Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Boat Safety Week Tips - Just in Time for Memorial Day Weekend

We are in the midst of Boating Safety Week, wisely placed right before all of the Memorial Weekend boat traffic hits the water. May 21-27 is a special week that is set aside to bring awareness to the importance of keeping yourself and everyone on the water with you safe in every way possible. 


  
BomBay Boat Rental Company knows that this is a very important topic. Earlier this month, we posted a blog about 6 Safety Tips for Tubing on the Lake of the Ozarks, and today we are highlighting a few boating safety tips for you. One thing that needs to be done to stay safe while you are out there is proper upkeep and maintenance on all boating equipment. 

When you rent a boat at the Lake of the Ozarks from us, you know that this is already taken care of. We always provide the newest and best maintained fleet on the water. This guarantees that our watercraft will give you their top performance when you take them out, and also that you and your crew will be safe to travel all over the lake. The rest of these tips are things that you need to be aware of while you are enjoying an afternoon on our gorgeous lake. 


Life jackets

Every boat needs to have one life jacket for every person on board. Children under the age of 7 must keep their life jacket on unless they are in the cabin of the boat, and all PWC riders must wear their life jacket at all times. 9 out of 10 drownings could have been prevented by wearing a life jacket, plus, it's the law. 


Learn the rules of the water.

The easiest way to learn the rules for driving on the water is to take the Official Missouri Boating Safety Course online. All boaters that were born after January 1, 1984 are required to have a boater education card while operating a vessel on any Missouri lake. Brushing up on the facts is even a good idea for avid boaters that haven't been on the water in a while.   



Have a Float Plan

A Float Plan is a document that you fill out before your boat trip with important details about who is with you, where you are going, and when you plan to be back. This should be filled out and left with someone that can alert authorities if you do not make it back when you should.  


Safe speed & distance 

Never use speeds that are unsafe for the current conditions or your skill level. Also, make sure that you maintain a safe distance between yourself and others on the water. Always leave plenty of room to make turns and stops to avoid a collision.   


Watch your gas levels. 

Nothing stops the fun faster than running out of gas. Always be aware of how much gas you have left and how far it can take you. Find out where the closest gas docks are on your route. 


Stay in touch

Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand in case you get stuck out on the lake and need to call for help. It's also wise to keep the phone and other important items in a waterproof case while you are out there. 



Know what to expect from the weather

Always check the weather forecast before heading out. Sometimes bad weather shows up unexpectedly, so keep an eye on any possible changes to the weather while you are boating, and go out prepared for anything.


Don't drink & boat. 

Anyone driving a boat or PWC should never have any alcoholic beverages while operating the watercraft. Passengers are allowed to drink, but over-intoxication can result in injuries or even falling overboard. 


All of us here at BomBay Boat Rental Company want you to stay safe so that your boating experience is a good one. That way you will want to come back every summer, all season long, and enjoy our Lake of the Ozarks boat rentals. Following the tips above will go a long way in helping you to remain your safest, but never overestimate the power of common sense. If it seems dangerous, don't do it. It's always better to be safe than sorry. 

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about all boating topics, including safety. We hope you have an amazing Memorial Day Weekend. If you are in need of a jet ski or boat rental, make a reservation online or give us a call at 1-888-259-6096.  






BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Friday, May 20, 2016

Memorial Day Fireworks Over the Lake of the Ozarks

Memorial Day Weekend is an exciting time to visit the lake. Visitors flock to the area to enjoy the beginning of the vacation season. One giant highlight of this particular weekend is the fireworks displays around the area. The absolute best way to truly experience fireworks around here is from one of our Lake of the Ozarks boat rentals


Sitting in the middle of the lake, surrounded by many other boaters enjoying the same activity, you will be amazed by the beauty of not only the display in the air, but also the reflection in the water. It's almost like being surrounded by fireworks, all while gently swaying on the relaxing water. BomBay Boat Rental Company made a list of a few of the fireworks displays happening over Memorial weekend that you can enjoy from one of our boats. 


FRIDAY, MAY 27

Old Kinderhook Memorial Fireworks FunFest
5:00 pm 
You can see the fireworks at dusk in the Old Kinderhook Cove at the 12 MM of the Niangua Arm. On land, they will be hosting a fun festival beginning at 5 pm consisting of: bounce houses, face painting, clowns, balloon artists, games, s'mores, and an All American Cookout. Live music by Slick Nickel will take place between 6-10 pm. The cookout is $13 per person, but all of the other activities are free.  

SATURDAY, MAY 28

The Inn at Grand Glaize
Dusk
Located at the 1 MM of the Glaize Arm.

Bear Bottom Resort
9:45 pm
Located on the 38 MM of the Osage Arm, Bear Bottom Resort features campgrounds, a restaurant, pub, poolside bar, and 2 open flume body waterslides. 

SUNDAY, MAY 29

Bear Bottom Resort
9:45
(see description from Saturday)

The Lodge of Four Seasons
Dusk
The resort is located at the 13.5 MM of the Main Channel

Tan-Tar-A Resort
8:30-9:30 pm
This resort features a weekend full of activities for guests staying on property. Fireworks can be viewed at the 26 MM of the Main Channel.


You will also enjoy amazing food, spectacular drinks, and the best live music when you hang out at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our three rental locations; Village Marina, Dog Days Bar & Grill, and Camden on the Lake, are three places that offer all of those things along with the best boat rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks


Let BomBay Boat Rental Company be a part of your Memorial Day Weekend celebration. You can reserve your boat or waverunner rental on our website, or give us a call at 1-888-259-6096. In some cases, we will even deliver the watercraft to you! While you are on our website, check out our incredible jet ski and boat rental memberships. Members get access to our watercraft all season long!    




BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Friday, May 13, 2016

6 Safety Tips for Tubing on the Lake of the Ozarks

Cruising the lake in one of our Lake of the Ozarks boat rentals is plenty of fun on its own, but there are many awesome activities that you can try while you have the boat out on the water. One of these is tubing. It's not hard to learn, and it's exciting for people of every age. 


The best way to keep this activity fun is to make sure you know and follow the rules and safety precautions surrounding the water sport. BomBay Boat Rental Company has a few tips to make sure that you stay safe while having the time of your life. 


ALWAYS wear a life jacket.

This is the number one rule for safety when you are on any body of water. The Lake of the Ozarks has a lot of boating traffic on it in the summer. There is always a good chance of getting bounced off of the tube and separated from the boat. The PDF will keep you safely above water until you can be picked up. 


Know the equipment.

Double and triple check that the equipment you are using is in good shape. BomBay Boat Rental Company makes sure our watercraft are always in tip-top shape, but the tube is your responsibility. Know the manufacturer's recommendations for the tube you are using regarding capacity and safe speeds. Make sure that the tow line is secure before you take off. Replace it if it appears worn or frayed. 

Know the rules.

Get familiar with the water safety regulations for the area that you are in. You can find out about all of Missouri's boating laws at www.boat-ed.com.  


Know each rider's skill level. 

Be fully aware of the expertise of each person riding the tube. It's fun to go fast, make sharp turns, and make the experience into a true thrill ride, but if the person riding is too young or inexperienced to handle it, accidents will happen. 


Have a designated spotter.

At least one designated person should keep watch over the people on the tube at all times to alert the driver of any problems. The captain needs to keep their eyes and minds on driving the boat. 

Watch your surroundings.

Never take off until you are positive that the rider is ready. They should have a firm grip on the line, be in position to ride, and the line should be safely positioned. Keep a close eye on everyone else in the water around your area, both other boats and people in the water. Slow the boat when you cross a wake. Tubes hitting and bouncing off of wakes at high speeds have been known to cause back injuries.  


A fun day on the water can turn into a tragedy quickly if you don't follow safety precautions. Our Lake of the Ozarks Boat Rental Company wants you to enjoy your time on the lake and have fond memories of it. An awesome day out there means we will be seeing you back at BomBay Boat Rental Company many times this season, as well as in the years to come. 


BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!

Thursday, May 5, 2016

How to Master a Paddle Board

BomBay Boat Rental Company, Lake of the Ozarks, paddle board rentalsBomBay Boat Rental Company is known for offering the newest and best maintained fleet of ski boats, tritoons, and jet skis in the lake area. Now we are adding paddle board rentals at the Lake of the Ozarks to our list of ways you can have fun on the water. 

Two of our convenient rental locations are now offering paddle board rentals; Village Marina and Camden on the Lake.  You can take the boards out by the hour or rent them for an entire day. 

If paddle boarding happens to be a new concept to you, it's similar to surfboarding.  The difference is that you propel yourself through the water rather than waiting for an ocean wave to do it for you. This can be done with a paddle while standing or with your arms while lying or kneeling on the board.


Standing Up 

Learning to maneuver a paddle board may take a bit of work at first, but once you master it, you are in for an awesome day on the water. Try these steps when you begin.

1. Always begin in calm, flat water so you can find your balance. Make sure that you are far enough out that the fin does not hit the bottom of the lake. 

2. Start on your knees and take a few strokes. Once you are comfortable, slowly stand up, one foot at a time. 

3. Stay toward the middle of the paddle board. Your feet should remain parallel with toes pointed toward the nose. Keep them about shoulder width apart with knees slightly bent. Balance with your hips rather than your upper body.   


Paddling

Once you get a feel for the paddle board, it's time to start paddling. Here are a few tips to help you get the hang of it. 

  • One hand should always be on the top of the paddle, and the other hand should remain on the center of the shaft. 
  • Keep the paddle in front of you with elbows at about a 90 degree angle. 
  • The blade angle on the paddle should be facing away from you. 
  • Your hands should be shoulder width apart for a powerful stroke. 
  • When turning, take a low stance and turn your torso while you paddle. 
  • Make your strokes long, and use your back muscles rather than only your arm muscles. 
  • Fight the urge to look at the board. Keeping your eyes on the horizon will make paddling much easier. 


Paddle Board Safety

Always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) while paddle boarding. If you will be out while the sun is going down, it's smart to wear a whistle so you can alert others of your position if you fall off. 

Give yourself plenty of space. Those boards are big and heavy. If you do fall off, try to push away from the board so that you fall away from it. Hitting the water will hurt a lot less than getting hit by the board. As with any outdoor activity, sunscreen is a must, and sunglasses offer protection for your eyes and aid with visibility. 


Feeling adventurous? Try something new and experience paddle boarding on the Lake of the Ozarks. You can grab one and head to a quiet cove, or go ahead and rent one along with one of our Lake of the Ozarks Boat Rentals and give it a try while you are coving out. There is nothing better while you are in the lake area than getting outside and enjoying all that this amazing lake has to offer. BomBay Boat Rental Company is here to make sure you have as much fun on the water as possible.




BETTER PRODUCT, BETTER PRICES, BETTER PEOPLE!