The weather is just right for the start of boating season here in the Carolinas, Piloters! We’ve got another issue out on racks all throughout the Piedmont region with good tips and great stories inside.
On the cover, in our Pilot feature article, we talk to the Fabbricatore family on the experience of purchasing the Sea Tow Lake Norman franchise from Capt. John Ward back in May 2024. As lifelong boaters and with years of salvage experience, this has been a dream come true for the local family. Read more about the team and their harrowing experience doing salvage work following Hurricane Helene on pages 40-41.
In the Pilot’s Galley we’ve got a short feature on Drift on Lake Wylie, an elegant dining experience on the water just over the border in South Carolina. We make an effort to highlight one waterfront eatery in every issue, and they span across concepts. From hot dogs and live music, to upscale and awardwinning, there is plenty to experience on the shores of the Piedmont lakes. Check that out on page 28.
The Piedmont Fishing Guide includes a writeup on a local bait & tackle shop that many people may already be familiar with. Bud’s Bait & Tackle in Rock Hill has been servicing the fishing needs of locals since 2020. While that may have been an inopportune time for many other businesses to open, the pandemic didn’t affect much when it came to fishing. If anything, Bud’s has stayed thriving throughout. Read more on that on page 68.
Our Lake Feature consists of a double-header in this issue. For one, we’ve got tips on how to de-winterize your vessel and get it water-ready for the start of the season. In the other, we show appreciation for the National Marine Manufacturers Association by detailing their work of boosting the boating industry behind the scenes and how a membership can benefit all new and experienced boaters on the water. Those are on pages 42-43.
We’re working on some more exciting things for the future of the Pilot with both our digital offerings and the layout of this publication. We can’t wait to share those with you someday soon. In the meantime, see you on the water!
Words: Ryan Pitkin, Justin LaFrancois, Annie Keough, Dezanii Lewis
Art: Justin LaFrancois
Cartography: Keith Karr
Advertising Sales: Jamie Bluto
Distribution: Piedmont Lakes Pilot team
Piedmont Lakes Pilot is published six times a year by Nerve Pilot Productions LLC
417 East Boulevard, Suite 206
Charlotte, NC 28203
Appearance and publication of any advertisement, editorial or literary content in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the products and services offered. Piedmont Lakes Pilot and its distributors will not be held liable for any misinformation herein contained nor the responsibility of any advertiser for failing to perform as herein stated.
Maps are not to scale and are to be used solely as a reference and not for navigation. Check your charts or refer to additional sources available from US Government publications.
Nerve Pilot Productions LLC (704) 817-8996 info@piedmontlakespilot.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15.00 for six issues
Send name & address with payment to Piedmont Lakes Pilot
417 East Boulevard, Suite 206
Charlotte NC 28203
Piedmont Lakes Pilot is printed on partially recycled stock. It may be recycled further, please do your part.
On our cover: In May 2024, Nathan Fabbricatore and his family closed on a deal to buy the Sea Tow Lake Norman franchise from Capt. John Ward, making the local marine assistance and salvage company a family-owned operation. Their team of five captains have been working throughout the winter, bringing the type of person-centered customer service the franchise has been known for to each call, whether salvaging boats wrecked by Hurricane Helene or answering a simple call for a boater who’s run out of gas.
Service Index
Charlotte Ski Boats
1206 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
AK McCallum Co.
715 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28302
910-483-6804 or 800-682-2628; AKMcCallumCo.com
DLR – Jon Boats, Creek Boats, Bass Hunters MOT – Evinrude, Tohatsu, Yamaha
Pontoon rentals on Badin Lake 700 Lake Forest Dr, New London, NC 28127 336-461-2565
Carefree Boat Club
Lake Norman & Lake Wylie 704-557-0848; CarefreeBoats.com
Carolina Boat Rentals
We Deliver to Lake Norman, Mtn Island & Wylie Access Ramps 704-614-2118; CarolinaBoatRentals.net
Charlotte Cycleboat
Book your individual tickets on a Party Mixer Cruise, or book the whole boat up to 15 ppl. Reservation required. 17505 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 704-360-3030; CharlotteCycleboats.com
CS Rentals of Lake Norman PWCs, Pontoons 1177 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117 704-662-9551; CSPerformance.com
Catawba Lands Conservancy 4530 Park Rd, Suite 420, Charlotte, NC 28209 704-342-3330; CatawbaLands.org
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation 715 N. Church St., Ste 120, Charlotte, NC 28202 704-679-9494; CatawbaRiverkeeper.org
Catawba River Paddle Club
At Tailrace Marina on Lake Wylie 1010 Marina Village Dr, Mt Holly, NC 28120 TheCatawbaRiverPaddleClub.com
America’s Boating Club – Catawba Catawba Sail & Power Squadron Education, Civic Service, School 4743 Cascade Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29732 CatawbaSandPS.org
Charlotte Ski Boats 1206 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117 704-525-6006; CharlotteSkiBoats.com
Commodore Yacht Club On-Yard Storage 4010 Kingfisher Rd, York, SC 803-981-4546; CommodoreYachtClub.net
What you’ll find here is a compendium of lakefront and lake-access eateries we recommend to our closest friends. This list will change and we’re always looking for your input. Call us at 704-817-8996 or visit us online at www.piedmontlakespilot.com with your comments and suggestions.
Boss Hog BBQ
7564 Highway 150 E., Sherrill’s Ford.
Crossroads Grill
5585 Rink Dam Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681 828-632-5656; TinyURL.com/CrossroadsGrill
Cheeseburgers, homemade chili, barbeque, country-style steaks and fried pies, Southern cooking, mentioned in Our State magazine. Open Mon. – Sat., 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Sun. Casual. $
Hot dogs and meatball subs. Beer, wine and sodas. Just above the gas dock at Lake Hickory Boat Rental & Marina. Available for private parties. May-September. Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11a.m.-7 p.m.; Mon., noon-5 p.m.; closed Tues. Casual. $
SandBar Marina & Grill
3210 Rink Dam Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681
828-632-7937; SandBarMarinaGrill.com
Great lakeside hangout with a grill and bar where you can dock and dine, wine shop, fuel service and events. Open Wed., 4-9 p.m.; Mon. & Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Tues. Casual, private bar. $
Apps & Taps
River City Marina
155 Pinnacle Lane, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-677-7648; AppsnTapsLKN.com
704-478-3600; Facebook.com/BossHogBBQofLKN
Hickory-smoked pork barbecue, ribs and chicken cooked fresh daily. Buffalo wings. Served with homemade baked beans, slaw, Brunswick stew. Open Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4-8 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m. Closed Sun.-Mon.Casual. $
Eddie's Seafood & Raw Bar
643 Williamson Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-799-2090; EddiesLKN.com
Local favorite with an extensive menu featuring seafood, burgers, Italian specialties and Sunday brunch. On the water, but no slips. You can, however, beach your boat on the sandy strip — but you might get your feet wet! Open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Hello, Sailor
20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-997-5365; HelloSailorNC.com
At Holiday Marina. Sophisticated, retro-inspired restaurant with a waterfront deck and tiki bar. Slips available. Open Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.-Tues.
Jeffrey’s Restaurant
117 Trade Ct, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-799-1110; jeffreyslkn.com
Extensive menu with plenty of apps, salads and heavier fare including Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza. Open Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m.; Sun., noon-2:30 a.m. Slips available. Casual. $-$$ Big Daddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar 1162 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117 704-663-4242; BigDaddysOfLakeNorman.com
Roomy 500-seat restaurant with oyster bar and salad bar. Seafood at its best since 1974. Open Sun.-Thurs., 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Casual. $$
Menu includes steaks and seafood as well as a full bar. The patio is complete with curtains, so you can enjoy being outside even when it's raining. BPG is lakeside with slips, and there's a gas dock so you can fuel yourself and your boat (and the family dog, too!) in one stop. Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. until... Casual. $-$$
Inspired by his late father, Bud, Jeff Lancaster created a restaurant that filled the area’s need for a higher quality restaurant that wasn’t another lifeless franchise. Jeff’s passion for people pushed him to strive for the best while embracing an approachable southern charm; this idea is still woven into our essence today. Slick but easy-going hangout featuring New American eats with a Southern bent, cocktails and a patio. Open Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Mon., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m., Casual; $$ Lancaster’s BBQ
From humble beginnings in a small former gas station, Lancaster’s BBQ was born in Race City, USA (otherwise known as Mooresville, NC). The year was 1986 and their slow-smoked, real eastern NC barbecue and race memorabilia quickly became legendary. Generous plates of barbecue and Southern comfort grub are the draw at this time-tested, casual restaurant. Huntersville location is open Sun. & Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mooresville location is open Sun.-Fri., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Casual; $-$$
(continued on page 26)
(continued from page 25)
Anntony’s at the Landing
4491 Slanting Bridge Road, Sherrill’s Ford 828-478-5944; anntonys.com; landingatthelake.com
Located within the Lake Norman Landing Hotel & Marina, Anntony’s offers waterfront dining, a sandy beach area for the kids to play and live entertainment. Traditional Caribbean cuisine with Southern influence. Enjoy a plate of flavorful ribs, shrimp, island wings marinated in Anntony’s sauces and seasonings, or a seafood platter with classic mac and cheese or coleslaw on the side. Full bar. Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Mon.-Tues. The Landing hosts 20 slips, a dock, and a ramp. Casual. $-$$
North Harbor Club
100 North Harbor Place, Davidson 704-896-5559; NorthHarborClub.com
American fare ranging from sandwiches to full dinners. Indoor, outdoor dining. Live music four nights a week, 7-10 p.m.. Come by boat, 18 slips available. Open Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun.Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Casual. $$-$$$
Classy restaurant with dinner entrees in the $17-$29 range featuring a climate-controlled deck, outdoor patio and sandy lounge area on the water. Slips available. Open Tues.-Thurs, 4-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.
Toucan’s Lakefront
River City Marina
167 Pinnacle Lane, Mooresville, NC
704-360-2001; TinyURL.com/ToucansLakefront
A 6,000-square-foot venue overlooking Lake Norman, from the same folks who brought you the Blue Parrot. Open for lunch and dinner, Toucan’s menu includes sandwiches, burgers, wraps, seafood and steaks. Oyster bar and full-service bar. Familyfriendly. There are 16 slips, so come in off the water. Open Tues.Sun., 11 a.m.-18 p.m.; closed Mon. Casual. $$-$$$
Great selection of lake food from burgers and dogs to salads — but you’ll want to try the cheesesteak. Kid’s menu. Gas dock. Open Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Mon-Tues., 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs. 11 am.-11 p.m.; Fri,-Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight. Very casual. $
Shuffletown Grill
10220 Rozzelles Ferry Road, Charlotte 28214 704-399-1968; ShuffletownGrill.com
Great neighborhood spot, open since 1957 for breakfast and lunch. Extensive menu with daily specials. Breakfast includes steak & eggs, omelets, country plates. Lunch includes burgers, sandwiches, subs and salads, among other items. Open Tues.Sat., 6am-2 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon. $
Drift on Lake Wylie
315-M Lanyard Lane, Belmont, NC 28012
980-351-0111; DriftLKW.com
Chef-inspired lakeside chophouse. Heavy on beef, pork and seafood. Fine dining by the lake. Located at the Morningstar McLean Marina, just south of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. There are slips with a gas dock close at hand. Not the kind of place to come in your wet boardshorts. Open Sun., 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. & 4-9 p.m.; Tues.-Thurs., 4-9:30 p.m.; Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 4-10 p.m. $$$
J.R. Cash’s Grill & Bar
Tailrace Marina 1000 Marina Village Drive, Mt. Holly, NC 28120
704-601-5541; JRCashs.com
Waterfront, Lake Wylie at Tailrace Marina (#62 on Lake Wylie map). Menu includes apps, soups, sandwiches, burgers, steaks, ribs, seafood, chicken and pasta. What else is there? Oh desserts and the bar, of course. There are slips, so come by boat. Open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Casual. $$
Pier 88 Yacht Club
River Mills Marina
165 Heritage Drive, Lake Wylie
803-831-0088
Closed in the offseason. Hot dogs, burgers, BBQ, chicken wings, French fries, onion rings and much more. Beer and wine to go. On the lake in Joe’s Cove just two coves south of Buster Boyd Bridge. Ship’s store, boat slips and gas dock. Open 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Very casual. $
Papa Doc's Shore Club
3990 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
803-831-0043; PapaDocsLKW.com
What was once the Hungry Fisherman then, for many years, T-Bones, is just off the South Carolina side of the Buster Boyd Bridge. The renovated space includes four bars and seating for hundreds, plus 38 boat slips. Adjacent to Lake Wylie Marina & the Buster Boyd Public Access. The menu features steamed and fried seafood platters, oysters, burgers, salads, sandwiches, tacos and bar appetizers. Tiki bar. Carry-out service for boaters. Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight. Casual. $$
Creekside Grill & Ale
3482 John G. Richards Road, Camden, SC 29020 803-273-3448; TinyURL.com/CreeksideGrill
Across Beaver Creek from Wateree Marina. Dutchman’s Creek Marina & Grill
5546 River Road, Winnsboro, SC 803-482-3067; Facebook.com/DutchmanCreek
Marina servicing the Lake Wateree area. Gas, fishing tackle, restaurant, snacks, beverages, boat rentals. Open Wed.-Mon., 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Casual. $ Riverdeck at Beaver Creek Grill
3473 John G. Richards Road, Liberty Hill, SC 29074
803-273-3757; Facebook.com/RiverdeckStoreandGrill
Store and grill with hamburgers, chicken wings, shrimp po-boys, pancakes, omelets, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, homemade biscuits. Gas for cars & boats, live bait, all fishing supplies, beer, wine. Open Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Beaver’s Den at Beaver Creek Bar & Grille
3482 John G. Richards Road, Camden, SC 29020
803-475-2289; BeaversDenAtBeaverCreek.com
Ribeyes, flounder, chicken, quesadillas, wings. Open Mon.-Thus., 4-9 p.m.; Fri., 4-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Bar stays open ‘til midnight most nights. Casual. $$ Mill Pond Steakhouse
84 Boykin Mill Road, Rembert, SC 29128
803-425-8825; MillPondSteakhouse.com
High-end steakhouse with prime and choice Angus beef, shrimp and grits, crab cakes. Originally built in the mid-1860’s. Open Tues.-Sat., 5 p.m.-until; closed Sun.-Mon. $$-$ Olde Town Hall
Oldest Italian eatery in Ridgeway. Brick-oven pizzas, quesadillas, wings, calzones, pasta, grinders and more. Full bar. Open Tues.Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; second Sun., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Monday. Bar stays open late for sports events. Casual.
High Rock Marina & Campground 1013 Wafford Circle, Lexington, NC 27292 336-798-1196; HighRockLakeCampground.com
Fresh, made-to-order snacks and dinners. Eat on the deck or get a to-go order to spend more time on the water. 20 Slips. Casual. $
Lakeview Family Restaurant
9185 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
704-637-3699
Down-home family dining. At the public access ramp and across Bringle Ferry from Tamarac Marina (see 51 on High Rock map), so you can come by boat. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Wed.-Sat., 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Mon.Tues. Very casual. $ Tamarac Marina
9120 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
704-636-1918; TamaracMarina.weebly.com
Full-service restaurant with daily specials. Tackle and grocery store, other amenities. Located at the bridge on Bringle Ferry Road, 15-minute access off I-85. Come by boat, there are slips, a gas dock and ramp (see 51 on High Rock Lake map). Open Sun.Thurs., 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Very casual. $
Waters Edge Dock & Grill
257 Boat Club Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146
704-603-8056; WatersEdgeHighRock.com
Awesome entrees, creative appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, craft burgers, wings, and late-night bar food as well as weekend brunch. Wed.-Fri., 5 p.m.-late; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-late. Come by boat, there are slips. Casual. $-$$
Badin Lake Family Restaurant
2507 Blaine Road, New London, NC 28127
336-461-2660
Great jumping off point for that Badin fishing trip. Above Uwharrie Point Marinas and Badin Shores Resort. Southern breakfast and lunch menu items. Seafood and steaks available on weekends. Open Tues.-Sat. 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Sun.-Mon. Very casual. $
Old North State Club Marina
139 Marina Lane, New London, NC, 28127
336-461-4456; OldNorthStateClub.com
The menu caters to a wide variety of tastes, from comfort classics to the latest creations. Open Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Scallywag's Bar & Grill
Badin Lake Marina
700 Lake Forest Drive, New London, NC 28127 336-461-2565; ScallywagsBarAndGrill.com
Waterfront at Badin Lake Marina & Watersports. Lake-front dining inside or outside on a large, covered patio. Great food, hand-dipped ice cream. Beer and wine. Parking areas and boat slips, gas dock and boat ramp, store, pontoon rentals. Lunch, dinner, breakfast on weekends. Dine in or take out. Open Wed.Thurs., 5-9 p.m.; Fri., 5-10 p.m.; Sat., noon-11 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Casual. $
Lefler’s Place Cafe
6423 NC Highway 73 W., Mt. Gilead, NC 27306
910-439-5451; LeflersPlace.com
Operating continuously since 1922, Lefler's does smoked barbeque the right way. Hand-pattied burgers, homemade chili and slaw, famous hot dogs. This place is complete with a country store. Open Tues.-Wed., 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thurs.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Closed Sun.-Mon. Casual. $
Harbor Café
197 Holly Harbor Trail, Mount Gilead, NC 27306
910-439-0043; Facebook.com/TheTwinHarborCafe
Full breakfast and lunch menu during the week, flounder and shrimp dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings. Breakfast includes French toast and pancakes. Lunch features salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Just off Lillys Bridge Road in the Twin Harbor community. Open daily, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., 4-8 p.m. Casual. $ River Wild 1185 Lillys Bridge Road, Mt Gilead, NC 27306 910-439-2022; RiverWildNC.com
Bison burgers along with other fresh, hand-crafted burgers and sandwiches. Dockage available at Lilly's Bridge Marina (#51 on Lake Tillery map) or parking if you come by car. Deck seating overlooking the marina. Carpet golf. Full bar, live music. Open Tues.-Thurs., 4-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Mon. Casual. $$
The Boat House at Lake Tillery 712 Berry Hill Drive, Norwood, NC 28128
A lakeside restaurant and bar serving pizza, wings, burgers, and sandwiches, not to mention gas if you pull up in your boat. Lots of live music on the back patio. Dine-in, carry-out and curbside pick-up available. Open Wed.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Closed Mon.-Tues. Casual. $
Toe the Line at Drift on Lake Wylie
By Annie Keough
Lake Wylie’s upscale, award-winning waterfront chophouse Drift on Lake Wylie is the modern alternative to lake-day dining.
Led by executive chef Rogger Torres, the restaurant boasts a welcoming bar and lounge with a “menu that ranges from no-fuss to fancy … [serving] fresh, inventive steak & seafood dishes with local ingredients that are uniquely Carolina,” according to its website.
Owned by the same group that owns The Pump House just downriver in Rock Hill as well as Napa at Kingsley in Fort Mill. This time they’ve jumped the border just barely as Drift nestles the North/South Carolina state line near the South New Hope Road bridge in the McLean South Shore neighborhood, with boat access available.
Choose one (or many) refreshing appetizers like wagyu tartare, shrimp cocktail, brioche bread, beet and burrata, and more before digging into your main dish. You can enjoy a light meal with blackened, broiled or raw oysters or choose from a selection of soups and salads.
If you’re looking for a more filling option, Drift offers several different meat options like filet mignon, pork chops and lamb shanks as well as seafood dishes including ahi tuna, salmon, sea bass, scallops and more.
Combine both specialities with the Drift signature dish: an eight-ounce filet and lobster with creole velouté and golden yukon mash.
The team also offers what they call “the best brunch in Belmont” from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Then from SundayThursday, 4-6:30 p.m., the establishment hosts Drift & Sip, with $8 cocktail specials, $3 rotating draft beers, and $6 wine.
Drift also hosts special events each month, as March kicked off with a Mardi Gras dinner
and wrapped with an E. Guigal Wine Dinner that featured a five-course menu expertly paired with wines from one of the Rhône Valley’s most celebrated wineries.
“Drift on Lake Wylie truly exceeded all expectations!” one local guide said in a Google review. “My sister and I went in to do some work and grab a drink, and the customer service was beyond phenomenal … I ordered a burger that was absolutely divine! … The combination of bleu cheese and feta melted into the burger was simply marvelous — each bite was bursting with flavor. The fresh-cut fries were incredible too!”
The restaurant also offers catering and space for private parties to upgrade any rehearsal dinner or corporate gala. Reserve a table now and enjoy fine dining with a lakefront view!
Located at 315 M Lanyard Lane in Belmont, Drift on Lake Wylie is open Tuesday-Thursday from 4-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; and closed on Mondays.
Visit driftlkw.com and follow the restaurant at facebook.com/driftlkw or @driftlkw on Instagram to learn more.
[BELOW] Scallops, courtesy of Drift on Lake
[ABOVE] Event Space, courtesy of Drift on Lake
Wylie
Wylie
(continued from page 24)
Harbortowne Marina
On-Yard Dry Storage
220 Commodore Ct, Belmont, NC 28012
HarbortowneMarina.com
Holiday Marina
20139 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-892-0561
Lake Norman Marina – Dry Storage
6965 Hwy 150 E, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 704-483-5142; LakeNormanMarina.com
Lilly’s Bridge Marina On Lake Tillery 1183 Lilly’s Bridge Rd, Mt. Gilead, NC 910-573-0629; LillysBridgeMarina.com
West Marine 13000 S Tryon St, Ste K, Charlotte, NC 28278 704-588-1020 20420 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031 704-895-5299; WestMarine.com (See the Marina Guide on pages
112 Doolie Rd, Hwy 150 W, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-799-1994; NorthPointWatersports.com
Race City Marine
1192 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117 704-799-0008; RaceCityMarine.com
All Seasons Marina At Marker T-3 827 Langtree Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-892-3478; AllSeasonsMarina.net
American Marine Liquidators 4879 NC Hwy 16, Denver, NC 28037
704-483-8144; AMLBoats.com
Armstrong Marine Service 477 Lytton St, Troutman, NC 28166
3 Indicates private club with limited public access.
828-495-8833
828-495-8181
828-632-7649
828-632-7937
828-855-2916
803-432-5315
803-432-0073
803-482-3067
803-482-6443
803-273-3013
803-475-1224
336-357-5906
704-636-1918
336-798-1196
704-827-0000
704-633-025
336-461-4456
336-461-0296
336-461-2565
704-983-4211
704-982-4402
704-474-0312
910-573-0629
SEATOWLAKENORMAN ISNOWALLINTHEFAMILY
FABBRICATORE FAMILY TAKES OVER LOCAL FRANCHISE, RECALLS HARROWING HELENE WORK
BYRYANPITKIN
When we last spoke with Nathan Fabbricatore in the spring of 2024, he was perfectly happy with his role as captain and assistant manager at Sea Tow Lake Norman, overseeing a team of five mates while working under his mentor and franchise owner John Ward.
What we didn’t know at the time, however, was that Fabbricatore and his family were on the verge of a deal to buy the Sea Tow Lake Norman franchise from Ward, making the local marine assistance and salvage company a family-owned operation.
Since closing the deal in May 2024, Nathan has taken the role of general manager for the franchise, handling the day-to-day operations alongside his twin brother Nic. Their mother Nathalie works as the office manager, sister Liana does marketing and social media for the company, and father Tom acts as a financial advisor of sorts, handling insurance claims and recruitment duties, among other things.
For Nathan, who acquired his first boater’s license at 11 years old and his first captain’s license as a teenager, running his own Sea Tow franchise has been a dream come true made all the more special by the fact that he’s at the helm of a familyrun operation.
At least that’s what he’d tell you if he could find the time to come up for air.
“It’s everything I could have imagined and more,” he says of the family business before shifting gears into the wild ride he’s been on since last May. “It’s definitely been 100 miles an hour ever since we closed [the deal], just with taking everything over and then having one of the busiest years I ever imagined having even before the storm hit — then the hurricane hit and it’s been just nonstop since then. So it really hasn’t stopped since May.”
With the new boating season set to start, things
aren’t expected to slow down, and Nathan wouldn’t have it any other way.
His team of five captains have been working throughout the winter, bringing the type of personcentered customer service the franchise has been known for to each call, whether salvaging boats wrecked by Hurricane Helene or answering a simple call for a boater who’s run out of gas.
“We’re your friendly neighbors,” he said. “Being a family business, we go that extra mile for our customers and all of us strive to reach our goals together to further extend our service and anything we can do for our customers.”
ANSWERING THE CALL
After starting with Sea Tow in 2019, Nathan Fabbricatore spent three years splitting his time between North Carolina, where he worked with the Lake Norman franchise during boat season, and Florida during the colder months, where he trained under John Ward doing hurricane salvage.
In September 2020, he had a harrowing experience working through Hurricane Sally while stationed in Destin, Florida.
“That was a crazy experience, actually staying in a house down there, where that hurricane is passing right over top of you,” he told us last spring. “I mean, it was a little frightening, but a really incredible experience.”
Fast forward to September 2024 and the arrival of Hurricane Helene. While Nathan and his family weren’t in the same immediate danger that he had experienced in Destin, the chaotic aftermath was something he had never seen before in North Carolina.
All those years working under Ward in Florida
would come to be invaluable as he and his team helped in any way they could after Helene.
They started on Lake Norman, where wind and rain had done far more damage than the worst summer storm in an average year. It was during their first trip down to Lake Wiley after the storm, however, that the reality of the situation started to sink in.
“I got a phone call from a gentleman on Lake Wiley stating a marina just broke free and me and my team sprang into action and got down there,” Nathan recalled. “When we got out into the river, all you see is boat after boat after boat [floating free] — docks with boats on them and flipped over boats just coming right towards you. So from there, it was all hands on deck to get that cleaned up.”
Because Lake Wiley is a multi-state lake, it’s subject to the same maritime salvage laws as the coastal waters where Nathan learned to do hurricane salvage. In emergency situations like Hurricane Helene, there is a “pure salvage” rule that says Sea Tow not only has the right but the obligation to recover any boat that’s in peril to minimize further damage to surrounding property, the environment, or the boat itself.
The Sea Tow team began recovering boat after boat, pulling most of them out on trailers while tying some to nearby trees. The marina had detached so there was no place to put them, so Sea Tow stored those that the team recovered and went unclaimed.
“The hardest thing is finding where to start, especially when there’s that many boats coming at you,” Nathan recalled. “You just just start grabbing them and putting them to shore, getting them secured. There were so many of them. We just all worked together.”
destruction that threatened people’s lives and livelihoods, making boats less of a priority, they eventually did go into the area and pull out around 100 boats.
For Nathan, to help his neighbors through this tough time made the hurricane salvage work that much more meaningful.
“I can’t thank Captain John [Ward] enough for the opportunities I had in Florida, because knowing how to respond to this work and then doing it in my home state meant even more to me and my team,” Nathan said. “We have the know how to do it, and we had those response capabilities as well as getting to also give that personal service to help our local communities.”
The hurricane salvage calls have started to taper off but Nathan and his team have stayed busy prepping for the start of boat season, finishing work on two new boats that were meant to be winter projects before Helene took over everyone’s time. That brings their fleet to 13.
The company keeps boats strategically located at Peninsula Yacht Club in Cornelius, Safe Harbor Westport in Denver, The Boat Rack in Catawba, and at Sherrills Ford to optimize response times.
At $169 per year for a membership with unlimited access to service and no hidden fees, it provides critical security for boaters of any skill level.
As more people begin returning to the water, the Fabbricatores and their team are ready to start connecting with their neighbors again — the one thing folks can count on during their toughest days on the lake.
“Our biggest thing is, when customers call us, that’s probably one of the worst days of their boating experience,” he said. “So we want to make them be smiling by the end of it and excited to get it fixed and enjoy it again.”
The work went on for months — Lake Norman, Lake Wiley, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Hickory, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake James. Though they stayed out of Lake Lure at the beginning due to the widespread [TOP] Nathan (left) and Nic (right) Fabbricatore
of Sea Tow Lake Norman, photo by Grant Baldwin [BELOW] Sea Tow boats on the water captained by the Fabbricatores, photo by Grant Baldwin
Tips for De-Winterizing Your Boat
By Ryan Pitkin
The weather is warming up and most of our lakes are ready for boat season following the destruction of Hurricane Helene.
One question remains: Are your boats ready for boat season?
De-winterizing your boat is a key factor in preparing to get back out on the water. There’s a lot more involved than simply taking your boat out of storage. Failure to properly de-winterize your boat by implementing mechanical tests, electrical inspections and gear checks could end horribly once you’re out on the water.
The first thing to take into account when dewinterizing is when you can do it. What’s known as “false spring” can get people antsy for a day on the water but if you jump the gun and de-winterize before the winter’s last freeze, you could be in trouble.
Lee Dahlen with Glassic Boatworks Inc. in Cornelius suggests waiting until mid-March if you live in the Piedmont area, and by the time this issue hits stands there should be no concerns about surprise freezes.
Nathan Fabbricatore with Sea Tow Lake Norman suggests that you start the de-winterization process by making a boat safety checklist consisting of all the gear that either needs to be returned to the boat or has remained on the boat over the winter and needs checking before you enter the water. That includes life jackets, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
“Especially life jackets; make sure those aren’t rotted or needing to be replaced,” said Fabbricatore.
Other critical needs to have onboard include throwable flotation devices, visual distress signals,
sound signaling devices, navigation lights, and a VHF radio/cellphone in case of emergency.
Check your engine levels — outdrive oil, steering fluid and coolant. Change your oil and replace the oil filters. Your distributor is likely to corrode during the winter, so be sure to clean that, including the cap, and ensure the connections are secured back in place tightly.
“I know this time of year is very common for a lot of in-board/outboard boats, if they didn’t get winterized, they could have freeze damage and the engine blocks can be all messed up and split from freezing,” said Fabbricatore. “Those can pose hazards and, in some cases, sink boats because the water is just coming right through the engine block and freezing.”
Fully charge your battery and clean the cable ends and terminals. USe a battery tester to be sure the levels for volts and amps match your manufacturer’s standards. If not, your battery likely isn’t holding a charge and will need to be replaced.
Be sure to clean and inspect the bilge pump and hoses to ensure everything’s in working order. Inspect the propeller for damage or wear, then follow up with a full inspection of the boat’s exterior — especially the hull — for signs of damage that may have occurred while in storage.
Check in with how Glassic Boatworks Inc. is preparing for boat season at facebook.com/ GlassicBoatworks and learn more about Sea Tow Lake Norman by reading our cover feature on page 40 and visiting their website at seatow.com/lake-norman.
NMMA Boosts the Boating Industry from Behind the Scenes
By Ryan Pitkin
Boating culture is built on community, and perhaps nowhere is that sense of community cultivated more strongly than within the ranks of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the recreational boating industry’s largest trade association.
Comprising 1,300 member companies responsible for manufacturing an estimated 85% of the boats, engines, trailers, marine accessories and gear used by boaters in North America, the NMMA is a force, leveraging the strength of that membership to provide a strong voice of leadership for the industry, representing recreational boating to policymakers and helping its members thrive in other ways.
Formed in 1979 by the merger of the Boating Industry Association of Chicago (BIA) and National Association of Engine and Boat Manufacturers of New York (NAEBM), the roots of the NMMA date back to 1904.
Much has changed since then, and today the NMMA pursues its goals to best support its members through four focus areas: public policy advocacy on behalf of the boating industry, the promotion of boating, customer satisfaction, and programs and services tailored specifically to members’ needs.
The association’s Discover Boating campaign, which focuses on engaging a younger, more diverse consumer and getting the next generation of boaters on the water, attracted 6.5 visitors to its website (discoverboating.com) in its Fiscal Year
2024 (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024), cultivating 1.6 million introductions to manufacturers and dealers through website referrals, boat shows and leads.
“Discover Boating is a long-term growth strategy, rooted in expanding the market, and we’re seeing that strategy work when we connect with people in a way that’s not only meaningful but genuine, and that’s where our partners on the manufacturer and dealer side come in — helping make sure that as Discover Boating introduces new people to boating, they’re met with that same level of engagement and accessibility,” stated Ellen Bradley, NMMA’s chief brand officer, last October.
“As we build and grow our industry for the future, truly understanding our customers’ values, beliefs, and interests helps us attract, engage and retain them and testing our assumptions about who a boater is and what they want, is central to what Discover Boating is helping us tackle together.”
Other benefits for NMMA members include free and exclusive access to NMMA’s Business Intelligence stats and research hub, valued at over $10,000; exclusive access to the Marine Industry Retirement Plan; access to membersonly newsletters, advocacy updates, trade and tariff alerts and economic and industry news; exclusive connections through the B2B Member Directory; and dozens of other benefits, programs and services.
Lake Hickory was completed in 1928, and has 105 miles of shoreline. Lake Hickory is managed by Duke Energy. For current lake-level information, visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com. Click the “Lake Maps” button. Indicates Public Access
See the Marina Guide on pages 34-37
Lake Hickory
Lake Norman was completed in 1963, covers 32,510 acres, has 520 miles of shoreline and is managed by Duke Power Company. For current lake-level information,visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com . Click the “Lake Maps” button.
Lake Wylie was completed in 1904 and was the first lake built on the Catawba River. It was reconstructed and enlarged in 1925, has 325 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 12,455 acres. Lake Wylie is managed by Duke Power Company. For current lake-level information, visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmont lakespilot.com . Click the “Lake Maps” button.
Lake Wateree was created in 1920 with the operation of Wateree Hydroelectric Station. Lake Wateree has 13,864 surface acres and 242 miles of shoreline and is the largest of the lower lakes. The lake also provides a dependable water supply for Lugoff and Camden, South Carolina. Full pond elevation is 225.5 feet. For current lake-level information, visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com. Click the “Lake Maps” button.
High Rock Lake
High Rock Lake serves as the principal water storage and release facility for the entire Yadkin/PeeDee River. It consists of 360 miles of shoreline and 15,180 acres of water surface at a full-pond depth of 59 feet. For the latest lake-level information, visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com. Click the “Lake Maps” button.
Badin Dam Badin Lake, also known as Narrows Reservoir, was completed in 1917. It has 115 miles of shoreline and 5,353 acres of water-surface at full-pond. The lake is adjacent to the 50,000-acre Uwharrie National Forest, and north of the 4,693-acre Morrow Mountain State Park. For the latest lake level information, consult the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com. Click the “Lake Maps” button.
The Lake Tillery Project is owned and operated by Duke Energy. It began operation in 1928 with the development of Norwood Dam, has approximately 118 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 5,263 acres at full-pond. Besides hydro-electric power generation, Lake Tillery provides drinking water for Montgomery County and the City of Norwood. For the latest lake-level information, consult the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com. Click the “Lake Maps” button
Mountain Island Lake has a surface area of 3,235 acres with 61 miles of shoreline. Completed in 1923, it’s the primary source of drinking-water for more than 500,000 North Carolinians in the cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly. Mountain Island Lake is managed by Duke Energy. For current lake-level information, visit the Piedmont Lakes section of www.piedmontlakespilot.com Click the “Lake Maps” button.
(continued from page 35)
Merchandise Resource
Boat finishes & piling jackets
412 Castlestone, Matthews, NC 28104
704-821-3503
Mountain Creek Marina 7515 Stonewall St, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
704-483-0077; MtCreekMarina.com
Perth Marine
818 Perth Rd, Troutman, NC 28166
704-528-0500; PerthMarine.com
Pier 88 Yacht Club
At River Hills Marina on Lake Wylie 54 Marina Rd, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
Bud’s Bait & Tackle Is Rock Hill’s Family-Owned Fishing Store
By Dezanii Lewis
Just a quick cast away from the Catawba River and India Hook’s Lake Wylie shores in South Carolina, mariners and fishermen (or women) alike will find the perfect resources at Bud’s Bait and Tackle Shop, a family-owned-and-operated shop that’s been running Mount Gallant Road in Rock Hill since February 2020.
Nancy Moya-Mendez operates the store with her brother, who was the impetus behind opening the store, and on busier days she also enlists the help of her husband.
“My brother had retired and was bored, and so we opened it for him to run, basically,” she said. “He needed something to do.”
Her brother used to work in construction, but when he became diabetic, he was no longer able to wear the steel-toed boots that the profession required. He’s in good health now, however, and enjoys running the store with his sister.
“We’ve met a lot of great people,” she said. “We love helping people out, getting them started, fishing, and the little kids that come in here that just love it and are amazingly knowledgeable.
Sometimes it can be a learning process for her, even five years into running the shop.
“The 6-year-olds that come in here, they know way more than I do,” she told us. “It’s just amazing how much some of them know.”
Being a family-operated store that has to compete with chains and big box stores, customers
might expect the prices to be exorbitant, but MoyaMendez said they’re able to keep the pricing down because they have very little overhead. Owning the building in which they operate allows them to keep their prices competitive.
The affordable prices and the welcoming staff, as well as the prime location, are some of the best draws of Bud’s Bait and Tackle. For Moya-Mendez, she just enjoys all the people she gets to help.
They’re willing to go the extra mile for their customers, including staying open a little bit past their 6 p.m. closing time to accommodate customers who need some last-minute supplies for a summer evening fishing trip.
The store opened in February 2020 and, fortunately, wasn’t heavily impacted by COVID. Moya-Mendez credits their ability to stick around to all the people who prioritize their locally owned shop rather than the more convenient corporaterun operations.
“People come in here, they love the idea of the mom-and-pop store,” she said. “You just support your small businesses.”
Bud’s Bait & Tackle is located at 3035 Mount Gallant Road in Rock Hill, SC, and recently resumed its summertime hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. every day but Sunday, when it’s closed.
Visit facebook.com/budsbaitandtacklesc for updates on what’s newly in stock.
T-shirts (above), courtesy of Bud’s Bait & Tackle on Facebook
Lake Hickory Scuba & Marina
420 Taylorsville Beach Ct, Taylorsville, NC 28681
828-455-6556; LakeHickoryScuba.com
AK McCallum Co.
Tackle, Jon Boats
715 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28302
910-483-6804 or 800-682-2628
Beaches Grocery Hwy 73, Stanley NC 704-827-2188
Boater’s Warehouse
798 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 704-664-2628
Carolina Fishing Tackle Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 704-799-2912
