Water Excursions: Freedom and Convenience

By Bridget FitzPatrick

Do you want the boat, but cringe to think about the boat trailer, storage, fuel costs and insurance bills?

Freedom Boat Club gives you exactly that here in Delaware where we have an abundance of waterways. For an initial membership and monthly fees that follow, Freedom Boat Club (FBC) takes the hassle out of boating, and there are several ports to choose from.

In southern DE, you can choose your departure from the Lewes Anglers Cove (new), The Lewes-Rehoboth canal’s municipal boat launch at the end of Pilottown Road Love Creek, Cape MayLewes ferry terminal, Dewey Beach (bayside) and Long Neck, adjacent to PotNets. Cruise up the Broadkill River and see extraordinary wildlife, visit Delaware’s historic lighthouses up close, or plan a fishing excursion with friends or the grandkids.

Freedom Boat Club has 385 locations throughout the US and Europe (British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Denmark, Spain and France) where you can use the membership reciprocity perk to enjoy up to four rentals at any one of them with advance reservations.

FBC of Delaware’s fleet features several styles to fit your lifestyle. There are cruising boats (pontoon and others) and a variety of fishing boats. They each seat between six and twelve depending on the model. Owners Tom and Bev Rosella, who started the franchise in 2017 with only four boats quickly grew their business, and by 2021, they had amassed a fleet of 104.

In an interview with the Cape Gazette in 2021, they attribute some of the growth to COVID, when people’s desire to get out on the water away from crowds grew exponentially. Interest in recreational boating has grown right along with the population of Sussex County and tourists. What a great addition the boat club brings to the coast’s array of recreational opportunities!

Freedom Boat Club offers unlimited free training by one of its US Coast Guard certified captains. Seasoned boaters and newbies are all welcome. Training covers what you need to qualify for your boating license, safety protocol, equipment and weather and other emergencies. A four-hour new member orientation is required. Two of those are conducted online and two are in person.

Liability and insurance concerns? No worries. Freedom Boat has its own fleet, so both are covered by the boat club’s insurance. The hassle of cleaning the vessel before and after your trip is done by the club’s capable dock hands who are there to board you and assist with fishing and recreational equipment - even helping with those heavy coolers and fishing equipment. Repairs and ongoing maintenance costs are all covered by the club. (There goes that space rental and towing problem!)

If you’ve got good sea legs and yearn to explore our beautiful inland bays, rivers and the Atlantic, consider Freedom Boat Club. To find out more about membership and the special deals they are currently offering, contact Membership Executive Rob Sweeney at (302) 644-5998 or rsweeney@freedomboat club.com.

Happy voyaging!