Fort Lauderdale is a beautiful destination city because of its clear waters and excellent sailing opportunities. For those that live there, getting out on the open water is a dream come true.
Boat clubs are great for trying out different watercraft. With membership in one of Fort Lauderdale Florida’s amazing, top boat clubs, you won’t have to worry about owning and maintaining a boat.
There are many excellent boat clubs in the Fort Lauderdale area. Depending on what you or your family need, you want to make sure that you’ve picked the right boat club.
Before you make a final decision, check out these top five clubs!
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Carefree Boat Club
Carefree Boat Club is one of the largest boat clubs with destinations across the United States and Canada.
This is an excellent option if you think you may want to travel and take advantage of the ability to sail on the open sea in another locale.
Despite being a relatively large boat club, membership here still manages to feel exclusive. Managers do their best to keep the member to boat ratio low.
For every ten members, there should be one ship that is reserved for the exclusive use of club members. They never charter or rent out their boats during the off-season.
If you want to try out a wide variety of boats, this Fort Lauderdale club is going to be the perfect choice for you.
Carfree Boat Rental Options:
- Cruisers
- Deck boats
- Bowriders
- Pontoons
- Fishing boats
- Ski and sailboats
Related Article: Boat Club Rules: 10 Thing to Know Before Joining
Carefree Boat Club Memberships:
One of the best things about the Carefree Boat Club is that they offer a variety of memberships. You can choose to sail on weekdays or weekends exclusively to save a bit of money.
Be sure to inquire about the specific plans that might suit your needs.
This is also an ideal choice if you have minimal boating experience. Carefree Boat Club is committed to safety on the seas.
You will be required to read through a training manual and take a hands-on class covering topics like maneuvering boats and basic safety protocols. It’s a great time to ask questions and learn more before you dive right into sailing.
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Coral Ridge Yacht Club
Are you looking for an extremely exclusive boat club that is unavailable to the general public? Available by invitation only, the Coral Ridge Yacht Club is an excellent blend of family-focused fun and exclusivity.
A current member must be willing to sponsor you in order to be considered for entrance into this elite yacht club. Rest assured if you don’t know anyone but still want to become a member here.
Much like Carefree Boat Club, Coral Ridge also allows you to explore other destinations.
However, they only offer 36 different locations scattered around the state of Florida. Traveling will be a bit more limited with membership to this yacht club.
Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)
Coral Ridge Memberships:
Joining the Coral Ridge Yacht Club is about so much more than simply renting a boat on the weekend.
Their membership department can help to match you up with an existing member to secure a spot in this club.
Most of their members embrace a particular lifestyle and want to welcome all of the best things that life has to offer. The social aspect of joining this yacht club is even more critical than simply boating itself.
That is why their campus includes amenities such as fitness centers, tennis courts with waterfront views, swimming pools, and even multiple restaurants.
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Best Boat Club
The Best Boat Club in Fort Lauderdale has been an affordable option for more than twenty years. They have two Fort Lauderdale locations – one at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and one at the Pier 66 Resort and Marina.
Between the two locations, they host a pretty impressive fleet. Choose from deck boats, pontoons, or ski boats.
They also have several center console boats that are ideal for finishing or hosting a few family members and friends on the water.
Perhaps the best part of the best boat club is the flexibility of their membership plans. Unlike other memberships, you may be required to pay a rental rate with some of the membership options.
Corporate memberships are available, but individuals can choose from four different levels:
- Standard: Saves forty to fifty percent off boat rentals
- Silver: Unlimited use of the entire fleet on weekdays only
- Gold: Unlimited use of the whole fleet on weekdays and weekend mornings only
- Platinum: Unlimited use of the entire fleet whenever
If you have a lot to learn about boating, you may want to consider signing up for a membership at the Best Boat Club.
They are the only authorized US Powerboating training center in the Fort Lauderdale area. They have the most extensive training center in the country and feature plenty of hands-on powerboat training.
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Lauderdale Yacht Club
The Lauderdale Yacht Club has long roots in the Fort Lauderdale area. Having been founded in 1938, this private club is still managed by its members and reflects a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere.
Be prepared to find a sponsor as membership is invitation only.
Much like the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, membership at Lauderdale Yacht Club is about more than simply making it onto the open water.
They are tucked inside a quiet residential area featuring beautiful amenities like tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There are even options for dining and enjoying the company of other members.
One of the significant advantages of joining the Lauderdale Yacht Club is its impressive sailing program.
They start by teaching young children the basics of racing, but adults are welcome to join in the merriment as well.
The Lauderdale Yacht club offers classes and training to help you move from a bronze level sailor to a gold level sailor.
Grand Yacht Club
The Grand Yacht Club is a little different than the memberships found with other clubs. Instead of reserving a boat for a single afternoon on the water, you can choose a getaway from their cruise menu.
Take a three-day getaway or a dream trip that lasts for up to ten days. The choice is completely customizable for your unique interests and plans.
Knowing what kind of boats are available in the fleet is essential to potential new members.
You won’t find too many smaller boats like pontoons and deck boats here. There are three distinct boating styles you can choose from when you make a reservation with this boat club:
- 60’ Sport Yacht
- 75’ Sailing Yacht
- 80’ Luxury Cruiser
Members tend to love Grand Yacht Club because they include the cost of water sports in your membership dues. This includes jet skis, kayaks, diving, and snorkeling materials that you can check out hourly, daily, or for the entire week.
Much like some of the other yacht clubs, Grand Yacht Club also includes other activities that are focused on promoting a certain lifestyle.
From time to time, they have tournaments, seminars, and even romantic getaways for you and that special someone.
South Florida Boat Club
The South Florida Boat Club is a laid-back club that features great amenities just outside the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. They are just a few minutes away from the airport, the Las Olas shopping district, and Port Everglades.
Their property also has excellent amenities like a casual grill and a crystal-clear pool. It may not be as fancy as some of the yacht clubs listed here, but this laidback style appeals to many families.
Unlike some of the other exclusive boat clubs, entrance and membership here are a little bit more casual. You will have to submit to an interview with the membership director, but it is not an invitation-only club.
If you would like, you can even interview current members about their own experiences with the boat club before you make a final decision.
As with many of the premier boat clubs, there are flexible membership plans so that you can choose what makes the most sense for you.
They offer annual, seasonal, and partnership programs. Monthly rates start as low as $199 per month with an initial $1,200 fee.
Their fleet is one of the most extensive ones offered in the Fort Lauderdale area. Reserve deck boats, bowriders, cruisers, and center console boats up to 23’ from either the Fort Lauderdale or Miami locations. Extended hours and overnight access to the boats are provided.
Larger boats are available for rental when you choose an upgraded membership plan.
How to Choose?
Choosing the right boat club in the Fort Lauderdale area is hard when you have so many excellent choices. Each one offers a unique take on membership and has its own fleet to offer up for your usage.
Depending on the amenities you want and even what kind of social connections you have, it may make sense for you to join one of these clubs over another.
Consider what might be the right fit for you and your family with these top boat clubs.
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