7 common misconceptions about boat subscriptions
The boat subscription is intriguing.
It is as appealing as it is puzzling.
For many boaters, especially those who have always owned a boat, the concept of subscription remains surrounded by preconceived notions: too expensive, too restrictive, not "free" enough, not suitable for enthusiasts...
At Liberty Pass, we talk every week with experienced sailors, busy executives, families, and sea enthusiasts. And one thing comes up time and time again: the obstacles are almost always based on preconceived ideas, not facts.
Here are the seven most common misconceptions about boat subscriptions, and above all, why they don't hold water.
Misconception #1: "A boat subscription is bound to be more expensive."
❌ The myth
Subscription is often perceived as a premium service reserved for an elite, and therefore automatically more expensive than owning your own boat.
✅ Reality
This view overlooks one essential point: the actual cost of a boat is never limited to its purchase price.
A boat is also:
- the annual review
- insurance
- the harbor
- wintering
- unexpected repairs
- the time spent managing all of this.
With a Liberty Pass subscription, everything is included.
You pay a clear, fixed budget, with no unpleasant surprises.
Result: for many boaters, the actual annual cost is lower, especially if you sail regularly but reasonably.
Misconception #2: "I'm going to be hired on a long-term basis."
❌ The myth
Many people still associate subscriptions with rigid, long-term contracts that are difficult to cancel.
✅ Reality
One of the pillars of the Liberty Pass subscription is precisely flexibility.
Unlike property:
- no 10- or 15-year commitment
- no long-term credit
- no resale dependency.
You choose a plan that suits your lifestyle and subscribe for one year, renewable if you wish.
Misconception #3: "I'll never really feel at home on the boat."
❌ The myth
Some people think that a subscription boat is impersonal and lacking in attachment because it does not belong to a single person.
✅ Reality
At Liberty Pass, you subscribe to a specific boat.
This boat becomes your reference boat for one year :
- you know him perfectly well,
- you get your bearings on board,
- you are still in the same boat.
This continuity creates real browsing comfort, very similar to the feeling of ownership, without the constraints.
But above all, there is one essential point that is often overlooked: the other subscribers also take care of the boat.
Why?
Because they too are subscribers on this ship and consider it their boat.
This is not a one-off rental, but a responsible shared use, where everyone respects the boat as if it were their own.
Result:
- a clean, well-maintained, respected boat,
- an atmosphere of trust,
- and a genuine feeling of being "at home" every time you go out.
You can thus rediscover the pleasure of a familiar boat, cherished by a community of committed subscribers, without the mental burden or constraints of ownership.
Misconception #4: "It's complicated to book and use."
❌ The myth
Boat registration is sometimes perceived as an administrative nightmare : too many rules, too many steps, too many constraints before you can even cast off.
✅ Reality
At Liberty Pass, everything has been designed to simplify access to navigation.
The principle is deliberately clear and fluid:
- You are subscribed to a specific boat
- You have a simple application
- Book your outing in just a few clicks, depending on available slots
- On D-Day, the boat is ready to sail.
No negotiations, no repeated paperwork, no contract to sign each time you go out.
If necessary, your Liberty Pass coach is there to support you, especially at the beginning, so that each member can find their bearings with confidence.
For many subscribers, it is precisely this ease of use that makes all the difference and allows them to browse more often, even with a busy schedule.
Misconception #5: "It's not for true boating enthusiasts."
❌ The myth
The idea that the subscription would be reserved for beginners or "occasional" boaters.
✅ Reality
In practice, many Liberty Pass subscribers are experienced surfers.
Why?
Because they understood one essential thing: what matters is not owning a boat, but sailing more often and more serenely.
Fewer constraints = more trips out to sea.
Less management = more enjoyment.
Misconception #6: "I won't really be able to share the boat."
❌ The myth
Some people imagine overly strict rules that prevent them from enjoying the boat with their loved ones, or equate the subscription to a "time-share" system, like in real estate, where you share a property without ever knowing if it will actually be available when you want it.
Another common fear is that "the boat will never be available when I want to sail.".
✅ Reality
The Liberty Pass subscription is designed both for sharing and for fairness among subscribers.
Unlike a timeshare system (as in real estate), the Liberty Pass subscription is not based on fixed weeks or vague rights: access to the boat is organized to remain truly available to every subscriber.
Of course, the boat is meant to be shared:
- couples' outings,
- family time,
- sailing trips with friends.
But Liberty Pass goes further with a token system.
This system allows:
- to prevent a single subscriber from blocking all slots on the boat,
- to ensure balanced access to the boat for all subscribers,
- to preserve the spirit of sharing and mutual respect.
Each outing uses tokens, which naturally encourages reasonable, smooth, and fair use of the boat, while allowing for a great deal of freedom in organization.
Result:
- the boat remains available,
- subscribers feel respected,
- and everyone can enjoy it peacefully with their loved ones.
The boat thus remains a space of freedom, conviviality, and shared pleasure, just as it would be if it were privately owned... but with a smart framework that ensures balance between everyone, without conflict or frustration.
Misconception #7: "Boat subscriptions are just a fad."
❌ The myth
Some still see boat subscriptions as a passing trend, a "new" concept that could disappear as quickly as it appeared.
✅ Reality
In reality, subscription is already deeply rooted in consumer habits, far beyond boating.
Today, we operate on a subscription basis for:
- sports (gyms, clubs, supervised activities),
- leisure activities,
- mobility,
- everyday services.
This model is no longer perceived as a constraint, but as a reassuring, simple, and flexible framework, which allows you to engage in an activity without the hassle of management.
Boating is following exactly the same trend.
Boaters are now looking for:
- more freedom in their practice,
- fewer logistical and mental constraints,
- more simplicity in accessing their passion.
In this context, boat subscriptions are not a sudden break with tradition, but a logical continuation with what people are already experiencing in other areas of their lives.
Liberty Pass does not create an artificial trend.
It applies to boating a model that has already been adopted and understood, adapting it to the specificities of recreational boating.
The result: a smoother, more modern browsing experience that is more in tune with current practices, where the focus is on experience and enjoyment... rather than ownership at any cost.
What if true luxury was simplicity?
Most preconceived notions about boat subscriptions are based on outdated ideas inherited from traditional property ownership.
When you look at the facts, one thing becomes clear: the Liberty Pass subscription does not detract from the pleasure of sailing; on the contrary, it simply removes everything that weighed it down.
Want to go further?
Explore our offers and imagine your next trip out to sea... without the constraints of ownership.
Liberty Pass
Liberty Pass offers you the best alternative to ownership and charter. Subscribe to the boat of your dreams, free from the constraints of ownership, and sail where you want, when you want, from €199/month, all inclusive.
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