Dear Marybeth and Mitch,
This summer I was out on a friend’s boat and remembered how much I love being out on the water. So I started to ask my friends about buying a boat, and what they said is, “the two best days are when you buy your boat, and when you sell it.” Needless to say, I heeded their warning and started researching alternate ways to get on the water.
I typed into Google “Boat Clubs” and Carefree Boat Club came right up. I read the website and thought it was way too good to be true. But I figured, what the heck, let’s reach out to them.
Mitch answered the phone and I’ll never forget, he pulled over on the side of the road to speak with me and answer all my questions. He didn’t rush me and was extremely personable.
He followed up with me as promised sending me all the details for the boat club, Saturday boat training classes and references (I was not an easy sale). I hemmed and hawed and even had a friend who is a lawyer review the contract because, again, I kept thinking, this is just too good to be true.
A few weeks later (see above about not being an easy sale), I finally signed the contract and a few weeks into being a “founding member” of the Carefree Boat Club, I can honestly say, it really is too good to be true…it’s FANTASTIC.
I spent a Saturday morning with Mitch doing our on the water training. He was patient, helpful, informative and never made me feel like a beginner. He let me practice docking more than a dozen times, always with me promising it was going to be my last try…and then asking if I could try once more.
Since then, I’ve taken 2 boats out and everything has been seamless from start to finish. The reservation system is easy. I was on a waitlist for this past Sunday, September 24th, and was able to secure a boat last minute. Marybeth was on email immediately regarding a question I had for a reservation. Mark and Evan at the docks are always smiling, friendly and so helpful…especially with docking since that is something I am still learning…but practice makes perfect and they are ALWAYS beyond willing and able to help/teach.
This past Sunday, it was just us girls on the boat, myself, my daughter, my two girlfriends and their daughters – it was awesome to be out there. We anchored and enjoyed a leisure afternoon. The girls were jumping off the boat, swimming to shore at Island Beach in Greenwich and coming back.
I can’t say enough amazing things about Mitch, Marybeth, Sara, Mark and Evan…I’m sure there are so many other people who I have yet to meet who help make Carefree so easy and carefree. Best decision I ever made was to join this club.
-Alessia, Stamford
Dear Mary Beth and Mitch,
As our first season comes to a close as members of the Carefree Boat Club, it is with great pleasure that we write this letter endorsing the club.
As former boat owners, we are thrilled to be back on the water. Carefree makes it easy for us! The training courses, both on land and water, the captains and the staff, all did a great job refreshing our skills and teaching us new ones. The high quality, condition and comfort of the boats is exceptional. The boats available appeal to recreational boaters, families, and fisher-people alike. The online reservation system is very efficient and user-friendly. Of course, we appreciate being able to call anytime as well, to get any question answered. And, it is carefree….no hoses, cleaning, pumping gas, or maintenance!
We cannot say enough about the team at Carefree. It is a wonderful group of individuals. All are happy to help, take pride in their work and genuinely look out for us. We will never forget how Mitch handled our “weather” situation one evening. We went out with another couple on the boat to a restaurant. The weather changed suddenly and we were uncertain as to getting back safely. We spoke with Mitch, who said safety is number one priority. “Leave the boat and I will get it in the morning. Take a cab home!”
We have had a great summer! We have enjoyed more than 50 outings on the Sound, some with friends and neighbors, and some just the two of us. It has been a lot of fun exploring ports and restaurants, coves and swimming holes on both sides of LI Sound. We look forward to many more happy seasons in the Carefree Boat Club.
-Larry and Barbara, Stamford
Hi Marybeth and Mitch,
Reaching out to let you know that the Carefree experience has been outstanding! You have both been so accommodating and flexible in making this first season a winner. The dock masters are also terrific making launch and return so easy and seamless. Variety and quality of boats is awesome. This past Fri, Sat and Sunday I was able to get on the water through a combo of reservations and walk on openings with available boats. Weather was stellar and Carefree helped make it perhaps the best my best weekend of the year. I’ve been spreading the word about Carefree.
Thanks again!
All the best,
Steve
My wife and I joined last month and we keep saying to each other that is was the smartest thing we have ever done (and we mean it)! I can not tell you how much this has made our life better. The boats are beautiful, and just about always available. Great electronics (fish finders!) The people that work here are great. It’s actually a beautiful marina here in Bridgeport. All of a sudden we have more friends then we used to. They gave us extensive training on safety and basic boating practices. We have been boating for 30 years but the advise and info we got helped. Yesterday Oct. I caught 2 striped bass, a 17 lb bluefish and lots of porgies for dinner. Lou will tell you where to go to catch fish, or anything else you want to ask him… He knows just about everything about the local waters, etc. My grown son and his girlfriend and my grown daughter and husband are now hanging with us, instead of going out with their friends! Today we are taking the boat “Knot Mine” out and we are going to go to dinner in Port Jefferson and then sleep overnight on the boat. How can you beat that! When they signed us up, everything they said was completely true, and its way nicer then I could have imagined when we signed up.
-Ken, Black Rock
We are so happy we joined the Carefree Boat Club. My husband got his boat license, got lessons on all the boats and attended the navigation classes. We are getting to know the Long Island Sound, boated on the Connecticut River and even took a boat out in Marina Del Ray in California which was the highlight of our trip! Going out on the boats this summer was really carefree. All the employees and even the owner Mitch, have helped us carry our stuff to the boat, and go out safely every time. This is the best thing we have done for summer fun. Thanks Carefree for giving us the opportunity to go boating without all the work.
-Gladys, Black Rock
We have had such an amazing experience! We joined in July and have loved being a member. The boats are extremely well kept. It’s great not having any of the hassle of owning a boat. The staff and owners are very accommodating and great to work with. They help with loading and unloading, and even getting spiky fish out of the holding tank when your net is too big to scoop them out! When boats go out of commission (unfortunately there have been a few boater captain “malfunctions” this season), the staff has been great with helping find alternative boats. We love being able to take boats out of multiple locations. We recommend to all of our friends and family.
-Tuesday, Westport
By far, the best decision we have made in retirement to date! I can write a book about why this Club makes so much sense! My wife and I boated on great south bay in Long island in the 70’s. Now retired, we did NOT want to buy, maintain, slip, repair, insure or pay property taxes on a boat. Solution: Care Free Boat Club of Southern CT. I took the State Class and got a license. I received FREE on the water training from the Club’s Captain John Davis, I received FREE Seamanship Seminar Training, I received FREE twin engine training given by the Club’s owner Mitch. We are treated like family when we arrive and depart. The crew helps us load and unload the boat. The boats are always spotless and well maintained with a great variety of boats and multiple locations. I talk about this program to everyone I meet. It is truly CARE FREE! Thank you!!!
-Pat, Black Rock
I concur with what my husband says and more. We have owned many boats during our marriage — never again. No more maintenance, property taxes, storage fees, trailering, and even cleaning. Customer service is where Carefree exceeds expectations. Although we had our safe boating certificates and licenses, the on-water training program was extremely helpful in reinforcing safety and always having a plan. Every member of the staff has been exceedingly polite and helpful. Best part: our kids love hanging with us!
-Barbara, Black Rock
