Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is a members-onlyboat 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.[1]
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]
