Clemons Boats added the Carefree Boat Club to complement its full-service operation in Sandusky, Ohio.
“The Carefree Boat Club is a way for us to be a one-stop shop for any level of boating interest,” Clemons Boats general manager Jason Clemons said in a statement. “Since the economic downturn, we’ve seen a growing market for the club concept. Some people want to enjoy boating, but they have less time and interest in boat ownership responsibilities. For many of these people, it’s not a money issue as much as a time issue.”
Clemons Boats sells the Cobalt, Bennington, Sea Hunt and Boston Whaler brands and provides rentals, dockage, winter storage and parts and service at its 10-acre facility on Sandusky Bay.
Clemons said that boat clubs have been a growing topic of discussion within their Dealer 20 Group. “Everyone in the group suggested it would be best if we partnered with Carefree Boat Clubs, saying we would benefit from their best practices rather than trying to create the club from scratch. … Adding the reciprocity element, where our members can use boats at the Carefree Clubs, was one more benefit that made sense for us,” said Clemons.
The club will open with a fleet that includes a Cobalt 220, Bennington 24SSL triple tube and Boston Whaler 220 Outrage. More boats will be added as the membership grows.
Carefree Boat Club started in 2002 and has grown to 36 locations in 11 states plus Toronto, Ontario.
