DISCOVER THE FREEDOM OF BOATING
Enhance your summer with a new Penticton-based boat sharing program.
Freedom Boat Club, an exclusive membership-based boat sharing program allowing access to a fleet of late modelyear recreational boats, will now be available along the shores of Skaha Lake, offering the chance for visitors and local residents to expand their summer outdoor adventures to the water.
Recently franchised through Skaha Lake Marina in Penticton with membership currently available for the 2021 boating season, Freedom Boat Club is considered one of the largest boat programs of its kind. It has more than 60,000 members across 250-plus locations in 30 U.S. States, Canada, and Europe.
Already successful in other regions of BC including Port Moody and North Vancouver (with another location opening in Victoria), the Freedom Boat Club programs are proving to be an effective means of enjoying the boating lifestyle, minus the initial investment of a new boat model, and the variety of associated costs.
“I bought into the franchise as not everyone can justify buying a costly wakeboard boat, pontoon, or runabout, but they still want to enjoy the boating lifestyle,” said Randy Gallagher, operator of Skaha Lake Marina. “A membership with the Freedom Boat Club allows them to do that. Our fleet of boats are no more than three years old so those joining the Freedom Boat Club are guaranteed to have top quality models at their disposal throughout the boating season on Skaha Lake.”
Gallagher explained its fleet for this year includes a Super Air Nautique G23, 20’ Campion Allante runabout (with a 150 hp outboard), plus two pontoons including a 22’ South Bay (with a 150 hp outboard) and 22’ SunChaser (with a 115 hp outboard).
With two programs including a Weekday Plan and Freedom Plan, both share many benefits including: • The ability to make four reservations at one time
(which is recommended and same-day booking is possible if a boat is available).
• Access to a variety of water toys.
• Access to models at Freedom Boat Club locations across North America and Europe.
• A ten percent discount on fuel at Skaha Lake Marina.
The only difference between the two programs is the Freedom Plan offers use of the boats seven days of the week while the Weekday Plan, as the term implies, allows use of the models only during the week. Regardless, scheduling is flexible (reservations are made by phone or online) and is devised to ensure that a maximum amount of time can be enjoyed on the water for members during the season.
Each model also comes equipped with the mandatory safety gear and as the 22’ SunChaser is equipped with downriggers and a depth sounder for fishing, it rounds out the variety of activities members can enjoy including wakesurfing, wakeboarding, tubing, or simply cruising and anchoring on the lake.
“Once someone joins the Freedom Boat Club, they can make reservations right away and hit the water,” says Gallagher. “They show up, they use the boat, and they bring it back – all members need to pay for is the fuel they use. We look after everything else including cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and storage. A membership at the Freedom Boat Club really simplifies boating.”
Gallagher continued to explain that to adhere to Canadian boating laws and regulations, all new members must have a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (POC) boater licence from Transport Canada to operate any of the boats. Once they have taken the online course, passed the exam and a POC has been issued, members will then be provided with a minimum of four hours on-water training by the marina’s certified staff (if any further training is required, additional training is available at no cost).
One key selling feature of the Freedom Boat Club in the area is the lake, Skaha Lake Marina, and the surrounding region. The marina is located in Skaha Lake Park, which has more than 21 acres of beach, scenic parklands, and easy access to and from the water. It’s also been named one of the top 20 beaches in Canada. A plethora of services, accommodations, and campgrounds are close by as well.
Although not as large as Okanagan Lake to the north, Skaha is appealing for locals and visitors alike. It has a length of approximately 12 km (7.5 mi), width of more than 2 km (1.2 mi), and an average depth of 26 m (85 ft).
In all, the lake covers an area of about 20 km (12 mi), providing plenty of opportunities for extensive wakesurfing runs or to find an anchorage to relax at all afternoon. It’s also popular among anglers. According to local fishing guides, downrigging for rainbows or kokanee salmon are popular targets while the lake also inhabits smallmouth bass that always put up a good fight.
“We are getting a lot of interest from people so far,” says Gallagher. “Skaha is a beautiful lake and is extremely popular in the summer. The Freedom Boat Club is the perfect program in the area for locals, those who have summer residences, or visitors on a vacation who want to extend their summer activities on the water for good value.”
For more information about membership visit www.freedomboatclub.com or www.skahamarina.com