Carefree Boat Club of Lake Norman received the 2012 Membership Excellence Award at the recent national conference of Carefree Boat Club owners. The local club won the award based on positive member feedback, member retention, market impact, and community involvement. more >>

Safe Boating Week - May 18th-24th, 2013

Safe Boating Week is a National event. It begins the May 18th and kicks off the summer boating season for 2013. President Eisenhower signed a proclamation in 1958 to create public awareness of boating accidents and to encourage those who enjoy boating activities and water sports to wear a life jacket. more>>

Local Safe Boating Events

In conjunction Safe Boating Week, there will be a “Wear It” event May 18th, at the Buster Boyd Bridge boat ramp on Lake Wylie, next to T-Bones Restaurant from 9 am until 2 pm.

Additionally, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary course, About Boating Safely, will be presented the second Saturday of May, June, July and August at Long Cove Marina, and the third Saturday of each month at River Hills Marina Conference Center. Both marinas are on Lake Wylie. Visit www.cgalakewylie.org for more information, or to sign up for a class.

Free Lake Norman Navigation Class

A Free Safe Boating Class, “How to Navigate Lake Norman Day or Night,” will be held at Morningstar Marina at Kings Point, Exit 28, Cornelius, NC on June 12 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Becky Johnson and Capt. Gus Gustafson will cover topics that include: “Understanding LKN’s Channel Marker and Buoy System,” “How to Avoid Shallow Water,” the “Ten Most Dangerous Spots,” and “Interpreting Lake Maps.” For more information, call Becky Johnson at 704-892-7575.

Vessel Safety Check, May 18

The Lake Norman Power & Sail Squadron, on Saturday, May 18, will hold a Vessel Safety Check Event at Holiday Harbor Marina in Cornelius NC. Hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Registration for the VSC is not required, you can just show up. Boaters can visit our website to register at www.usps.org/lakenorman or call Wayne Thrailkill at 704-775-6318 for further information.

America's Boating Course, June 1

The Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron will conduct America's Boating Course on Saturday, June 1st at the Mt. Mourne Volunteer Fire Department, 1577 Mecklenburg Hwy, Morresville. Hours are 8 am to 5 pm with a break for lunch. Pre-Registration is required. Students can visit www.usps.org/lakenormanor to register or call Monroe Cowan at 704-895-4994 for further information.

Good News for Mountain Island Lake

Riverbend Steam Station to Close April 1 http://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/issues/coal-ash-1/duke-announces-closure-of-riverbend-steam-station

Looking for a Place to Launch Your Boat?

Need a boat ramp? The NC Wildlife Commission operates more than 200 free, public ramps across North Carolina. Find them by address, body of water or amenity with our interactive boating access area locator map.

All-time NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace obviously knows a boatload about racing. He also knows who to call when he needs a world-class dock for his new Lake Norman home – Mark Lancaster. Years ago, Rusty, hearing of Mark’s reputation for superior quality and customer satisfaction, decided to give him a try. Four docks later, he “wouldn't consider using anybody else. He does it better than anybody.” more >>

Boat Safely

Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents, many fatal, according to the US Coast Guard. Recent calamities on lakes Norman and Wylie were the result of operator errors, one involving an experienced boater who apparently overlooked safety precautions, the other someone new to boating operating with little or no boating knowledge. Keep your passengers and crew – and yourself – safe: take a course. more >>

Boat Lift Alternatives

By far, most boaters choose to trailer their boats, rather than keep them in a slip … for a number of reasons. Obviously, wet or dry slip storage is expensive, yet provides easy access to the water while avoiding the stress and strain of boat access areas as well as all that backward maneuvering which can be a challenge. For those privileged to live on the water, the personal boat slip can become a requirement of that lifestyle.

Assuming a decision in favor of wet slips, whether out the back door or in your favorite marina, then comes the decisions regarding boat lifts: yes or no. Obviously, they’re not free so you start by considering pros and cons. So why a lift? more >>

Lake Norman Watercraft Challenge

View Photo Album >>

About the cover: Rinker is part of the Nautic Global Group, which also manufactures Godfrey Pontoons, Hurricane Deck Boats and Polar Kraft Aluminum Fishing Boats. That’s the Rinker 246 Bowrider on our cover this issue. You can tell from the photo that riding in style is all part of the Rinker design. A well-made boat at a time when that kind of value is crutial to an informed boat purchase, the 246 has been called “Best of the Best.” See your next 246 and other Rinker models at Couick’s Marine in Waxhaw NC or visit  www.couicksmarine.com.

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See you on the water,

-Mike

Mike Aldridge
Publisher