Owner Membership

Owner Membership – How It Works

The Boat Club Owner Membership program allows prospective or existing boat owners to unlock the full potential of their vessel, earning income while sharing it with qualified members of The Boat Club.

1. Boat Eligibility

   • Owners may enroll new or pre-owned boats, but preference is given to new boats supplied through The Boat Club to ensure warranty coverage and maintain our service standards.

   • Pre-owned boats may be accepted, but owners should note that margin is lower compared to new boats and operational oversight may differ.

   • Only vessels aligned with our operational and quality standards are eligible.

2. Home Port Selection

   • Owners select a home port for their vessel within The Boat Club’s operating areas to ensure smooth operations and member access.

3. Compliance & Licensing

   • Owners are responsible for ensuring their boat meets local commercial boat codes and securing any required commercial licenses.

   • Owners retain full responsibility for general ownership and running costs of the vessel.

4. Enrolment & Fleet Participation

   • Boats are enrolled into The Boat Club fleet on an annual basis and cannot be removed within this period.

   • Owners can prebook dates for owners’ use in accordance with The Boat Club’s Fair Play Policy, balancing owner access with member availability.

   • To protect the value of the boat, total usage is capped at 60 outings per year.

5. Platform Access & Oversight

   • Once eligibility and compliance are confirmed, The Boat Club enrolls the vessel on our platform.

   • Qualified and inducted members gain access to the boat for bookings and use.

   • The Boat Club ensures boats are checked in and out after each use and maintains professional cleaning standards to preserve the vessel’s quality.

6. Member Responsibilities

   • Members must return the boat full of fuel after each use.

   • Members may use the boat with a captain until they have demonstrated competency to operate it independently.

7. Revenue Generation

   • Each time the boat is used by members, the owner receives a charter fee, which is subject to VAT if the owner chooses to operate as a VAT-registered business.

   • Example calculation for an Axopar 37:

     • Boat value: £200,000

     • Charter fee per day: £350

     • Projected annual return: 10% → £20,000

     • Maximum usage: 60 outings

8. Membership Requirement

   • To participate, the boat owner must be a member of The Boat Club, which also allows them to enjoy access to other boats in the fleet.

   • Owners are compensated for using their own boat, but usage is balanced to ensure members benefit as well.