Lake Norman NC vs. Lake Gaston NC

[ES]

Hi, I know many of you travel quite a bit with your boats.

I never boated on Lake Norman...for those of you who had a chance to visit both locations, which one do you prefer and why?

Both lakes obviously get pretty crowded during the busy week-ends, but I am wondering if you have specific areas you suggest visiting and an overall preference.

Thanks for your help!

[SkiTower]

you've picked the two busiest lakes in NC. It all depends on what you want to do. Lake Norman is bigger and deeper. It also is outside of banking central Charlotte so you'll see some very big money homes on it. Unless you're in a G23 you will get beat slam up from the rough water due to traffic. During the week you might be able to find some good water, though. I literally grew up on it and it used to be sweet. But it's too busy now.

As for Gaston, I've been on it twice and overall not bad. But my understanding it can get busy too.

Have you considered Kerr Lake? Va side can give you some good water, and it's over 50K acres so plenty of riding around room.

[NautiqueJeff]

I love Kerr. Heading there tomorrow as a matter of fact. Not a fan of Gaston at all. I like Lake Norman, but it can get VERY busy.

[ES]

Thanks for the info guys. As SkiTower pointed out, there is a lot of businesses based in Charlotte and it seems like other companies are moving there too, so at some stage I may decide to move my business there.
We are on Gaston at the moment and luckily we are on a secluded cove, so we can get quite a bit of sport activities done without interference from large crowds.
Enjoy Memorial Day!

[jrz1]

I'm on Norman. Gets too busy most summer weekends. Nice during week and if you get out early Sat/Sun you can find good water before 10AM usually. Mid day is pretty tough. Nice, big lake though. We go way up north to the catawba river if we want good water on weekends.

[SkiTower]

If you're thinking of moving that way, have you checked out Highrock or Badin?

[wakeslasher69]

I can't speak to Norman but we have a place on Gaston in a cove and love it! Kerr is fine and it is true you can get away from people but be VERY careful that you know where you are going, you can find shallow spots very quickly! Completely agree with everyone above, the main part of Gaston from 11am to 5pm on Saturday is mostly un-ridable unless you find a good cove OR go "up the river" towards I85. If you go up towards I85 you'll always have GREAT water to ride on, just stay to the right at the main split when heading up river.

[SANFreak]

I have to agree that Lake Norman is a mess most of the time. I lived on the lake for a little over a year and I had to go. The boats are failrly large and can tear that lake up quick. The one nice thing about it is you have a good number of places to take the boat to eat etc. Week days in the evening glass can be found and weekends are early and late for riding. Wylie is also down here and its starting to get crowded but you can normally find water any day. Especially week day evenings, sometimes we do not see another boat.