JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a new era for Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville & St. Augustine. Both Northeast Florida locations have changed ownership and transformed from corporate locations of the nation's largest members-only boat club to franchises.

The new franchise ownership team is comprised of Jacksonville residents Lisa Almeida and Kevin Seelig, who have both worked for Freedom Boat Club for years.

Seelig, a University of North Florida M.B.A. student with close to a decade of boating and marine maintenance experience, will handle day-to-day operations at both locations.

Almeida, a skilled business executive with 25+ years of sales and marketing experience, and a long time boater, will serve as director of sales and marketing.

Seelig guaranteed they would work diligently to meet, and even exceed, the Club's high standard of customer service, while growing the business locally.

"Our long-term plan is to continue to grow our fleet and provide members a wide choice of boats to choose from," Almeida said. "And we're always focused on bringing the best boating experience possible to each and every one our Club members."

The Club boasts more than a dozen boats, including deck boats, bow riders, center console fishing boats and more. It also grants Club members unparalleled access to over 60 locations across the nation.

"We have boats for in-shore, off-shore and flats fishing that can be used anywhere — from fishing on the Intracoastal Waterway or pleasure cruising on the St. Johns River," Seelig said.

Blue-water boaters can also access St. Augustine through the city's inlet and proceed to the Camachee Cove Marina. They can even anchor out in the shadow of the Castillo de San Marcos, the Spanish fortress built in 1672.

Creating a boating community in North Florida is a passion for both Seelig and Almeida. "Whether the club is volunteering to share the joy of boating with some charitable organization, or just bringing boating to families in a very affordable way, the Club's strong sense of community is central to its core mission," Almeida said. That's why they've organized multiple social gatherings and parties for current members and prospective Club members. An updated list of gatherings is available on the Club's Facebook page.

Like the company's motto says, "The boat is waiting."

How does Freedom Boat Club work?

The Club provides its members with a fleet of boats that come with less stress and a lower price tag than owning a single boat. They clean, maintain, store, and do all the prep work for the members' enjoyment. There are no hassles like dock fees, insurance or trailers. Instead, the members spend their time having fun on the water. Members receive unlimited privileges at both area locations, plus over 60 other U.S. locations. 

Whenever members want to enjoy the water, they simply:

Call or reserve online and select a vessel. Boats are fully prepped, gassed and clean waiting for the member's arrival. Then they can simply hop on and enjoy the day. 

When members are done, all they have to do is drop the boat off. There is no clean-up, storage, maintenance or other related chores. Seelig said, "The awesome part is that it gives families the ability to spend time on the water, and more time together on and off the water."

More information is available online at the Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville website.

SOURCE Freedom Boat Club

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http://www.freedomboatclub.com