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How to Protect Your Boat, Dock, and Lift on Rough Waters

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Not everyone has the luxury of having their boat dock sitting in a quiet, calm cove. Many of us have our docks out in the open where they are subjected to rough waters from other boat wakes and weather causing water to swell and become rough. That doesn't mean we can't 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 road. The last thing you want is to get a call from your neighbors saying your dock is floating downstream. Make sure to check the hardware on your dock and the cables securing your dock to land periodically and replace anything that is damaged ...

Firstmate Controls is Attending the Annual LOMDA In Water Boat Show this Year at Dog Days!

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This year, the annual LOMDA In Water Boat Show will be taking place on April 21-23 at Dog Days Bar & Grill. 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 Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association is made up of over 40 Lake of the Ozarks area marine dealers, including the best boat lift control manufacturer in Missouri , Firstmate Controls . All attending vendors have one common goal in mind: to promote fun on the Lake! We're Happy to Answer Your Questions Whether you have questions about your current boat lift, or have an interest in upgrading your boat lift electronics to make your boating experience more enjoyable, we'll be there to help. You may be wondering if our lift control will work with your boat lift size. Lifts are often categorized by weight capacity, but several o...

Why We're The BEST in Providing Excellent Customer Support!

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One of the great perks of buying a boat lift remote control system from Firstmate Controls is the awesome user support that you get. Not only do we have a user friendly support request option online, but we provide instructional videos and printable user guides on our website as well - and if that's not enough, you can always just pick up the phone and call us! We believe that to provide excellent customer service you have to also provide easy user support in ways that consumers best understand it. That's why we have several different methods of instructional and troubleshooting support options available on our website. Here are some of the ways Firstmate Controls quickly assists you with your questions, installations, and troubleshooting issues. Firstmate Controls Product Information Overview Firstmate Controls provides information about each system we manufacture so making a selection is quick and easy. You can quickly view all of the features each system has so th...

5 Tips to Prep Your Boat for Boating Season

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Boating season is just about here and Firstmate Controls wants to make sure you and your boat are ready to hit the water. As long-time boaters and wireless marine electronic experts , we know the struggles of boating mishaps that can take place if you don't properly prepare and maintain your boat before going out on the water. To avoid some of the common problems that boaters run into every year, we've put together a list of things that you should do before taking your boat out for the first time this season. Inspect for Damage Your boat may have taken on some damage since the last time you used it, so inspect the hull and all other parts of your boat thoroughly. If you've taken your boat through shallow waters, there's a chance that some of its components may have some damage from scraping. Check the rudder as well. If while transferring the boat the rudder has scraped the ground, it may have been bent which would cause the vessel to move erratically and the rud...

5 Must-Have Boating Accessories to Beef Up your Boat & Dock

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Summer will be here soon, which means you're already making plans to spend time out on the lake with friends and family. You want to be prepared for all the fun that's bound to take place, and have as little interruption as possible. This week, the best marine electronics manufacturing company has some great ideas for you to ensure a fun and fantastic time out on the lake this summer! Gear up for boating season with these accessory ideas: Bring on the Fun with Towables Everyone loves a little fun and adventure. Spend the day on the lake in style with some fun towables that will keep the laughter and smiles going all day long. Whether you prefer fast and furious or leisure water activities, there are plenty of towables out there to sate anyone's adventurous appetite. Don't Let Hunger Pull You Off the Lake You and your friends are bound to get hungry out on the lake after fun in the sun and splashing around. Don't just rely on chips to hold you over, or r...

Check out our Hoist Systems and Other Products!

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Get ready for the boating season this year 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 included on all Firstmate Systems: ...

Get to Know Firstmate Controls!

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Hey there! We're so glad you decided to visit our blog again! In last week's blog , we promised to share some more history about Firstmate Controls , the best boat lift remote control company in America . So we went straight to the source of where it all started with a short Q&A session with Julie Figura, Co-Owner of Firstmate Controls :  Q&A with Julie Figura Q: Can you tell us a little about Firstmate and your staff? A: "John is an electrical engineer by trade.  He began his career at St. Louis Music designing amplifiers; went on to satellite communications for Muzak.  He has a strong background in wireless communications – so when I initially was hurt (see last week's blog for the story), the Firstmate was a challenge/labor of love (no pun intended) to design.  We have had design partners to help enhance our product line for the last 15 years.  They include people John has worked with since the early 1990’s.  Our employees have include...