open marinas in winter on LKN....

[CliffA]

does anyone know if there are any marinas open on WE's during the winter on Lake Norman?....our marina (Boat Rack) closes on WE's during the winter....they also winterize the shore water supply lines by disconnecting them and draining them....

we are spending a lot of WE's on our 340 during the winter but now we do not have any fresh water supply....i had to buy 10 gallons of drinking water this past WE from a grocery store for the fresh water tank so we would have enough water for the toilet and showers...there is one outside faucet that i found at the marina that is still working on the WE but it is a good 300 - 400 ft from our boat.....i may have to resort to using a couple portable gas cans to haul water from this faucet to the boat, but that will be a royal PITA....

so, are there any marinas on LKN open on WE's during the winter that can provide fresh water and waste tank pumpout?

thanks...
cliff

 

[BillK2632]

I know PYC is opened, they turn water off to the docks when it's cold, but usually have the pumpout and water on the gas dock on - at least when I kept my boat there that's how it worked. If you came on the weekend and it wasn't freezing they would turn the water to your dock on for you. You might try Westport and Holiday, not sure if they are opened or not. All three of those are a pretty good trip for you just to get water. I don't know the name, but there is also the place on the left just before 150 bridge, where the Boathouse Restaurant is. I'm also having to get used to things closed on the weekend, same situation at Lake Norman Marina and since I am dry stacked, my only option is having them put me in on Friday and stay in all weekend - I have a small boat, so this year I just winterized. They re-open March 1st for weekends. I think if/when I get a bigger boat again I will keep it at PYC.

 

[JimT]

PYC does have water on the fuel dock. I pumped out there this weekend. I don't know whether they will allow non-members to use the facility, though. I would check Kings Point and Westport. Kings Point has water and pump out available on the fuel dock. Be mindful that the water hose is likely the same one they use to fill up the waste holding tank during the pump out so contamination could be an issue if you use it to fill your freshwater tank.

 

[BillK2632]

Be mindful that the water hose is likely the same one they use to fill up the waste holding tank during the pump out so contamination could be an issue if you use it to fill your freshwater tank.

Always good advice to keep what's going in the front door separate from what's going out the back door. If you use the water near the pumpout, just be sure and connect your own potable hose.

 

[CliffA]

thanks....we thought seriously about getting a slip at PYC but we really wanted a covered slip....also the combination of the membership dues and the wet slip fees was more than we wanted to pay....we were told that you have to be a member of PYC to use the gas dock and water and pump out....
hey, i've got an idea....maybe i'll get Jim to drive my boat to PYC to get water and a pump out....:smt115....

fortunately the PO of our boat had the waste tank pumped before we bought it so it will be a while before we need a pump out....i guess i'll just have to drag water from the open faucet at our marina down to the boat using gas cans....maybe i can find a small wagon or small hand truck to make the task easier.....

cliff

 

[BillK2632]

Call around to Westport and Kings Point - it might be time to take the ole 340 on a run down the lake! Also, just remembered, there IS a pumpout at Lake Norman Marina (on the back side of the 1st set of floating docks) but I don't think you can get under the bridge.

 

[BillK2632]

I just found a list of pumpouts, not sure how old it is, but says the Landing Restaurant has one - just behind you under Slanting Bridge Rd.

http://www.ncwildlife.org/portals/0/boating/documents/pumpout_list.pdf

 

[jason78]

Be mindful that the water hose is likely the same one they use to fill up the waste holding tank during the pump out so contamination could be an issue if you use it to fill your freshwater tank.

EXACTLY! Good advice here!! Seems like someone is always running the freshwater hose at the pump out down the waste line to flush!

 

[CliffA]

thanks for all the input guys....i'll check to see if The Landing has a pump out....that would be REALLY convienient since it is so close.....i did talk to Kingsport....they are open Wed – Sun during the winter 9:00 – 5:00.....they do have fresh water and waste pump out.....the waste pump out cost $10 for non-members....so like Bill said maybe it is time to take a run down the lake to get water and pump out......

cliff

 

[islandhopper00]

My marina has been open on the weekends. Midway/Boathouse, there is a pump out here also. I can check to see if they keep the water on. It has been on on my dock. The folks that run the shore facilities, Lake Effects have been flakey though. I was going to get gas, and everything was open but I couldn't find anyone to turn the pumps on!!

 

[northern]

If you are on a fresh water lake fill with lake water and put bleach in the tank. Used to be 1 drop per gallon. When camping I use 10 or until you could smell bleach in the water. That was 30 years ago. Now there are better treatment systems.

 

[CliffA]

If you are on a fresh water lake fill with lake water and put bleach in the tank. Used to be 1 drop per gallon. When camping I use 10 or until you could smell bleach in the water. That was 30 years ago. Now there are better treatment systems.

thanks for the input but this would have to be a last resort option for me....we don't drink the water from the tank but we do use it for showers....also i don't think the dirt and other solids in the lake water would be good for the seals in the vacuflush toilet and the water pump and the heating element in the hot water heater and could possibly clog up the nozzels in the sink sprayers and transom sprayer.....once the solids in the water turn to sediment in the bottom of the tank it may be difficult to flush them completely out of the system.....

cliff

 

[islandhopper00]

I hope my marina shut the water off, and blew out the lines for this cold snap! We'll see. Lol

 

[CliffA]

i have an update to this thread.... last W/E we met a guy who lives at the marina year round on an older 35' Chris Craft cruiser that is on the same dock as our boat.....he had run a series of water hoses to an active outside faucet at the marina...i put a 'Y' connector on his hose and connected a 125' water hose....i now have a fresh water supply for the boat without having to tote jugs of water...he said stringing these water hoses together is what he a few other boat owners have been doing during the winter months to get fresh water to their boats....during these really cold temps he will drain the water from them so they don't burst...now i can also wash the boat during winter if i want to....

sweet.....
cliff

 

[Do Over]

thanks for the input but this would have to be a last resort option for me....we don't drink the water from the tank but we do use it for showers....also i don't think the dirt and other solids in the lake water would be good for the seals in the vacuflush toilet and the water pump and the heating element in the hot water heater and could possibly clog up the nozzels in the sink sprayers and transom sprayer.....once the solids in the water turn to sediment in the bottom of the tank it may be difficult to flush them completely out of the system.....

cliff

question for ya Cliff....without getting too graphic...how do you guys shower in that head? I mean...I know whats involved with the equipment and all but man....I wouldn't even consider it myself. Just the clean up process would stop me.... not to mention just the logistics of that area.

yikes :grin:


Clif

 

[CliffA]

question for ya Cliff....without getting too graphic...how do you guys shower in that head? I mean...I know whats involved with the equipment and all but man....I wouldn't even consider it myself. Just the clean up process would stop me.... not to mention just the logistics of that area.

yikes :grin:


Clif

i guess it depends on how big of a person you are regarding the feasibility of taking a shower in the head....for reference i am 6'1" and 200 lbs....when i shower i sit on the head with the lid closed and lower the shower curtain over the door....after i adjust the water temp with the sink faucets i use the sprayer to rinse my head and body with plain water....then i close the diverter valve on the sprayer which shuts off the water and lay the sprayer in the sink...i then lather up my upper body with soap and use shampoo to wash my hair (what's left of it :smt001 )...then i use the sprayer to rinse my head and upper body...after shutting off the water again and while still seated i will then lather up my legs and feet with soap...then i rinse my legs and feet with the sprayer while still seated....then shut off the water again and stand in the head....while standing i lather up my 'privates' with soap then rinse with water.....

after we shower we leave the head door open to help dry it out quicker...we also use a small squeegee to direct any water that may be puddled on the head floor to the floor drain....once the head dries out we use bathroom wipes to wipe down the walls and floor and toilet....only takes a couple mins....

i must admit at first i wasn't sure about taking a shower in the head, but after a couple times it really is not that bad once you get used to the sequence of steps.....

you always have the option to take a shower on the swim platform with the transom sprayer but that is really not feasible during cold weather....

cliff

 

[mwph]

...he had run a series of water hoses to an active outside faucet at the marina...i put a 'Y' connector on his hose and connected a 125' water hose....i now have a fresh water supply for the boat without having to tote jugs of water...he said stringing these water hoses together is what he a few other boat owners have been doing during the winter months to get fresh water to their boats....

sweet.....
cliff

I guess Im spoiled. Both of the marinas that I have slipped at have what we call "winter water". Its a water line that stays under water to prevent freezing. Every couple of slips there is an inline spigot with a line attached to the dock framework. So December 1 the main water gets shut off & we go to "winter water", in March we'll switch back over.

 

[Do Over]

i guess it depends on how big of a person you are regarding the feasibility of taking a shower in the head....for reference i am 6'1" and 200 lbs....when i shower i sit on the head with the lid closed and lower the shower curtain over the door....after i adjust the water temp with the sink faucets i use the sprayer to rinse my head and body with plain water....then i close the diverter valve on the sprayer which shuts off the water and lay the sprayer in the sink...i then lather up my upper body with soap and use shampoo to wash my hair (what's left of it :smt001 )...then i use the sprayer to rinse my head and upper body...after shutting off the water again and while still seated i will then lather up my legs and feet with soap...then i rinse my legs and feet with the sprayer while still seated....then shut off the water again and stand in the head....while standing i lather up my 'privates' with soap then rinse with water.....

after we shower we leave the head door open to help dry it out quicker...we also use a small squeegee to direct any water that may be puddled on the head floor to the floor drain....once the head dries out we use bathroom wipes to wipe down the walls and floor and toilet....only takes a couple mins....

i must admit at first i wasn't sure about taking a shower in the head, but after a couple times it really is not that bad once you get used to the sequence of steps.....

you always have the option to take a shower on the swim platform with the transom sprayer but that is really not feasible during cold weather....

cliff

fortunately for us my Marina has slip showers in a building 50 yards from our dock...heated and just like home.

 

[CliffA]

fortunately for us my Marina has slip showers in a building 50 yards from our dock...heated and just like home.

i would probably take advantage of the marina showers also if our marina had them....

cliff

 

[bbwhitejr]

question for ya Cliff....without getting too graphic...how do you guys shower in that head? I mean...I know whats involved with the equipment and all but man....I wouldn't even consider it myself. Just the clean up process would stop me.... not to mention just the logistics of that area.

yikes :grin:

If you think a 340DA would be a challenge, you should try a 260DA and be 6'3". I always shower when we stay on the hook and follow the same scenario as Cliff. It is somewhat of a challenge, but it is not that bad.

Bennett