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
Welcome aboard!
It’s hot in here and out there and in the pages of the newest issue of Piedmont Lakes Pilot. In this issue, we’ve got a wonderful feature on the women behind the success of Lake Norman Power Sports on Chartown Drive in Cornelius, a highlight of the work done by Project Healing Waters in connecting wounded veterans and those experiencing PTSD with ways to indulge in the sport of fly fishing, a look at the new Anntony’s at The Landing offering Caribbean fare on Lake Norman, and a guide to exploring the parks and restaurants surrounding Lake Wylie.
My business partner and I have just come back from a weekend-long adventure down to Charleston for an annual newspaper convention we attend. I still find myself brushing the sand out of my car from a salty, sunny day spent on the beach at Sullivan’s Island.
We took a short dinner cruise around the Charleston Harbor on the Charleston Princess after having spent some time watching the sailboats fly through the same water a day earlier. It brought back memories from my childhood of watching the boats launch at Dutchman’s Landing on the Hudson River in Catskill, New York with my father.
I still can’t think of a better way to spend the day than with a couple of sandwiches from the deli on Main Street with my dad, resting on a seawall and eyeing the trailers loading and launching all throughout the day. The warm breeze rolling in atop the water, the lap of waves and wake on the concrete and rocks, and the screeches of swans, geese and gulls made for a scene of serenity you just can’t find outside the tranquility of Mother Nature.
My father loved a chance to sit in awe of it all — maybe even with a line in the water — and I loved it with him.
Those familial experiences and memories live at the core of all of us, and had I not lost him at a young age, I often wonder how my dad and I could bond over our similar entrepreneurial spirits.
That is the depth I love about the Lake Norman Power Sports feature later on in this issue. Dana, Susan and Joie have countless experiences and memories together in life, on the water and in their business. It is a great feeling to know they get to celebrate that together each and every day — and as women in a male-dominated industry like boating and offroad utility vehicles.
That’s why our headline makes so much sense for the team at LKNPS. “Women in Power” encapsulates our modern world that is so different from recent generations in showing that there is no one position for any type of person, but that if you have the drive, passion and experience, we can all do anything — together.
Let’s all hit the water with our loved ones before the cold front rolls in.
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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Dana, Susan and Joie of Lake Norman Power Sports pose in front of their new facility on Chartown Drive in Cornelius near a Sea-Doo Switch that the group specializes in selling along with other BRP products, like the Can-Ams off in the background. Each team member has dedicated their professional life to learning the ins and outs of the BRP product line, like Susan who owns a Switch and a Can-Am Defender. Check them out online at LakeNormanPowerSports.com or in person at 20210 Chartoen Drive, Cornelius.
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
ACC-SER-OB
American Marine Liquidators 4879 NC Hwy 16, Denver, NC 28037
3374 John G. Richards Rd, Liberty Hill, SC 29074 803-475-1224; WatereeMarinaInc.com
(continued on page 29)
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
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
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. $-$$
7564 Highway 150 E., Sherrill’s Ford. 704-478-3600; Facebook.com/BossHogBBQofLKN
Hickory-smoked pork barbecue, ribs and chicken cooked fresh daily. Buffalo wings. Served with homemade baked beans, slaw, Brunswick stew. Open Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4-8 p.m.; Sat., noon-6 p.m. Closed Sun.-Mon.Casual. $
Eddie's Seafood & Raw Bar
643 Williamson Road, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-799-2090; EddiesLKN.com
Local favorite with an extensive menu featuring seafood, burgers, Italian specialties and Sunday brunch. On the water, but no slips. You can, however, beach your boat on the sandy strip — but you might get your feet wet! Open Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Hello, Sailor
20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-997-5365; HelloSailorNC.com
At Holiday Marina. Sophisticated, retro-inspired restaurant with a waterfront deck and tiki bar. Slips available. Open Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; closed Mon.-Tues.
Anntony’s at the Landing 4491 Slanting Bridge Road, Sherrill’s Ford 828-478-5944; anntonys.com; landingatthelake.com
Located within the Lake Norman Landing Hotel & Marina, Anntony’s offers waterfront dining, a sandy beach area for the kids to play and live entertainment. Traditional Caribbean cuisine with Southern influence. Enjoy a plate of flavorful ribs, shrimp, island wings marinated in Anntony’s sauces and seasonings, or a seafood platter with classic mac and cheese or coleslaw on the side. Full bar. Open Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Closed Mon.-Tues. The Landing hosts 20 slips, a dock, and a ramp. Casual. $-$$
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.
(continued on page 26)
(continued from page 25)
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. $$-$$$
Waterside Bar & Grill
Waterside Marina
7774 Hudson Chapel Road, Catawba, NC 28609
828-229-7790; Instagram.com/WatersideBarAndGrill
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. $$
Creekside Grill & Ale
3482 John G. Richards Road, Camden, SC 29020
803-273-3448; TinyURL.com/CreeksideGrill
Across Beaver Creek from Wateree Marina. Dutchman’s Creek Marina & Grill 5546 River Road, Winnsboro, SC 803-482-3067; Facebook.com/DutchmanCreek
Marina servicing the Lake Wateree area. Gas, fishing tackle, restaurant, snacks, beverages, boat rentals. Open Wed.-Mon., 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Casual. $
Riverdeck at Beaver Creek Grill
3473 John G. Richards Road, Liberty Hill, SC 29074
803-273-3757; Facebook.com/RiverdeckStoreandGrill
Store and grill with hamburgers, chicken wings, shrimp po-boys, pancakes, omelets, sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, homemade biscuits. Gas for cars & boats, live bait, all fishing supplies, beer, wine. Open Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Beaver’s Den at Beaver Creek Bar & Grille 3482 John G. Richards Road, Camden, SC 29020
803-475-2289; BeaversDenAtBeaverCreek.com
Ribeyes, flounder, chicken, quesadillas, wings. Open Mon.-Thus., 4-9 p.m.; Fri., 4-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Bar stays open ‘til midnight most nights. Casual. $$
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. $$-$ Olde Town Hall
140 Palmer St., Ridgeway, SC 29130
803-337-0389; OldeTownHall.com
Oldest Italian eatery in Ridgeway. Brick-oven pizzas, quesadillas, wings, calzones, pasta, grinders and more. Full bar. Open Tues.Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; second Sun., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Monday. Bar stays open late for sports events. Casual.
High Rock Marina & Campground 1013 Wafford Circle, Lexington, NC 27292
336-798-1196; HighRockLakeCampground.com
Fresh, made-to-order snacks and dinners. Eat on the deck or get a to-go order to spend more time on the water. 20 Slips. Casual. $
Lakeview Family Restaurant
9185 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
704-637-3699
Down-home family dining. At the public access ramp and across Bringle Ferry from Tamarac Marina (see 51 on High Rock map), so you can come by boat. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open Wed.-Sat., 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Mon.Tues. Very casual. $
Tamarac Marina
9120 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
704-636-1918; TamaracMarina.weebly.com
Full-service restaurant with daily specials. Tackle and grocery store, other amenities. Located at the bridge on Bringle Ferry Road, 15-minute access off I-85. Come by boat, there are slips, a gas dock and ramp (see 51 on High Rock Lake map). Open Sun.Thurs., 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Very casual. $
Waters Edge Dock & Grill
257 Boat Club Lane, Salisbury, NC 28146 704-603-8056; WatersEdgeHighRock.com
Awesome entrees, creative appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, craft burgers, wings, and late-night bar food as well as weekend brunch. Wed.-Fri., 5 p.m.-late; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-late. Come by boat, there are slips. Casual. $-$$
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 704-459-0210; facebook.com/theboathouselaketillery
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. $
Photo courtesy of Anntony’s at the Landing
Anntony’s at the Landing offers a slice of the Caribbean on the shores of Lake Norman
By Annie Keough
Dr. Tony Martin, the original owner of Anntony’s, immigrated from British Guyana to Charlotte in 1968 with family recipes handed down through generations. The name of the restaurant, which he opened shortly after moving to Charlotte in 1986, is a portmanteau of sorts, blending Tony’s own name with that of his mother, Ann.
Although Tony announced his plans to retire in 2022, he has left the business in the able hands of Linda Moss, the previous general manager of the restaurant who will now run the business alongside co-owner Shawn Boe.
In 2023, the pair pulled out of the long-running location on West Sugar Creek Road in northeast Charlotte to begin preparing for their opening on Lake Norman in Sherrills Ford, where the lakeside vibes would meld better with the Caribbean theme of the restaurant.
In April, they celebrated the opening of Anntony’s at The Landing, located at The Landing Hotel and Marina, 4491 Slanting Bridge Road, just north of the bridge and south of Highway 150 in Sherrills Ford.
Accessible by boat or car, the restaurant features a sandy beach area for kids to play and live music on some evenings, making it the perfect fit for the Key West vibes that have been cultivated at The Landing for years.
Built on the foundation of Martin’s rotisserie chicken and popular spices and sauces, the restaurant boasts a menu of 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.
Anntony’s website also offers customers the chance to enjoy the flavor of the islands at home with recipes for curry chicken, calypso rice, Caribbean jerk meatballs and more to put the restaurant’s signature sauces to good use.
“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Anntonys at the Landing, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish,” wrote Consuello Norris in a rave Google review. “Situated by the serene lake, the ambiance alone sets the stage for a memorable meal. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable –attentive, friendly, and truly outstanding.”
Norris went on to insist that what sets Anntony’s apart is the attention to detail and the genuine warmth of the staff.
“If you’re searching for a wonderful place to dine by the lake, look no further than Anntonys at the Landing. It’s not just a meal; it’s an unforgettable journey of flavors and hospitality.”
Anntony’s at the Landing | Photo courtesy of Anntony’s at the Landing
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
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
Where to Eat & Play on Lake Wylie
By Ryan Pitkin
First created in 1904 by the construction of a dam at India Hook Shoals, north of Rock Hill and west of Fort Mill, Lake Wylie is one of the oldest reservoirs in South Carolina.
Dr. Walker Gil Wylie and brother Dr. Robert H. Wylie conceived the plan to build a hydro station at the shoals to generate power to a nearby textile mill. The Catawba Hydro Station, also known as Wylie Dam, created what was then known as Catawba Lake.
The dam was rebuilt in 1924, expanding the lake’s surface to approximately 13,443 acres and 325 miles of shoreline. In 1960, the reservoir and hydroelectric facility were renamed in honor of Dr. W. Gil Wylie, who organized the Catawba Power Company, a predecessor of Duke Energy.
In addition to supporting Wylie Hydroelectric Station, Lake Wylie also supports Allen Steam Station and Catawba Nuclear Station with cooling water and provides a dependable water supply for Rock Hill, SC, and Belmont, NC.
It also provides a recreational haven for folks living near the Carolina border, but before we get into all the ways you can have fun on and around Lake Wylie, all you boaters will have to know how to access it.
There are 15 access points to the lake. Three are considered in Upper Lake Wylie: Allen Fishing Access Area, South Point Access Area, and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
The other dozen access points are located in Lower Lake Wylie: Copperhead Access Area, Buster Boyd Access Area, McDowell Nature Preserve, Lake Wylie Marina, River Hills Marina, Carolina Crossing Marina, Allison Creek Access Area, Nivens Creek Access Area, Ebenezer Access Area, Fort Mill Access Area, Lake Club Marina, and Tega Cay Marina.
The Lake Wylie Marine Commission’s website features an interactive map with these access points and other locations you should know before planning your trip. Visit lakewyliemarinecommission.com/public-access-areas to check it out.
Besides boating, there is a bevy of parks surrounding the lake’s shore that offer activities ranging from hiking and biking to camping and fishing. Let’s check out a few of them below.
NC Parks near Lake Wylie
Just up the Catawba from Lake Wylie is Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, host of the annual RiverFest, which was held on July 20 this year. Visitors can access the Catawba River via canoe, kayak or boat from this 10-acre riverfront park, which includes a playground, a fishing pier, an amphitheater and more. It’s located at 1400 Catawba Street in Belmont, NC.
Also in Belmont, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a 450-acre site conserved in 1991 by textile magnate Daniel Stowe to create a world class botanical garden that sits on the South Fork River section of Lake Wylie. Find the garden at 6500 South New Hope Road in Belmont, NC, but be sure to check dsbg.org for information on admission.
McDowell Nature Preserve is a 1,115-acre park along the shores of Lake Wylie that includes more than 7 miles of hiking trails, picnic sites, fishing sites, campgrounds and a public boat launch at Copperhead Island. It is located at 15222 York Road in Charlotte.
Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park | Adobe Stock
Lake Wylie | U.S. Dept. of the Interior
SC Parks near Lake Wylie
Crossing the border into South Carolina, Ebenezer Park comprises 26 acres on Lake Wylie in York County, offering 71 campsites, picnic shelters, fishing, three boat ramps, and a public swimming beach that is staffed with lifeguards in the summer. Ebenezer Park is located at 4490 Boatshore Road, Rock Hill, SC.
Located in Tega Cay, Windjammer Park is a small waterfront green space with a swimming area, playground, scenic overlook and picnic pavilion, plus it’s welcoming to dogs. Be warned, however, that this is a private park, so Tega Cay residents have free access but non-residents have to spring for a $200 parking pass that lasts for a full calendar year though parking is free and no permit is required for the weekly Carolina Show Ski Team performances on Friday nights. Check bit.ly/CarolinaShowSkiTeam for more information. Find it at 8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, SC.
For the sports-minded, Tega Cay’s newest park is the 62-acre Catawba Park, located just off the shores of Lake Wylie and featuring three lighted 225-foot baseball/softball fields, a lighted 300-foot baseball field, a lighted 100-foot T-ball field, three lighted full-sized multipurpose fields with the capability of playing small-sided games, an ADA playground, walking trails and sidewalks throughout the park and more.
Where to Eat & Drink
Papa Doc’s Shore Club
3990 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 papadocslkw.com
Anyone who’s driven into South Carolina over the famed Buster Boyd Bridge by night will recognize the name Papa Doc’s, as the lighted sign welcomes folks over from North Carolina with enthusiasm.
From tiki cocktails to live music on the water, Papa Doc’s keeps it fresh with a menu that includes a mouthwatering selection of dishes like the Big Papa 3-pound steamed seafood tower, char-grilled oysters, the Lakehouse burger, Shore Club sandwich, flounder filet and more. Come early for weekend brunch, plan ahead for family dinner or stay until the sun goes down.
Led by executive chef Rogger Torres, Drift on Lake Wylie is a modern lakefront locale inspired by long summer days on the water and the farming roots of Gaston County. With the welcoming energy of the bar and lounge plus a menu that ranges from no-fuss to fancy, the restaurant, which boasts sparkling waterfront views, serves fresh, inventive steak and seafood dishes with local ingredients that are uniquely Carolina.
Enjoy traditional preparations alongside more inventive takes on familiar favorites while you sip from a curated selection of wine, specialty cocktails, and local beers that highlight modern lake life.
Carolina Show Ski Team performing at Windjammer Park | Visit York County, SC Facebook
Cocktails at Papa Doc’s Shore Club | Facebook
Elevated dining at Drift on Lake Wylie | Facebook
Women in Power: The Success of Lake Norman Power Sports
By Ryan Pitkin
Growing up on Lake Norman in Cornelius, Susan Newsom has fond memories of taking to the water every morning to bring her mother, Dana Martin, to work by boat at Wher-Rena Boatland, where she worked as finance manager.
Susan and her sister Joie would be there to pick Martin up at the end of the day. Summer was the busiest time of the year for their mother, so the family valued the time they got to spend together on the boat.
“We had a Bayliner Jazz, a little jet boat for a couple of years, and we would take mom to work on it in the morning, and we would pick her up by water at night,” Newsom recalls. “We’d spend little family dinners on there … We’d always be out on the lake. We’d have something to do.”
As adults, the mother and daughters remain as tightknit as ever, and they’ve never lost their love for the water. After 30 years in the boat business, Dana Martin branched off in October 2002 to open her own business, Lake Norman Power Sports, a Bombardier Recreational Products franchise that specializes in selling Sea-Doo watercrafts.
Dana brought her daughters with her, and the three continue to run the business together, reaching a milestone in January 2024 when they opened a brandnew facility on Chartown Drive in Cornelius.
“What Joie and I feel for being able to work with our mom every day and then just learning so much from her, it’s an indescribable feeling,” Newsom told Piedmont Lakes Pilot. “I mean, I’m so blessed that I get to see my mom every day.”
At Lake Norman Power Sports, where Susan and Joie’s husbands are both on staff and each customer who comes through the door is seen as a member of the extended family, there’s always room for growth.
Challenges and Triumphs as Women in Boating
Helping her mother run a family- and women-owned business, Susan came up against her fair share of sexism in the early aughts.
“It’s always an afterthought,” Newsom explained. “When you’re in it, you’re thinking, ‘Why isn’t this person understanding me?’ And then after you think about it later, you think, ‘Is it because I’m a girl? Is it because … No, maybe it’s not.’”
Susan and Joie knew, however, that they just had to follow the lead of their mother. Over the years, Dana Martin built such a reputation for herself and her business that neither she nor her daughters need worry much about not being taken seriously anymore.
These days, Dana has scaled back her role in the business, handling accounting while her daughters take care of day-to-day operations — Susan as general sales manager and Joie as service manager.
Each team member has dedicated their professional life to learning the ins and outs of the BRP product line, from the Can-Am Defender utility vehicle to the new SeaDoo Switch pontoon boat (Susan owns one of each).
“We say all the time that we feel like we’re in the BRP family, too,” says Newsom. “They’ve been our lifeline for over 20 years. They’re very good to us and we’re very good
The new Lake Norman Power Sports facility on Chartown Drive in Cornelius
to them. Because all of our technicians and our whole entire staff is so dedicated to everything that they make, we’re experts in what we do.”
Far from the days when the women of Lake Norman Power Sports weren’t taken seriously, the higher ups at BRP and its subsidiary Sea-Doo now value Susan and her team’s thoughts on developing new product lines.
“There’s almost nothing that we don’t know about the product because we spend eight to 10 hours a day on this stuff, and a lot of us own them,” said Newsom. “I mean, we’re enthusiasts, we’re owners, and we’re sellers.”
Building a New Home: The Chartown Drive Facility
When the Lake Norman Power Sports team opened the doors of their new facility on Chartown Drive in Cornelius in January, it was the culmination of an effort that began eight years ago.
Beyond opening her own business, Dana Martin had always dreamed of owning her own facility, specifically one that was built from scratch.
Martin did most of the design work for the new building, an 8,500-square-foot facility on 2 acres of a 4.5acre property, leaving room for future expansion. Beyond the 2,500-square-foot expansion, the new facility also includes heating and air conditioning — much to the delight of technicians who didn’t have such a luxury at the former site.
The family had scoped out spaces in Denver, reluctant to leave their longtime home in Cornelius, before Jack Salzman of Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram offered to sell them a lot that neighbors his own facility on Chartown Drive.
Unlike at the former facility, the Lake Norman Power Sports team is now seeing plenty of foot traffic. It took them a few months to get used to the amount of folks who would come in just to browse, especially all those who were getting their cars worked on next door (they now recognize the Lake Norman Dodge coffee mugs).
“Anytime somebody’s like, ‘Hey, can I use your restroom?’ We say, ‘Sure, make yourself at home,’ because that’s just the way we look at it,” said Newsom. “We treat our business exactly like we were at home. All of our customers are just extended family to us. We’re just trying to help them play.”
On the third Thursday of each month, the Lake Norman Power Sports team hosts demo days, meeting customers at the Peninsula Yacht Club to test drive the Sea-Doo Switch, the customizable pontoon boat that released in 2022 and has been all the rage with boating families like the one Newsom grew up in.
“It’s such a new concept. I mean, even if you’ve never driven a watercraft before, you could drive this boat,” she explained. “But it’s just so different, and we’re so excited about it that we just want everybody to see it.”
So stop by and see the family someday, because even if they don’t know you quite yet, they’ve been waiting for you.
The women behind the success of Lake Norman Power Sports | Courtesy of LNPS
Multiple Sea-Doo and Can-Am utility vehicle options are available at Lake Norman Power Sports
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
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.
Tuckertown Dam
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.
(continued from page 33)
Boater’s Marine of Monroe
1309 Skyway Dr, Monroe, NC 28110
704-282-0967; BoatersMarineNC.com
Boater’s Warehouse
798 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-664-2628; BoatersWarehouseStore.com
Champion Powersports
6652 Denver Industrial Park Rd, Denver, NC 28037
704-489-6999; ChampionPowerSportsLKN.com
Charlotte Ski Boats
1206 Brawley School Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-525-6006; CharlotteSkiBoats.com
Charlotte Ski Boats
At Joyner Marina on Lake Wylie 16310 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278
704-525-6006; CharlotteSkiBoats.com
Dixie Camper & Marine
2718 US-52, Albemarle, NC 28001
704-983-2158; DixieCamperSales.com
Extreme Marine
18605 Northline Dr, Suite H-11, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-728-3259; ExtremeMarineLKN.com
Four Seasons Marine Supply 1584 NC Hwy 16 N, Denver, NC 28037
704-489-8242
Gregory’s Marine & RV 3021 Mt Gallant Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Project Healing Waters Harnesses Therapeutic Nature of Fly Fishing
Restoring peace, one cast at a time
By Rayne Antrim
There’s an art to fly fishing. The way you throw your wrist to cast your line followed by the fluent movements that mimic a fly at the end of the hook, convincing the trout to take the bait. It’s an art of constant motion and mindfulness, and for those reasons, it’s also an art of healing.
That has been the drive behind Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. (PHW) for close to two decades. With a mission to serve wounded military service members since 2005, PHW has expanded nationwide by establishing more than 175 chapters across the US, including in the Piedmont region of the Carolinas.
At the heart of their project, the fly fishing program provides basic fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rodbuilding classes for clinic participants of all skill levels. All fly fishing and tying equipment is provided to participants for free to be used on one-day and multi-day fishing trips, also paid for by the organization.
The nonprofit emphasizes therapeutic outdoor recreation, using the sport of fly fishing as an intervention for folks struggling with the impacts of war. The group believes in
the restorative healing power that nature and the outdoors provides. PHW focuses on healing both from the inside and out through community building and activity. The group saw a need among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans returning home after war back in 2005. According to a study published by Paula P. Schnurr, 29% of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) veterans have experienced PTSD at some point in life.
Compared to the 10% of Vietnam War veterans believed to have experienced PTSD, PHW’s founders saw that the issue needed addressing, so they took action and heeded that call.
Today, the organization has witnessed camaraderie, connectedness and community through their successful partnerships with defense hospitals, warrior transition units and veterans affairs medical centers and clinics.
PHW helps active military service personnel and veterans in need. In 2023 alone, the organization helped 6,056 participants representing all service eras through the generous work of 6,458 active volunteers.
The supportive community that the organization has cultivated with their veterans and volunteers directly correlates to a sense of belonging, resilience and posttraumatic growth within veterans.
According to Mikael Madsen, a US Army veteran and member of Project Healing Waters, the tranquility of fly fishing acts as a therapeutic balm for his wounds — the visible ones and the invisible ones.
“This journey has been a transformative one for me, especially in dealing with my PTSD as a disabled veteran,” Madsen says. “The process of crafting a bamboo rod, the tranquility of fly fishing, and the victories in each catch are my own forms of therapy, healing me in ways traditional medicine couldn’t.”
For more information about Project Healing Waters, including how to get involved, visit projecthealingwaters. org or facebook.com/ProjectHealingWaters. You can reach out to Joseph Parente (Charlotte chapter) joseph.parente@ projecthealingwaters.org, Chris Berger (WinstonSalem chapter) at chris.berger@projecthealingwaters. org, or Chuck Rouse (Greenville, SC) at chuck.rouse@ projecthealingwaters.org.
In 1805, Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy developed a 13° scale to measure the strength of wind at sea. Updated and modernized, the scale is still used for approximating wind speed. Speed at sea is measured in knots, with one knot equal to 1.15 miles-per-hour. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June thru November.
1 3 5 11
but pronounced wavelets; crests
Large wavelets. Crests break. Glassy foam, scattered whitecaps.
waves becoming longer, numerous whitecaps.
Moderate, long waves (1.25 – 2.5). Many whitecaps; some spray.
Larger waves (2.5 – 4 meters) forming, crests of whitecaps everywhere, more
Sea heaps up; waves (4 – 6 meters); White foam from breaking waves blows in streaks with the wind.
Moderately high waves (4 – 6 meters) of greater length. Crests break into spin drift, blowing foam in well marked streaks.
Waves high (6 meters) with wave crests that tumble, dense streaks of foam in winds, poor visibility from spray.
Very high waves (6 – 9 meters) with long, curling crests. Sea surface appears white from blowing foam. Heavy tumbling of sea. Poor visibility.
Exceptionally high waves (9 – 14 meters) with overhanging crests. Sea covered with patches of white foam. Edges of wave crests blown into froth. Poorer visibility.
Air filled with foam; waves over 14 meters; sea completely white with driving spray; visibility greatly reduced.
Federal Requirements & Safety Tips for Recreational Boats Quick Reference Chart
Vessel Length Equipment Requirement (in feet)
<16 16<26 26<40 40<65
X X X X Certificate of Number
All undocumented vessels equipped with propulsion machinery (State Registration) must be State registered. Certificate of Number must be on board when vessel is in use. Note: some States require all vessels to be registered.
X X X X State Numbering (a) Plain Block letters/numbers not less than 3 inches in height must be affixed on each side of the forward half of the vessel (Contrasting color to boat exterior). (b) State validation sticker must be affixed within six inches of the registration number
X X X Certificate of Applies only to “Documented” vessels: Documentation (a) Original and currencertificate must be on board (b) Vessel name/hailing port marked on exterior part of hull-letters not less than 4 inches in height. (c) Official Number permanently affixed on interior structure-numbers not less than 3 inches in height.
X X X X Life Jackets (PFDs) (a) One Type I, II, III, or V wearable PFD for each person on board. (must be USCG approved)
X X X (b) In addition to paragraph (a), must carry One Type IV (throwable) PFD.
X Visual Distress Signal (a) One electric distress light or Three combination (VDS) (day/night) red flares. Note: only required to be carried on board when operating between sunset and sunrise.
X X X (b) One orange distress flag and One electric distress lightor -Three hand-held or floating orange smoke signals and One electric distress light - or - Three combination (day/night) red flares: hand-held, meteor or parachute type.
X X Fire Extinguishers (a) One 5-B or One 10-B (when enclosed compartment)
X (b) Two 5-B or Two 10-B or One 20-B. Or one 5-B or 10-B with Fixed System. X (c) Three 5-B or Three 10-B or One 20-B and One 5-B or One 10-B. Or Two 5-B or Two 10-B or One 20-B with Fixed System.
X X X X Ventilation
X X X Sound Producing
X X
(a) All vessels built after 25 April 1940 that use gasoline as their fuel with enclosed engine and /or fuel tank compartments must have natural ventilation (at least two ducts fitted with cowls).
(b) In addition to paragraph (a), a vessel built after 31 July 1980 must have rated power exhaust blower.
(a) A vessel 39.4 ft must, at a minimum, have some means of Devices making an “efficient” sound signal - (i.e. handheld air horn, athletic whistle - Human voice/ sound not acceptable).
(b) A vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or greater, must have a sound signaling appliance capable of producing an efficient sound signaI, audible for 1/2 mile with a 4 to 6 seconds duration. In addition, must carry on board a bell with a clapper (bell size not less than 7.9 inches - based on the diameter of the mouth)
X X X X Backfire Flame
Required on gasoline engines installed after 25 April 1940, Arrestor except outboard motors
X X X X Navigational Lights
Required to be displayed from sunset to sunrise and in or near areas of reduced visibility.
X X Oil Pollution Placard (a) Placard must be at least 5 by 8 inches, made of durable material.
(b) Placard must be posted in the machinery space or at the bilge station.
X X Garbage Placard (a) Placard must be at least 4 by 9 inches, made of durable material.
(b) Displayed in a conspicuous place notifying all on board the discharge restrictions.
X X X X Marine Sanitation If installed toilet: Vessel must have an operable MSD Device Type I, II, or III.
X X Navigation Rules
The operator of a vessel 39.4 ft (12 meters) or greater must (Inland Only) have on board a copy of these rules.
