Boat club concept continues to grow

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Palisades has launched The Palisades Boat Club, a private boat club that allows members access to a variety of boats without owning one.

The company said its club allows members to avoid “the hard work and time commitment involved with owning or maintaining their own cruiser, runabout or deck boat” at an annual cost that “averages roughly half of owning and maintaining one boat.”

Club members have access to several boats, the boat club explained. After an initiation fee, monthly dues and the cost of fuel, there are no hourly or usage fees.

“The Palisades Boat Club offers access to the boating lifestyle, and boating fun on Lake Wylie, without the time commitment involved with keeping a boat,” said Josh Ricker, founder and owner of The Palisades Boat Club. “When you are done boating for the day, you are done. You can drop the boat off at the marina and go home. For those wanting to own a boat, access has become difficult. Slips are scarce and boat ramps on the weekend are a challenge all their own. The Boat Club offers Palisades area residents quick access to boating on the lake despite that.”

The Palisades Boat Club is located at Pier 49 Marina at the Buster Boyd Bridge in Charlotte, N.C. Membership includes boat safety training classes, plus help finding locations on the lake to boat, fish and even camp out, according to the company.

The club’s fleet includes a Monterey 28 foot Cabin Cruiser; a Campion 645 Alante 23’ Runabout Open Bow; a Campion 595 Alante 20’ Runabout Open Bow; a Hurricane 20’ deck boat with removable fishing chairs and trolling motor and a 20’ Pontoon boat is on the way. Although the club is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. until the gas dock shuts down, members can keep boats beyond regular hours and even overnight for campouts.

“We’re very pleased to offer this unique concept,” said Jim Medall, president of Rhein Medall Communities. “Now our residents, as well as residents of the general Palisades area, can enjoy boat access to the lake within minutes of their home. This is also a great opportunity to expand boating access to the lake without having an environmental impact, as we will be using an existing marina.”

The number of annual memberships is limited. Memberships are available to the general public, on a first come, first serve basis, although Palisades residents have priority as memberships fill up, the company stated.

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