Lindsey describes the group cruises as "turnkey." But it's the social side of the Vero Beach Grady Bunch that really keeps owners coming back year after year. "There's something about boating that ends up serving as a common denominator that brings together people from different business backgrounds," he says.
VERO BEACH GRADY BUNCHOwners' clubs like the Vero Beach Grady Bunch handle the logistics for long-distance cruises, leaving members free to enjoy. A seven-year club veteran, he also lauds the romantic aspects of joining an owners' group. "It has definitely kept me from getting a divorce," he jokes, adding more seriously, "It has given [me and my wife] a focal point of something we both enjoy." The Grady Bunch has also spawned at least one marriage.
BRAND CENTRAL
Many boat dealerships across the country have similar clubs, providing a rich aftermarket experience for their customers. The more active and energetic the dealer, the better the club – which usually translates to more repeat business for the dealership, a win-win situation.
However, most of these groups do not provide the online component that allows you to share knowledge and experiences with boat owners in other areas. For that, you need a brand-focused owners' group that is organized either by the manufacturer that builds your boat or by an independent party, typically a fellow owner.
C-Brats is such a club – and a very popular one – for owners of the salty, Pacific Northwest-built C-Dory line of small, tough cruisers.
VERO BEACH GRADY BUNCHMembers of the Vero Beach Grady Bunch at play.
"We are completely independent of C-Dory, although we have a great relationship with them," says C-Brats organizer Bill Giese. The manufacturer provides a link to the club site on its home page.
A look at the graphic "C-Brat Map" on the club's website shows members across the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as western Canada. This group posts and hosts dozens of owners' rendezvous and cruises in various regions throughout the year. A "Market Place" has members' ads for used boats and equipment, and robust interactive forums allow members to swap advice and technical information.
"Our site slogan makes it clear how we run things: 'No Rules, Just Be Nice,'" says Giese. "Unlike other sites, we rarely have discussions that turn hostile or heated, and people with different backgrounds and beliefs tend to get along just fine. In our four-plus-year history, with over 3,000 registered owners and over 100,000 posts, we've found it necessary to ban one user."
