Lake Norman vs. Lake Wylie Boating (Charlotte, Gastonia: homes, gated, camp)

[wmspeep]

We are new to boating and are wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these lakes?

Thanks

[Union county hopeful]

Lake Norman has much more entertainment - and is bigger. My vote is for LKN!

[carolina_guy]

You can have everything and more at Lake Norman over Lake Wylie. Lake Wylie is more low key and not as busy, but you can also find that in the many coves of Lake Norman. LKN offers much more entertainment options, it's much larger, plenty of places to dine, many islands to pull up and cookout/play horseshoes/or camp out for the night, great tie ups for partying, and better scenery.

The best part about having your own boat is that you can try out both lakes and decide for yourself. But I'll take LKN over LKW any day!

[Belmarin]

The previous posters are very accurate in stating that Lake Norman is more of a party area and Lake Wylie is more laid back. I personally enjoy the water to get away from the fast pace of daily life and relax.
My vote is for Lake Wylie.

[spankys bbq]

Lake Norman definately has mre boaters, but Wylie is growing in numbers. There is one place to eat on the water and its in SC, so no alcohol on Sunday if that is a concern.

I've been going to Wylie for a number of years and it seems that the number of idiots with boats is about to be larger than the number of qualified boat operators.

People pulling their kids in the main channel less than a 1/2-mile from the bridge, no running lights at night, docking lights as headlights (they're on both lakes), and plenty of other stupid actions are seen on a near-daily basis during the summer.

My biggest issue with Lkae Norman is the number of lake cops and them being more than happy to stop you for any reason they see fit. It is mainly to see if you've been drinking. A friend of mine was pulled over 3 times in 30 minutes while still within site of the original stopping officers.

[lovethecarolinas]

Originally Posted by wmspeep

We are new to boating and are wondering what are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these lakes?

Thanks

I've been on both lakes (I happen to live off Lake Wylie) and it will really boil down to want you are looking for....so as someone else has already mentioned...why not check them both out for yourself.

Since you also say you are new to boating....make sure you have a good depth finder...and pay close attention to it (especially if you head into any of the coves).

Also keep in mind that Lake Wylie covers both states (NC and SC)...so laws can differ between the two (and to tell you the truth...no one seems to now where the real dividing line is either).

Here is an article from last year that you can obtain information on in regard to safety on Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie Pilot - Local (broken link)

Enjoy!

[Lake Boss]

I have investigated both lakes extensively. Lake Norman is a very large, very nice lake. The problem is that it is saturated with boaters, homes, commercial businesses. The traffic to and from the lake gets very constipated during the times when everyone wants to go to the lake at the same time.

Lake Wylie, on the other hand is quaint and easily accessible from the central area of Charlotte, Gastonia and Rock Hill. The water is not as crowded with boaters and access in and around the lake is easier on the nerves. And a personal observation is that the people in the Lake Wylie area seem to be more friendly and less interested in their appearance to have a lot of "stuff".

There seems to be more safety conscious people on Lake Wylie too. I suppose it is because the lake is not overcrowded with anxious people.

My pick is Lake Wylie anytime.

[WaldoKitty]

Lake Wylie has issues with raw sewage being dumped in it. We avoid it now.

[RyanBC]

Originally Posted by WaldoKitty

Lake Wylie has issues with raw sewage being dumped in it. We avoid it now.

Not only that, but it is down river of the city, so even without the raw sewage it is still getting all of the runoff from the city.

Water down river from major metropolitan areas is always pretty gross.

[Native_Son]

Originally Posted by RyanBC

Not only that, but it is down river of the city, so even without the raw sewage it is still getting all of the runoff from the city.

Water down river from major metropolitan areas is always pretty gross.

False.

Wylie doesn't get any runoff from the City of Charlotte... Or not much, only the edges. No more than drains to Norman from Cornelius or Huntersville.

And if you think there's no raw sewage in LKN, well... I offer my hearty and sincere LOLs.

Norman is a little cleaner than Wylie, but that's primarily due to the influence of the South Fork and Dutchmans creek. Incidentally, those waterways drain very conservative areas... And water quality ain't a family value if you can dig it.

Charlotte's water primarily drains to Little Sugar creek (via Irwin, Sugar, Briar, et al) before flowing to SC. It doesn't hit the Catawba until well below the Lake Wylie dam. The east side of the city drains to the Yadkin River.