Thursday, January 28, 2016

Winter Warmth on the Water

BomBay Boat Rental Company realizes that even on the coldest days, a few die-hard lake-lovers brave the cold and head out on the water.  The mild temperatures that we have had this year make it even more tempting.  If you choose to get out on the lake this winter, or even on the banks near it, you will need to take extra precautions to stay warm and safe.  The best boat rental company at the Lake of the Ozarks has a few tips for you.  

photo courtesy of  Funlake.com 


Fill out a float plan.


This goes for any season, not just in the winter.  This time of year there are very few, if any, other boats on the lake, making a float plan even more important.  It is a paper to fill out that is full of important information about your boat outing and the people that are with you.  Leave it with a reliable person on land that will notify someone if you do not return as scheduled. 


Dress warmly.


The best invention for staying warm on the water is a flotation jacket.  Often referred to as "float coats," these incredible warm winter jackets have a built-in PDF.  With one of these, you don't have to try to fit a life jacket on over a bulky coat.  It is highly suggested that if you will be in water that is colder than 70 degrees, you should wear a wetsuit.  Hypothermia is a big danger, and your body loses heat 25% faster in cold water than in cold air. 


Bring backup warmth.


Always have a dry change of clothes handy in case you end up getting wet. Also bring along extra blankets, hand warmers, hats, etc...  Have a thermos full of hot food or drink with you too.  


Wear ski goggles.


Just because it's cold out, that doesn't keep the sun from shining and glaring off of the water.  Ski goggles give your eyes protection from this, plus they keep the cold wind from getting into your eyes.       


Always have a way to contact land in case you get stuck out on the water and are unable to make your way back to shore.  If there is no way to charge your cell phone on the boat, make sure that it is at 100% before you start out, and keep an eye on it.  

If winter is simply too cold for you to get out on the lake, we don't blame you at all.  This is a perfect time to brush up on your boating and safety knowledge. Review the Official Boater Safety Course online so you remember all of those important boating tips when you rent a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks next spring.  

photo courtesy of  Funlake.com 
Our favorite time of year will be here in a few more weeks.  (We are anxiously counting them down!)  As soon as it arrives, we expect to see all of you at BomBay Boat Rental Company so we can get you back out on the water for another awesome season at the lake.     
     


BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Friday, January 22, 2016

2016 Events on the Water at the Lake of the Ozarks

This cold weather that has us wanting to stay warm and cozy inside has given us plenty of time to start making plans for the 2016 season.  Now is the perfect time to pull out your calendar and start marking all of the dates that you will be needing to reserve a boat rental at the Lake of the Ozarks.  All of the following events are pretty big weekends on the water, and BomBay Boat Rental Co. wants to make sure that you have plenty of time to prepare.  


Spring Harbor Hop - May 7, 2016


This is always an awesome way to kick off the season on the lake.  Many of the best bars and restaurants on the water will be set up to give out cards for your poker hand.  After visiting enough stops and collecting enough cards, you can turn in your hand for incredible prizes.  

Lake Race at the Lake of the Ozarks - June 2-5, 2016


4 days full of power boats!  They turn this awesome race into a great big event full of lots of activities to take part in every day.  The street party meet & greet on the Bagnell Dam Strip is always fun, and while viewing the races is possible from the land, renting a boat and watching from the water is the very best way to experience it.   

Liquidforce BROstock - June 2-4


Another exciting event happening the same weekend is this amazing wakeboard competition.  Some of the world's best riders will compete for over $30,000 in prizes.  After the contest is a great big party that everyone is invited to attend. 



Support Our Troops Poker Run - June 24, 2016


It's year #10 for this great event that raises money to provide support to military families in the area through H.E.R.O.E.S.Care, and also the Global Orphan Project.  Spend a fun day on the water playing poker and enjoying the incredible Lake of the Ozarks while helping out a worthy cause.      

Aquapalooza - July 16, 2016


The largest family boating event at the Lake happens at Dog Days Bar & Grill, where we just happen to have one of our boat rental locations.  You can join along with hundreds of boats and thousands of people to enjoy a full day of exciting waterside concerts.  

Lake of the Ozarks Shootout - August 27-28, 2016


This is another lake area favorite annual event.  Many different types of watercraft race against the clock to see who is the fastest.  This is the largest unsanctioned boat race in the mid-west with over 100,000 spectators attending every year.  

Fall Harbor Hop - October 8, 2016


The season wraps up like it begins with another lake area Harbor Hop.  Visit the stops, collect your cards, and have an unforgettable day enjoying Lake life.  


As these events come closer, BomBay Boat Rental Co. will be sure to bring you all of the details so that you don't miss a thing.  Until then, get out your calendar and mark these dates so you can remember to reserve a boat rental at the Lake of the Ozarks before they are all rented out.  Every one of these awesome events is way better when you get yourself out on the water and in the middle of all the fun.  



BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Winter Action on the Lake - 2016 Polar Bear Plunge

BomBay Boat Rental Company loves any event that happens on our gorgeous Lake of the Ozarks, and when a good cause benefits from it, even better!  If cold water doesn't bother you, it's time to gather your team and sign up for the Lake of the Ozarks Polar Bear Plunge.  Pick a clever team name, fashion your costumes, and get ready for some good, cold fun!

Saturday, February 27, 2016 people from all over the Lake area will gather together for this "unbearable" annual event.  Donations collected by plunging teams benefit the Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO), which hosts a year-round program of sports training and competition for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities.  

Each plunger must raise a minimum of $75 in donations to participate, and prizes are given to top fundraisers.  Last year's winner collected $25,240 alone, and the top team collected $40,400.  The final total raised from the entire event reached a whopping $186,461!  There are different participant levels, depending on how much money you bring in, and a variety of prizes awarded. 

LEVELS

  • $300 - Goosebumps Level
  • $500 - Chilly Level
  • $1000 - Frosty Level
  • $2000 - Arctic Level

PRIZES


  • Top Fundraiser
  • Top Team
  • Largest Heat (Last year one team had 51 plungers!)
  • Top Law Enforcement Agency



If you are ready to brave the icy waters of the Lake of the Ozarks in February, visit the 2016 Polar Plunge Lake of the Ozarks website for all of the details and signup information.  2016 may be one of the best year's to take this on due to the unseasonably warm season that has been happening.  Last year's participants experienced one extremely frigid plunge.   

If this sounds like something out of your comfort level but you would still like to help, there are other options for you.  You may offer a donation through the website or sign up for the Polar Bear Strut hosted by the Osage Beach Police Department.  A minimum of $50 must be raised to enter this chilly fun run. 

photos courtesy of Funlake.com 
Just because it's winter, that doesn't mean that you have to stay out of the water.  BomBay Boat Rental Company will keep our fingers crossed for a mild February for all of you plungers.  Good luck!        

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Eagle Days at the Lake of the Ozarks

While boating on the Lake of the Ozarks, if you have taken the time to look up into the trees, you may have spotted an eagle.  Missouri is one of the leading states for eagles to live, and the lake draws many of them to our area.  Local organizations get together each year to organize the Lake of the Ozarks Eagle Days to introduce and educate the public to these magnificent birds.  BomBay Boat Rental Co. suggests that everyone get out and experience this excellent annual event.  

16th annual Eagle Days
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016:  9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016:  10:00 am - 4:30 pm. 



PROGRAMS

Events take place at various locations throughout the weekend.  You can find a full schedule on the Eagle Days website.  Activities to expect are:

  • Willmore Lodge:  Wild eagle viewing
  • Bagnell Dam Access:  Wild eagle viewing
  • Osage National Golf Resort:  Hourly live eagle programs by the World Bird Sanctuary
  • School of the Osage Heritage Elementary:  Hourly live owl programs and a Day Shift, Night Shift, Garbage Gal program by the Dickerson Park Zoo, plus children's activities and vendors

Eagles prefer to live near forested areas near open water, and their favorite food is fish.  The Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect habitat for them.  They can also live in extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, so ever-changing Missouri weather poses no problem at all.


CONTESTS

In addition to the wonderful programs that are being offered, there are also two contests going on.  Children ages 2-7 and 8-12 can download a picture to color and enter it to win Bridal Cave passes.  This contest ends at 3 pm on January 10.

Amateur photographers ages 13 and older may participate in the photo contest. Entries must be received by January 6 for cash prizes.  A list of rules and additional information can be found on their website.  


VOLUNTEERS

If this sounds like a program that you would like to be involved in, volunteers are needed in many areas.  Both individuals and organizations are welcome to lend a helping hand.  Visit the Eagle Days website or call 1-800-386-5253 for more information.  

photo courtesy of Funlake.com 

Make sure that you bring along your binoculars for the best chance to spot one of these glorious creatures.  Don't forget your camera too.  You could capture next year's winning photo. 

Attending these programs can help you to know where and what to look for next summer while you are out in one of our Lake of the Ozarks boat rentals. Spotting eagles around our lake is a fun thing to add to your day full of boating excitement.  BomBay Boat Rental Co.'s watercrafts may be out of the water right now, but the Lake of the Ozarks still has plenty of incredible things going on all winter.  We'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on them so you can keep busy until next spring.   
    



BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!