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52 MPH Tritoons with 350 HP - Under $80K!
Lake Norman, NC
The Premier Pontoon Dealer on Lake Norman
Skip the highway lots. Our Lake Norman showroom is right on the water in Mooresville — shop premium Veranda Pontoons and pre-owned Premier boats, drop one in, and start living the Norman lifestyle today.
Our Advantage
Why Lake Norman Boaters Choose Carefree
Most boat dealers in the Charlotte area sit on dry lots off I-77 or Highway 21. You see a boat on a trailer, sign the papers, and hope it feels right once you're on the water. Our Lake Norman location at 1479 River Highway in Mooresville puts us right on the lake — steps from the water, close to the best coves and marinas on Norman. That means you can see the boats in their natural environment and get on the water before you buy.
On the Water
at River Highway, Mooresville NC
Test Drive
any boat on Lake Norman before you buy
Veranda
exclusive Veranda Pontoon dealer on Lake Norman
Same Day
drop it in the water and go
Shop by Norman Lifestyle
We carry the right boat for every way people use Lake Norman — from luxury cruising to high-performance pontoons.
Luxury Cruising & Cove Socializing
Veranda Pontoons
Lake Norman is one of the largest man-made lakes in the Southeast — and Veranda Pontoons are built for it. Whether you're anchoring out at Stumpy Creek, cruising to dinner at Blue Parrot or Toucans, or spending a full day on the water with family, the Veranda VR and Relax series deliver the space, comfort, and Yamaha power to make every outing unforgettable.
Shop VerandaHigh-Performance Luxury Pontoons
Premier Pontoons
For buyers who want the absolute pinnacle of pontoon performance, our pre-owned Premier lineup delivers. The 270 Intrigue, 310 Boundary Waters, and 350 Escalante are flagship double-decker and high-performance pontoons with twin and triple Yamaha power — built for serious speed, serious space, and serious entertaining on Lake Norman's wide open water.
Shop Pre-Owned
Family Fun & Weekend Getaways
The Right Boat for Norman
Lake Norman's 520 miles of shoreline means there's a perfect spot for every kind of day on the water. From quiet coves near Cornelius to the open stretches near Blythe Landing, we'll help you match the right pontoon to how your family actually uses the lake — whether that's fishing, tubing, sunset cruising, or all of the above.
View All InventoryDine by Boat
Best Waterfront Restaurants on Lake Norman
One of the best things about boating Lake Norman is pulling up to lunch or dinner by water. These are the spots locals count on — all accessible by boat.
Casual Waterfront
Dockside Restaurant
Mooresville, NC
The most well-known boat-up dining destination on Lake Norman. Casual waterfront atmosphere, solid American menu, cold drinks, and a dock that handles plenty of boats. A go-to stop for Norman boaters on summer afternoons and weekends. Live music on select evenings.
Arrive early on summer weekends — dock space fills up fast by midday.
Boat-Up Dining
Blue Parrot Grill
Lake Norman, NC
A true boat-up restaurant right on Lake Norman. Known for a laid-back tropical vibe, cold drinks, and a menu that hits the spot after a long day on the water. Popular with locals and a favorite stop for pontoon crews cruising the lake on summer weekends.
Pull up by boat and grab a spot on the dock — it fills up fast on weekends.
Boat-Up Dining
Toucans Waterfront Bar & Grill
Lake Norman, NC
A lively waterfront bar and grill directly on Lake Norman. Great food, cold drinks, and a fun atmosphere that draws the boating crowd all summer long. Dock access makes it easy to pull up by pontoon or tritoon for lunch or an afternoon on the water.
Great for groups — dock space available, but arrive early on busy summer days.
Waterfront Dining
Hello Sailor
Cornelius, NC
A beloved Lake Norman institution with a nautical theme and a menu built around fresh seafood and Southern comfort food. Waterfront location with dock access — a favorite of the boating crowd for its laid-back atmosphere, strong cocktail program, and views of the lake.
Reservations recommended on weekends. Dock access available — arrive by boat for the full experience.
Waterfront Dining
Lake House Wine Bar & Grill
Lake Norman, NC
A waterfront wine bar and grill right on Lake Norman with a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. Known for a solid wine list, fresh food, and beautiful lake views. A great spot to pull up by boat for a leisurely lunch or a sunset dinner after a day on the water.
Great for a more relaxed, upscale evening on the lake — arrive by boat and enjoy the views.
Sandbar Destination
Stumpy Creek Cove
Mooresville, NC
Not a restaurant — but the most popular social destination on Lake Norman. A sheltered cove near Stumpy Creek Park where boaters anchor up, wade in the shallows, and socialize all afternoon. Bring your own cooler and food. Every pontoon owner on Norman knows this spot.
Anchor in 3–5 feet of water. Arrive before noon on summer weekends to get a good spot.
Near Our Dealership
River Highway Marina Area
Mooresville, NC — our location
Right at our dealership on River Highway. Grab a bite at nearby spots before or after your test drive, or stop in after a day on the water. Convenient access to Mooresville's growing restaurant scene — all just minutes from the dock.
Right at our dealership — perfect before or after a test drive.
Fishing Guide
Fishing Lake Norman: What You Need to Know
Lake Norman is one of the top freshwater fishing lakes in the Carolinas. Here's a local breakdown of what's biting, where to go, and what boat you need.
Lake Norman covers 32,510 acres with 520 miles of shoreline — and it holds some of the best largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie fishing in North Carolina. Duke Energy manages water levels, which affects fishing conditions seasonally. The lake's size and depth create diverse habitat that supports a wide variety of species year-round.
Largemouth Bass
Lake Norman is one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the Carolinas. The lake's extensive dock lines, rocky points, and shallow coves create ideal habitat. Spring is peak season when fish move shallow to spawn. Soft plastics, crankbaits, and topwater lures all produce well. Norman regularly hosts major bass tournaments.
Best Season:Spring spawn, year-round
Technique:Soft plastics, crankbaits, topwater
Hot Spots:Dock lines, rocky points, Stumpy Creek coves, Blythe Landing area
Striped Bass (Stripers)
Lake Norman has a strong landlocked striper population, with fish running 10–30+ lbs. Stripers are most active in cooler water — spring and fall are peak seasons. Trolling umbrella rigs and live bait near the main channel and dam area produces the most fish. Early morning runs near Cowans Ford Dam are especially productive.
Best Season:Spring & Fall
Technique:Trolling umbrella rigs, live bait
Hot Spots:Cowans Ford Dam area, main channel, deep creek channels
Crappie & Bluegill
Crappie fishing on Norman is excellent in the spring when fish move shallow to spawn around brush piles and dock pilings. Bluegill are abundant in the shallower coves and are a great target for families and kids. Light tackle and small jigs or live crickets work best. Crappie hold near submerged timber throughout the year.
Best Season:Spring spawn, year-round
Technique:Small jigs, live crickets, light tackle
Hot Spots:Brush piles, dock pilings, shallow coves, submerged timber
Catfish & Hybrid Bass
Channel catfish and flatheads are caught throughout the lake, especially near the dam and deeper channel areas. Hybrid striped bass (wipers) are also present and put up a serious fight. Cut bait and chicken liver work well for catfish; hybrids respond to the same techniques as stripers. Night fishing near the dam is especially productive for catfish.
Best Season:Summer & Fall
Technique:Cut bait, chicken liver, umbrella rigs
Hot Spots:Deep channels, Cowans Ford Dam, main lake points
What Boat Do You Need for Lake Norman Fishing?
For serious bass and striper fishing on Lake Norman, we recommend a center console or dual console with enough deck space and rod storage for a full day on the water. For family fishing trips — crappie and bluegill in the coves — a Veranda pontoon with a livewell package is hard to beat. We carry both and can match you to the right setup for how you fish Norman.
Launch Points
Public Boat Ramps on Lake Norman
Lake Norman has numerous public boat ramps managed by Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba, and Lincoln counties, plus Duke Energy access areas. Here are the most-used ramps near our Mooresville dealership.
Most public ramps are free or low-cost. Arrive early on summer weekends — popular ramps like Blythe Landing and Stumpy Creek fill up by 8–9am. Some ramps require a county parks pass.
River Highway Marina
Our Location1479 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117
Our home base. Private marina ramp available to Carefree Boat Sales customers for demos and deliveries. Located on the east side of the lake in Mooresville with easy access to the main channel.
Fee:Customer access
Managed:Private — River Highway Marina
Stumpy Creek Park
Mooresville, NC
One of the most popular ramps on the lake — right near the famous Stumpy Creek Cove social destination. Multiple launch lanes and a large parking area. Gets very busy on summer weekends. Managed by Iredell County.
Fee:Iredell County fee
Managed:Iredell County Parks
Blythe Landing Park
Huntersville, NC
A well-maintained Mecklenburg County ramp on the south end of the lake near Huntersville. Popular with Charlotte-area boaters and bass tournament anglers. Multiple lanes and good parking. Close to the main channel.
Fee:Mecklenburg County fee
Managed:Mecklenburg County Parks
Ramsey Creek Park
Cornelius, NC
Mecklenburg County ramp on the southwest side of the lake near Cornelius. Good access to the mid-lake area and the Cornelius coves. Popular with families and recreational boaters from the north Charlotte suburbs.
Fee:Mecklenburg County fee
Managed:Mecklenburg County Parks
Duke Energy — Cowans Ford Access
Stanley, NC
Duke Energy access area near Cowans Ford Dam on the west side of the lake. Good access to the dam area — one of the best striper fishing spots on Norman. Less crowded than the Mecklenburg County ramps.
Fee:Duke Energy access fee
Managed:Duke Energy
Lake Norman State Park Ramp
Troutman, NC
State park ramp on the north end of the lake near Troutman. Good access to the upper lake and less congested than south-end ramps. The state park also has a beach and campground — great for overnight trips.
Fee:NC State Parks fee
Managed:NC State Parks
Lake Norman Local Knowledge
We know this lake. Here's what every new boat buyer on Norman needs to know.
1
Lake Norman: The Inland Sea of the Carolinas
At 32,510 acres and 520 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. Its size means you need a boat with enough power and stability to handle open-water conditions — especially on busy summer weekends when boat traffic builds serious chop on the main channel.
2
Mooresville: The Heart of Norman Boating
Our location on River Highway in Mooresville puts you right at the center of the action. Stumpy Creek Park, Blythe Landing, and the Mooresville waterfront are all minutes away. The south end of the lake near our dealership is where you'll find the best access points, the most popular coves, and the heaviest weekend traffic.
3
Pontoon vs. Tritoon: What's Right for Norman?
Lake Norman's size and occasional chop make tritoon tubes a smart upgrade over a standard twin-tube pontoon. The third tube adds stability, speed, and handling in rough water. We carry both configurations and can walk you through exactly which setup makes sense for your family size, budget, and how you plan to use the lake.
4
Popular Norman Destinations by Boat
Blue Parrot, Toucans, Hello Sailor, Lake House Wine Bar & Grill, Dockside Restaurant, and Stumpy Creek Cove are all easily accessible from our location. When you buy from us, we'll point you to the best spots on the lake and help you plan your first day on the water.
See What Our Customers Say
Lake Norman and Charlotte-area boaters trust Carefree Boat Sales for the best pontoon buying experience in the Carolinas.
"Best pontoon dealer near Lake Norman, hands down. The team at Carefree in Mooresville made the whole process easy from start to finish. They knew the lake, knew the boats, and helped us pick exactly the right Veranda for our family. We've been out on Norman every weekend since — couldn't be happier."
E
Emmit Willis
Verified Google Review
"If you're looking for a boat dealer near Charlotte or Lake Norman, this is the place. Carefree Boat Sales has a fantastic selection of Veranda Pontoons and the staff genuinely knows what they're talking about. No pressure, great prices, and a smooth buying experience. Highly recommend to anyone in the area."
L
Luts Riesmann
Verified Google Review
"We've worked with a lot of dealers across the Carolinas and Carefree Boat Sales at Lake Norman stands out. Their Veranda inventory is excellent, the team is professional and knowledgeable, and the location right on the water makes it easy to see exactly what you're buying. A top-tier pontoon dealer in the Charlotte area."
B
Boats of Wilmington
Verified Google Review
Ready to Get on Lake Norman?
Come see us at 1479 River Highway in Mooresville. We're right on the water with a full lineup of new Veranda Pontoons and pre-owned Premier boats — ready for a test drive on Lake Norman today.
1479 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117704-574-2103