Right Around the River Blog

Carefree Boat Club Opens for Season on April 15

Post Date: 04-04-2014
Get ready, RVA! James River action is truly ramping up this month at Rocketts Landing. Not only has rowing season begun, but boating is also awakening with spring’s arrival! And for those of you who like to go boating but don’t own your own vessel, the Carefree Boat Club is ready to help you get out on the water and make the most of your river adventures.


Carefree Boat Club owner Bryan Courtney. Photo credit: Carefree Boat Club

New boat club owner Bryan Courtney has been working hard over the winter to prepare the reopening of his Rocketts Landing location so members have their best boating season yet! Due to our prolonged winter (that we can finally say goodbye to!), Carefree’s boating season officially kicks off on April 15. This year, members can enjoy boating with an improved fleet and deeper member engagement.


One of the newest boats at the Carefree Boat Club for the 2014 season. Photo credit: Carefree Boat Club

For the Carefree fleet, they have a variety of boats for members to use, including recent upgrades. In August 2013, Bryan added a 26-foot luxury pontoon and 19-foot family bowrider. And just recently, he also added a 21-foot bowrider/speed boat, which features a well-equipped center console for your fishing trips.


Carefree's new pontoon boat for the 2014 season. Photo credit: Carefree Boat Club

As for member engagement, Bryan believes that ensuring his members have the best experience as a whole is essential to the club’s success.

“Our goal here at Rocketts is to create a professional and high-quality boating club serving families and businesses of the Richmond area,” Bryan says. “Though a nice fleet is a big part of our focus on quality, it also requires Club stability, excellent service and attentive management — while building a club with good ‘citizens’ who are proud to bring their family, friends and business associates.”

Carefree Boat Club has different membership tiers available depending on your level of interest. They offer corporate offerings, family packages, social membership and even specific deals for Rocketts Landing residents. You can pick and choose the membership that’s right for you — and are always invited to bring guests along for a ride! And, as a Carefree member, you also have access to their other domestic and international locations.


A bird's-eye-view of the Rocketts Landing marina on the James River.

To celebrate their reopening, Bryan has partnered with the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) to throw a Grand Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony event, featuring executives from GRCC, Rocketts Landing management and Carefree Boat Club leadership. After the ceremony, they’re inviting the public to enjoy a business-networking mixer at Conch Republic. They also plan to have two open houses in April for prospective members to visit the Club and the marina.

Looks like this will be one boating season with the Carefree Boat Club that you won’t want to miss at Rocketts Landing! To learn more about boating without owning, visit the Carefree Boat Club's website. And, be sure to mark your calendars for the events listed blow!


The James River as it bends along its winding path past Rocketts Landing.

Grand Reopening & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

  • When: Friday, April 11, 2014
  • Where: Rocketts Landing marina for ceremony & Conch Republic for networking mixer
  • Time: Starts at 3:30 p.m.
  • Cost: Free and open to the public

Season Preview Events & Open Houses:

  • Saturday, April 12: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Rocketts Landing marina
  • Saturday, April 26: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Rocketts Landing marina