Email
Print
More boat traffic can pose risks
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: February 5, 2009
As spring approaches, we again welcome the opportunity to see what's new at the Mid-Atlantic Boat Show.
The 2009 fleet of fishing and pleasure boats appears to be sleeker and faster than ever before.
At the show, check out a new and innovative approach to boating. North Point Yacht Share is offering a brand new luxury boat lease program at a fraction of the cost of buying one. The plan provides a three-year lease with a minimum up front commitment and reasonable monthly payments. It eliminates the concerns boat owners have about maintenance, repairs, dockage, insurance and cleaning. For complete information, visit the North Point Watersports booth or call 704-799-1994.
As our boat population continues to grow, so must the skill level of those who command the helm. The following are points to ponder for your boating safety and pleasure:
Early mornings are the quietest times to cruise Lake Norman. The earlier you set sail, the smoother the waters will be. Even on weekends, boat traffic is minimal until about 11 a.m. By mid-afternoon, the lake becomes congested and boat wakes become a nuisance — a good time to anchor in a sheltered cove, or beach the boat on one of Lake Norman's many islands. If anchoring for the afternoon is not your thing, have a late lunch or early dinner at one of the lake's fine restaurants. Boat traffic usually subsides in time to enjoy a leisurely trip home before dark.
Night boating on Lake Norman can be a challenge, even for the experienced boater. As in all low light situations, the operator of the vessel should reduce the speed of the boat and keep a watchful eye out for any obstructions. Observers on board should be aware that some boaters unwisely elect to spend the night anchored in the lake's busiest passageways, and many don't bother to display a 360° (required) white anchor light. Without proper lights, a vessel can be invisible to passing boats. Another potential hazard is a boat without proper running lights. Worst yet, are boats with the red and green lenses reversed on the bow light. This makes the boat's direction confusing, dangerous, and impossible to determine at night. Also be reminded that docking lights are not to be used as headlights.
Lake Norman is North Carolina's largest lake. It is so big that even experienced boaters become disoriented at times. A good lake map, compass and a GPS are useful tools to help one stay on course. Two additional "must have" items are a cell phone and a VHF marine band radio. Either can be used to contact help in an emergency. Also, an often overlooked, but necessary item to have on board, is an anchor with sufficient rope and chain to hold the boat, should it lose power and began to drift.
All skippers should know how to correctly interpret the lake's channel marker system. Main river markers begin with numbers; creek markers begin with letters. Numbers increase as you travel away from Cowan's Ford Dam. Remember to keep the red markers on the starboard (right) side, and if traveling up river, the green lights to the port (left) side. Diamond shaped shoal markers are white. They identify a hazard of some type and should be passed with extreme caution.
If you plan to operate a boat and do not know the answers to basic seamanship questions, it is imperative that you attend a boater safety course. Courses are conducted by professionals, most of whom are USCG licensed captains. They will teach you the rules of the lake and other basic information. Lighthouse Marine Services (704-587- 0325) has scheduled its first Boater Safety Course of the season for Saturday Feb. 14, at the Morning Star Marina (Kings Point Marina) in Cornelius.
Upcoming events:
A free seminar on "How to Catch LKN Striped Bass" will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, in Mooresville, NC at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. This two-hour session will be conducted by fishing guide Capt. Craig Price and myself. For more information, call 704-658-0822.
Hot spots:
The Hot Spots of the Week are the waters near the Marshall Steam Plant (Marker 15), where bass, stripers and schools of white perch are feeding on baitfish that have taken up residence in the warm waters. The lake level is 95.5 or 4.5' below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the forties.
Tips from Capt. Gus:
If you need rod or reel service, contact Al, at Fisherman's Friend (704 934 2122) in Kannapolis, NC or Frank Parsons at Tackle Town (704-483-1007) in Maiden. These experts will clean, repair and restore your fishing tackle to like-new condition at a reasonable price.
Captain Gus Gustafson can be contacted at Gus@lakenorman.com or 704 617 6812. To learn more about fishing and boating on Lake Norman visit www.FishingWithGus.com .
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
