Club brings new concept to Lake Winnipesaukee, annual fee provides access to boats without the responsibility of ownership

LACONIA — Akwa Marina Yacht Club, located at the Weirs, is embarking upon a new venture this year aimed at people who would like to have access to a boat but who don't want to deal with the costs and chores associated with boat ownership.

Called the "American Boat Club of NH," the new company, which will be administered by the yacht club, offers its members access to a fleet of boats for an annual fee that, by their analysis, is a fraction of the annual ownership costs of owning boats such as those in its fleet.

It's not a novel idea, Kurt Mailloux said.

Mailloux, a manager of the yacht club and son of Dick Mailloux, the yacht club's owner, said the business model has been in use for decades. However, the American Boat Club of NH will be the first such operation on Lake Winnipesaukee.

After paying a one-time $4,000 initiation fee, which is being waived for the first several members, club members will pay a $3,600 annual fee. For that amount, they will be able to reserve a boat for a day. When they arrive to use the boat, it will be cleaned, its gas tank will be full and it will be otherwise ready for a day on the big lake.

When they've had enough boating for the day, members re-fill the gas tank, replacing the gas they've used, and return the boat. Yacht club staff will take care of all the chores associated with boat ownership: cleaning, buttoning the cover, mechanical maintenance.

"Now it's our headache," said Mailloux.

And because the boat club is located at the marina, members also don't have to concern themselves with launching and loading the boat onto a trailer or renting a boat slip. The marina will provide insurance for the boat and club members piloting it.

Mailloux said club members must be at least 18 years old and have a safe boater's certificate. Yacht club staff will show members how to use each boat as required. The club will start its first season with a fleet of four boats: a 240 Sea Ray Sundancer, a 210 Sea Ray Select, a 22 Berkshire Pontoon and for the fishermen an AlumiCraft Navigator. All boats will be outfitted with GPS systems to keep unfamiliar boaters from wandering into some of Winnipesaukee's more treacherous sections.

More boats will be added to the fleet to keep pace with membership. Mailloux said the club will seek to maintain a ratio of one boat for every five members. Members can reserve boats by using the club's website, by calling the yacht club or by visiting the yacht club's office. Up to four reservations may be placed at any given time. Aside from the cost to refill the gas tank, there is no per-use fee.

Of those who have already signed up for the club, Mailloux said about half are local residents and half live in Massachusetts. Some of them are new to boating and see the club as a chance to try different types of vessels, other members have previously owned boats and appreciate the headaches they're avoiding through the club. One of the members owns a boat but joined solely to have access to the fishing boat – his wife would prefer if he didn't fish with the boat they own. "It really is a mixed bag, everyone has their own reasons," Mailloux said.

The American Boat Club of NH will loan out its first boat on May 15.

CAPTION with BOAT CLUB in AA:

Kurt Mailloux, a manager at Akwa Marina Yacht Club, unsnaps the cover of one of the four boats that will constitute the fleet of the American Boat Club of NH, which seeks to offer the benefits of boat ownership without the hassles. (Laconia Daily Sun photo/Adam Drapcho)