OMING TO Ocean City, the average vacationer rents a considerable number of accessories for their summer stay. Homes, bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, and linens are some of the first things that come to mind. You can rent a kayak, wave runner, jet ski, and paddleboard too. OC's back bay businesses offer rental charters where they will take you on a kayak, tubing, boating or parasailing excursion for a few hours. For the longest time, though, solo power boat ventures weren't a part of this list. The Jet Drive Exchange on 3rd and Bay is changing the scene by getting power boat rentals into the fun unfolding on the water. The Exchange is a boat and jet ski club in its third year of operation that enables and allows its members to take motorized vessels out on their own. Through lease-like agreements, club members arrive at the dock where a boat of their choice is ready for free range of exploration and playing in the waters surrounding the island. “Down in Florida almost every city has a ‘boat club’ of sorts,” said owner TJ Heist. “They are huge. This club aspect is like you own the boat. Members join, and then have unlimited access to boats and skis throughout the season. You show up, boats are in the water gassed, clean and ready to go. There is no cost or fee every time they want to go out. Members do not have to worry about all of the headaches about docking it or trailering it. It is the perks of ownership without the headache or expense.” The Jet Drive Exchange’s leases operate through yearly memberships, which allow customers looking to take out jet skis, powerboats, or any customized combination they prefer. Each membership contains a one time only activation fee, but after that a member has unlimited access to powered vessels in their package.
jet pack>> 46 OCNJMAGAZINE.COM
JULY 2020
