Firstmate Controls

A lot of people think that boating is best done in the summertime, but you might be missing out on a lot of fun and beauty if you don't also get out on the water in the fall. Firstmate Controls makes it easy to get out on the water any time with our innovative boat lift control system . Keep reading to learn how boating in the fall can be incredibly rewarding! Photo Credit: FunLake Spending Quality Time Summer may give you more free time during that day, but summer can also be full of vacations, visiting distant family members, and other obligations that can't be attended to in the fall. When fall comes around, you can focus on slowing down and spending time with the family in the evenings or for a quiet weekend on the water. More Comfortable Experience Boating in the summer is fun, feeling the sunshine and diving into the water. However, the temperatures in Missouri can get really high, especially when you factor in the humidity. In the fall, temperatures c...

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...

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! ...

As we near the fall season, most boaters know and appreciate that the fall season is wonderful because it means cooler weather, better fishing opportunities, and beautiful fall foliage scenery to enjoy. However, the change of season also means more responsibility and taking precautions in your boating routine. Here are some fall boating safety tips from  Firstmate Controls  to keep in mind when you go boating in the fall season: Plan Ahead for Potential Mishaps Pack a small dry bag with your cell phone if there’s reception in the area, some warm clothes, first aid kit, emergency shelter like a lightweight tarp or a small pup tent, and some high-energy snacks. Keep these items in your life jacket: Vehicle keys, whistle, knife, lighter or waterproof matches, fire starters, and an energy bar. Keep Your Motor Running This time of year you need proper nutrition and hydration to keep your body fueled and warm. Make sure to pack enough snacks and beverages for the entire day ...

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...

The temperatures are cooling down, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and the rivers and lakes are seeing less and less traffic 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. 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! Quality Time Between kids’ school days and your own work commitments, you probably have ...