Freedom Boat Club
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Franchising Recreation Services: Boat clubs |
| Founded | July 11, 1989 Sarasota, Florida, U.S. |
| Headquarters | 1100 Tamiami Trail S Suite B, Venice, Florida, U.S. 34285 |
| Website | www.freedomboatclub.com |
Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is a members-only boat club in North America, Europe and Asia. Freedom is considered the largest marine franchisor in the US.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]The company, 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 430 locations, 6000 boats and almost 100,000 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.
Safety
[edit | edit source]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]
Acquisition
[edit | edit source]In May 2019, Brunswick Corporation announced its acquisition of Freedom Boat Club.[1]
Global expansion
[edit | edit source]Since Brunswick Corporation acquired Freedom Boat Club in 2019, the company has grown from a primarily North American operation into a global network of over 430 locations and 60,000 memberships with over 100,000 members.[6] In Europe, the club grew from just three franchises to more than 40 sites, including new locations in Madrid, southern France, London suburbs, and Denmark.[7] Australia joined the fold in early 2023, growing to six clubs and over 250 memberships, with New Zealand also secured under a franchise agreement.[8] The expansion has significantly boosted Brunswick’s recurring revenue, with Freedom Boat Club playing a central role in its global marine leisure strategy. [9]
Business networking
[edit | edit source]Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond was the fifth club to open in the UK.[10] In August 2025, founders Ashlee and Michael Lally from Glasgow hosted a delegation led by Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor for a business networking event that fostered UK–US trade dialogue and tourism investment.[11] Increasingly, clubs are being used as venues for corporate memberships, strategic meetings, and international partnerships, turning scenic waterways into backdrops for meaningful commercial exchange.[citation needed] This fusion of recreation and relationship-building positions Freedom Boat Club as a compelling tool for global business development.[citation needed]
References
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- ^ Realtors use boating lifestyle to attract home buyers in a challenging market
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