Owning a boat is a lifelong dream for many East Orlando families, but it’s one many never reach because of their finances. Others purchase their dream vessel only to find out that they can’t use it as often as they like, or that maintenance costs and headaches are overwhelming. If you’ve found yourself in either one of those positions, the new world of shared boat ownership may provide a solution for you.

Shared boating is exactly what it sounds like: members pay a fee to use a collective, shared resource that costs far less than owning the fixed asset on your own. Think of it as a gym or a golf club membership but on the water. At your gym, you expect the equipment to be clean and ready to use. At your golf club you expect your tee time to reserve your round and for the course to be ready when it’s supposed to be. It’s much the same a shared boating experience.

“Our boats are maintenance free and delivered either to your door on a trailer or they’re housed and ready to use at marinas across the state,” says Derrick Meer, president of All Points Boat Club.  The All Points fleet consists of more than a dozen vessels of various sizes from smaller fishing boats to 40 foot and larger yachts. Boats in their fleet are either purchased by the club itself, shared with a member who wants to sell time on their boat or simply maintained for a group of owners who don’t want the headache.

The result is a more economical way of experiencing the oceans and waterways of Central Florida, and it’s catching on. “We grew by almost 40 percent last year,” says Meer. “We anticipate we’re going to see that type of growth again this year as more people find out about the benefits shared boating really offers.”

According to Meer, boats, on average, are only used 20-25 days by their owner. “These are generally $50,000 to $250,000 assets that sit for most of the year with a single owner,” he says. “The cost per use can literally be measured in thousands of dollars and it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.” With his club in particular, members reserve a calendar spot, be it a weekend or a week, and a boat of their choosing. Then, they’re given a clean, turnkey vessel at a yearly cost that’s about one third of owning and insuring a boat on their own.

“About 75 percent of our members are people that have principal ownership in a small, local Central Florida area business,” says Meer. “The other 25 percent or so is made up of attorneys, doctors and white collar professionals.” One of the ways to help keep costs down for all member is making sure the right type of people become members of the family-friendly boating club. “It’s a shared privilege so we spend a lot of time meeting with people and making sure they are a good fit for the boats and the club,” he says. “Ideally, we want to turn boaters into yachtsmen.”

From the St. John’s River to Mosquito Lagoon and from Cape Canaveral to the Atlantic, Central Florida is home to some of the most diverse waterways in the country and members are encouraged to take their boats wherever they want to enjoy them and for whatever purpose they choose. With all that water to explore and all the member growth in the concept, scheduling conflicts must come up, right? “To tell you the truth, we’ve never really had an issue,” says Meer. Most members plan weeks or months in advance so they know what’s available and they are able to get the boat they request.

At the end of the day the idea for the All Points Boat Club, and others similar in concept, is to bring the perks of boat ownership to everyone without the hassle, according to Meer. “It’s something that’s incredibly relaxing and fun for the whole family,” he says. “Everyone should experience boating on their terms; you can’t replace the feeling you get out there.”

Article by Corey Gehrold