Firstmate Controls

Entertaining friends and family on the dock has never been easier! Firstmate Controls created the Bracket Buddy system of products to make your dock organized without causing any damage. Other products require drilling into the support posts. Then, if you want to move something, you're left with ugly holes in the posts. Stop turning your dock into Swiss cheese! Check out these top Bracket Buddy products for entertaining on the dock.  Lounge Table Play cards, serve the freshest catch, socialize with friends, or set down your drink to free a hand.  15" Radius King Starboard - Anti Skid, Marine grade material Available in White & Dolphin Grey Customizable TV Mount Kit Entertainment has no boundaries. Make it a reality & bring it outside. Swivel / Tilt Design Universal mount fits most TV VESA patterns up to 200/200 Mounting capacity: 17 – 44” or max. 35 lbs. Captain's Galley Board Look no further! A fish cleaning, serving station, and utility table all combined into

Spring has sprung in Missouri, and you know what that means... rain. After all, "April showers bring May flowers." During stormy season in Missouri, it's a good idea to be prepared when you're going out on the water. There are a few precautionary steps you should take to stay safe, and some important information you need to know in case bad weather sneaks up on you. Keep reading to learn all about it from our team at  Firstmate Controls ! Check the Weather Before you head out on the water, it's best to plan ahead and try to avoid the bad weather all together. There are many weather apps that can help you plan ahead for sunny days with no rain in the forecast. We all know that Missouri weather can be unpredictable, and that days forecasting sprinkles could actually be bright and sunny. However, if the weather is calling for thunderstorms or lightning, then it is a good idea to not go out on the water at all. Instead, stay on the dock and enjoy time in your own cove

When you're getting ready to go out on the water, there are a lot of things to keep track of and plan for before you leave. Even experienced boaters can forget something or make a mistake that causes damage or injury. (Check out Firstmate Controls' own story of how a dangerous situation turned into the birth of our incredible remote-controlled boat lift system !) That's why it's important to have a complete and reliable pre-departure checklist to use every time you're getting ready to head out on the boat. We are going to help you get started with a basic checklist that you can personalize to make sure everything is in order for your day of boating... Check it out!  1. Weather First and foremost, check the weather forecast in the area you'll be boating and for the full timeframe that you plan to be out on the water. Weather is often unpredictable and can change quickly, so just stepping outside to test the temperature is not a good indicator of what it's go

Boating is an exceptionally fun hobby! But, as boaters ourselves, the Firstmate Controls team also knows that boating can come with some additional hazards that you should be aware of before heading out on the water. Keep reading to learn the essential items you might be missing from your on-board first aid kit and go stock up now before the boating season starts in earnest! Basic First Aid It's always a good idea to start with a basic first aid kit. Most kits include antiseptic wipes, soap of some kind, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, bandaids, bandages, gauze, self-adhering tape or athletic tape, scissors, tweezers, basic pain medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.), gloves, and some kind of antihistamine. There are several retailers out there that can provide completely stocked and well-organized first aid kits for purchase. This is a great start, but it doesn't include everything you need for a safe and prepared day on the water.  Allergies Some first aid k

The weather is getting warmer, plants are waking up, and boating season is right around the corner! Firstmate Controls is passionate about making boating safe, fun, and convenient. After all, we are boaters ourselves! Get ready for a great season with these spring cleaning tips for your boat... Equipment & Cleaning Agents When you're working on cleaning your boat, you need to make sure you have the proper equipment and cleaning supplies. If you use the wrong thing, you could do more harm than good to your boat. Here is a list of things you will need before getting started...  Hose Bucket Boat-safe and environment-friendly soap Wash mitt, soft scrub brush, or sponge Chamois or other highly-absorbent towel Stiff brush for deck Vacuum & steam cleaner Teak oil (if there's teak on the boat) Vinyl cleaner & protectant  Ammonia (if mildew present) Glass cleaner or vinegar Chrome polish Priority Number One: Rinse The first cleaning step should always be to thoroughly rinse