Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Holiday Gift Ideas for Boat Lovers

The season for gift-giving is right around the corner.  Even if you aren't an early shopper, part of you knows that it's time to start thinking about the gifts you will be purchasing.  The best boat rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks tends to lean towards gifts that revolve around boating.  How can we help it? It's our favorite thing!  


We know there are a lot of people out there that love boating as much as we do.  If you know a boat lover, (don't worry, they will make it obvious) BomBay Boat Rental Company has a few great gift ideas for them.  If you are the boat lover, get out your pen and paper and start adding these to your own wish list.  


Towels
You can never have enough towels on a boat.  You're in the middle of a large body of water, so things are bound to get wet.  Get your favorite boat lover their own set of absorbent towels in their favorite color.  You can even find some great nautical themed towels once you start looking.  

Beach Bags
Along with towels, there are lots of items to take with you for an awesome day out on the water.  A great big tote bag to throw all of those things in is a wonderful gift.  Everything you need in one easy-to-access spot together.      


Sunglasses
These are another necessity on the water that it's wise to keep more than one of on hand.  Sunglasses are small items that often end up in the water, left behind, or sat on.  Having a backup or two saves you from squinting for the rest of your boat trip.  The polarized kind are best for cutting the sunny glare from the water. 


Nautical Blanket
Late into the fall and early in the Spring, boat lovers will be itching to get back out on the Lake.  A great big blanket to cuddle under on those chilly trips is a great gift idea.  

Dry Cases
Wallets and cell phones are a couple of items that you want to stay as dry as possible while you are out boating.  You can find a variety of waterproof cases and bags for many different needs.  These will keep the important stuff dry and safe.      

Tubes & Floats
It will be next summer before these get much use in this particular area, but an active boater that loves getting off of the boat and into the water will be thrilled to receive these as a gift.  

Coolers
Those hot days out on the Lake are a lot easier to take when you have a cooler full of refreshing drinks.  Small coolers are great for short trips and easy to carry.  Large coolers can hold both your drinks and a nice picnic lunch.  



Boat-Themed Clothing
Shirts, jackets, hats, socks... this list can go on and on.  A true boat lover will proudly wear all of these clothing items when they go out.  It's a great boating conversation starter!


Wall Art
To help your boating friend keep their favorite hobby front and center in their home or office, pick them up a piece of art featuring a great saying or cool picture of the water.  If they own a vacation home near the lake, this is a great gift for them to furnish it with.  

Magazine Subscription
Boating magazines are perfect for keeping up-to-date with the latest products and trends.  They are also filled with helpful tips and information.  Bonus- this gift will keep coming to them every month.  

Aerial Photo of a Favorite Lake
If your friend has a special body of water that they frequent,  like our very own Lake of the Ozarks, an aerial photo showing the entire thing is really cool.  They will be able to see all of their favorite coves at once.  

Gift Certificates
There are lots of waterfront bars and restaurants all around the Lake of the Ozarks, and people usually have places that they simply have to stop at every time they got out.  A gift certificate is a great way to treat them to one of their favorite places the next time they are out on the boat.   

Boat Rental Membership
Renting a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks allows you all of the fun of being out on the water without all of the work involved with storing, cleaning, and transporting a boat of your own.  BomBay Boat Rental Company offers both boat memberships and wave runner memberships that can be used at any of our locations.  They come in a Weekday Plan, 7-day Plan, and a Family or Shared plan.  A boater gets the joy of 6 months of boat rentals, April through September.   




If you are buying gifts for anyone living near the Lake of the Ozarks, then you most likely have a boat lover in that group.  Hopefully this list will help to make your shopping this season a little easier.  You should definitely join them out on the water.  You are sure to be a boat lover too by the end of the trip.  Then we'll expect to be seeing a lot of you at BomBay Boat Rental Company.   




BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Friday, November 20, 2015

The Origin of the Pontoon Boat

The best boat rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks is proud to feature the Sylvan Mirage Tritoon by Starcraft to our customers.  These boats have come a long way since their humble beginnings.  BomBay Boat Rental Company decided to take a look back and discover how this amazing boat got its start. 




A little over 60 years ago in 1952, a farmer from rural Richmond, Minnesota wanted to build a family friendly boat that he could take out on the water. Ambrose Weeres is the man credited with inventing the pontoon boat.  He lived on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes and wanted something reliable to take a family out on.  

The prototype was simply a wooden platform strapped to steel barrels that were welded together.  A 2x4 wood railing surrounded the deck, and a small outboard motor gave it power.  The deck sat a lot higher on the water than the other watercrafts of the time.  It was wide and very stable, and steering was by a vertical stick near the front railing.  

His idea worked out so well, he believed that others living in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" would enjoy having one too.  Weeres then founded the first pontoon company ever, Weeres Industries, building a few boats that he named "The Empress."  Demand exceeded his expectations and business boomed.  People began calling him "Mr. Pontoon" and that name stuck until his death in 1991. Weeres was elected to the Minnesota Marina Hall of Fame for his incredibly popular invention.  




The pontoon of today has come a long way.  BomBay Boat Rental Company features the incredible Sylvan Mirage 8524 Cruise LZ.  This particular watercraft has a spacious deck and four-sided wrap-around seating.  Plenty of room for a large group plus coolers, water toys, and more.    



Until May 1st of 2016, all of our boat and jet ski rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks are half-price!  We have a lot of exciting things planned for 2016, including a third location for full-time rentals, and we will be increasing our fleet from 20 boats to 32.  Also, as promised, we will always provide the newest and best maintained fleet on the water.  Expect to rent brand new 2016 boats this Spring.




If you wake up and decide that you just have to get out on the water, give us a call.  We are renting boats at the Lake of the Ozarks by reservation now and through the winter from our Village Marina and Camden on the Lake locations. You can choose to take out our modern-day pontoon, or one of the other options that we have available to you.  True boat-lovers don't let a little cold stop them from getting out on the water!  Give BomBay Boat Rental Company a call a let us get you out there.                



BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Friday, November 13, 2015

November Holiday Happenings at the Lake of the Ozarks

With Thanksgiving only a couple of weeks away, the Lake of the Ozarks is gearing up for lots of holiday celebrations.  You don't have to wait until December to begin getting into the holiday spirit.  BomBay Boat Rental Company has highlighted a few fun events and celebrations for you to check out in the area.  


Nov. 19-21:  Gala of Trees

Bootlegger's Sports Book & Grill is once again presenting this annual event the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Trees that have been decorated by local businesses and organizations will be on display and up for bid through a silent auction.  All of the proceeds raised from the auction benefit Candyland and the Idiot's Club to purchase toys for local children.  

Nov. 20 - Jan. 2:  Enchanted Village of Lights

The Laurie Fairgrounds is host to one of the largest drive-through holiday light parks in Mid-Missouri.  It is open nightly at 5:00 pm, and runs until 9:00 pm weekdays and until 10:00 pm on the weekends.  There is no charge to attend, but donations are welcomed.      

Nov. 21:  Eldon Christmas Celebration

This event begins at 10:00 am with a holiday parade bringing Santa Claus to town.  The Eldon Community Center will be open from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm with face painting, ornament making, food, entertainment, and pictures with Santa.  

Nov. 26 - Jan. 1:  St Patrick's Festival of Lights

Claiming to have the oldest light park in the area, having been around since 1981, is the Shrine of St. Patrick, also known as the Mothers Shrine.  It displays 4,000 strings of lights daily from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm.  This is free and open to the public.  



Weekends, Nov. 27 - Dec. 20:  Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook

Every weekend during the holidays Old Kinderhook will offer s'mores around the fire pit, carolers, Santa, gingerbread house making, horse drawn carriage rides, elf storytelling, and more.  All of this, plus their incredible outdoor ice skating rink.  

Nov. 27 - Dec. 30:  Deck the Docks Holiday Light Cruise

Proceeds from this wonderful boat cruise benefit the Dogwood Animal Shelter. For $25, the Celebration's dinner cruise will pass by many beautifully decorated waterfront homes and docks.  All cruises leave at 5:30 pm.  Reservations are required. 

Nov. 28 - Jan. 3:  Osage Beach Holiday Lights

The Osage Beach City Park and various locations along Osage Beach Parkway will be lit up for the holidays.  Take a leisurely drive through the park, then venture up and down the parkway for some holiday cheer.  

Nov. 28-29:  The Nutcracker Ballet

Steps dance studio will be performing their 15th year of the Nutcracker ballet at the School of the Osage in Cummings Auditorium.  Reserved tickets are $12-$15, and general admission tickets are $10.  Performances are Saturday at 6:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.    
   

Nov. 29:  Lake Area Community Orchestra

Talented local musicians get together to perform concerts all around the Lake area throughout the holiday season.  The first one for the season will be at the Community Christian Church in Camdenton, MO at 7:00 pm.  If you cannot make it to this performance, they will be performing five more concerts throughout December.  The full schedule is at ww.lakeareacommunityorchestra.org.   

   


There are lots and lots of fun activities in the area to keep you and your family and friends entertained around Thanksgiving.  We are still renting boats at the Lake of the Ozarks by reservation.  Give us a call if you would like to cruise the Lake on one of these sunny November days.  BomBay Boat Rental Company would like to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.    
  


BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Essentials to Pack for a Day of Fall Fishing

November is a very popular month for fishing at the Lake of the Ozarks.  You can stand on a dock or the shore to cast your line, but you'll have much better luck if you get out on the water and explore a few different prime fishing spots. Our Lake of the Ozarks boat rental company has the boat ready and waiting for you.  Here are a few things that you should bring along with you for a full day of fishing.


Can't fish without it

  • fishing license
  • appropriate gear for the type of fish you expect to catch
  • basic fishing gear:
    • net
    • long-nose pliers
    • a good knife and multi-tool
    • tape measure for the fish (& a camera for proof!)
    • ice chest, if you plan to keep what you catch
    • extra line, bobbers, hooks, etc..


Dress for the weather


This time of year, you never know if it will be only chilly or downright cold.  Your best bet is to dress in layers.  Fall can also be a bit wet, so it's a good idea to bring the following:
  • quality rain gear
  • insulated gloves
  • windbreaker or sweatshirt
  • hats (one to keep the sun out of your eyes, another to keep your head and ears warm if it gets cold)
  • polarized sunglasses (cuts the glare from the water)
  • waterproof shoes/boots
  • extra pairs of dry socks and a dry set of clothes (just in case)
  • towels


Keep your stuff dry and your self safe.


Rain and accidental dips into the Lake can ruin some of the stuff that you have in your boat.  Occasionally you may be far from help too.  These items will keep you prepared.  
  • waterproof bags can hold everything that shouldn't get wet, like cell phones, wallet, chargers, extra clothing, etc...
  • first aid kit, including necessary medications
  • list of local fishing regulations
  • map of the area you will be fishing in (mark the best spots for next time!)
  • sunscreen & insect repellent 
  • fully charged cell phone

To avoid making stops throughout the day, pack plenty of water, snacks, and beverages.  A weather radio is a good idea.  The saying in Missouri is, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute."  

The lists above are a good place to start when you rent a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks to go fishing.  The more you fish, the easier it will be to know exactly what to expect and what you will need while you are out there.  BomBay Boat Rental Company will be here for you all year long.  Throughout the rest of the Fall and this Winter, we will be renting boats by reservation only at two of our rental sites:  Village Marina and Camden on the Lake.  Give us a call today and get a boat rental reserved for your next fishing trip. 





BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!