Lake Norman

[Harry van der Meer]

It looks like I may be facing a transfer to the Charlotte NC area in a few months. The only substantial body of water close to Charlotte is Lake Norman. I would appreciate receiving input anyone may have regarding how good of a lake this is for sailing the mac. How are generally the winds? How are the crowds? Any good gunkholing? Availability of slips?

Any info would be most helpful.

Thanks much - Harry

[Dan B]

Welcome to NC.

Lots of info on-line re: Lake Norman. Never sailed there as I live near the Raleigh area. Closer (and north of Raleigh) -
- Jordan Lake - close to large populations so very busy, lots of jet ski's, powerboats, etc.
- Falls Lake - mostly powerboats, too narrow and lots of bridges make it not sailboat friendly.
- Kerr Lake (where I sail) - man-made reservoir, very quiet, mostly sailboats, lots of coves. It is on the NC/VA border, about an hour north of Raleigh. Steele Creek Marina.
- Outer Banks - endless possibilities on Pamlico Sound, Neuse River and Pamlico River. Perfect gunkholing grounds. Dozens of marinas. Uninhabited islands to sail for, etc.

[26XSunsailrs]

Welcome to Charlotte Harry!

The first thing you will find here are very few people from Charlotte. The majority are people like you and I that came and stayed. Yes, I gladly accept the term "Damn Yankee"

Lake Norman is the largest and best sailing lake in the area. It has over 500 miles of shore line and some large wide open spaces to stretch the sails. The Mac is particularly suited for the lake because the level is dropped by 9 feet each winter. The small draft and kick up boards really come in handy. Even though the shoals are well marked, I always seem to wander into them when not paying proper attention.

Fear not the transfer...... I think you will love the area and the lake!

See you on the water,

-Steve '99 26X Together

[Harry van der Meer]

Thanks so far for the replies. We are very much enjoying our Mac sailing in New England. We just came back from a week sailing in Maine. It is wonderful to sail amoung the wales. The weather was great except for a lot of fog in the mornings and evenings.

I assume the NC seashore is do-able for a long weekend?? And a week in Florida during the winter?

[Jack O'Brien]

Harry:

Set aside two weeks next June to Join the Conch Cruisers trip to Bimini.

You can race Billy and his Calloway tow vehicle down from N.C.

http://www.conchcruisers.net/

[Frank & Meg]

Harry - Welcome to NC! Here's a site that will give you a feel for sailing in the area. It's somewhat Raleigh-centric, but there's also a lot of discussion about sailing the NC coast.

http://www.ncsail.org/ceilidh/ceilidh.html

Also, check out

http://www.towndock.net/index.shtml for info about NC's sailing capital, Oriental.

NC - Conveniently located between NY and Miami for your sailing convenience!

[lake norman mac]

26XSunsailers -

I am also from Charlotte and looking at getting a MAC in the next year or so. Do you happen to take part in the regattas that they have out on lake norman every saturday and wed? If so, how competitive is it? Also, how do I get some additional information on it??

Thanks!

[26XSunsailrs]

Lake Norman Mac,

You can email me at [email protected] to continue the conversation if you like. I have never participated in the regattas, but it would be fun. Just about every other boat is going to pass the Mac26X ,but they won't be more comfortable though!

Getting the Mac was one of the best things my wife and I have ever done, I recommend you don't wait, get going on it today!

Do you have a different boat now? Have you sailed a Mac26X? You are welcome aboard ours one day if not!

-Steve '9926X Together