More women driving boats is great as long as they don't drive as bad as half of the fools (mostly Male) on Lake Minnetonka. If you want a good laugh in the summer, go to one of the boat launches on a nice summer day on Minnetonka and watch people try to put their boat in or out of the water. Or better yet, sit at Lord Fletchers and watch them try to dock their boat, it’s comical. Back to the article, I was always wondering who joined those clubs, now I get it.

Idahlke, why don't you try to put a boat in the water once and see how funny it is. Real nice! As far as the rental places, if you really enjoy boating you will save a TON of money by just buying one outright. If you're that worried buy new and you wont have to worry about putting the first ding in the gelcoat or rub rail. Just practice and have some patience, the joys of owning a boat are incomporable.

geckojay: if I have to buy a car that can tow a boat, that'll cost me (my Prius can't tow squat). I'd need a place to store the boat, not cheap (can't keep it here, no room and not legal in my neighborhood). Actually, not everyone saves money by buying a boat they only want to use a few times a year. I think it's great to have options for people who don't want to maintain a boat, deal with storage and so on. Oh, and I totally agree w/ idahike about those fools on Lake MTKA. Terrible examples of boating.

If you've never owned a boat but want to try this is a great deal. If after some time you discover you really like it then can take the plunge and spent the thousands needed. On the other hand, if you spend the thousands up front and then discover you really don't want it, you have the hassle of trying to sell your boat (at a significant loss).

I suppose if your current vehicle can't tow that's one story. I just have to laugh when these clubs try to prove how much money they save people when the reality is if you buy a boat you actually own something of value at the end, unlike with the clubs. If fools want to spend in excess of $5k a year for a few boat trips well I guess that is there perogative but with the same money you could OWN outright a decent used boat in a couple of years. Storage and maintenance isn't that expensive folks.

Best television ad ever is the Miller High Life ad while the guy drinks a High Life while watching his neighbor in a Range Rover try to back his boat into the driveway.

I have to beg my wife to drive our boat. Same with the car.

Boat club with annual fees. Smart idea by whoever started this.

It's similar to leasing an automobile. 2 years of no hassles and at the end you walk away. Some people might want to try a summer of boating before buying a boat. Other people might want a pontoon one week and a runabout the next.

Idahlke, Memeorial weekend and those first weekends in June are the best. You would think people at least try to practice backing up before getting to the ramp. This year should be particularly good with the rule that you can't have your drain plug in until launching the boat.