We hope everyone is safe and on the path to recovery after Hurricane Helene. With higher lake levels and excess debris, our main priority is ensuring safety. The debris-filled water is dangerous and increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, wakes caused by boats while the water is elevated can result in significant damage to shorelines and surrounding docks. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenges. The club will remain closed until conditions have improved. We’ll keep you updated via text from the dock phones regarding your upcoming reservations!
Your help is desperately needed. We’re supporting the efforts of Victory Lanes and Talleys Pier 77 in Cornelius as they work to provide relief to those impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene. With record-breaking floods destroying homes and infrastructure, many are in desperate need of help. Please drop off the following items at Talleys Pier 77 or Victory Lanes by Friday. Pilots will be taking the donated goods to those in need later that day, ensuring timely support for families impacted. Thank you for helping make a difference!
Events
Join us for the Baxter Village Fall Festival on October 12th, from 12 PM to 6 PM. There will be over 125 exhibitors and live entertainment, making it a great outing for the whole family, and entry is free. You can enjoy food and beverage vendors, shop for artisan crafts, and participate in games and contests. There will also be dance and martial arts demonstrations, along with inflatables and slides for the kids. Plus, the Smokin’ Gunn band will be performing from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. We hope to see you there!
Get ready for the Panthers vs. Falcons game with us at the Kings Point Marina clubhouse on October 13th! We’ll be tailgating from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM and enjoying some game day grub from Inside Chef. Please RSVP here. Go Panthers!
We’re excited to host a Friendsgiving this November, and we can’t wait to celebrate the season with all of you. It’s the perfect time to come together, enjoy a meal, and share some laughs in the spirit of friendship and gratitude. We’ll be sending out more details soon, so stay tuned for the exact date and time.
Member Housekeeping
We’re thrilled to introduce the Carefree Storefront! Once the site goes live we will be posting the link on our social media, members-only FB group, and you can also find it by tapping the stickers on the boats. Browse our collection of Carefree Boat Club merch like hats, shirts, and more. This is just the beginning – we’ll be adding new items and fresh offerings regularly. Got an idea for something you’d love to see? Let us know by emailing regan.calvert@
With the sun setting earlier each day, the return time for afternoon boat trips will also be earlier. All boats need to be returned to the dock approximately 15 minutes before sunset. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, please check with the dock staff regarding the current return times.
Join Our PhotoCircle!
We highly recommend that our members consider getting a TowBoat US membership. They provide essential services, including fuel delivery, jump starts, ungroundings, towing, and assistance with unsticking anchors. While there’s no guarantee they can get the anchor unstuck, having professionals on your side can certainly help.
For just $109 a year, this membership is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a new anchor or paying for services individually. Plus, TowBoat US often runs holiday specials, making it an even better deal! Enjoy peace of mind on the lake with a TowBoat US membership. For questions or inquiries, feel free to call, text, or email Captain Logan Thomas at (803) 681-0911.
Spotlight
Meet Sydney, one of our dedicated team members who has been with Carefree since July 2019. She started as a dockhand, took a summer off, and is now back full-time, bringing her love for the water to everything she does. Sydney’s favorite part of the job is helping others make memories on the lake, something she’s enjoyed with her own family. “If I can help others enjoy the lake the way I have, it feels like a big win,” she shares.
Her favorite boats in the fleet? Lake Dawg and Off The Hook, both perfect for a fun day out on the water. One work memory that stands out for Sydney was a pop-up storm two summers ago. With just minutes to spare, she and the team got all the boats back into their slips before the storm hit. “It was hectic, but running around the dock in the pouring rain to make sure everything was secure is one of my favorite memories. I enjoy the thrill of it!”
Sydney’s connection to the water runs deep, as she’s had the “water bug” since the age of three. That passion has led her to teaching and motivating others to try skiing for the first time. “There’s no feeling like it,” she says. Working at Carefree has also allowed Sydney to pursue new opportunities—like earning her Master’s Captain License!
When she’s not at work, Sydney loves water skiing, especially swivel skiing, where the ski binding allows for full 360-degree turns. She’s also a big fan of outdoor activities and is currently training for her first triathlon! If you see Sydney at the dock, be sure to say hello!
Other News
In certain conditions, especially on calm days with little wind or current, anchoring isn’t always necessary. If you’re planning a brief stop, like for a swim or a quick break, and there’s little chance of your boat drifting quickly, you may not need to drop anchor. In still waters, your boat can often remain stable on its own, especially if there aren’t many other boats or obstacles nearby. If your boat does start to drift then you can quickly turn it on and move back to a comfortable area!
If you do anchor and it gets stuck there are several effective techniques you can try to free it:
- Change the Angle of Pull: Move the boat in a gentle circle around the anchor while applying tension to the anchor line. This change in angle can help free the anchor from whatever it’s snagged on.
- Motor Forward: Slowly drive the boat forward while keeping tension on the anchor line. This can sometimes help dislodge the anchor from rocks or debris on the bottom.
- Use a Boat Hook or Paddle: If you can safely reach the anchor line, you can use a boat hook or paddle to maneuver the line and encourage the anchor to release.
- Lift and Drop: Gently lift the anchor and drop it back down while keeping the line taut. The jarring motion can help free it from any obstruction.
- Reduce Weight on the Line: If the anchor is heavy and stuck, you can try letting out more line to lighten the tension. This may help the anchor come loose without exerting too much force.
Always remember to assess the situation carefully and prioritize safety when trying to free a stuck anchor.
