The Boat Club Throughout the years
Our Journey
The Boat Club was founded by Christopher White and Stuart Rawlinson in 2013 with a clear vision, to create an exclusive community focused on high-quality seamanship and meaningful experiences on the water.
Recognising the need for a space where boating enthusiasts could connect, learn and share their passion, they established a club that emphasises skill development and community. Today, The Boat Club serves as a gathering place for those who appreciate the art of boating, fostering lasting friendships and a supportive environment for both novice and experienced members alike. Chris and Stuart’s commitment to excellence and community continues to guide The Boat Club as it grows and evolves.
Launch
Brought together by their love of boating, founders Christopher White and Stuart Rawlinson saw an opportunity to make boating not only accessible but a supported and social pastime. It was on this foundation that The Boat Club launched. The first of its kind, bringing membership boating to the UK, The Boat Club gave members the experience of boating without having to own a boat. With two boats, and having signed its first member, The Boat Club launched from Parkstone Bay Marina.
A year on
Only beginning to realise its potential, The Boat Club steadily increased members, membership options and its fleet with the introduction of Jasmine. Marking their first exhibition at the Southampton Boat Show, The Boat Club welcomed an exclusive corporate partnership with Poole Audi. By 2015 the fleet consisted of 5-day boats and cruisers and membership boating was beginning to generate interest across the UK.
New Destinations
With the introduction of the premium Flagship membership, The Boat Club expanded its base outside of the UK setting its sights on the South of France, where The Boat Club Cote d’Azure was born. To co-inside with this expansion and the addition of the Fairline 34 Targa, The Boat Club began hosting membership events with its first-ever regatta to the Isle of Wight and The Hut at Colwell Bay.
Enhanced User Experience
Maintaining a trajectory of innovation, The Boat Club commissioned a bespoke booking app enabling unlimited access across multiple vessels at the touch of a button. With further upgrades and investment with the addition of 3 Axopar models to the fleet and the launch of The Boat Club members pontoon!
The Boat Club also celebrated becoming one of two exclusive distributors for Zodiac RIBS in the UK.
Celebrations & New Boat Sales
Celebrating the welcome return of its members after the pandemic with the welcome addition of the Members Pontoon. The Boat Club extended its events space, inviting members to enjoy a comfortable outdoor area to relax, offering a perfect end to a day well spent on the water.
The Boat Club proudly became the sole distributor for De Antonio Yachts in the UK and Channel Island. The first boat arrived in April 2021, with a further 3 yachts commissioned the same year.
Boat ownership options became available from The Boat Club in the spirit of offering members and the broader boating community options every step of their boating journey, from membership boating to full ownership.
Bubbles & Skippered Charters
With over a hundred UK members and a fleet of 25-day boats, The Boat Club continued to develop and expand both on and off the water. With new additions to the in-house team and continued online development, The Boat Club continued plotting its course for the future.
2023 marked the hugely successful collaborative partnership with Midas Prosecco, as exclusive events sponsors, this was the perfect way to toast the arrival of the charter division of The Boat Club.
Elevating Partnerships & Premium Experiences
Our luxury charter division expanded significantly, marked by official partnerships with Chewton Glen and The Nici, allowing us to create tailored, five-star guest experiences both on and off the water.
We also strengthened our position as a premium lifestyle brand, working with global names including Lamborghini, Victoria’s Secret, and The Macallan to deliver unforgettable on-water events and signature activations.
This was also the year we introduced our Owner Member programme, offering boat owners and new buyers a smarter, more effortless way to enjoy premium ownership while benefiting from the strength of The Boat Club’s fleet and expertise.
Together, these milestones made 2024/25 a defining chapter—one that elevated our offering, deepened our partnerships, and continued to set the standard for exceptional boating experiences.
The Future & Beyond
Now in our 13th year, The Boat Club is more excited than ever to continue the evolution of our unique boating experience and we’re preparing for a bold new chapter – expanding our geographical footprint and opening our offering to a broader audience, delivered in the refined, luxury way only The Boat Club knows how. With visionaries Natalie and Chris at the helm, the journey ahead promises innovation, sophistication and unforgettable moments on the water.
Having celebrated a decade of navigating the way for membership boating, The Boat Club has continued to elevate its offering. The growth of our events and exclusive community, the development of the Members Club House and the launch of our Cruise Membership have ushered in a new level of experience for our members.
The future of The Boat Club remains anchored by our core values, delivering a range of five-star ways to enjoy the water, all supported by unmatched service and expertise. Under the leadership of Chris White and his wife Natalie, our team continues to go from strength to strength, recently expanding our operations team – adding even more energy to this action-packed division.
Contact us
To find out more about our services across membership, charter and new boat sales contact us.