Cruising Lake Norman?

islandhopper00

islandhopper00

Active Member
Jan 4, 2007
2,670
Lake Norman (Denver) NC
Boat Info
240 Sundancer
Engines
5.0L 260hp, BIII outdrive
So, if the weather straightens out for the weekend. Will anybody be hitting lkn this weekend? Just wondering if im gonna do Norman or Murray.
 
Have you been in the water yet? I'm betting the water is still cold! I'm ready to jump in though. I jumped in the water while I was in Charleston.....whew, cold.....
 
Water temp is 65 right now. It was up to 70 this past weekend likely will be again by Sunday. Way too cold for me.
 
Question for both of you - My son lives in Cary, NC. I am thinking of moving down that way. I currently have three boats. 15ft Jet boat, 270 Sundancer w/twin engines and the SR 400EC.
Can I use the 400EC in lake Norman? Deep enough? long and wide enough?
thanks,
Joe
 
There are many boats bigger than that on LKN. Depth in the main channel is 100'. Plenty of coves to anchor in where you can get close to shore and still be in 10' of water. Depth is not a problem. The length of the lake depends on your ability to pass under bridges. Figure 30 miles long by about 10 miles at the widest point with many off shoots that can run for a few miles with good water.
 
Jim T - Thanks. I'll have to look at how far LKN is from Cary. I love the Chesapeake Bay and the friends I boat with but so it will be time to retire and move. Maryland is not a friendly state for retires, gas, taxes and more. Plus, I really like the Cary area and the shore area. Time will tell.
 
That stinks. But then if I am retired again maybe I'll stay a few days at the boat. Need to do some reading on LKN.
 
Joe it really depends on the type of boating or cruising you do.

If you tend to find a comfortable location (cove), anchor up and stay the weekend, swim, and/or lounge around with your family and friends, then LKN could be a great lake for you. It has quite a few restraunts to visit by water, and is large enough to wander around on, if you want. People tend to be very likeable......except when driving around! haha Boat traffic can be terrible in the summer when the lake is busy. Imagine offshore boats running a 100mph, and slow boats running 5mph, all going in different directions.....and everybody thinks they have the right of way!! haha

However if you like to "destination cruise" then Norman might not be to your liking. There are not really any tranisent slips to go visit, and the marinas are boat storage facilities really. Excpet for maybe Penninsula Yacht club, where they have an active club atmosphere, and it's expensive, but very exclusive.

I personally range in the between segment. But that is why I trailer boat. I would suggest you bring down the 270 and check the lake out and decide for yourself. It might just speak to you.
Hey, better idea.....the 400 goes to the coast, 270 goes to LKN! Best of both worlds.
 
IH -Thanks for the info. The lake sounds like the 270 might be a better fit. Wish I could trailer it but she has a 10ft beam. My son and grand daughter are in from NC and the other is in from NY with his daughter. No boat but plenty of golf.
Thanks again,
Joe
 
Holy cow LKN was busy! I think every pontoon owner, and half the boat owners came out on the lake today. I left early because the of knuckle heads that have no idea about how to run a boat. I enjoyed the morning before all the church goers came out!

I should have known how the day was going to go when I got to the ramp. Every parking space was used......some by inconsiderate cars in trailer spaces.
I hope this is not a sign of how this season is going to go.........
 
wow...we were out yesterday and it was quiet compared to any nice July weekend.
 
I was on the north end of the lake Jim. Even Little Creek was full of boats. I was going from creek to creek to find a place to anchor up and hide. I ended up next to the ramp at Little Creek. The water near hwy 150 bridge was ruff, and boat traffic was crazy.

Your right Steve, I wasn't thinking like that. I've been on the lake since March.
 
wish i would have seen this post last week but i did not check the forum posts the last couple days last week......we could have hooked up.....we were out both Saturday and Sunday...we camped near Lake Norman Marina Saturday night.....Saturday we stayed mostly on the northern end exploring the many fingers off of the main channel...Sunday we ventured down to the southern end and went all the way to the interstate 77 bridge.....does anyone know the name of the restaurant at the I77 bridge that is at the condos?....is there any docks for visiting boats or are they all for the condo owners only?.......the lake was much busier on Sunday....the water in the main channel was fairly rough but since we are new to the lake this may be normal....i am guessing the waves were 1 - 2 ft on Sunday in the big water....i was pleased at how well our boat handled the rougher water....our old 18.5' bow rider would have beat us to death in those conditions......the water conditions on the northern end were much calmer.....

we are REALLY liking having the boat in the water this year instead of trailering.....it is just more relaxing and less effort needed to go boating....we are loving how large the lake is....we have not hit any restaurants yet but looking forward to that as well.....the boat is running great so far since i replaced the ignition system last year so we are not nervous about being stranded in the water for mechanical reasons.....we have camped on the lake the past two WE's and having a blast.....

next time you go out let us know.....

cliff
 
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