North Carolina and South Carolina both offer wonderful locations and opportunities to pursue an interest in boating activities. Both states are located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean for people that enjoy boating on the high seas whether it is for a few hours or a few days. North Carolina and South Carolina both have a large assortment of popular lakes, rivers and even islands to make the most out of your boating experience whether you enjoy fishing, sailing, or even water skiing.
For those that enjoy spending time on the open water, there are many opportunities to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of North and South Carolina. If you just want to relax you can take out your sailboat and let the ocean breeze take you away. If fishing is your passion, you can take out your fishing boat, motorboat or pontoon boat and catch a large variety of saltwater fish. In North Carolina the most popular kinds of saltwater fish include the Red Drum, Spotted Sea Trout, Cobia, King Mackerel and three different kinds of flounder. The southern flounder is the most popular, followed by the summer flounder and for those that enjoy a challenge there is the gulf flounder which enjoy hiding in the sandy bottoms of the ocean. South Carolina also has a large variety of popular fish: the Redfish, Speckled Trout, Bluefish, Halibut, Flounder and Mackerel.
North Carolina and South Carolina both have a large number of lakes and rivers in which to enjoy boating activities. North Carolina has a number of lakes and rivers such as the Cape Fear River out of Wilmington, NC, Salem Lake in Winston-Salem, NC, Lake Gaston near Roanoke Rapids, NC and the Hiwassee River. In any of these lakes or rivers there is a large variety of fish to be caught and enjoyed including: Large and Smallmouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Brown Bullhead, White and Yellow Perch, and Rainbow Trout.
South Carolina also offers several lakes to enjoy such as Lake Marion, which is the largest lake in South Carolina, and is located in Orangeburg County, Lake Moultrie located in Berkeley County, SC, and Lake Wateree located in Kershaw County, SC. Some of the most popular types of fish located in these waters are the White Perch, White and Hybrid Bass, White and Black Crappie, Brook Trout, and the Redfin Pike.
One of the most popular recreational activities in the world today is boating because it is so exciting, a lot of fun and great way to relax.
Carolina Boating Laws
North Carolina Basic Boating Laws
All boats and personal water craft that are used on public water must be registered but only newly purchased or transferred vessels are required to obtain a title.
All children under the age of 13 are required to wear a lifejacket when on deck of a boat on public water.
Boat engines with that operate at more than 4000 RPM must have effective muffling equipment installed unless it is a licensed commercial fishing boat.
No person under the age of 14 may operate a boat and if under the age of 16 they must be accompanied by a person of at least 18 years of age.
In North Carolina a “slow-no-wake" speed is that speed at which a vessel moves as slow as possible while still maintaining steerage control and white buoys with red or orange markings indicate speed limits and no-wake zones.
South Carolina Basic Boating Laws
All boats with more than 5 horsepower must have vessel registered and titled within 30 days of purchase.
All children under the age of 12 are required to wear a lifejacket when on deck of a boat on public water.
All boats must have an effective muffling system for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine.
Persons under the age of 16 must complete a boating course approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in order to operate a boat with a 15 horsepower motor or greater.
In South Carolina a “slow-no-wake" speed is that speed at which a vessel moves as slow as possible while still maintaining steerage control and white buoys with red markings and black letters indicate speed limits and no-wake zones.