North Carolina’s largest man-made body of fresh water, Lake Norman is a magical place to visit – with pontoon boats a popular way to explore.
The scenic environs of Lake Norman State Park (Photo: Amy Meredith via Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0)
Situated around 20 miles north of the city of Charlotte, the vast lake attracts huge numbers of outdoor lovers who come to enjoy its tranquil waters, along with the 500-plus miles of shoreline and large network of mountain biking trails. There are several companies located around the lake offering boat rentals, including many with pontoon boats among their fleet. We’ve selected two of the best places to find one below.
Getmyboat
Launched in San Francisco 2013, Getmyboat is one of the world’s largest boat rental and water experience marketplaces. The company have rental options for every type of boating need, including a sizeable range of pontoon boats. As well as day rentals, boats can be hired by the hour, half-day, or multiple days or weeks, depending on availability. The cost depends on the type of boat you want to rent, with pontoon boat rentals typically starting at around $200 a day. When we searched for pontoon boats that can be rented in Lake Norman, we found a total of 73 available, with the cheapest a 22-foot luxury Bennington with a capacity for up to 12 guests and coming with a Tri-Toon inflatable tube included, priced at $64 per hour.
Saltshaker Marine
A well-established local company, Saltshaker Marine offer pontoon rentals to groups of up to six guests seeking to venture out onto the idyllic waters of Lake Norman. Whether you’re stopping by for an afternoon or spending a long weekend by the lake, they can help you find the perfect pontoon for your budget and needs. Their vessels range in size from 24 to 26-foot in length and each is equipped with Bimini tops, 115hp – 150hp motors, and iPod- compatible radios. A choice of half-day or full-day rentals are available, starting at $275 for a half-day. Rentals also include assorted water toys such as tubes, skiis, mats, floats and noodles.