North Carolina boasts a boat ownership rate of 35.5 vessels per 1,000 inhabitants for a huge total of 340,000 recreational boats, a testament to the enduring popularity of yachting in the Tar Heel State. Enjoy boating up rivers that wind through the scenic Blue Ridge mountains, with 5,000 miles of navigable waterways in the state, head out onto vast and placid reservoirs, or sample North Carolina’s stunning 3,375 miles of coast, including 320 miles of pristine ocean-front property like the unique Outer Banks.
North Carolina’s largest lake is Lake Norman, an artificial freshwater destination mere minutes away from the major hub of Charlotte. Fish for catfish, striped bass, bluegill and walleye as ospreys, geese and bald eagles soar high above, and soak up the views of lakeside beaches and forests as you cast your line. The largest marina on the lake is at the Peninsula Yacht Club, where 410 slips and a hearty welcome await. To enjoy the splendid surrounds of North Carolina’s more mountainous terrain head to Lake James. Nestled within its own state park, this 6,812-acre reservoir features numerous marinas and boat ramps and was brought to international prominence in 1992 when hit movie The Last of the Mohicans was filmed here.
Perhaps the most iconic destination in this state is the windswept, remote and enchanting Outer Banks, where visitors can lose themselves in the dunes and over 100 miles of sandy beaches. Bay-boat around shallow and atmospheric Pamlico Sound, pass through the many inlets out into the Atlantic Ocean itself, or fish for black drum, crappie and redfish in Albermarle Sound. Good choices for marinas in this area include the 223-slip New Bern Grand Marina, positioned just steps from New Bern’s characterful Downtown, and Oriental Harbor Village Marina, a large facility right on Racoon Creek. Elsewhere on the coast you can head to the 183-slip Inlet Watch Yacht Club, the 190-slip Seapath Yacht Club or the 200-slip Morningstar Marina Southport for splendid backwater cruising around the Cape Fear River and other picturesque channels while remaining within touching distance of some of the state’s most popular beaches.
Recreational boating is worth approximately $9.1 billion dollars a year to the Old North State, supporting more than 28,000 jobs across a diverse range of businesses. Top builders in this state include Bay Rider Boats based in Wilson, a popular manufacturer of speedy center-console watercraft, and OBX Boatworks, famed for their Carolina-style sportfishing boats. But the most celebrated brand in North Carolina has to be Hatteras Yachts, makers of premium convertible sportfishers and the 20th biggest yacht-building brand in the world with a turnover of more than $266 million.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
