Firstmate Controls

This year, the annual  Overland Park Boat Show  will be taking place on January 24-27 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 24, 2019 - January 27, 2019 Location: Overland Park Convention Center Address: 6000 College Blvd. Time: Thursday: 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Friday: Noon - 10:00 pm Sa...

When it comes to the safety of your boat and those who will ride on it, you want to make sure you're doing everything you can to prevent any damage or accidents. We as boaters know all too well how hazardous it can be to try to load and unload from your boat without an accident or injury taking place. That's why we came up with the  boat lift remote control system  - to make boating less work and more enjoyable and safe. 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 REVIEWS  “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...

It's that time of year again. We're all frantically running around trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone. We know that sometimes 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! Marine Solar Charger A dead battery is an all-too-common occurrence in a boat that sits idle most work weeks, and when it happens it nearly always spoils a planned day or weekend on the water. This unhappy circumstance can be avoided with the installation of a solar charger. As an added benefit, absolutely nothing prolongs the life of a battery like keeping it fully charged. A battery charger can do the job for a boat on a trailer or at a dock, but there a...

Our boats cost us a pretty penny. Not only to purchase them, but to enjoy them throughout the boating season, as well. The last thing we want to do is put our pride and joy in jeopardy, especially during the off season when it's not being used. Yet, every year, boat owners make the same mistakes over and over again, and come back in the spring to find their boat has been damaged over the winter months due to negligence and simple ignorance. It's a hard (and costly) lesson learned. So, before the real harsh weather of winter hits, Firstmate Controls wants to share with you 4 preventable winter disasters that you can easily avoid. 1. Preventing Freeze Damage If you leave a space heater running or a light-bulb burning onboard, you might think that this is a good way to keep from having to fully winterizing your boat. However, this is the number-one reason why boats stowed for the winter go up in flames. Instead of depending on an additional heat source to prevent freeze dam...

There is without a doubt, no better accessory to have for your boat lift than a  boat lift remote control  system. With the many advantages it provides, investing in a boat lift remote control will be your most favorite purchase of all.  Firstmate Controls  has some of the best electronic marine equipment around. Let us give you some examples of the advantages of owning Firstmate products for your boat lift control needs. Why put in all this work?  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 your boat without falling in the water. And guess what, you've got to do this whole crazy and time consuming dance all over again after a...

The cooler weather of fall and the fact that we've already seen snow 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. Why should you winterize your boat? Because the harsh weather of winter can be pretty rough on a boat and it's engine. Here are a few tips to make sure you're properly 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...

Get ready for next year's boating season by revolutionizing your hoist! Not sure what products will be best for properly  accessorizing a dock ?  Firstmate Controls  has some featured products that you'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. 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 Key Fob: Dock Lights, Ambient or Cove Theatre Lighting   *Features in...

You love spending time on the water, and enjoy entertaining guests on both your boat and dock. And there's no better time to take in the full beauty of nature than during the fall. 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 day on the water.  Firstmate Controls  has a few tips to ensure proper dock safety 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 c...

Just like with cars and trucks, there are a plethora of options when it comes to boats. Depending on your location, the body of water you'll be taking it out on, and the types of activities you plan to do will determine the type of boat that's right for your needs. We at Firstmate Controls love ALL boats! As long as we can get out on the water, we don't care if it's a row boat. We're game! Here are just a few of many types of boats we typically see on the rivers and lakes when we go out. Bowriders Bowriders tend to be a great family boat, with room for typically eight or more passengers spread between the cockpit and the helm. That added real estate not only adds passenger space, it creates two distinct areas for socializing. These boats can be used for entertaining friends on a shoreline cruise, joining the crew at the nearest cove or sandbar, towable watersports, stopping at your favorite waterfront eatery, even fishing! Cabin Cruisers Cabin cruisers have...

The leaves are beginning to change colors, the temperatures are dropping, and the rivers and lakes are becoming less congested 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. Perhaps it'll entice YOU to get back out on the water and enjoy a little fall boating yourself! 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! ...

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 bo...

Make boating easier and more enjoyable by revolutionizing your hoist! Not sure what products will be best for properly  accessorizing a dock ?  Firstmate Controls  has some featured products that you'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. 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 Key Fob: Dock Lights, Ambient or Cove Theatre Lighting   *Features includ...

Boats are already a pretty expensive hobby without considering unexpected maintenance issues that might arise. These days everyone is trying to conserve money, and we don't blame them. We do the same, but in our own little ways. We're of course not going to forego our favorite pastime activity just to save a few dollars, but we do have some suggestions on how to prevent spending money unnecessarily by preserving the life of your boat engine. Take a look at the four tips  Firstmate Controls  recommends to make your boat engine last longer. 1. Idle Speed to Warm It Up  Don't get too eager to take off so quickly. Long idles are actually good for our engines. Cold oil doesn’t flow well compared with warm oil. That resistance to flow isn’t as good at protecting engine components, and believe it or not, that resistance actually puts a strain on things like the oil pump and the mechanisms that drive it. Avoid premature wear by letting the engine warm up to operating temper...