"Boat Club" is just another name for boat rentals except you pay a LARGE fee as down payment and Monthly Membership Dues while also signing a LONG-TERM CONTRACT. Read Your Contract Completely! Are you liable for 6 mos. or all 12 mos in dues? "Unlimited" Boating they say? How many boats are there and how many members? How many members are competing for your weekend or holiday time, and how is it decided who gets a boat?  What time frame is "unlimited?" Do you have to bring the boat back by sunset?

Do you pay monthly dues if you cannot get the time you want due to weather, prior reservations, heavy work schedule, etc.? Can you book your whole season at one time? If you want every Sat. from 12 to 8, will you be able to get that? How early/late can you reserve or can you even stay overnight? Are gas and oil included or do you have to pay extra? How about having to pay Entry/Parking Fees into the park? If you're late or lost and you stay past your reservation time, are there penalties and what additional charges do you incur? Is your club membership cancelled if you have an accident...even if it's not your fault? Is there $1 million in commercial liability insurance which the city requires to operate a business on Lake Lewisville? Are you responsible for any boating accidents or damages and have to pay a deductible or for all the repair costs?

As a Club Member, are you liable as a group for another club member in a lawsuit? How long has the company been in business?  What do other people who have the membership say about the service? Are the "testimonials" actually from club members or just from friends of the company especially if the new company has not even opened? What about weather concerns and people arriving late that might cause delays for your reserved time? If your plans change, are there any cancellation fees? Are you guaranteed any number of hrs. use each month?

Remember the saying: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true.

The normal season for boating in Dallas is May Memorial weekend to Sep. Labor Day weekend--14 wks.-- and, for most people, is usually only during weekends and holidays. Average boating time is 30 hrs. a season at 2 - 4 hrs. a week or less.

Example: $1,000 Down, $200 a month x 6 mos. = $2,200 / 30 hrs = $73 per hr. Add another $1,200 if you have to pay annual fees even though you might not use the boat 6 mos. out of the year due to cold/rainy weather or work schedule. That makes the cost $3,400 / 30 hrs =  $113 per hr.!  If GAS/OIL also have to be paid, WOW!  Look at the extra $10 - 20 or MORE each time especially if you want the boat all day!  What about sales tax?  Since your name is not on the title as an owner, no matter how it is presented, you are still renting a boat which requires sales tax.  Most rental companies do not have long-term contracts, have free parking and furnish the gas/oil at no extra charge.

Caution: unless you go to the party cove all day, every weekend, or are allowed to stay overnight, be wary of long-term binding contracts as you may be paying more per hr. than you expected.