Firstmate Controls

Spending time out on your dock and boating on the water is an incredibly fun pastime at the Lake of the Ozarks. There are, however, a few things that you need to consider to make sure you, your boat, your lift, and your dock are safe all year long. Firstmate Controls is an expert on safety as the best boat lift control manufacturer in Missouri , and we are here for you. Keep reading to hear our tips on how to take care of your dock with proper safety precautions. Remove Any Debris Around the Dock Sometimes storms blow through and can cause a lot of leaves, twigs, trash, and even full tree trunks to float into your cove and get caught around your dock. If this is not cleared out, then your dock and lift could experience damage from the repetitive knocking against the sides. It could be even worse if you lower the lift without knowing a branch has lodged itself in between the lift and the dock. So, before you get started enjoying your time at the lake, make sure to remove any de...

The Fourth of July is a great holiday to be at the Lake of the Ozarks! If you plan on spending time out on the water, Firstmate Controls has the tips you need. We have the best dock accessories and boat lift remote controls on the market, and we are here to help you enjoy a great Fourth of July this year. Keep reading to learn our tips on how to have fun while staying safe! Have Life Jackets On Board for Everyone Having enough life jackets onboard for every person is not only required by the state of Missouri, but it is also a smart habit to follow. But keep in mind that those life jackets have to be easily accessible. If they're stowed in the bottom of the boat under a lot of other equipment, they won't do you much good in an emergency. Make sure it's easy enough for everyone to grab a life jacket in a size that will support their weight. Make Sure to Check the Boat Before heading out on the water, it's important to make sure your boat systems are...

Boating is a fun and exciting way to explore the many lakes in Missouri. Spending time with friends and family on the water is a great bonding experience. However, there are a few precautions that you should take before you get started on your adventure. There are a few issues that could ruin your day if you are not careful. Read on to learn about some of the safety hazards you should watch out for on your dock.  Electrical Issues Having a well-functioning lift control box, a powered fan, and a flat screen TV are all incredible options people can now enjoy on their docks thanks to technology and Firstmate Controls. However, if there is an issue in your electrical wiring, it could be very dangerous for you and your loved ones. If someone enters water that has been exposed to an electrical current, it will cause their muscles to seize up. Without being able to move, it is very common for people to drown when electrocuted in the water.  This is why it is impor...

Boating is a favorite pastime for many around Missouri and all over the nation. It's a great way to bond with friends and family, and just get away from reality for a bit to relax. However, a day on the water can quickly be spoiled by 3 common dock accidents that are so easily avoidable. Check out these common accidents and ways to easily prevent them right here! Slips and Trips Any time there's splishing and splashing involved, there's the risk of a slip and fall. However, there are ways to prevent these types of accidents on your dock. Consider installing slip-resistant surfacing or matting products on your dock. A textured surface can help to reduce slippage under wet conditions, making the surface of your dock much safer. To avoid trips, make sure to keep all walkways free of debris, ropes, and anything that might not easily be seen and tripped over. Shocks and Electrocution When you own a dock, one of the best perks is being able to jump right in and cool off ...

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...

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 why owning Firstmate products for your boat lift control needs is a smart choice. 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 aft...

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 weather is finally turning nice enough to start thinking about de-winterizing your boat. With this exciting news comes the knowledge that if you're thinking about getting on the water, you can bet that others are too, which means the waters will soon become busy and rough. Since not everyone has the luxury of having their boat dock sitting in a quiet calm cove, your boat is likely to be subjected to rough waters from other boat wakes and weather causing water to swell and become rough. So, now is the time to be proactive in preventing against damage.  Firstmate Controls  has some tips on how you can prevent damage to your boat, dock, and lift! Properly Securing Your Dock will Prevent Expensive Damage Rough waters can cause a number of problems on the water, especially to docks. That's why it's so important to regularly inspect your dock for any potential repairs needed. What may seem like a small issue at the time could turn into a huge and costly problem down the ...

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...