Franchising in the marine industry

In another thread regarding marina purchasing the topic of franchising came up.

As a boat crazy person I tend to be interested in many aspects of anything marine. As relates to franchising I am specifically interested in anyone's opinions and experience as a customer or operator of an operation such as Freedom Boat Club, Nautical Boat Club, Sailtime and for that matter SeaTow.

I do not participate in any such business nor am I in any sort of planning, this is strictly a curiosity.