Captain's Corner

  The boating season has ended, and the new year will be here soon.    Like many boaters the lurer of a new boat, bigger boat, different style of boat or add the newest accessories to improve the performance   and comfort in boating.      Or maybe you are happy with your current boat but want an automatic boat lift. A bigger dock locker. Dock furniture. The question is, where can I go and have access to various vendors, experts and get the information the I need at one convent stop. To make the right choice for what I need?   The answer is a Boat Show!!! Boat shows allow you to see the newest models on display but they can also be a wealth of knowledge. Boat shows typically will host  many new products reveal events, as well as offer information and training . Keep in mind that all boat shows are different and let's face it, that's what makes them awesome! Lets start with the obvious purchase of a boat. Buy new a boat, or  buy a used boat ? That’s a tough call for a 

  It is summer and it is hot, and the water is refreshing; it is time to break out the water toys or maybe even get some new ones. Floating Mat s, Water Trampoline , Inflatable Water Slide ,   Pool Noodles , Inflatable Climbing Wall , Inflatable of a Favorite Animal , Towable Tubes, Inflatable Loungers , and arm floaties are all fun to use.     Even though they can help keep a baby, child and adult   afloat,  water toys are not a substitute for safety devices . Therefore, they should never be seen as a replacement for adult supervision or used without a lifejacket. Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) found aquatic toys to be especially dangerous. The toys were found to flip easily, putting children at risk of injury or drowning (especially if the children were ejected into deep water). Some of the toys were so slippery, children fell into the water while attempting to climb them.     Other toys were so flimsy as to easily collapse under the weight of one child . Many inf

  Memorial Day has come and gone, and happy to report for the week end holiday, here in Missouri, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Water Division reported No Boating Fatalities, & No Drownings Over Memorial Day Weekend. Boating Statistics Crashes -- 6 Injuries -- 3 Fatalities -- 0 Drowning -- 0 BWI -- 7 Drug Arrests – 0 However, always a but.   It was really evident that there were many first-time boaters, boaters that were not educated in the basic navigation rules. Boaters that didn’t care or had the attitude for I am on vacation and what I do stays here and do not take responsibility for my actions.   With that in mind, let’s review some simple boating navigation rules and boating courtesy. 1.       There are two types of vessels on the water ways.   They are: Stand-on and Give-way. So simply put, the Stand-on vessel is the boat that continues at the same speed and direction.   The Give-way vessel is the vessel the yields.   When you are driving to your fav

  Memorial Day is right around the corner.   With that many vacationers will be visiting the lake and rivers of Missouri.     Lake of the Ozarks averages 10 to 12 million visitors per year, and a vast majority take to the water for the first time.   Many are renting Personal Watercrafts (PWCs) and renting boats. Before you rent a boat or a PWC, there are a few things you should know. Missouri  law requires all motorized boat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1984, to pass a  boater safety course  and to carry a boater education card.   You can take a on line class at    https://www.boat-ed.com/missouri/   There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course. You do not have to be a resident of Missouri to take this online course.    However, to operate a vessel in Missouri you must be 14 years or older.   Get your boating license in 3 steps. 1.        Study and pass the $29.50 course and pay a $17.00 state fee. 2.        Print your online course completion doc