By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Carefree Boat Club of South Jersey has teamed up with the iconic Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate for its newest location as it continues to expand at the shore in what is now its fifth season.
Carefree started in 2019 with operations in Avalon at the Commodore Bay Marina at 900 Ocean Drive and expanded into the Ocean City market in 2022 with a new location at the All-Seasons Marina at 551 Roosevelt Boulevard in neighboring Marmora.
Sean McNulty, Carefree’s co-owner and membership director, said the newly launched expansion at Ray Scott’s Dock on the bayfront at 9211 Amherst Ave. places the boat club in the heart of Margate’s restaurant and bar scene.
“This location is awesome in so many ways,” McNulty said. “The location couldn’t be better. It’s a great way to get on the water or bay.”
Members returning from fishing trips also have the option of simply dining on their own catch.
“You can go out and catch a fish, have it filleted here and then have them cook it at Betty’s Seafood Shack,” McNulty said of an eatery next to Ray Scott’s Dock.
Carefree offers its members all of the amenities and advantages of having a boat – without the hassles and steep cost of actually being an owner.
Memberships are only one-third of the cost of boat ownership. There are no slip fees, insurance costs, maintenance, repairs, taxes, towing or winterization.
The boat is in the water when members arrive, filled up with gas and ready to go. When they’re done, all they have to do is bring the boat back to the marina. There’s nothing else left for them to do, saving them from the headaches of cleaning or maintaining the boat.
Before they leave the dock, members receive personalized on-the-water safety training to familiarize them with the boats. Carefree’s trainers are certified by the National Safe Boating Council.
For Carefree’s 2023 season, there is a one-time initiation fee of $7,500, plus $550 in monthly membership dues. For this pricing, members get unlimited access to a $2 million-plus fleet of boats.
“If you were to buy the boats in our fleet new, you would be spending between $80,000 and $175,000, depending on the boat,” McNulty said.
McNulty explained that memberships are good for two people. While some boat clubs restrict membership to spouses, Carefree Boat Club includes no such limitations.
Members are free to choose the two people at Carefree. They may be spouses, family members or even two friends.
“We have a lot of people who split the membership with friends or family. A buddy in Avalon can share a membership with a buddy in Margate. They can use the boat as much as they want,” McNulty said.
The expansion to Margate fits Carefree’s demographic profile to have locations in shore towns that have a large number of vacation homeowners, McNulty pointed out.
The partnership with Ray Scott’s Dock gives Carefree a well-known location with a family-owned business that dates to the 1950s. Scott Bonar is the third-generation owner of the marina, which was founded by his grandparents, Ray and Blanche Scott, in 1958 and was formerly run by his late mother, Robin Scott, a community leader and environmental advocate.
“Scott and the rest of the employees at the marina are awesome,” McNulty said of the helpful staff. “We couldn’t be happier to partner with them.”
Bonar said the partnership with Carefree Boat Club, in turn, gives his marina customers a high-end option to choose from for their trips out on the water.
“Our business model is all about getting people on the water,” he said.
Carefree’s Margate location features three boats: A 24-foot Sailfish dual console, a 26-foot Crownline Bowrider and a 25-foot Avalon Tritoon.
The variety of boats allows members to take fishing trips, enjoy a recreational outing such as tubing or water skiing or simply have a leisurely day out on the bay or ocean.
At the Jersey Shore, Carefree’s boating season runs from Easter to Thanksgiving, giving members the spring, summer and fall to enjoy being out on the water.
South Jersey members have unlimited access to Carefree’s Avalon, Ocean City and Margate locations. Looking to the future, Carefree is planning to continue its expansion plans at the Jersey Shore by opening a Wildwood location in 2024, McNulty said.
McNulty co-owns Carefree Boat Club of South Jersey with business partner Adam Fox, a licensed charter boat captain who serves as the company’s general manager. Kodi Segich serves as manager of the Margate location.
The Avalon, Ocean City and Margate locations are part of a growing network that features more than 145 Carefree Boat Club sites in the United States and internationally.
Membership in Avalon, Ocean City and Margate gives boaters access to all Carefree locations, including Canada, the Virgin Islands, Panama and other places, up to three times a year.
McNulty noted that Carefree is evolving beyond being just a boat club as it also seeks to become more of a social club featuring an array of activities for its members, such as fishing seminars, safety training, private parties and trips to waterfront restaurants.
One outing planned for July 28 is a private party at the waterfront Deauville Inn in Strathmere. Members will travel by boat from the Avalon, Ocean City and Margate locations for the Deauville party.
On Aug. 11, Carefree members will gather for a private party at The Wharf in Wildwood. The Wharf would be the location of Carefree’s planned expansion to Wildwood in 2024.
“As we’re growing, we want to feel like a club, not just a place for reserving a boat,” McNulty said.
Also reflecting its efforts to become more than a boat club, Carefree is getting involved in charity events. For instance, it has teamed up with the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFL franchise’s fundraising foundation for autism awareness.
Carefree has started an Eagles Autism Foundation Team called “Carefree Cares.” To donate, go to https://donate.hakuapp.com/donations/new?fundraising_effort=carefree-cares.
Carefree also donated a one-year membership in the boat club as a prize during an autism awareness fundraiser organized by the Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center Jason Kelce.
For more information about Carefree Boat Club of South Jersey, visit southjersey.carefreeboats.com or call (609) 388-9009.
