Spending time on the water creates priceless memories and teaches invaluable lessons. And Carefree Boat Club has a long history of bringing families together, just look at the Wolff family!
Roland, Muriel, their three sons, daughter and son-in-law are all owners of various Carefree Boat Club locations and it’s all thanks to Justin Wolff. Justin and his wife Oxana have always loved boating and when they moved from Chicago, IL to Charlotte, NC they looked into buying a boat. However, taking on the responsibility of boat ownership while expecting a baby wasn’t in the cards. After speaking with a few different boat clubs in Charlotte, they decided on Carefree, which was located close to their home. The concept of “boating without owning” fit into their lives. Justin and Oxana loved being members of Carefree Boat Club and really enjoyed the hassle free nature of the club. They thought it was so great and were so passionate about it that people started saying “start your own club.” So, they did just that. Justin, Oxana and their family moved to Seattle, WA, where they opened the Seattle Carefree Boat Club location. Seattleites live healthy lifestyles, they are active, they live green and they are invested in keeping their streets, the water, and the ocean clean. The idea of sharing in Seattle is hugely popular and sharing boats is an extension of that.
Roland grew up on the water and purchased his first boat with a friend in college. His wife Muriel and he spent summers with her parents on Lake Geneva and they would always take their kids boating throughout their childhood (they lived on lakes and owned a variety of boats). In short, the Wolff family has been boating for generations. Justin would always tell his father, “Dad, get rid of your boats and join the club.” When Justin became an owner of a Carefree Boat Club location, Roland and his son-in-law Paul wanted in on the action. In 2015 they started Milwaukee and this year they are adding Lake Geneva and Delavan Lake.
In 2013 Justin was a member of the Lake Norman club in North Carolina. In August that year he and Oxana visited his family in Chicago for the weekend. One of the days he was there, Justin reserved a boat at the Chicago Club and took his favorite/only sister and her boyfriend (now husband) on a boat ride in downtown Chicago. When he asked what boat they wanted to take, it piqued Paul’s interest. It was Paul’s first experience with Carefree Boat Club and they had an absolute blast on the water. He was shocked to learn that they didn’t have to clean up at the end of the day!
The spring of 2015 Roland asked Paul if he wanted to get involved in ownership and he couldn’t resist! As a financial advisor and now boat club owner, Paul realized quickly that people are more excited about joining Carefree Boat Club than planning for their retirement. They are looking forward to this year’s opening days: April 1st for Milwaukee & Delavan Lake and May 15th for Lake Geneva (dependent on Mother Nature, of course).
Brendan and Connor Wolff were also introduced to Carefree Boat Club by Justin. After watching their dad open the Milwaukee location and learning more about the concept and the business, the brothers decided they needed to open their own location! April 1st is the target opening date for their San Francisco Bay location. They’re working hard to get the club ready and have a few boats, slips, and employees. They are also participating in and attending boat shows. Brendan and Connor may also open another location or two (in the San Francisco Delta and/or in Sacramento), so keep your eyes out for that announcement!
Images courtesy of Oxana Wolff and Paul Standring
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