New year, new issue of Piedmont Lakes Pilot! It sure has been a cold one as we’ve all beared through this arctic blast that has made it feel like maybe we would never get back on the water. But, with spring on the way and boat show season in full effect, there is a brighter outlook on the horizon now.
In this issue, we got some great new content with a little spotlight on Waters Edge Dock and Grill on High Rock Lake in The Pilot’s Galley; be sure to swing by straight off the water near the Providence Church Road bridge on North Carolina’s second largest lake.
Our lake feature is a look at efforts to continue clean up from the devastation of Hurricane Helene back in mid-September. As the focus has been on western North Carolina’s change of face from the historic storm, some overlooked work has been taking place in the Piedmont region.
In the Piedmont Fishing Guide, we’ve got a look forward to some of the upcoming NC Bassmaster High School and Junior Series returning in March. Even though online registration has ended for these tournaments, you can still register at the ramp on the day of. Tournament director Chris Corriher is excited to hone in on the future of bass fishing’s biggest names from NC.
Our Pilot Feature is not one to be missed as we explain how Talley’s Pier 77 Marine takes the extra steps in boat retail of training their customers to become confident captains. Buying a boat, especially for the first time, can be a huge undertaking both financially and mentally. The team at Talley’s helps make the process bearable through its unique “Confident Captain” orientation program. Talley’s certified instructors join buyers on the water to guide them through every detail of their boat’s operation — a familial duty from a family operation.
Boat show season is in full swing with the release of this issue hitting the same weekend as the Mid-Atlantic Boat Show here in Charlotte, one of the largest around. The Pilot team will be in attendance so come on by and say, “Hello!” Upcoming shows include the RVA Family Boat Show, the Central Carolina Boat & Fishing Expo, Savannah Boat Show and the Raleigh Convention Center Boat Show.
Words: Ryan Pitkin, Justin LaFrancois, Patrick Moran, Annie Keough
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.
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On our cover: In business for nearly 40 years, Talley’s has been the exclusive authorized dealer for Regal Boats throughout much of North Carolina and into South Carolina since 2002. The dealership was recently recognized by the manufacturer as its No. 1 dealership in customer satisfaction for four straight years. Regal recently sent its customer service team to observe how Talley’s prepares and delivers products to customers — not to give notes but because they want Regal dealers around the world to replicate the Talley’s process.
Service Index
Piedmont
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
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. $
Lighthouse Pub
6706 Limbaugh Lane, Hickory, NC 28601
828-855-2916; LakeHickoryMarina.net
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
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. $-$$
Big Daddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
1162 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-663-4242; BigDaddysOfLakeNorman.com
Roomy 500-seat restaurant with oyster bar and salad bar. Seafood at its best since 1974. Open Sun.-Thurs., 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.–10 p.m. Casual. $$
Blue Parrot Grill
River City Marina
169 Pinnacle Lane, Mooresville
704-663-1203; BlueParrotMenu.com
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. $-$$
704-478-3600; Facebook.com/BossHogBBQofLKN
Hickory-smoked pork barbecue, ribs and chicken cooked fresh daily. Buffalo wings. Served with homemade baked beans, slaw, Brunswick stew. Open Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4-8 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m. Closed Sun.-Mon.Casual. $
Eddie's Seafood & Raw Bar
643 Williamson Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-799-2090; EddiesLKN.com
Local favorite with an extensive menu featuring seafood, burgers, Italian specialties and Sunday brunch. On the water, but no slips. You can, however, beach your boat on the sandy strip — but you might get your feet wet! Open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Hello, Sailor
20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-997-5365; HelloSailorNC.com
At Holiday Marina. Sophisticated, retro-inspired restaurant with a waterfront deck and tiki bar. Slips available. Open Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.-Tues.
Inspired by his late father, Bud, Jeff Lancaster created a restaurant that filled the area’s need for a higher quality restaurant that wasn’t another lifeless franchise. Jeff’s passion for people pushed him to strive for the best while embracing an approachable southern charm; this idea is still woven into our essence today. Slick but easy-going hangout featuring New American eats with a Southern bent, cocktails and a patio. Open Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Mon., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 4:30-10 p.m., Casual; $$ Lancaster’s BBQ 515 Rinehardt Road, Mooresville, NC 28115 704-663-5807; lancastersbbqmooresville.com 9230 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 704-394-1464; lancastersbbqhuntersville.com
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; $-$$
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Anntony’s at the Landing
4491 Slanting Bridge Road, Sherrill’s Ford 828-478-5944; anntonys.com; landingatthelake.com
Located within the Lake Norman Landing Hotel & Marina, Anntony’s offers waterfront dining, a sandy beach area for the kids to play and live entertainment. Traditional Caribbean cuisine with Southern influence. Enjoy a plate of flavorful ribs, shrimp, island wings marinated in Anntony’s sauces and seasonings, or a seafood platter with classic mac and cheese or coleslaw on the side. Full bar. Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Mon.-Tues. The Landing hosts 20 slips, a dock, and a ramp. Casual. $-$$
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. $$-$$$
Port City Club
18665 Harborside Drive, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-765-1565; PortCityClub.com
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. $
Waters Edge Dock and Grill Makes Life on the Edge Comfortable
By Annie Keough
Have you ever wondered what’s past the water’s edge? On High Rock Lake, that’s the place you want to be, as the Waters Edge Dock and Grill is open for boaters, sightseers and hungry families every day throughout summer and five days a week in the cold season.
Swing by straight off the water near the Providence Church Road bridge on North Carolina’s second largest lake or drive up, as Waters Edge is the closest waterfront restaurant to I-85 (exit 79) and just minutes from downtown Salisbury
Take in the beautiful views from the restaurant’s expansive deck seating area or stay warm inside without missing the lake scene out of the establishment’s floor-toceiling windows.
The restaurant, bar, live music venue and event space’s menu includes flavorful appetizers like coconut shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, poutine, Pontoon Poppers and more. If you haven’t already filled up on apps, try one of the beloved entrees such as goat cheese pizza, Towering Edge burgers, grass-fed Angus ribeyes, or honey-glazed salmon.
While the restaurant isn’t open everyday in the offseason, the team still provides a fun hangout on most days. Waters Edge is open from 5 p.m. until late on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. until midnight or later on weekends with full kitchen service available until 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and a late-night bar menu available after that.
View from Waters Edge | Photo courtesy of Facebook
According to the Waters Edge website, the “best weekend brunch in Rowan County” features a special brunch menu and renowned selfserve bloody mary bar with over 30 mixes and garnishes. Brunch runs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday with the full lunch and dinner menu resuming at noon.
“Great place on High Rock Lake with a beautiful view of the lake,” one Google reviewer wrote. “For a starter I would recommend the pretzels with beer cheese … If you are looking in the lines of burgers I would recommend the Edge burger … [and] the 16 Oz ribeye here, it is cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. For dessert make sure to save room for the cherry dumpcake,
which is basically homemade cherry cobbler. I will be back here to this establishment to try more of the menu items.”
“Great food, and great staff,” another happy reviewer stated. “Appetizers are amazing and always show up to the table quickly. Bloody Mary bar during the day on weekends is awesome! One of the best dining experiences in Rowan County.”
Visit watersedgehighrock.com to learn more or follow on Facebook at facebook.com/watersedgehighrock to see when they’re hosting themed events like ’80s Night, Music Bingo or R&B Brunch.
View from Waters Edge | Photo courtesy of Waters Edge
[PORT]
The left side of the boat as you face the forward bow.
[GUNWALE]
The top surface of the boat’s side: GUNNEL
[FREEBOARD]
Distance from the waterline to the gunwale.
[BEAM]
The width of the boat at it’s widest point
[MIDSHIP]
Approximately the center of the boat.
[KEEL]
The backbone of the hull, extending the full center-line.
[DECK]
Structural Surface that covers the hull from gunwale to gunwale.
[CHINE]
The angle in the hull where the running surface meets the sides of the hull.
[STERN]
The rear of the boat: AFT
[BOW]
The front end of the boat: FORWARD
[STARBOARD]
The right side of the boat as you face the forward bow.
[SOLE]
Floor of the cockpit, bow area or cabin.
[HELM]
Where the captain steers the boat [SWIM PLATFORM]
[HATCH]
Cover that encloses a storage compartment.
[COCKPIT]
The interior of the boat, not including the cuddy or cabin.
[HULL]
Sides, bottom, bow and transom of the boat from keel to gunwale.
[RUB RAIL]
Protective molding with a stainlesssteel or plastic insert around the boat’s outermost edge.
[LENGTH]
The measurement of the boat from bow to stern
Skiing Signals & Regulations
Water skiing is exhilarating! But like any water sport, it requires some skill and knowledge as our illustrated assistant demonstrates.
Skiing is permitted only between sunrise and sunset, and skiers must wear flotation devices. Ski vests are recommended because they are more bouyant. Members of the American Water Ski Association holding first class, expert or master ratings are exempt from this flotation requirement. Note that our assistant, while very cool, is not exempt.
Remember, skiing is a team effort! A boat pulling a skier must have an obsserver in addition to the operator, or be equipped with a wide-angle, rear-view mirror.
The hand signals below are a standard set of signals adopted by The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to make skiing safer and more enjoyable. FASTER
Palm pointing upward
Pointing to the right
Palm pointing downward
Depth & Fish Finders, GPS Systems, and General Electric Equipment & Supplies
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
Angler’s Choice Marine
4343 Old US 52 Hwy, Lexington, NC 27295 336-619-4235
291 Oakland Rd, Spindale, NC 28160
828-286-2290; AnglersChoiceMarine.com
Angler’s Choice Marine 6611 AL Philpott Hwy, Martinsville, VA 24112 276-632-5600; AnglersChoiceMarine.com
Armstrong Marine Service 477 Lytton St, Troutman, NC 28166 704-528-9489
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
TALLEY’S PIER 77 MARINE TRAINS CUSTOMERS TO BE CONFIDENT CAPTAINS
TIPS FOR BUYING - AND ENJOYING - YOUR BOAT
By Patrick Moran
If there’s one thing Billy Talley doesn’t want to see on the water, it’s an unhappy boater.
“Too often you see somebody struggling to get their boat in the water,” says the president of Talley’s Pier 77 Marine in Cornelius. “They can’t back the trailer; they can’t tie a knot; they can’t dock the boat.”
Many times, these struggles involve a lack of training, which leaves would-be captains without the confidence needed to enjoy their time on the water. With that in mind, Talley’s have made it their business to rectify the problem. After all, a flustered and embarrassed boat owner is a dissatisfied customer.
“One of the things that we’ve got a real passion for is making sure that we’re delivering quality products to people and that they know how to use them,” Talley offers.
In business for nearly 40 years, Talley’s has been the exclusive authorized dealer for Regal Boats throughout much of North Carolina and into South Carolina since 2002. The dealership was recently recognized by the manufacturer as its No. 1 dealership in customer satisfaction for four straight years.
“That’s hard to do once, and it’s extremely hard to do four times,” Talley says.
Regal recently sent its customer service team to observe how Talley’s prepares and delivers products to customers — not to give notes but because they want Regal dealers around the world to replicate the Talley’s process.
Talley is far prouder of that achievement than his company consistently placing in the top 10 in number of boats sold.
“If you do the right job with the right products and the right service, you don’t ever have to worry about being successful,” he says.
Many of the safe commonsense measures the business imparts to new owners have been in place since Talley’s father, Bill Talley, founded the business in 1986, but Talley’s has recently codified, organized and rebranded these best boating practices into a training program of sorts.
“We call it ‘Confident Captain’ because it covers everything that you need to be safe and confident on the water,” Talley says. “It just takes us a few hours with [customers], and we’re not just teaching them about the boat, we’re teaching them how to be good boaters.”
Because a customer must buy a boat before mastering it, Talley offers would-be owners three pointers.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Talley urges buyers to go beyond the brand name of the boat and look at what they’re getting for the price. That’s tough for a consumer because there’s not as much information available on boats as there is in the automotive world, for example.
A buyer should research how many times a brand has changed hands. Many well-known industry names are no longer run by the same people that made the brand special in the first place.
Regal is a mid-sized company that only builds about 1,800 boats a year. Talley says Regal puts care into its products and has not once sacrificed quality for financial growth over the years.
Talley’s team educates people about the products they offer instead of just trying to sell them something.
“We don’t want this to be the experience you have at the typical car dealership, which is all too often bad,” Talley notes.
TAKE A TEST DRIVE
Talley recommends that all potential boat owners drive a boat before fully committing to buying. Not all boats perform similarly or use the same technology. For instance, many smaller boats steer with a wheel while larger craft employ a joystick for docking, but things get even more complex from there.
Not all boats of the same size ride or handle the same. In fact, same-size boats can be vastly different on the water and there are plenty of well-known brands that actually perform worse than expected once the new owner gets behind the helm.
“So many well-known brands we take in on trade, the buyers are blown away after driving the Regal and they say, ‘If I knew this was possible, I wouldn’t have bought the other brand at all,’” Talley says. “Regal’s commitment to an excellent performing boat is quite shockingly not common in our industry.”
These differences can be hard to understand until you put the boat into action, he explains. By doing just that, a buyer can see how difficult or easy it is to handle the boat. Unfortunately, some dealers don’t put a lot of emphasis on test drives, and some don’t allow them at all.
“Every brand has got its own unique ride and drive,” Talley says. “You need to see how it all integrates together, and you can’t do that unless you get it on the water.”
LEARN THE ROPES
“You want to deal with somebody who’s able and willing to patiently go through the boat with you,” Talley says.
With every sale, his dealership offers customers an unlimited amount of time to get oriented with their purchase.
“It’s extremely important with a product that you don’t drive every day, [while mastering] a skill set that’s not very common,” he says. “You don’t want to spend a lot of money on the beautiful boat and [then] avoid attempting a docking maneuver. We specialize in making that easy.”
BECOME A CONFIDENT CAPTAIN
With its unique “Confident Captain” orientation program, Talley’s certified instructors join buyers on the water to guide them through every detail of their boat’s operation. Talley has coined the process “easy boating” because it’s both comprehensive and doesn’t take long to learn.
Even if a boater is interested in learning wake surfing, Talley’s invites professional surf instructor Tyler Rhyne to join the orientation.
In addition to engine room overview and system inspections, navigation and helm electronics setup, GPS/navigation training, lifejacket requirements, emergency equipment
operation and the basic boating laws specific to Lake Norman, the orientation also touches on maneuvering and docking.
A boat behaves differently than land vehicles that most people are familiar with, he explains, which can make maneuvering a boat around a dock tricky.
“In our training program, we teach how a boat pivots from the middle, which will swing the stern [the back of the boat] the opposite direction you steer the bow [the front],” Talley says. “On most equipment, like a car, the back wheels closely follow the track of the front tires when parking. This is a tricky concept to grasp until you are behind the wheel.”
The takeaway for maneuvering and docking, he says, is to do all your steering in neutral and steer before you shift the boat.
“As soon as you shift the boat, it will respond in the direction that you want it to go,” Talley notes.
Even anchoring, which frustrates and confuses many boaters, can be made easy through the Confident Captain program.
“Use more line,” Talley suggests. “Most people have too little line out so the anchor drifts and it bites into something solid like an old dead tree or a rock.”
This makes for a very unhappy boating experience.
The goal of this hands-on, one-on-one training is enjoyment.
“We focus on making our customers as confident as possible so they get more enjoyment out of their boat,” Talley says.
Above all else, Talley maintains, every aspect of boating should be fun, which will make for years of happy memories.
Regal LS4 available at Talley’s Pier 77 Marine | Photo courtesy of Regal Boats
Local Organizations Carry Out Critical Hurricane Helene Cleanups in the Piedmont
By Ryan Pitkin
When September ended with a full week of rainy days in the Piedmont area, Kaity D’Angelo, a volunteer and community science manager with the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation (CRF), knew waters would be high for the organization’s annual Catawba Riversweep.
The one day a year in which citizens from all over the Catawba-Wateree River Basin come together to clean up the lakes, rivers and streams across the basin was scheduled for Oct. 5.
Then Sept. 28 came and Hurricane Helene swept through the southeast, devastating large portions of western North Carolina and dumping nearly 20 more inches of rain on an already waterlogged region.
While the storm didn’t pass directly over the Catawba-Wateree Basin, the region would still see the damaging effects of that much rainfall coming down from the mountains.
“It was so much water in such a short span of time that we were concerned about how the basin was going to be able to keep up with that,” D’Angelo told Piedmont Lakes Pilot. “One thing that a lot of other people really aren’t thinking about in those moments is, whatever is coming down that basin, whatever is coming down that 300-mile stretch of the channel and coming in from all those tributaries, that’s all going to end up here.
“So we knew that we would have a much larger area overall that we were going to need to respond to just because of that domino effect,” she continued.
One thing was clear: This was going to take more than a riversweep.
Water levels rose by a number of feet across the basin, flooding rivers and lakes and leading to the destruction of docks and other
infrastructure that surrounded bodies of water from Lake James in Nebo, which saw the worst destruction within CRF’s coverage area, to Lake Wylie on the South Carolina border.
In the weeks that directly followed, CRF stayed out of the way of first responders and other officials who were carrying out search and rescue operations and other safety measures outside of the organization’s scope.
Volunteers with CRF were still able to assess the damage in the Piedmont, however, paddling more than 100 miles on scouting trips in the months after Helene swept through to gather the full scope of the hurricane’s impact.
When it was deemed safe to do so, CRF partnered with government agencies; Duke Energy, which maintains the lakes; organizations such as the NC Wildlife Federation; area residents who volunteered to help; and businesses like TowBoat US, Lancaster Docks, and Bartels Construction Solutions to start the massive cleanup needed at locations along the CatawbaWateree Basin.
The NC Wildlife Federation (NCWF) took the lead on Lake Norman cleanup efforts. Alden Picard, conservation coordinator with NCWF, said the debris flows were too heavy to even get on the water in the weeks following the storm.
“There were coves in areas of Lake Norman that were completely covered in debris — piling, lumber, woody debris,” Picard recalled. “You couldn’t even drive a boat through it.”
On Oct. 26, a full month after the storm,
it was deemed safe enough to hold a community cleanup event. Picard and around 70 volunteers worked together that day to remove around 20 tons of trash and debris from Lake Norman.
“It was an overwhelming response from the community to help,” he said. “We did large-scale removal of this debris with Lancaster Docks. We had heavy machinery, we had cranes and barges, because there was stuff that people couldn’t lift out of there — chunks of docks that weighed tons and billets from pontoon boats that people can’t get out of there.”
While NCWF focused on Lake Norman, much of CRF’s work was based at Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake.
D’Angelo reported a similar scene at those lakes, where they launched their first major cleanup on Nov. 2. Her team tagged certain large pieces of debris such as boat trailers or chunks of docks for the barges and boats with TowBoatUS to then pull to the shore for removal.
“It was dumpsters full of just treated lumber, essentially,” she explained. “But that’s really important to pull out because that wood is treated. So those chemicals, once they start to degrade in the water they leach out and they affect our water quality. So it’s important to get that stuff out.”
D’Angelo praised the work of the TowBoatUS teams, which she said were out day after day from the moment they could get back on the water.
Piedmont Lakes Pilot also checked in with another local tow and rescue team based on Lake Norman and found that SeaTow sent its teams up farther into the mountains following the storm, helping to pull 130 boats out of Lake Lure, which was devastated by the storm.
At Lake James, where a power station went down during Helene, taking away Duke Energy’s ability to control water level, the flooding was more destructive than other parts of the Catawba basin. It took longer for D’Angelo and her team to safely get out on that lake. Once they did, she saw destruction on a different level than farther down the basin.
“One of the most heartbreaking moments for me during one of these cleanups … we pulled what looked like a drawer to a desk. It was stuck about 5 to 6 feet up in the trees, and we pulled it out. In it are the remnants of a family photo album and some mementos,” she said. “You could barely tell. It wasn’t even in any condition that was well enough to try to be returned. Seeing that really hit home, the damage that Helene did to a lot of these areas and what people lost.”
The clean-up efforts will continue well into 2025, D’Angelo said. As folks begin to dewinterize their boats and get back on the water, she emphasized that they should be aware of how things have shifted due to the storm.
She and her team found notable sandbars in Lake Wylie that were formed by Helene — areas that were once 20 feet deep and are now just 5. There could also be dangers lurking just under the surface, like the large boat trailer she and her team uncovered because they happened to spot a small knob from the hitch poking out of the water like a turtle’s head.
There’s also the deeper environmental damage caused by Helene, including erosion and over-sedimentation and other issues caused by the high velocity of the floodwaters rushing down the basin from western North Carolina.
“When Helene first hit, we knew there was going to be damage. We knew we were going to have some extra work to do. We definitely knew things were going to get flooded and there was going to be trash and shifts and whatnot,” she said. “What we didn’t realize, though, was how bad it was going to be. And once we found that out, we realized that this was going to be a recovery project that was going to be years in the making overall.”
The CRF team asks that anyone who’s aware of pollution or debris along the CatawbaRiveree Basin visit catawbariverkeeper.org/ pollution-reporter to report it so it can be cleared out through the proper channels.
Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists, the Lake Norman chapter of NC Wildlife Federation, is launching an Island Adoption Program to help restore Lake Norman islands after Helene. Email islands@lnwc.org if you’re interested in getting involved.
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 Boat Ramp
See the Marina Guide on pages 34-37
Lake Hickory
42
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.
Lake Tillery
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.
Interstate Cycle
3265 Charlotte Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
(continued from page 35)
Norman-Wylie Marine
15105-D John Delaney Dr #319, Charlotte, NC 704-825-2911; NormanWylie.com
North Point Watersports 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
Safe Harbor Westport 7879 Water Oaks Dr, Denver, NC 28037
NC Bassmaster High School & Junior Series Returns in March
By Ryan Pitkin
For many young fishing enthusiasts around North Carolina, the nearing of spring means the return of competitive fishing with the NC Bassmaster High School & Junior Series, which is set to kick off a new season in March.
The volunteer-led youth organization hosts high school (grades 8-12) and junior series bass tournaments at various lakes and rivers across the state and has seen amazing growth over the last five years, according to West Series tournament director Chris Corriher.
“It’s been very rewarding just to see the growth of the individual anglers and their teams,” Corriher told Piedmont Lakes Pilot. “When we started we had around 30 to 40 boats participating and now our high is 115 boats and that’s due mainly to word of mouth and the organizers of some of our teams just promoting the sport in their school or their area and growing it.”
The tournament welcomes boys and girls who are members of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) to compete in teams of two with an adult captain guiding the boat. Participants go out for about an eight-hour day, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., and return to weigh in their five biggest catches of the day.
This year’s West Series tournaments are scheduled as follows:
• 3/1/25 – Lake Tillery, Swift Island Boat Access
• 3/22/25 – High Rock Lake, Southmont Boat Ramp
• 4/12/25 – Lake James, Black Bear Boat Ramp
While the West Series takes place in Piedmont Lakes Pilot’s coverage area, there is also an Eastern Series that includes tournaments scheduled for Chowan River, Kerr Lake, Roanoke River and Perquimmans River.
Teams who participate in two tournaments are invited to the North Carolina State Championships, where a top-two finishing spot will qualify them for the BASS Nation National Championships. A top two spot in the High School & Junior Series points race also usually lands a team in the nationals.
The BASS Open, one of four national tournaments scheduled by BASS in the first half of the year, is scheduled for Kerr Lake on the North Carolina/Virginia border on May 5. The top 10% of finishers from that tournament will be accepted into the national championships.
For Corriher, however, the real reward during these tournaments is in watching young people cultivate a passion for fishing.
Many competitors go on to receive scholarships for fishing with the Catawba Valley Community College’s nationally ranked bass fishing program or at other schools such as Bethel University in Tennessee.
“It’s neat to see, because then they come back and kick my butt in these adult tournaments,” said Corriher, laughing.
Online registration has ended for the upcoming NC Bassmaster High School & Junior Series tournaments, but registration is allowed at the ramp on the day of. Visit nchighschoolfishing.com for more information. Discounted BASS memberships for students are available online at bassmaster.com
