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Showing posts from 2021

Get Ready for The Overland Park Boat Show

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In less than one month, The Overland Park Boat Show will be in full swing! As the premiere show for boating enthusiasts in the Midwest, The Overland Park Boat Show is hosted by the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association, which comprises over 40 quality marine dealers... Including Firstmate Controls ! Keep reading to learn all about the event, starting January 27th!  Event Details Address: 6000 College Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66211 Hours: Thursday, January 27: 12 pm - 9 pm Friday, January 28: 12 pm - 9 pm Saturday, January 29: 10 am - 9 pm Sunday, January 30: 10 am - 5 pm Ticket Prices: Adults: $14 Children 6 - 12 years old: $8 Children 5 & under: Free ($2 of each paid adult admission is donated to Kids' Harbor Child Advocacy Center) Directions to the Overland Park Boat Show! Directions From Kansas City International Airport (Airport Code: MCI) Take 435 West Take 435 South (which turns into 435 East) Right on Metcalf Exit (#169) Left on College Boulevard Left on W

Your Boating New Year's Resolutions!

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There are less than 10 days left in 2021, and you know what that means... Time to make your New Year's resolutions to get ready for 2022! Firstmate Controls has some great ideas for your boat to add to your list. Keep reading to learn how you can take care of your boat and improve your boating experience in 2022. 1. GET BETTER AT FISHING Having the RIGHT dock accessories installed can help with this important dock-related New Year's resolution. How are you storing your fishing poles? Have you thought about investing in a rod holder or an adjustable rod kit? Now's your chance! Adjustable Rod Kit Innovative Design Cradles in the Desired Position with Lock Screw Secure & Accessible ORDER HERE 4 Rod Holder Stainless Steel Sleek Design Upright Storage for Fishing Poles, Garden Tools, Brooms, etc. ORDER HERE Captain's Galley Board Fish Cleaning, Serving Station, and Utility Table all in one Marine King Starboard, dimensions: 35 ¾ x 17 ¾ x ½” 18/8 Stainless Steel Removabl

All About Your Firstmate System

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Thinking about getting a Firstmate Controls Remote Control Lift System ? (Or maybe you have one coming under the tree this year!) In today's blog, we are talking about some must-know information about our boat lift control systems. When it comes to our units, we believe it’s not just an accessory, it's critical to a great, safe day on the water. To learn more, keep reading and give us a call!  Firstmate Controls is a Safety Net for... Your boat: will add air automatically when lift goes in water Your dock: keeps your lift up from the undercurrent of those “Plow Dog” waves Your lift: will add air if air restriction in tanks or leak in hose Your guests: will hold your boat in place for boarding / debarking Your wallet: increases the resale of value of your lift Firstmate Controls Product Information: Resale Value - Boat lifts can pay for themselves over time by increasing the resale value of your boat as well as by reducing annual maintenance costs and eliminating the need for do

Boat Projects to Keep You Busy This Winter!

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All this nice weather is deceptive... Winter is just around the corner along with freezing temperatures. That's why now is the perfect time to get your winter projects done! As the best boat lift manufacturer in Missouri, our team at Firstmate Controls has a few great ideas about the projects that should take priority this season. Keep reading to get our recommendations and get started!  Get the Boat Clean While you've probably kept your boat pretty clean throughout the boating season, you can't truly give your boat the deep clean it deserves until you pull it out of the water for winter. Now is the time to give your engine compartment a good cleaning and change out the oil absorbs. Recover your worn out cushions. Organize loose items in your lockers and cabinets into plastic totes and waterproof trays. Give the Boat a Polish It may not seem like it, but a season on the water can cause a lot of wear and tear to your boat's paint job. Sure, you may have hired someone to

Christmas Shopping Guide from Firstmate Controls!

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There are only three weeks until Christmas, and you know what that means... It's time to shop for Christmas gifts for everyone on your list! Firstmate Controls has you covered with the perfect gifts for the boat lovers in your life... Keep reading to get our shopping guide and find the perfect gift! Bracket Buddy Bracket Buddy is the best dock accessory on the market! Not only does it have an incredible number of uses when paired with our other products, but it also doesn't cause any damage to your dock! No more drilling through metal only to realize you want it in a different spot... Making unsightly holes all over your dock's posts. Get kayak holders, can crushers, table tops, TV mounts, and SO  much more from Firstmate Controls for your Christmas list. Firstmate Parts Add to your boat lover's Firstmate setup with the perfect gift to make their life easier. Get them an extra key fob to keep in a second convenient location, a new key fob case to replace their weathe

What are We Thankful for This Year?

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With Thanksgiving in just a few days, we are thinking about all the things we are grateful for... Boats, well-accessorized docks, safe and happy friends and family, days spent on the dock or out on the water, our talented team, and YOU! Firstmate Controls feels incredibly blessed this year and today we want to share how truly thankful we are.  OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM Manufacturing Our manufacturing facility is in Labadie, Missouri. Everything is built from the ground up from the time you place your order until it goes out the door. We begin with our corrosion resistant Aluminum frame design. Any electronic components are tested in pre-production and again prior to shipping. As your system goes down the line, it is spot checked for Quality Control and put together by our knowledgeable staff. Prior to shipping, all systems are fully tested, valves pressure checked, and packaged ready to be delivered to your door or your dock. We are thankful to have a staff of dedicated employees who all ha

Get Ready for Next Year NOW! 4 Steps to Get Started

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Your boat is winterized and boating season is seemingly over. But that doesn't mean you can't do anything for your boat and dock until spring. There is a lot to do in between seasons, and  Firstmate Controls  has the tips to help get you ready for next year... starting now!  Brush Up On Your Boating Knowledge No matter how much of a boating guru you consider yourself to be, there is always room for improvement and education. Refreshing your knowledge regularly could help keep you safe when you're out on the water next season. If you feel like you already know the ins and outs of your boat - it's inner workings, safety precautions, tips/tricks to make boating with your watercraft easier - you can venture out to other boating topics that interest you. Do you know all the proper knotting techniques a sailor should know? It's not only a fun topic, it could also be a very useful skill to have. Research New Places to Boat Sure, we all have our favorite place to take the b

Boat Safely This Fall With Our Expert Tips!

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Fall is still a great time to get the boat out and enjoy time on the water... It's not too late! As the temperature cools off, there are more things to take into consideration to make sure you stay safe out there. Firstmate Controls cares about your safety and loves helping make the boating experience more fun and safe with our products and services. In today's blog, we give you a few boat safety tips for the fall season. Keep reading to learn more!  Bring Enough Layers & Warm Clothes While this is Missouri and the weather can be REALLY unpredictable, fall is typically not as warm as summer, so dress for cooler weather if you are going to be out on the boat. If someone accidentally falls overboard, hypothermia can set in really quickly. Keep a couple of emergency blankets on board as well as a change of warm clothes just in case.  Don't Drink and Boat Too many boat accidents have happened over the years that were caused by boating while intoxicated. If you know you are

Start Christmas Shopping Early!

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Christmas isn't that far away! It's the perfect time to start thinking about a great gift for each person on your list this year. Do you have someone on your list that loves boating or lives the #LakeLife? Firstmate Controls has the perfect gift for you to choose for them this year! Our BracketBuddy products are the best dock accessories on the market . They are high quality, won't damage the dock with drilling holes, and helps keep everything safe and organized. Check it out!    Lounge Table The Lounge Table allows you the perfect space to play cards, serve the freshest catch, socialize with friends, or set down your drink to free a hand. If you're always hanging out on your friends' dock, why not buy them this great lounge table you can all enjoy next season? 15" Radius King Starboard - Anti Skid, Marine grade material Available in White & Dolphin Grey Customizable Kayak Mounting Kit Easily store a kayak, fishing kayak, and canoes off the ground. Storin