Lake Norman Info
 

Looking at the weather forcast... 80s Sunday!
I'm thinking about comming down Saturday afternoon fon an overnighter. It's about 6 1/2 hr drive south but, I got a new boat begging to get wet.

Questions.
1- I looked at Lake Norman state park's site. Says you can't park overnight at boat ramp. I'd like to sleep on the boat Saturday night. Where is a good launch ramp for a 30fter where I can leave the truck/trailer? Can I anchor out or sleep at the bar's dock like I do around here often?

2- Vinny's Raw Bar looks like a Saturday night destination. My wife is a freek for raw oysters and is an easy bribe to talk her into a last minute getaway. Other good/better places accessable by water?

3- I'd like to bring my dog. She's my baby. Around here most places w/outside seating don't mind a well behaved pooch. What will I run into down there? Where can I dock to let her run/ do her biz a few times a day?

Give me some pointers from the locals pleze!
Thanks!

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Queens landing is a great place to launch. Deep water. Alot of people anchor out and sleep, or pass out at the bars dock.

Vinnies is a little tough. There arent any public docks there. There is a little beach. Some people beach it, I think that is absolutely crazy.

Your best bet for bars are going to be Rusty Rudder, and Midtown Sundries. For a nice dinner with the lady I would consider North Harbor Club.

Most places wont let you take your dog up on the deck. Health code issue.

Youll have a great time. Im sure that it will be crowded on the water.

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Thanks for the reply. I checked out Queens Landing web site. Is the ramp you are refering to McCrary Creek Access Area nearby? I didn't see anything at Q Landing about ramps.

Thanks! Keep the good info coming!

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I have seen dogs at Rustys Rudder but they may have been special. You guys will like Vinnys (kind of a cross between the Casino and a Hooters :D )

If your goin, you need to try to hook up with x-driver. His condo is close to Rustys Rudder and hes boatless til about May and Im sure he'd like to see some people from home ... or near home :p

Ill PM you his phone number. :cool:

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You need some company to help you get that new boat in the water :evilb: :D

Very jealous!!! Enjoy and have a great time. We were able to enjoy some boating during the Miami Boat Show. Got a ride on a 46' Black Thunder plus we rented an 18' bow rider and checked out the Intercoastal in Naples.

It'll get us to May anyway :D

Have fun and be safe Mark.

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Thanks for the info RG!
Barb... hitch that bad boy up and come w/us! We'll meet you on I-77
I heard Vinnys has no docks and the water is low right no so R Rudder sounds good. They have a band Sat night too!

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If the motors were in it we would LOL!

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

I live in Davidson/Lake Norman area the water is very low right now. Queens Landing is very easy to find on hwy. 150. I have a 43 Scarab that I launch across from Queens at Pinacle Point the ramp is much flatter than Queens. But, there are some shoals that are marked that you need to beware of. Vinnies will be tough to get in with the water this low. I've never been to the Rusty Rudder but, I go to Midtown alot they should have plenty of water there & they also have a proper dock.

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Heres a few pics so you can recognize the places :D

Hope you take your camera!! BTW ...on your way down ... if you turn left at Lake Norman instead of right, you can go see some of the race shops while your there :p :cool:

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Thanks Bjlesl. I was looking at that ramp on the Dukes website.
Barb... no motors... you call that an excuse!?
Thanks RG

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It's the best one I've found for my boat. If you do use it use one of the three launches closest to the hwy. They are the farthest away from the shoal. Wish I could go out this weekend also but I'll be in Vegas. One of the three weekends I have off (which was last weekend) it was in the hi 40's - low 50's now it's going to be up in the 70's-80's. Have fun. Here's my boat at one of the docks at Pinacle.

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Thanks again. Looks like you could get lost on that big ol lake :eek: Is the main channel marked?

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I live and work on Lake Norman we put our 38 Formula in at Little Creek or Beattys Ford. Give us a call when you come down and we can get together.

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That's why you need us to help you and Becky out :evilb: :D My brother lives near Lake Norman....I'm sure I'd make an awesome co-captain for this trip.

You tell my friend Becky I'll even throw in the tequilla and lemon drops :drink: :eek: :evilb:

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

The lake is very low now. Be careful! Some ramps are going to be tough to use.

David

704-634-9004

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Charmed1- Thanks! Are you going out this weekend? We'll give you a call.

Barb- Of course your welcome to come. It would be great to have you and Rob along. We can fit six people and the dog ok. If yer serious let me know, I may even try to find a dog sitter then. We are considering staying till monday now.

Vagrant- thanks for the tip. I will be very careful. New boat, new lake, low water, I'll be very careful. I hope to hook up with a/some locals to keep us outa trouble.

You gotta love these forums! You guys are the best :drink:
Maybe we can return the favor when one of you want to come north.

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

I wish we were but we are packing for a closing on a waterfront we just bought. Vagrant ls already on the lake. Do give us a call if nothing else we can hook up for a drink by land for us. I know I would like a reason to stop packing for a little while :evilb: :drink:

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Audra- will do!
Saturday night we won't venture to far as we won't hit the water till about 3pm and don't want to get to far away in the dark. Trying to get ahold of the Lake Norman Motel as I hear they have docks, reasonable prices, food and drinks. We now have 4 in the boat which sleeps 2. I looked up their number and it's being "checked for trouble?"
I got 704 478 2817?
Sunday we will try cover more water as we'll have all day.

This is what we'll be running. If any of you see us, flag us down to sey hey! Always nice to meet new people! :drink:

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Here is a link to our club site. ALOT of Velocitys in the club. Give me a call I am 2 mins from Lake Norman Hostel :D



http://www.carolinapowerboat.com/



David

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

I read the boating laws on the NC wildlife site.
What are the rules about alcohol on the boat?
Ohio St parks allow none at all, WV allows it as long as the driver is sober.

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

David, I was on your site yesterday. Very cool. I will call you when we're there. Love to meet up.
Mark :drink:

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I would not show any open containers . Make sure to have all your Doc's Fire ext life vest for everyone aboard and make sure that are out in the open. Widelife officers and cmpd could be out in full force this weekend since it is suppose to be nice. I don't think lake norman hotel has power on there docks. You may want to check into that. See you guys Saturday. Call if I can help with anything.

David :drink:

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

That's the right number for Lake Norman Hotel. I've stayed there once. It's not the Hilton but it's a place to lay your head. The food at the restaurant it pretty good.

You will love the lake and yes the channels are marked well.

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Steel, Thanks. Don't need the Hilton, in fact the kids were willing to sleep in the truck but... Hotel w/a dock will work :drink:

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Looks like the party's on! :cool:
Thanks to all who have helped us out w/this info.

We got a room for 58bucks including tax waterside at the Lake Norman Motel w/a dock. Sounds so good we're gonna stay thru Monday afternoon and leave my poor pooch at home. Should be on the water by mid-afternoon Saturday.

Thanks to all who have offered to show us around or meet for drinks. Nice to feel welcome! Looking forward to meeting some new friends!

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Have a safe trip :drink:

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If it's nice Monday I'll take my Scarab out mid day. Have fun watch out for the shoals.

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Just give us a call when you get here. My cell number is 704-239-1410 and I live about a 1/4 mile from the hotel.

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Bjlesl, I'll look for you monday. Sweet looking boat like that will be hard to miss. That'll work out good as we have lots to see, do and meet thru the weekend and no plans but hanging out putting around monday.

Steve, will do! Thanks again!

Looking forward to it. Been cleaning, servicing and loading the boat and truck for the last 2 days. :drink:

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I'll be taking out the 32' Sat/Sun Midtown Rudder Sand bar.
She's still for sale

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

is midtown shutdown or just closed for now

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

I am not sure which Mid-Town you are refering to Dave. The Mid-Town on the Lake is alive and well. I was there about 3 weeks ago on a Tuesday night and it was booming. I called there tonight just to verify and they are wide open. Just curious, which one is closed? Is it the one at Mountain Island?

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Wax Guroos - Midtown Harborside - Saturday Night you need to be at Midtown with the Wax Gurus Band, they know how to get the party rolling.

Sunday Specials - Midtown Harborside - BURGER MADNESS $4.99 ALL DAY (Dine-in only). $2.50 Bloody Marys and $2.00 Miller Light Pints. A great place to watch NASCAR or any sporting event!

$2 All Draft Mondays - Midtown Harborside - 1/2 Priced Appetizers All Day (dine-in only) - $2.00 All Draft Beer Pints. :evilb:

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Thats interesting . There was info in our business section of the newspaper saying they were up for sale and closed. I better check my info sorry for the misinfo.

David

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My bag the article was speaking about midtown at cotswald but referenced the one at the lake. Sorry to many :drink: :drink: :drink:

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Once I catch up on my sleep from flying home from Vegas. I'll try to be out there in the early afternoon. I'll more than likely put in at Pincle & go down to Midtown for a late lunch. My old girl is as loud as it's looks (trips with dry exhuast).

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Mark, It was great seeing you and your family. I hope you had a good monday on the water. Hope you have a safe trip home tonight and we will see you later. By the way, the boat was very nice.

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Hey Mark , It was nice meeting you and the family.Glad you guys got to see the lake. Don't forget to check our club site for runs, hope you guys make it down again.

David

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What a great weekend! What a great lake!
I'm sunburned and way tired. Got home at 3am and up at 630 to work a 24hr shift at the F.D.

Very nice to meet everyone! You all were so nice and helpful. Sorry I missed Audra and Al. Believe me I wish we had came back to the hotel that night instead of where we went... I'll post more later when I get rested up.

Thanks again!

Re: Lake Norman Info
 

Mark,

Sorry we missed you all as well. We packed and got the house ready for the sale all weekend. I must say Thank You for the break I got on Saturday night. I needed it :D next time you guys come down we will have more time and we can all get together. Glad you had a good time

Audra