Newbie in Lake Norman, NC

Hi All, I just purchased my first boat, a 2001 Sea Ray 240 Sundeck.

We haven't had much time on it yet, but we've been able to enjoy it a little. Unfortunately I got it just as the weather cooled, but I can't wait to take it out in 2020. My kid will have a blast being towed behind it on an inflatable.

Congratulations and welcome aboard.

The 240 has a great layout with lots of storage.

I bought mine late October 3 years ago and only used it 2x before winter storage. That was the loooongest winter ever!

Just pulled it out yesterday, can’t believe the summer is over already.

The 240 is a great boat. I wish you great luck with it. As an experienced boater, on LKN and many other waters, a few words a caution. There were numerous boat fatalities on LKN last year. Boat collisions, waverunner/boat collisions, tuber collisions, jumped off the boat no PFD and never came up drownings....Every summer weekend I see stupid boaters towing kids on inflatables through high traffic areas with big chop. The kids wipe out and dad comes around while 10 boats are flying by and can't see junior in the waves. Every summer this results in fatalities. DON'T be that dad. Take your kids to an out of the way area to tow. Don't cross busy channels with kids when towing. Oh yeah, and go at no wake speed through anchorages even if its not a no wake zone.

I have had a boat on LKN for years. It's a great place, I am out most weekends spring - fall, but over the years it has gotten much more developed and crowded. When I started going to the lake, places like Trump National weren't even there - nothing but empty undeveloped coves. PYC was brand new, none of the houses around the marina were there. But the lake is so big, even today and on a busy weekend you can find a quiet place - especially north of HWY 150. Where do you keep your boat? The 240 Sundeck is a great boat, well suited for a day boat on LKN.

JimT said:

The 240 is a great boat. I wish you great luck with it. As an experienced boater, on LKN and many other waters, a few words a caution. There were numerous boat fatalities on LKN last year. Boat collisions, waverunner/boat collisions, tuber collisions, jumped off the boat no PFD and never came up drownings....Every summer weekend I see stupid boaters towing kids on inflatables through high traffic areas with big chop. The kids wipe out and dad comes around while 10 boats are flying by and can't see junior in the waves. Every summer this results in fatalities. DON'T be that dad. Take your kids to an out of the way area to tow. Don't cross busy channels with kids when towing. Oh yeah, and go at no wake speed through anchorages even if its not a no wake zone.

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I just realized that I made it sound like I'm a complete newbie. I grew-up boating with my dad who was, in his earlier life, in the Coast Guard. So, he drilled water safety into me at an early age.

But, your words ring true, and we can never be too safe out there. And I agree, LKN can be very dangerous on summer weekends, especially on holidays when people drink too much. The busier the water is, the less likely I'll be on it.

BillK2632 said:

I have had a boat on LKN for years. It's a great place, I am out most weekends spring - fall, but over the years it has gotten much more developed and crowded. When I started going to the lake, places like Trump National weren't even there - nothing but empty undeveloped coves. PYC was brand new, none of the houses around the marina were there. But the lake is so big, even today and on a busy weekend you can find a quiet place - especially north of HWY 150. Where do you keep your boat? The 240 Sundeck is a great boat, well suited for a day boat on LKN.

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We've got a slip in a community dock, sorta between North Harbor Club and Eddies. (A few coves north of the Lake Norman Yacht Club) There are a few coves around here that can be quiet, but I'll make the trip around the peninsula and head up north of 150 next summer.

Also, I see you used to drive a Chris Craft runabout. I learned to boat on my Dad's 1957 Chris Craft runabout. Unfortunately, he sold it a couple of years before we moved to the lake. My new boat is superior in every way, and much better for the family's use, but, MAN, I would love to have that boat back.

Yeah - that's a pretty good clip from where I am - Lake Norman Marina - but I take a couple of long cruises to different parts of the lake each year. We have talked about a LKN meet up but have never done it, there are quit a few folks here on LKN.

The Chris Craft - that was my grandfathers boat, he had several over the years, but that was the last one - had the original Grey Marine engine in it, shifter in the floor, throttle on the steering wheel, red leather seats. I learned to water ski behind it and it was the first boat I ever ran. It's just impossible to describe what those boats are like if you have never been in one. I am sure that boat is still around - it was in pristine condition when he sold it to a friend on Lake Lanier in Tryon NC. I was a teenager and couldn't see past the new Correct Craft we were buying to replace it - if only I knew then what I know now!