Happy August! As the school year approaches, some Carefree dockhands prepare for new adventures. We’re excited for our staff members heading off to college or graduating from high school this year. Over the past few years, we’ve been proud to offer the Patricia “Gigi” Graveline Memorial Scholarship, allowing high school seniors and college student staff to share what they have learned from working at Carefree through a short essay. It brings us great joy to announce that AJ Webb, one of our Lake Norman dockhands attending Chapel Hill University, has been selected as the scholarship recipient this year. Congratulations, AJ, and good luck at school this year!

Events At The Club

We will host our End of Summer Social for all members in September at McLean Marina in Belmont! Keep a look out in your email for a formal invitation with the specifics of the event.

Member Housekeeping

Properly anchoring a boat is essential for ensuring its stability and safety while stationary. To anchor your boat correctly, follow these steps. First, choose a suitable anchorage location with adequate depth and good holding ground. Once you’ve found the spot, approach it slowly into the wind or current, and lower the anchor gradually while the boat drifts backward. Allow enough range, typically around 5 to 7 times the water depth, by letting out the anchor rode (the rope and chain connected to the anchor) steadily. After the anchor is set, secure the rode to a bow cleat and make sure it’s taut. To ensure a solid hold, gently reverse the boat’s engine to put pressure on the anchor. Finally, regularly monitor the boat’s position to ensure you are not drifting. Proper anchoring techniques will provide peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your time on the water confidently. 

Please ensure that you arrive at your boat reservation at the designated time. Showing up early may result in the boat not being fully ready, as we require sufficient time for proper cleaning and checks. If you anticipate a slight delay, kindly text the dock phone to inform us. Your cooperation will enable us to provide the best service and ensure a seamless boating experience for everyone. Thank you for understanding!

Another reminder that our marina on Lake Norman, Kings Point Marina, has implemented a parking pass program. The paved marina parking lot is for members only, including our Carefree Boat Club members. The grass lot in the back is open for guests and anyone who does not have a parking pass. Your car will be subject to tow or boot if you’re in the paved lot without a pass. 

Join TowBoat US, as it guarantees peace of mind on Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, and any other lake that is serviced by TowBoat US. They provide a range of membership plans to suit your needs. For any questions or inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact Captain Logan Thomas at –[email protected] or (803) 681-0911. 

Member Contests

A big thank you goes out to all the members of our Facebook group who have been sharing their boating adventures through video! We’re delighted to see all the fun and to keep the excitement going, we’ve decided to extend the video contest throughout August. However, before we dive into the next round, let’s take a moment to applaud our July Video Contest winner. Drum rolllll, please… Sherri Owen Shank! Congratulations, you’ve won a $100 gas credit.

Let the good times roll! Keep those videos coming; we still want to see all those thrilling moments of double-decker slide adventures, wake surfing or wakeboarding, tubing excitement, fishing, and even those serene lounging moments on the water. Remember to stay connected with the Facebook group for regular updates and to catch up on the latest adventures of other members. 

Spotlight

At Carefree Boat Club, our vision is to foster a sense of camaraderie and friendship among our members and staff. While we enjoy connecting with everyone on the docks and during member socials, we want to explore new avenues to bring our community closer. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the spotlight feature in our newsletter, where we can get to know each other better. I created a short form to learn more about you; here. Your participation is appreciated, and we look forward to shining the spotlight on those who express interest. Let’s make our community stronger together!

To start, hello, I’m Regan! The face behind the newsletter emails you’ve been receiving the past few months. I started working for Carefree as the marketing manager and a dockhand in February. I can sincerely say it’s the best job in the world; not only do I get to work on the lake, but I am surrounded by a fantastic team. Growing up on Lake Wylie, I’ve always loved the water, spending summers slalom skiing or wakeboarding behind my family’s Ski Nautique. I went to college at Coastal Carolina and graduated with a degree in Marketing. Nowadays, I love to spend my free time hanging out with my loved ones, painting, or caring for my mini-jungle of 53 different houseplants!

Other News

As you know, we strive to keep our boat fleet up-to-date by regularly upgrading to newer models. To make this possible, we currently have a selection of high-quality, well-maintained used boats for sale! If you know anyone, whether it be friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers, interested in purchasing a premium model boat, please direct them to our dealership website, abovewatermarine.com. The sooner we find new homes for these older boats, the quicker we can bring in fresh and new models for the club’s enjoyment. We appreciate your support in helping us refresh our fleet!