance. We remove the hassles so that you can spend your time on the water having stress-free fun!
What if I have little or no boating experience?
No problem. We will provide you with a full orientation of each boat, show you how to operate the boat, provide you with boating safety guidelines and stay with you until you are comfortable enough to run solo. All members receive boat orientation by the boat club for boat safety and operations prior to boat use.
How do I reserve a boat and how long can I use it?
Reservations are simple - just give us a call and let us know when you want to be on the water and what lake you want to us it on. We will have the boat waiting on you upon your arrival.
For proper planning we request that reservations be made at least 3 days in advance. However, we will make every effort to accommodate shorter requests. Members may have up to three open reservations on the books at any given time. Full or half-day reservations may be utilized during prime season to best acccomodate member requests. Reservations over sequential days are allowed.
What kind of boats are available, what condition are they in and what accessories come with them?
The Carolina Boat Club is continually expanding its fleet of boats based on membership growth and preferences. Right now we offer access to a luxury Cobalt, Crownline bowrider, deckboats, 115hp Harris Flote Boat pontoons, fishing boats, jet skis and kayaks. Boats are very well maintained, and replaced on a targeted cycle, to maintain our high customer experience expectations.
All boats will be fully equipped by the requirements defined by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (i.e., PFDs, paddle, fire extinguisher, first aid kits, etc.). Other accessories such as water skis, tubes, towing ropes, ladders, and wake boards are available at no extra cost.
Am I guaranteed a boat every time I want one?
Most boat clubs claim a rate of 97% availability with a ratio of one boat for every ten members (97% is actually better than what you would get if you owned the boat yourself!). The Carolina Boat Club will have at least 1.5 boats for every ten members which will allow us to exceed this average rate of availability while also allowing more flexible than normal reservation policies. Additionally, through our relationship with the Jocassee Outdoors Center, we will have priority access to their fleet of new or great condition rental boats if necessary. However, we ask our members to be mindful of the fact that there will be peak periods of utilization (i.e., all weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, July 4 weekend, etc.), during which times we encourage members to make their reservations as early as possible. We are proud to share that we have experienced a 99% availability rate over the last three years!
Who is included in the membership?
Membership is restricted to the individual who signs up including their spouse and dependant children. You must be 18 years of age to reserve and operate the boat. You are more than welcome to bring as many guests as allowed per the rating of the boat. Guests or member's children under the age of 18 are not allowed to use a boat without an adult member on board at all times.
What if I move and no longer need the boat club? May I sell my membership?
All memberships are transferable. At any time during an active membership, the member may sell, give away, or will their membership. There is a $250 transfer fee that covers the cost of administrative changes, boat safety and operational training.
What are the costs? How do the costs compare to traditional boat ownership?
We offer two membership tiers; the Leisure and Sports membership plans. Both are four-year memberships with annual dues. Please call or see our membership rate sheet for details.
Gas is not included. All members will be responsible for their own gas usage.
How do I sign up?
Contact Sharon our Membership Director at 864-710-4913, or email her at sharon@carolinaboatclub.com, for more details and for a membership activation form. Sign up and be out on the lake this weekend!
