By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
There’s a new boat club in town, and you don’t even need a boat to join. That’s right, international brand Carefree Boat Club is expanding to Ocean City.
Sean McNulty, membership director (and co-owner with Adam Fox) of the South Jersey franchise, which includes a club in Avalon. The Ocean City branch will offer six boats and a couple jetskis. The fleet will offer yachts, pontoons, inflatables, and even a twin-engine center console vessel, perfect for offshore fishing. Each boat will allow for towing, in case you were interested in water-skiing or tubing. “Unlike other Carefree Boat Clubs, we will have more boats available for guests, at a ratio of eight boats per member instead of ten to one,” said McNulty.
The boat club will be located at All-Seasons Marina on the base of the 34th street bridge. The club will officially open May 15 and remain open until Thanksgiving. On May 8th, McNulty will host an open house for potential members. The open house will include a tour of the marina and refreshments for guests. The Ocean City branch will cap membership at 50 members so that everyone will have fair opportunities to reserve each boat.
Members will be able to enjoy fishing or a lazy day on the bay without the demands of being a boat owner, like insurance, dock fees, fuel, cleaning or maintenance. Yet, members can enjoy the perks of boat life, including unlimited use and wide selection of vessels, assistance for club staff, boating education, and the ability to reserve a boat or rent one in the “spur of the moment.”
“We wanna give members the feel of a yacht or country club,” said McNulty. “We offer white glove service and make members feel luxurious or powerful.”
Due to inflation, supply-chain interruptions and rising fuel prices, water lovers are unable to purchase boats in the same way they could a few years ago. Carefree Boat Club understands that problem and hopes to offer a solution. New members will be asked to make a one-time payment and then pay a monthly fee.
McNulty remembers with a smile his summers growing up in Avalon, where his family would spend sunny days on the water. After working in business development and sales, he moved to South Jersey full-time to run the boat club, and says that he finds joy in applying his business expertise to recreation in a beautiful area.
“I have lived in Australia, Europe and Thailand,” said McNulty. “You may take your home for granted, but don’t forget that we live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. People love South Jersey because of the beaches, and I am excited to show them another wondrous side: the waters.”
If you are interested in joining the Ocean City or Avalon Carefree Boat Club, you can schedule a tour with Sean McNulty by emailing him at sean@sjboatclub.com or visiting the company’s website at southjersey.carefreeboats.com.
Sarah Fertsch is a writer and artist who has recently moved back to South Jersey. She loves satire, a good cup of coffee, and exploring new places.
