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Boat Club Leaves Members Stranded and Still Charging
11 Sep
Summary
- Carefree Boat Club closed Treasure Coast, Gulf Coast, and North Florida locations.
- Members paid up to $4,000 initiation and $500 monthly, with some still billed.
- The company cited rising costs as reason for abrupt closures without notice.
Carefree Boat Club announced in September 2026 the closure of its Treasure Coast, Gulf Coast, and North Florida locations. The company cited escalating expenses, including insurance and fleet maintenance, as the reason for these abrupt shutdowns. Members reported being charged a significant $4,000 initiation fee and monthly subscriptions that could reach $500.
Former members indicated that the Fort Pierce location closed in June 2026, with other Treasure Coast sites following in August, all without prior notification. Astonishingly, some members continued to be charged after the closures ceased operations. Company representatives declined to comment on potential refunds for superfluous charges.
In a statement, Vice President Frank Fahringer suggested that members whose local clubs closed could book at other operating locations. However, he directed specific questions about fees to the individual clubs. Another boat club, JetRide Boat Club, also ceased operations in Florida on September 1, 2026.
Several members shared frustrating experiences. Robert Miller noted a broken boat reservation in May 2026 and continued monthly charges for months afterward, eventually receiving only a partial refund. Nelson Nieves, who paid a $4,000 initiation fee and $500 monthly, disputed charges through his bank. Anthony DePalo also had to cancel his membership via his bank after discovering the club was closed but still taking payments.
