Firstmate Controls

Life gets hectic and we forget to take time to just relax and do the things we enjoy doing. We find ourselves spending more time at work and struggling to balance our work and personal lives. Sometimes we lose track of the things that we love and don't know how to get away from the hectic schedules of our lives. But for those who love to boat, it's easy to find solace out on the water! Firstmate Controls is sharing with you some of the wonderful benefits of boating. BOATING CAN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH There is proof that being near water can naturally help lower anxiety, leading to a healthier and more relaxed lifestyle. Boat trips keep you balanced. How many times have you become so consumed with work or school commitments that you neglected to set aside a day for some fun family boating? Going on a boat ride will help you keep your life in balance between work and play. And with proper use of sunscreen, a day in the sun allows our bodies to soak up a safe amount of Vitami...

Boating navigation rules are essential for every boater to know because they establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another  Since collisions are the number one type of accident on the water, Firstmate Controls wants to share with you these basic navigation rules that all boaters should know. Passing Another Boat To overtake another watercraft going in the same direction, the craft being overtaken must maintain its course and speed. The passing watercraft must keep a sufficient distance to avoid a collision or endangering the other craft from its wake. Meeting Head-On Two watercrafts approaching each other head-on must alter their course to the right to avoid a collision. If the two watercraft are far enough to the left of each other, no change in direction is needed. Crossing Paths If two watercraft approach each other at a right angle, th...

Each year hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured, and millions of dollars of property damage occurs because of preventable recreational boating accidents. Too often pleasure outings turn tragic all because of carelessness and recklessness. While high-speed boating is a rush for many, it can be dangerous. You may be excited to get out on the water and get to your destination, you have a responsibility to yourself and to others around you to practice boat safety, especially when boating at high speeds. Take a look at some of the safety tips you should be following when boating at higher than normal speeds. Watch Your Speeds and Stability Running your boat at high speeds can create stability issues. Always keep an eye out for larger waves that can throw off your stability, and know whether the water ahead is rough or smooth before you drop the throttle. Keep an eye on the tachometer for any signs of instability. If the tach is jumping around, you may be losing stability....

The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day to get out on the water! But what to do once you're there? Sure, you could just idle your way downstream and enjoy soaking up the sun. But when there are so many other activities you could be doing instead, why wouldn't you take advantage of the opportunity?  Firstmate Controls  has some great boating activities for you to try out - check them out! 1. Spend the Afternoon Fishing You already know how the fishing is at your normal go-to spot. Spend the day visiting different fishing spots, or you can simply drop anchor at a new spot to see what you can catch. You never know, you may stumble upon a sweet spot and catch some of the biggest fish you've ever caught! But even if you don't come home with anything, the day is not wasted when you get to spend time on the water casting a line. 2. Get Adventurous with Water Sports Going out on the boat doesn't have to mean just sitting on the boat. There are plenty of ad...

Endless meetings, tight deadlines and long work hours can have a significant impact on our daily lives, leaving us wondering when we'll ever get a chance to truly enjoy life. Many people are now spending more time at work and struggle to balance their work and personal lives. But for those who love to boat, we can find solace out on the water! Check out why Firstmate Controls feels that boating is a great way to relax, rejuvenate and can be good for the soul. BOATING IS AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE When you go on a boat ride, you have the opportunity to broaden your range of experiences by trying different types of water sports like fishing or water skiing. Learning new boating skills can be an empowering and educational experience. When you go on a boat trip, you will always have the opportunity to learn something new. Having a passion or hobby, such as boating, can contribute to your overall happiness. Plus, boating establishes a feeling of community on the water. Fellow boate...

The colder weather has us boaters jonesing for next year's boating season to get here as quickly as possible. You may even be spending time longingly staring out to the water or just sitting in your boat offshore reminiscing about the great times you had on the water this past summer. Firstmate Controls know your pain. BUT! Just because it's fall and the temperatures have dropped, doesn't mean you have to completely give up your love of boating. We've got some great ideas - check out 5 things you can do NOW to gear up for next year's boating season! 1. Inspect Your Life Preservers Lifejackets that don't get used much and spend most of their shelf life tucked away in the wells of your boat may not be in as good of shape as you think. And while you may be thinking "well, we don't ever use them anyway, so it doesn't matter," if an incident were to arise that you did need to use a lifejacket, if yours aren't in good condition they're ...

The temperatures are cooling down, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and the rivers and lakes are seeing less and less traffic as boaters wind down for the year. While you may be getting ready to stash away your summer flip flops, there’s no reason your enjoyment on the water has to end! With the feeling of fall in the air, we thought we’d delve into what we love about the fall season. Picturesque Landscapes We all love being on the water in the hot summer heat and sunshine… but there’s something really special about cruising amongst the rich orange, red and yellow trees fall is known for, too! In most places, there will be a noticeable difference in the look of your surroundings in the coming months, so that’s something to look out for. Some boaters will even take their fall excursions a step further and plan a destination trip specifically to see these beautiful autumnal changes! Quality Time Between kids’ school days and your own work commitments, you probably have ...

As most avid boaters know and appreciate, the fall season is wonderful because it means cooler weather, better fishing opportunities, and beautiful fall foliage scenery to enjoy. However, the change of season also means more responsibility and taking precautions in your boating routine. Here are some fall boating safety tips from Firstmate Controls to keep in mind when you go boating in the fall season: Plan Ahead for Potential Mishaps Pack a small dry bag with your cell phone if there’s reception in the area, some warm clothes, first aid kit, emergency shelter like a light weight tarp or a small pup tent, and some high-energy snacks. Keep these items in your life jacket: Vehicle keys, whistle, knife, lighter or waterproof matches, fire starters, and an energy bar. Keep Your Motor Running This time of year you need proper nutrition and hydration to keep your body fueled and warm. Make sure to pack enough snacks and beverages for the entire day for everyone on the boat with you...

One of America's favorite pastimes is hitting the water, casting a line and waiting for that big catch. And Fall is a game changer when it comes to fishing. In the spirit of gearing up for the Fall season, we've decided to share with you some Fall fishing tips to catch some of the most popular species of game fish in Missouri. Take a look: All About the Bass Bass begin to increase their feeding due to the declines in water temperatures to maintain their energy, meaning they're on the move more often. So the top Bass fall fishing tip is to find the baitfish. Shad and other forage fish bass feed on begin to move into upper lake reaches such as coves and creek mouths with dropping water temperatures in the fall. In addition, bait fish will school up on offshore drop-offs and near vegetation edges. This means that in the fall, rivers are major hotspots for bass fishing. Bass move into areas of current this time of year. Catch More Catfish Catfish start to school up in...

While your little slice of on water heaven may be right out your back door, it's still fun to hitch up the boat trailer, pack a cooler and head on down the road to check out other well-known boating locations. We understand that need just as much as the next boater. Check out some new turf, get away from the same ol' cove or bank, and see what the hubbub is all about at some of Missouri's popular recreational lakes. This week, Firstmate Controls, the  best boat lift control manufacturer in Missouri , is sharing with you our "Top 5" list of boating lakes to check out in Missouri:  1. Lake of the Ozarks Missouri's largest destination lake, Lake of the Ozarks is centrally located in Missouri, stretching across four counties. It's known as ‘The Magic Dragon’ because of its serpentine shape. It is a massive reservoir that was created by the damming of the Osage River in 1931. It has more than 1,150 total miles of shoreline, including a main channel tha...