Boat Club FAQs
You have questions, We have Answers!
Frequently Asked Questions
- A boat club is a cost effective alternative to owning a boat, and is part of the global trend toward sharing assets rather than owning them. Members have use of a variety of boats with much less commitment than owning a boat…and with a lot of fun!
-
That sounds pretty good, but you use cheap rental type boats, right?
Absolutely not! We are using brand new 24′ Cobalt bowriders, Bennington 23′ triple-tube pontoons with 200HP or 250HP and Malibu 23 LSV wake boats; the most respected and sought-after boats in their class! They range in value from $100,000 to over $180,000! -
How are you able to provide premium quality boats that are brand new every year at such a low cost?
How are you able to provide premium quality boats that are brand new every year at such a low cost? Great question! Because Lake Norman Marina is a boat dealer and marina, we have the means to efficiently buy, maintain, and sell our boat club boats all under one roof. Sharing staff among the club, our gas dock, dry storage, rentals, and more helps us be efficient with labor costs. -
Do you rent your boats to non-members?
No, our boats are for the exclusive use of our members. -
Why do you only use three models in your fleet?
We do it mainly because our members love it that way. Having multiples of choice, premium models means they only need to become familiar with three different models, making them more confident and comfortable with each outing. They never have to settle for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th class boat in each category. There are even more benefits too lengthy to explain here. Call us and we can further explain. -
How many passengers do your boats carry?
All our boats are rated to carry 12 passengers (average 150 lbs. each). 12 is pretty cozy, so we recommend limiting it to 10 for your comfort and enjoyment. -
What else is great about your boats?
All our Cobalts and Malibus are stored on boat lifts to keep their bottoms clean. Dirty bottoms not only look ugly, but they cause drag which slows the boat down and decreases fuel economy. All our boats are stored in our covered marina, minimizing the effects of rain and sun. Dry boats are also less apt to have mildew. Having our own dealership service department with factory certified technicians and huge parts inventory enables us to keep our boats in excellent condition and promptly repair them should there be a mechanical problem.
Read more about them by clicking here.
-
How frequently can a boat club member use the boats?
As frequently as they want! It’s best to reserve boats in advance for weekends and holidays, but even then boats can be available on short notice. -
Is there a limit to the number of times a boat club member can use a boat?
No, you can boat an unlimited number of times. Boats are available all 12 months, though we are closed Thanksgiving Day and approximately 2 weeks between Christmas and New Years Day. -
How does that work? I mean if members are sharing the boats, how can they know there will be a boat available?
Our reservation system ensures all members have equal access to the boats, and you can reserve boats up to 60 days in advance. As we add members we we add boats, always keeping sufficient boats in the fleet to provide satisfactory availability. -
“Satisfactory availability?” Only if I reserve months in advance, right?
Weekends and holidays are the busy times. Therefore, we recommend members plan 7 to 14 days in advance to reserve a boat on weekends and holidays. On weekdays the boats are widely available on short notice. -
Do boat club members ever not get a boat when they want one?
Sometimes. For example, a member’s schedule may change where they can go boating on a weekend when they hadn’t planned on it. If on Friday they want to reserve a boat for Saturday, they know they shouldn’t expect to get one…although sometimes there is one available! -
How do I schedule a reservation?
Most members like reserving boats with our mobile-friendly online reservation system, but if you’re old school you can call us. -
Can I get a boat club boat on short notice, or do I always need to reserve in advance?
Yes, in addition to your advance reservations you can book as many spontaneous reservations as you would like! You shouldn’t count on this on a weekend or holiday, but members are sometimes pleasantly surprised to find one available. -
So what happens when I show up at the dock for my reserved boat?
Our friendly, happy, smiling staff will greet you at our first class marina with your boat uncovered, clean and fueled. They will help you load up, and after a quick check-out, send you on your way to make some massive memories on the lake!
-
Wow! That sounds too good to be true. How much does the boat club cost?
We have several different boat club membership plans to accommodate various boating interests. Members make a one-time investment and then pay a monthly fee. To learn about our membership costs, contact us at 704.483.5546 or use the form at the bottom of this page. -
What if after joining the club I love boating so much that I want to buy a boat?
We allow members to take some of what they invested and apply it to any new or used boat Lake Norman Marina sells! This makes the club a fantastic way to get started in boating. You're able to receive our comprehensive, personalized training on each of our 3 models, get familiarized with them for a boating season (or many!), then make an experienced and knowledgeable decision on what serves you best! -
What about fuel?
You pay for the fuel you use, but you never have to go to the gas dock or wait for us to fuel the boat! We use fuel-use meters on our boats that precisely measure how much fuel you use. It's much more accurate than the typical “top-it-off” method. Our brand new boats with the latest technology and clean bottoms maximizes your fuel economy. -
How much fuel do boat club members typically use?
Good question. Our history shows boat club members average 7.6 gallons per outing on Cobalts and 6.7 gallons on Benningtons, and 16 gallons per outing on Malibus (yes, wakesurfers burn a lot of fuel). We have a full breakdown of fuel consumption for each of our boat models. We have a full breakdown of fuel consumption per boat model available here. -
Do you pull a credit report?
No, you can have sorry credit and be a boat club member. But if you stop paying your monthly fee, you stop using the boats. -
Is water sports equipment included?
Every boat is equipped with water sports equipment appropriate for the boat (skis and wake, knee or surf board). Tubes, junior skis, trainer skis, trick skis, slalom ski and wakeskate are all available on request. There is no need for you to buy and haul water sports equipment from your home to the boat. We also have stand-up paddleboards available for our members. No additional cost for any of this. -
So what's the catch? Is there a list of fees you're going to hit me with?
No catch! Insurance, storage, cleaning, maintenance, repairs and use of water sports equipment are all included. We do charge $2.75 per 10lb bag of ice, if you request to have it on board. We also have member socials and cruises where you can meet other boating enthusiasts.
-
That sounds like tons of fun! Do you provide help on how to use all that fun watersports equipment?
Yes, our very knowledgeable and experienced staff love helping boat club members maximize their fun with successful watersports action! -
I hate to admit I need it, but do you provide any boat operation instruction?
Personalized, comprehensive, and unlimited instruction is included in the membership. We love teaching members the best boating practices to make them safe, skilled and confident boaters! We can require additional training if you demonstrate the need for it. -
Tell me more about the insurance protection included in a membership.
People often make the wrong assumption that every boat club has good insurance to protect them should there be an accident. Wrong! Members are an “Additional Insured” on our $1,000,000 Watercraft Liability policy, protecting you from claims by third-parties and damage you may incur while the boat is in your care, with only a $3,000 deductible (some exceptions apply). These are important points most people don’t think to ask when considering a boat club.
-
How can I be sure you guys aren’t some shady business?
Lake Norman Marina has been owned and managed by the Kale family since its inception in 1974. Respected as one of the finest marine dealerships in the country, readers of local papers have multiple years voted us “Best Dealership”, “Best Service and Rentals”, “Best Place to Buy a Boat”, and “Best Boat Club”! You can read what others are saying about us on our testimonials page. We are excited to have launched our Lake Norman Boat Club in February, 2016. -
What if after joining the club I love boating so much I want to buy my own boat?
If after joining the club you decide to buy a boat, we will apply a portion of your membership fees towards the purchase of a new or used boat! Lake Norman Marina is the largest boat dealer in the Charlotte area typically with over 100 boats in stock! Or we can custom order the Cobalt, Bennington, Malibu or Axis of your dreams!
-
This sounds fantastic! How quickly can I get boating?
Woah, hold on there! Our boat club isn't the right fit for everyone. Most people find scheduling a visit is the best way to explore whether we could be the right solution for their boating interests. Here you will meet our team, see our marina and boats, and learn all the things that our growing membership enjoys. Schedule a visit by either:- Calling us at (704) 946-5739
- Text us by clicking the red “Text Us!” box
- Complete the form below.
Request More Information
Lake Norman Marina Boat Club
Sherrills Ford, NC
6965 NC Highway 150 , Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
