Firstmate Controls

This year, the annual Overland Park Boat Show will be taking place on January 4-7 at the Overland Park Convention Center. You can bet Firstmate Controls will be there showcasing our state of the art boat lift remote control systems ! Don't miss the opportunity to check out an abundance of boats and boating accessories from all over the state. The Annual Overland Park Boat Show is brought to you by the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association. All attending vendors have one common goal in mind: to promote fun on the Lake! This event showcases products like cruisers, runabouts, performance boats, tritoons, ski boats, personal watercrafts, docks, lifts and all boating accessories etc. in the Marine & Boat industry. Event Information Presented By: Overland Park Convention Center Dates: January 4, 2018 - January 7, 2018 Location: Overland Park Convention Center Address: 6000 College Blvd. Time: Thursday: 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Noon - 10:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am -...

‘Tis the season to make New Year’s resolutions! But if you've ever attempted to make a resolution in the past, you may have noticed that most resolutions relate to changing bad habits or attempting to change negative aspects of your life. As boaters who know the importance of living happy, Firstmate Controls thinks it’s time to put a more positive spin onto this time honored tradition and create a list built to bring out the positive aspects of your life. Check out our list of New Year's resolutions you'll actually WANT to keep! Spend More Quality Time with Family and Friends Consider the amount of time you spend at work every week. Now consider the amount of time you get to spend with your family and friends. Is there a healthy balance? Probably not. By the time we get home from work, most of us are too exhausted to give our family and friends the full attention that we'd like to give. We always say we'll make up for that time by planning a vacation or weeken...

If you're a boater, you know the struggles that getting on and off the water can entail. We as boaters have felt that frustration as well. That's why we came up with the  boat lift remote control system  - to make boating less work and more enjoyable. Not sure a  Firstmate Boat Lift Remote Control  is for you? Check out what real boaters like you have to say about it! REAL CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS  “Of all the things I have bought at the lake, this was my best purchase!” ~ Tom S., Sunrise Beach, MO “Safety - with the remote system, there is no need to leave someone on the dock to raise the lift” ~ Jim H., Lake St. Louis, MO “Able to raise lifts to protect them when boating” ~ Ken E., Rocky Mount, MO “The Firstmate has operated flawlessly since day one. It’s one part of boating that I don’t have to worry about. It adds peace of mind.” ~ Jeffrey L., St. Charles, MO “Cool product” ~ Joe L., Shawnee, KS “State of the art system & dependability” ...

Being boaters ourselves, we know that shopping for gifts for boaters can prove frustrating. Especially for Christmas when the boats are winterized and not being utilized nearly as much. It can be hard to think about what the boater in your life would want or need for the next boating season. That's why we've decided to share with you a list of gift ideas we know the boat enthusiast in your life will LOVE! Hoven Vision Floating Sunglasses This is a gift that will be tough to lose overboard. Floating sunglasses feature an exclusive temple design that wraps completely around your head. Not only does this keep them secure on your face, flotation in the back keeps them afloat should they go over the side. A magnetic connector between the lenses lets you easily put the glasses on or take them off. Hero 5 Session GoPro For the boat enthusiast in your life that loves to capture memories on the water, a waterproof camera is a must! With reason, the new rage is all abou...

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...

Hey boaters, are you looking for something boating related to keep you busy this winter? There's no better time to brush up on your boating knowledge and skills than now! So to help you become a better and safer boater, Firstmate Controls is sharing with you 5 knots that every boater should know, instructional videos included! Take a look: 1. Anchor Hitch (Anchor Bend or Fisherman's Hitch) Knot This is a great knot to use when tying an anchor line to an anchor. It's also a top used fisherman's knot, so it's got multiple good uses. The knot is very similar to a round turn and two half hitches except that the first half hitch is passed under the turn. This knot holds well even when tension on the line is changing. (Source: AnimatedKnots.com) 2. Carrick Bend Knot The carrick bend is a knot used for joining two lines. It is particularly appropriate for very heavy rope or cable that is too large and stiff to easily be formed into other common bends. It’...

Got a family member who's hard to shop for? Don't struggle finding ideas this year for Christmas gifts for the boat enthusiast in your life. The answer really is very simple. Firstmate Controls has some featured marine equipment products that they'll love! We make shopping for dock accessories and  remote control systems  easy. We don't just have remote control systems, we also carry parts for servicing systems as well. Check out our website for more products that we have in stock for the boat enthusiast in your life! Manual Boxes Features: Full Port Valves  Handle Stops Standard Remote Features: Emergency Handles  Remote Controlled  Safety Valve Drivers Generation 3 Pro Features:  Faster Operation  Even Easier to Use  Emergency Handles  Remote Controlled  Safety Valve Drivers  Smart Controls  Lift Monitoring  Programmable Positions  Remote Lighting Option from ...

One of the great perks of  buying a boat lift remote control system  from  Firstmate Controls  is the awesome user support that you get. Not only do we have a user friendly support request option online, but we provide instructional videos and printable user guides on our website as well - and if that's not enough, you can always just pick up the phone and call us! We believe that to provide excellent customer service you have to also provide easy user support in ways that consumers best understand it. That's why we have several different methods of instructional and troubleshooting support options available on our website. Here are some of the ways  Firstmate Controls  quickly assists you with your questions, installations, and troubleshooting issues. Firstmate Controls Product Information  Overview Firstmate Controls provides information about each system we manufacture so making a selection is quick and easy. You can quickly view all of th...

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 ...

When researching marine electronic equipment  online, it's always reassuring to know what the company you're considering buying from is all about. It's also nice to know the quality of products they offer, the services they provide, and whether or not they'll be there for continued support once the sale is final. These considerations are all things that we understand and appreciate, which is why we're making it easier for you to get to know us and the services and products we offer! How We Got Started Firstmate Controls officially started in 2005 in satellite communications providing contract engineering for larger firms and engineering services for smaller inventors. We have aided in bringing products to market not only in the marine market but also in the drive-through industry, trucking industry and hold multiple patents in communications. Our manufacturing facility is located in Labadie, MO, but we ship our top quality products all over America. Our First...

Every boat owner should have a good understanding of how their boat works, the function of each part of their vessel, how to address issues when they arise, and have a basic understanding of boating safety . One thing that many boaters don't know, however, is common boating terminology. And some of these terms you really should know without having to put much thought into it if you're going to own a boat. Why? Because being able to properly communicate with those on your boat in case of an emergency situation is very crucial. Plus, in the event that you need to call for help, knowing common boat terms will come in handy when speaking with dock staff and even the coast guard when the need arises. So here are 15 common boating terms every boat owner should know: Common Boating Terms 1. Bow Refers to the front end of a boat. (You can remember "bow" as the front, because when you take a bow, you're leaning forward.) 2. Stern Refers to the rear end of a boa...

The cooler weather of fall has many boaters spending less time on the water. With the colder temperatures, it's probably time to start thinking about winterizing your boat for the winter if you're not going to be using it as often. Well, why should you winterize your boat? Because the harsh weather to come can be pretty rough on a boat and it's engine. So here are just a few tips you need to make sure you're doing when winterizing your boat. Care for the Battery It's easy to forget about your battery when taking care of maintenance, but it's important that you don't leave it unattended this fall. One of the main issues that boaters run into when breaking out their boat in the spring is dealing with a dead batter because they didn't take proper care during winterization. Avoid leaving your battery connected through the winter because although your boat isn't being used, your battery will get drained. Instead, disconnect your battery and remove it...

While a good majority of hunters are sneaking to the woods in hopes of seeing a trophy buck in their crosshairs, we're feeling another kind of draw to nature... It's fish gigging season, y'all! Yep, you heard right! Gigging! When the weather gets too cold to enjoy splashing around in the rivers or lakes, but we're just not ready to give up on boating, it's time to break out the old jon boat and hit up the shallows for some REAL sport fishing! Have you never been? Well, that's okay! We're all new to something at some point in our lives. If you're interested in learning about fish gigging, Firstmate Controls has some great information to get you started! What is Fish Gigging? Gigging is a centuries old tradition that began as a necessity that consists of spearing fish rather than catching them with a hook and line.  As the culture and economy of the Ozarks changed, gigging began shifting toward sport. It became a social event and recreation for Ozark...