Docking contest tests boater’s skills

CORNELIUS, N.C. (October 26, 2012) – 57 Carefree Boat Club of Lake Norman members, guests and staff gathered on Sunday, October 21 at Morningstar Kings Point Marina in Cornelius, North Carolina for Carefree Boat Club’s fall social and inaugural Carefree Invitational Boat Docking Contest.

Eight invited contestants used the club’s Sea Ray Sundeck 200 to back out of a slip, rotate 90 degrees, proceed approximately 70 feet down the waterway, rotate the boat 180 degrees and return to the slip. Three judges scored the contestants based on the technique, precision and pace of their maneuvers. The audience supported contestants with cheers, applause and commentary. Christopher and Madison Graveline were positioned dockside to signal the judges the frequency and severity of a contestant bumping the dock.

Boat docking contests are common in the northeast, such as the famous professional fisherman’s Waterman’s Day Boat Docking Contest in Kent County, Maryland. Bill Young, General Manager of Morningstar Kings Point Marina and one of the three judges for the event said, “This is the first boat docking contest I’ve known of on Lake Norman. Not only was it a lot of fun, but the contestants demonstrated to the audience proper and safe boat handling techniques.”

The contestant’s boating experience ranged from six months to over 30 years. Joe Cathers recently moved from Annapolis, Maryland where he boated for many years on the Chesapeake Bay. Cathers took first place in the contest, winning a $50 gift certificate provided by Brooklyn South Pizzeria. Adam Pennetti of Huntersville took second, and Joe Miller of Huntersville third.

Carefree Boat Club of Lake Norman requires all its members to take a two hour on-water training course conducted by former professional ski boat driver, John Gillette. “It was particularly rewarding to see the skill and ability of these members who have driven boats for less than a year. Many people who have driven boats many years can’t maneuver in tight quarters as well as these contestants did!”, said Gillette.

Located at Morningstar Kings Point Marina in Cornelius, Carefree Boat Club of Lake Norman provides members access to a variety of boats with none of the work of owning a boat, for significantly less money and at 24 locations. For more information please visit www.carefreeboats.com/lakenorman or call 704-557-0848.