Freedom Boat Club accelerates northeast expansion; acquires Connecticut franchise operation and territory

Freedom Boat Club

Oct 26, 2021

Freedom Boat Club, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has announced that it has acquired its Freedom Boat Club of Connecticut franchise operation and territory from the current owners. The acquisition includes all current Connecticut-based locations, as well as the rights to expand and build new club locations in the territory. Currently, there are seven Freedom Boat Club locations across the Connecticut coastline from Stamford to Mystic, with plans for continued expansion ahead of the 2022 boating season.

Freedom Boat Club entered the Connecticut market in 2016 and has been very successful in attracting new boaters to its shared-access participation model under the leadership of marine industry veterans, Richard Cromwell and Peter DeVilbiss. Membership at the Connecticut club locations has consistently grown at a double-digit percentage annual rate over the past 6 years, a testament to the owners and staff, all of whom are intended to be retained during the transition.

“The acquisition of the Connecticut franchise and territory is consistent with our strategic plans to accelerate growth in markets that present tremendous opportunity to expand the Freedom brand,” said Cecil Cohn, Freedom Boat Club Network president. “The current franchise owners have done an exceptional job of providing a strong foundation for growth with best-in-class operations, as well as attracting a loyal and passionate membership base. Through this acquisition and our recent acquisition of the New York territory, we will continue to expand our footprint across the Northeast region and within the largest metropolitan market in the United States.”

“Brunswick Corporation and Freedom Boat Club have both been fantastic partners to us over the years and we’re thrilled to see their continued success in the market,” said Richard Cromwell. “As long-time participants in the marine industry, we know our members will be in great hands under Freedom’s leadership and look forward to seeing many of our members on the water during the 2022 boating season.”

This announcement marks the fourth boat club acquisition made by Brunswick Corporation in 2021, following the purchase of Fanautic Club and its 23 Spanish locations in July, the New York territory in early April and the Chicago territory in early March. Freedom Boat Club now operates corporate-owned clubs in nine territories that span Connecticut; Southwest Florida; Southeast Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; Long Island, New York; Milwaukee; and the United Kingdom.

 

Related Posts





BC Ferries: Queen of Surrey out of Commission until Jan 28th amid Proposed BC Ferries Expansion

NMEA

By Mathew Channer

BC Ferries vessel Queen of Surrey is expected to remain out of commission until the end of the month, according to BC Ferries.

The vessel, which has been in service for more than 40 years, was pulled from the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale service on January 1st to undergo repairs to its propulsion system.

Read More




Need to Catch up on News This Week?

Every Tuesday we publish a fresh Digest with informative articles pertaining to the Canadian boating and marine industry. Stay up to date with the latest products, research and industry developments.

Missed an Issue of Boating Industry Canada News Week? If you’re looking for a specific issue, or simply want to catch up on previous issues, check out our Boating Industry Canada News Week Archives.

Not signed up for News Week? Subscribe here.



Kropf Industrial Delivers First All-Electric Travel Lift

Kropf Industrial, manufacturer of the industry-leading Conolift line of boat handling equipment, is excited to announce that its first all-electric travel lift is now in service in Ontario. The advanced design has eliminated both the diesel power unit and the hydraulic system, yielding a simplified machine that is quiet, and free from emissions and the risk of spills.

Read More



Mercury Marine enhances Joystick Piloting capabilities, laying the groundwork for an exciting future in effortless autonomous boating

Hubbell-Marine Stainless steel outlet covers

Mercury Marine®, a division of Brunswick Corporation has announced a software update for its SmartCraft®operating system that gives Joystick Piloting powerful new capabilities. The system can now automatically counteract the effects of wind, waves and current while a boater is driving with the joystick, giving them the ability to dock and maneuver with effortless precision.

Read More