Are there sailboat owners on the forum that sail Lake Norman. I am thinking of moving to the area and was wondering how the sailing is and how long the sailing season lasts and what is the best area to live around the lake. Thanks
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Lake Norman, NORTH Carolina
Sheesh!! Once again, we get dragged into SC (no offense, Palmetto sailors). A continuation of the Charlotte/Charleston/Charlottesville geographic confusion.
Anyway, Lake Norman is a pleasant place to sail. Bear in mind that our shoreline is only 563 miles long, so it pales in comparison to the Great Lakes. Duke Power controls the lake level and lowers the lake through the Winter, to prepare for snow melt runoff from the mountains in Spring. So, if you have a deep keel vessel, beware that the lake can drop 6-8 feet during this period. You can sail, but be careful. Winds are best in Spring and Fall as frontal passages stir the atmosphere regularly. Summer doldrums set in about July and last thru September, so get the iron sail in good shape. Our sailing season is year round as we get warm Winter days occasionally and we don't pull our boats for fear of icy waters. There are yacht clubs on the lake and active fleets for those who like to race. There are numerous ramps for trailersailers, but only one lift (All Seasons Marina) for the big boats. Diesel is hard to come by as only one yacht club has a pump (AFAIK) and it's for use only by those who rent a slip from them. Most bring it in by 5 gallon jug. Slip rental varies by location, figure $1500-$2600 for a 27'-30' boat. Where to live? Depends on how much money you have to spend. The SE corner of the lake, nearest to the dam and a lot of the marinas and activities, is in Mecklenburg County, whose tax philosophy makes Massachusetts look like a rookie. Other surrounding counties have a more hospitable tax outlook (for now). Plenty of places to choose from and the area realtors are quite helpful. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Sheesh!! Once again, we get dragged into SC (no offense, Palmetto sailors). A continuation of the Charlotte/Charleston/Charlottesville geographic confusion.
Anyway, Lake Norman is a pleasant place to sail. Bear in mind that our shoreline is only 563 miles long, so it pales in comparison to the Great Lakes. Duke Power controls the lake level and lowers the lake through the Winter, to prepare for snow melt runoff from the mountains in Spring. So, if you have a deep keel vessel, beware that the lake can drop 6-8 feet during this period. You can sail, but be careful. Winds are best in Spring and Fall as frontal passages stir the atmosphere regularly. Summer doldrums set in about July and last thru September, so get the iron sail in good shape. Our sailing season is year round as we get warm Winter days occasionally and we don't pull our boats for fear of icy waters. There are yacht clubs on the lake and active fleets for those who like to race. There are numerous ramps for trailersailers, but only one lift (All Seasons Marina) for the big boats. Diesel is hard to come by as only one yacht club has a pump (AFAIK) and it's for use only by those who rent a slip from them. Most bring it in by 5 gallon jug. Slip rental varies by location, figure $1500-$2600 for a 27'-30' boat. Where to live? Depends on how much money you have to spend. The SE corner of the lake, nearest to the dam and a lot of the marinas and activities, is in Mecklenburg County, whose tax philosophy makes Massachusetts look like a rookie. Other surrounding counties have a more hospitable tax outlook (for now). Plenty of places to choose from and the area realtors are quite helpful. Hope this helps. Good luck.???
Boats around 25'-27' are the best for Norman. Lots of tacking and light winds. You can sail all year if the cold (45 - 55 range)doesn't bother you. We kept a Hunter 25 on Norman and enjoyed sailing in the winter when we were usually the only ones out. Spring and summer can get crowded with other sailboats and 1000s of motor boats and jet ski. ian
Boats around 25'-27' are the best for Norman. Lots of tacking and light winds. You can sail all year if the cold (45 - 55 range)doesn't bother you. We kept a Hunter 25 on Norman and enjoyed sailing in the winter when we were usually the only ones out. Spring and summer can get crowded with other sailboats and 1000s of motor boats and jet ski. ian
Night sailing
The comments about light winds in the summer and high boat traffic are spot on. However we have found that if you sail at night in the summer month you usually get a nice breeze and no traffic.
The comments about light winds in the summer and high boat traffic are spot on. However we have found that if you sail at night in the summer month you usually get a nice breeze and no traffic.
Night sailing
Denis makes a great point, one I somehow overlooked. Norman night sailing is some of the best times I've spent on the lake. However, there is a "dark" side (pun intended). A year or so ago three nautical geniuses, out on a powerboat night run, climbed the rock riprap, cleared a fence, flew over two southbound lanes of I-77 (taking out a Ford Escort in the process) and wound up inverted in the median. Injured, but I think all survived. I'll keep sailing, thank you.
Denis makes a great point, one I somehow overlooked. Norman night sailing is some of the best times I've spent on the lake. However, there is a "dark" side (pun intended). A year or so ago three nautical geniuses, out on a powerboat night run, climbed the rock riprap, cleared a fence, flew over two southbound lanes of I-77 (taking out a Ford Escort in the process) and wound up inverted in the median. Injured, but I think all survived. I'll keep sailing, thank you.
Surprise!!!
At the wreck site they found empty beer cans. Imagine that!!! The interesting part is that two of the guys worked for nascar teams and the girl for the nascar organization. I wonder if that's why we never heard another word about their fate.
At the wreck site they found empty beer cans. Imagine that!!! The interesting part is that two of the guys worked for nascar teams and the girl for the nascar organization. I wonder if that's why we never heard another word about their fate.
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