Each January, members of the Wisconsin Boating Club in southeastern Wisconsin, take turns manning our booth at the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our yearly mission there is twofold. Not only do we look forward to hanging around “all things nautical” for a few days in the dead of a long Midwest winter, but we also seek new members to share in our love of getting out on the water. After all, there’s nothing quite like sharing our favorite
experience with new friends.
Through the years, we’ve answered many questions on a range of boating topics: “What does your club do at their informative meetings?” “What’s your opinion on tow vehicles, and what is the most effective make and model truck to tow my size boat?” “Where does your club travel, and what are your favorite destinations?”
However, in recent years, we’ve begun fielding a question we’d never heard before. For a club that’s existed for more than 60 years, the inquiry actually took us by surprise. People started asking, “Are your boats for rent?”
At first, we didn’t give the subject much thought, reasoning this was likely a random family who wanted the boating experience without actually buying. But no! The question became more and more frequent. “Are your boats for rent?”
We explained repeatedly, “No, we own our boats.”
Huh… this made us think. Why are more and more people looking to rent boats? The members of our club are avid owners who can’t imagine the experience any other way. What’s the allure of renting? We began to seriously wonder.
After a bit of investigation, we learned there are now boat rental clubs. People acquire memberships through a one-time buy-in, then pay monthly or annual dues. The club owns, insures, and maintains the fleet. Members are provided unlimited access to boats “worldwide”. All they’re required to do is make a reservation and then show up. Oh, and fill the gas tank when their time is up. While no actual participation prices were provided on the website, it stated that the cost is approximately one-third that of boat ownership.
Interesting, right? Depending on the exact cost, as well as boat availability, this could be a fun way to get out on the water once in a while. Here in southeastern Wisconsin, there were only two locations listed. It made me think… so when you reserve a boat, you’re basically confined to that one body of water for a finite period of time. There’s likely enough time to cruise a bit, stop for a quick lunch and hopefully take a dip in the drink,
before rushing to fill the tank and “get ‘er back” to the dock on time.
Hmmm… Those of us who own trailerable boats are never restricted to just one lake, river or stream. All we need is a launch ramp and a place to park, and we’re able to explore just about anywhere. We’ve enjoyed numerous waterways with recreational areas to spend the day – picnic, swim, and toss a Frisbee or football. As long as we obey the laws, there are no real limits. These destinations are our “boating oysters” (so to speak).
When you think about it, boat ownership buys many perks. For example, if the weather is windy and cold or rain is pelting against our windows, we don’t have a boat reservation hanging over our heads. We don’t need to wonder what will happen if we don’t show up, or if we’ll be able to reserve the boat for the next day or the next weekend. We don’t have to face the awkward question of what do we do now? We simply batten down our hatches and head for our neighborhood movie theatre. (Yes, we’ll take butter on our popcorn, thank you very much.) We’ll head back to the boat another time.
On the other hand, when a summer Saturday dawns with a boater’s dream of “80 degrees and sunny”, as owners we have the luxury of heading to our boats any time – morning, noon or night. No special reservations are required. We can spend the whole day out on the water without worrying about a curfew. We encourage the kids to tube or ski and then
unwind by pulling up to our favorite sandbar, throw out an anchor, and enjoy the afternoon sunshine. A family can play and swim until their skin prunes. If we discover there are fireworks scheduled that evening, and we decide to stay the night? No problem! Good thing we packed our toothbrushes! When Sunday’s weather proves even better, we
have the freedom to stay the day, and depending on work schedules, maybe even another night. The boat belongs to us; we can do with it as we choose.
I can see how renting might have a bright side. The thought of no maintenance, no trailering, and no cleaning responsibilities can, at times, sound appealing. But boat ownership becomes a lifestyle. Cleaning the boat and readying it for the day is not a burden, it’s… it’s just part of the deal. Hosing down the bow, feeling the cool spray on your skin, watching the fiberglass twinkle in the sunlight… there’s really nothing like it.
Picture this… You wake up on your own boat to a warm sunny morning. You brew, then sip, a fresh cup of coffee. You’re able to spend quality time either by yourself, as a couple, or as a family, while looking out at the horizon and making a plan for your day ahead. It’s all in a boater’s day, after all.
Ownership…? Rental…? You decide.