Freedom Boat Club – a global movement that makes boating more affordable and hassle free – has officially launched in Brisbane with a stellar celebration event.
The launch at Manly followed months of behind-the-scenes preparation that included securing Freedom Boat Club Brisbane’s first three boats and its foundation members.
With more than 400 clubs already operating around the world, the Brisbane debut could be a game changer for locals wanting easier access to the delights of Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River.
Unlike boat share schemes, Freedom members pay a one-off joining fee followed by a monthly subscription that allows them to use any boat in the club’s fleet in Brisbane, or around the world.
Members simply book the boat they want to take out for the day and step aboard, with all the hard work such as maintenance, refueling and cleaning taken care of for them. Training is provided and a boat licence can be organised for those new to boating.
Freedom Boat Club Brisbane’s first vessels include two Trophy T24CC centre-console day cruisers and a Whitley CR 2380 sports cruiser, based at East Coast Marina in Manly. Plans are in place to grow the fleet to more than 20 boats and add new locations on the Brisbane River, Scarborough or Bribie Island.
The first three boats were officially ‘christened’ with a ceremonial champagne pour at the club’s VIP twilight launch event earlier this month.
In a fittingly acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the Moreton Bay region, the Quandamooka people, the vessels have been named by tribal elder Uncle Bob Anderson as Timbin (North), Burran (South) and Winjiya (East).
Freedom Boat Club Brisbane local business owner Brett Bolton said the club offered the most convenient and affordable way to enjoy boating while also relieving current supply pressures on the industry.
Brett Bolton – Picture: Richard Walker
“A popular saying in the industry is that the best boat is your mate’s boat,” Brett said. “Well Freedom Boat Club is your best mate with multiple boats, and a team that does all the hard work for you!
“By adopting a shared model for boating, we are also helping to combat issues such as congestion at boat ramps and a chronic lack of boat storage in the Brisbane region, while reducing the industry’s overall carbon footprint.
“The Freedom Boat Club model has proven to be very popular and successful internationally and we’re excited to be one of the first Australian operations – in one of the country’s best places to go boating.”
To find out more or join Freedom Boat Club, go to www.freedomboatclub.au, email or call 0460 877 367.
