Cruising Along with Freedom Boat's New Nautical Roster

By Ira Kantor 

Setting summer off in sailing style, Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is adding a new selection of sparkling Key West boats to all nine of its locations throughout the Bay State.

These nautical beauties, built for fishermen by fishermen, offer top-of-the-line standard features unsurpassed in their respective boating class and prove to be the standard for safety and fuel efficiency.

Freedom Boat Club, the world’s largest members-only boating club, has boosted its current Massachusetts boat lineup by nearly three dozen with the inclusion of Key West boats, including a combination of the 239FS, 219FS, and the 211DC models. While these mid-sized fishing boats are designed mainly for saltwater use both inshore and offshore, they possess powerful capabilities for rivers and the region’s largest lakes.

These boats can also accommodate families for a variety of recreational activities on the water, such as skiing and tubing. Containing zero wood construction, Key West boats carry an unsurpassed resale value making them the go-to economical boat. Even fishermen vouch they carry the least-needed warranties in the industry.

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One of several new Key West boats Freedom Boat Club has docked and on the ready at in Marina Bay in Quincy, MA.

“We are tremendously excited to introduce our members to Key West boats,” said Freedom Boat Club franchise co-owner Matt Carrick. “Not only are these boats cost-efficient but they offer specialized comfort and class that allows FBC members to take to the seas in high fashion.”

The Key West 239FS contains the largest cockpit in its class, and is loaded with features designed for family comfort and serious fishing. The 219FS is the latest and largest addition to Key West’s expanding lineup of Family Sportsman center consoles. Additionally, the 211DC model contains sleek lines combined with high function to offer users the best riding, best looking, and thoughtfully laid out dual consoles on the market today.

“Beautiful and sharp, these are the two terms that should be synonymous with Key West boats,” said Matt O’Connor, FBC Massachusetts’ second franchise owner. “They truly have a one-of-a-kind look and feel both on and off the water.”

These boats are now available at Carrick and O’Connor’s nine Bay State locations, including Boston, Danvers, Quincy, Hingham, Scituate, Chatham, Falmouth, East Dennis and West Dennis. They join recently-added Barracuda Boats, including 188 CCF models, which provide a hearty mixture of luxury, style and performance, all in one package.

The Barracuda 188 CCF boasts an 18-foot floorplan, and sports a standard clear-curved glass windshield, full instrument panel, trolling motor plug, insulated fishbox with overboard drain, and the patented Barracuda SureTrac TM hull for a great ride.

“Barracuda boats may be small but they pack a mighty wallop on the seas,” said Carrick. “It’s the boat that seems tailor-made for one person on the outside, but can surprise many with its size and sleekness once they climb aboard.”

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Matt Carrick and Matthew O’Connor, co-owners of nine Freedom Boat Club locations spanning from the North Shore to Cape Cod. Here they pose on one of their new Key West boats in front of the picturesque backdrop of Marina Bay in Quincy, MA. Pictured from Left to Right: Matthew O’Connor and Matt Carrick, co-owners of nine Freedom Boat Club locations in MA.

To become a member of FBC, one simply pays a flat rate and a monthly fee and they receive access to 850 boats spread across 85 locations throughout the continental United States. There’s no insurance or docking fees for members. Freedom Boat Club ensures smooth sailing for its members – which currently total more than 850 in Massachusetts – whether they want to fish in Quincy, or savor watery views from Jordan Lake in North Carolina or Austin, Texas.

Founded in 1989 in Sarasota, Florida, FBC also guarantees its members’ happiness through the mandatory hands-on training the club provides. Given that more than half of FBC’s new members are new to boating themselves, staff is always on hand (and on water) to offer classroom sessions and teach members the necessary nautical know-how as many times as needed until they feel comfortable enough to sail on their own.

Membership is open to boaters of any skill set, provided they are at least 21 years of age. Once onboard, members can sail solo, bring along a special someone; even have their pet dog join them for a one-of-a-kind boating experience. Members can also make guaranteed reservations up to six months in advance.

“FBC membership is a fraction of the cost of actual boat ownership. Our members are getting access to new boats every year and new locations every year,” said Matt O’Connor. “We train you on how to use the boats. We clean the boats. You just show up, use the boats, then hop off and head for home. It’s like having keys to a boat with you wherever you go.”

For more information visit www.freedomboatclub.com.