How many people fit on the 115 HP Southbay - 24 ft?

The boat accommodates up to 8 passengers as listed by Saltshaker Marine.

Fuel policies vary; confirm with Saltshaker Marine at booking—many rentals charge for fuel used or require refueling before return.

Pet policies depend on the operator; check with Saltshaker Marine when you reserve to confirm pet rules and any fees.

What if weather cancels my rental?

Saltshaker Marine generally follows weather safety protocols; contact them directly about rescheduling or refund policies under adverse conditions.

How much is the security deposit?

A $250 refundable deposit is required for all rentals, held on a credit card as a security deposit.

Lake Norman Days: Rent the 115 HP Southbay 24 ft Pontoon with Saltshaker Marine

Q: What are the age and licensing requirements to rent?

Renters must be at least 34 years old, or 28 with a valid boater’s safety license; a valid driver’s license is required.

On Lake Norman, just north of Mooresville, North Carolina, Saltshaker Marine invites daytrippers to trade shoreline traffic for lake horizons aboard the 115 HP Southbay - 24 ft. This roomy pontoon feels more like a floating living room than a rental boat: wide deck, bench seating, and a stable platform for tubing, picnicking or quiet wildlife watching. Lake Norman is North Carolina’s largest man-made lake, born in 1963 when Duke Power impounded the Catawba River at Cowans Ford Dam; its long fingers of shoreline create sheltered coves, rocky points, and small tree-topped islands that reward a slow, curious cruise.

A typical outing with Saltshaker Marine ranges from a 4-hour circuit to an all-day eight-hour exploration. Start with a quick orientation at the dock—Saltshaker’s crew provides a Lake Norman map and marks favorite pull-up beaches, calm water channels for tubing, and scenic anchor bays for lunch. The 115 HP motor gives confident pace for crossing wider sections of the lake but preserves the gentle, floaty feel that makes pontoons so convivial for groups up to eight.

Key scene features include steep wooded bluffs, sandy shoreline pockets, and waterfront homes that frame wide views across the deep blue. Keep an eye for exposed metamorphic rock on shallower points and the dense mixed hardwoods and pines that line much of the shore. Birdlife is abundant: osprey and great blue heron frequent the shallows, and during warm months you may spot sunfish and bass near submerged timber.

Saltshaker Marine’s policies are straightforward: renters must be at least 34 years old, or 28 with a valid boater’s safety license; a valid driver’s license is required; a $250 refundable deposit and a credit card hold secure reservations, with most rentals carrying a 48-hour cancellation policy. That balance of access and accountability keeps the fleet safe and the lake enjoyable for everyone.

Why book this boat? For groups that want flexible pace—tubing swells, calm anchorages for sandwiches, or a gentle sunset cruise—the 115 HP Southbay - 24 ft is a practical, comfortable choice. Saltshaker Marine knows Lake Norman’s rhythm and will point you to lesser-known sandbars, shallow flats for swimming, and sheltered coves when wind stiffens. Whether you’re local to Mooresville or visiting from Charlotte, this rental turns a day on the water into a low-stress, memorable outing where simple pleasures—good company, open water, and big Carolina sky—take center stage.

Book directly through the Saltshaker Marine link, and plan your route around wind and weekends: popular spots like Brawley School Boat Ramp and Ramsey Creek fill early on summer weekends, but afternoons after a light breeze settle often offer glassy water for swimming. Bring layered sun protection, a cooler, and a sense of ease and curiosity.