Freedom Boat Club of Jax Florida Boat Club, LLC My Boat used and Sold by Freedom Boat Club. Bank still has title in my name and now i have to sue FBC of Jax for breach of contract and $43,000. Internet

I entered into a contract with Freedom Boat Club of Jax (also known as Florida Boat Club, LLC)  Beware, many of the Freedom Boat Clubs are Franchised (and they are LLC's.) and the Corporation does not stand behind the franchises.  Not their problem... so beware. 

Anyway, when I joined the Boat club I did not know it was a franchise.  My first mistake.

When I joined the club, I already had a boat and was trying to sell it.  The boat club was needing more boats for the club so they were looking to buy more boats, so we entered into a contract.  (My second mistake)  Contract states they get to use the boat in exchange for unlimited membership to any of the Freedom Boat Clubs.  While I pay the mortgage in lieu of paying the membership.  They have sole responsibility for all maintenance, insurance, docking fees, depreciation, etc... on the boat and when the boat is ready to be retired and sold, they inherit all debt and or profit from the boat sales, they pay off the loan, (which is still in my name), and then they get the title. and then I return to paying the monthly membership fees in lieu of the loan (since the loan would be paid off.)

Well fast forward 30 months into a 60 month contract and I find out they have moved the boat to another Freedom Boat Club of Charlston,  used it there for a while then sold the boat, along with other boats. According to Freedom Boat Club of Jax,  "They all went overseas, and they did not need my title."  Apparantly you do not need to clear the title or have a title to sell a boat overseas.  (This was confirmed by me at state and federal attorney's office.)  (Wow, new career opportunity... selling other peoples boats and keeping the money). So the money went into their pocket and they can't afford to pay off the loan while I'm trying to figure out how to pay off $43k on boat loan that is in my name. 

I have spoken to the States Atttorney office, (you can't get above a para-legal) and was directed to go to the police and file a report.  I was told,  "It  sounds like fraud and a felony but we can't do anything without  a police report."  So I spoke to the police dept. of Jacksonville and was told to go to Jacksonville Beach since it is their jurisdiction.  They say it is a civil matter.... sorry. Looks like Fraud,  Sounds like theft, Smells like a Felony but sorry.  "you have a contract so that makes it a civil matter.  Hire an attorney." 

Went back to states attorney (para-legal again) and told "Sorry if the police will not write up a report then there is nothing the states attorney office can do about it... you might talk to the Federal attorney's, 6 blocks away, since the boat crossed state lines and then was sold overseas, it might be that the fed's can help.  If not, you need to hire an attorney and take to civil court"

Guess what fed's say, "It is a State Jurisdiction and hire an attorney."

I call three attorney's.  Typical response.  "Wow, how did they sell a boat without clearing the title",  "That is fraud or theft, go to the state's attorney and take criminal action.",  "It's not really my kind of case, your contract looks good, but call so-and-so,  They might be interested."

So here I am, not really feeling the love and wondering why I continue paying taxes in a country where the criminals walk free.  I have a boat loan over $43,000.  Freedom Boat Club of Jax and Charlston, freely admits that they sold the boat but can't pay me, Freedom Boat club corporate attorneys say they are not responsible for the actions of the seperate franchises and now I have to hire an attorney.

I'f you are one of the other people who had your boat sold by Freedom Boat Club of Jax or the Charlston Freedom Boat Club and your in the same "boat" as I, then let me know what your doing.  I know there are more of you out there.  These economic times make it hard to scrape up the money to pay for attorneys and still make boat payments on a boat that no longer exists (otherwise the banks is coming after me... I'm confident they have good attorney's and will want their money from me no matter what).

Getting ready to write a $2,500 retainer to an attorney to get the ball rolling.

Best advice I have is stay away from Freedom Boat Club.  To many seperately owned Franchises and Corporate does not appear to care.  Go to your local marina and rent a boat for a day.... no contracts and no hassle.  Do not get sucked into the hype.

PS.  I'll be on a letter writing campaign to every newspaper, news station and internet site I can find.  People need to know about this injustice.  I guess I need to start working the system from my end.  "Freedom of Speach, here I come"