Firstmate Controls

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...

The kids may be headed back to school and summer may be winding down for most... but us boaters aren't quite ready to call it quits for the season just yet. We water lovers know that boating season doesn't truly stop until the weather just doesn't permit us to get out on the water anymore. So, if you're looking for something boat related to do this weekend that's fun for the whole family, we've got just the thing for any boat loving enthusiast. This Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 marks the 29th year for the Lake of the Ozarks Annual Shootout event! But that's not all... Check out more about how this awesome event got started, as well as other Shootout related events you can take part in this week! What's This Event All About? The Lake Rescue Shootout started in 1988 as an event in which many local boats participated simply to establish who had the fastest boat. As the years went by it became a bigger and bigger event that also helped supp...

You love spending time on the water with your family and friends, there's no doubt about it. But sometimes it may feel like the work it takes just to get out there just isn't worth it. If only there were an easier way to hit the water more quickly and efficiently that could cut down on the launching and docking time... If you've ever had this thought, then there is without a doubt, no better accessory to have for your boat lift than a  boat lift remote control  system. Check out some of the advantages of owning a Firstmate system for your boat lift control needs. Less Work - Less Hassle  Consider the efforts that you put into launching and docking your boat anytime you want to go out on the water. You've got to lower the boat from the dock, and then climb on-board while the boat is swaying back and forth from the waves. You've got to pull your boat out and moor it while you climb back off the boat to go raise the lift back up. Then you have to climb back in ...

Did you know it's National Fishing Month? This year, National Fishing Month goes from July 22nd through August 29th, not that we needed another reason to head out on the water to partake in one of our favorite pastimes. There's nothing quite as relaxing, enjoyable, and at times as exhilarating as fishing. From enjoying the peacefulness of being on the water, to bonding with friends, to catching a monster of a fish you can gloat about to all of your buddies, there's nothing quite like the sport of fishing.  Firstmate Controls  has some helpful hints to make sure your fishing experience is memorable and will be a great story to be told for a lifetime! Let's take a look: Do Some Research Before just taking out on the water with random bait and tackle that you've accumulated over the years, be sure to do some research on the fish you're aiming to catch. With heavy boat traffic and hot temperatures of the "dog days" of Summer, fishing conditions ma...

You love spending time on the water, and enjoy entertaining guests on both your boat and dock. When enjoying a fun-filled day on the water with friends and family, an accident on the dock is the last thing anyone wants to deal with. Common sense and proper precautions will help ensure a safe summer on the water. Firstmate Controls has 5 simple tips to ensure proper dock safety and maintenance to help prevent dock mishaps. 1. Have Your Dock Inspected With the natural elements that a dock is constantly under, any number of problems and malfunctions can occur. So, an important step in maintaining a dock is to ensure proper installation and maintenance of electrical equipment on docks and on boats. Have a professional electrician inspect all of the electrical systems on or near the water and bring them up to code, and periodically check the dock cables for frays or breaks and replace any worn out or damaged cables. 2. Keep Your Dock Clear of Debris If you allow your dock to become...