The Great Loop
Boaters Tommy and Tina Osborne complete a year-long journey through salt and fresh water. by Annika Bringman & Nathan Bechtold In a spur-of-the-moment decision in the fall of 2021, boaters Tommy and Tina Osborne decided to fulfill their decade-long dream of...
A Nauti Makeover
Nauti Renovations transforms boats with flooring that looks downright amazing. by Kate Robbins Since 2018, Nauti Renovations has been the exclusive dealer of AquaTraction in Missouri and the surrounding areas. During that time, Erica and Rick Butkovich have...
The Ceramic Difference
Midwest Coating Solutions helps boats shine like never before. by Adrienne Brown It’s a growing trend at the Lake: the application of a ceramic coating to boat surfaces, including the paint job, glass, and lights. Midwest Coating Solutions owner Alex Baum explains the...
$100,000 From Grandpa’s Honey Hole
Brock Boyher’s Big Bass Bash story has it all: underdog, nostalgia, drama, a hailstorm, and in the end: victory. by Kate Robbins You’ve never heard a fish story like this one. On his very first cast at his very first tournament, Brock Boyher won the 2023 Spring Big...
(Extremely) High Performance Marine
Johnny Alles knows boats that go zoom. And he helped build some of the most legendary ones of all. “I think I might have been conceived in a boat.” Whether a boat is truly where Johnny Alles first sparked to life or not (surely he wouldn’t be the first!), he’s been...
Katie Angles
She started fishing Lake of the Ozarks during Covid lockdowns. Now Katie angles like a pro. by Kate Robbins Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 disrupted the lives of people across the country, and being stuck at home is a time that few look back fondly on. But for one woman,...
A Trail To Connect The Lake
The gloriously ambitious Magic Dragon Trail System is happening, and it could expand the Lake’s tourism profile in a groundbreaking way. by Kate Robbins & Nathan Bechtold It’s an enormously ambitious undertaking, and one that could play a major role in the Lake of...
Wild & Delicious Things To Order At Tucker’s Shuckers On The Strip
by Kate Robbins “Let’s go to Tucker’s!” You’ll hear that phrase ringing around Lake Ozark just before lunch and dinner, as Tucker's Shuckers Oyster & Tap has become a staple for casual, delicious dining at the Lake. Tucker’s raised the bar for dining on the Strip...
An Electric Future: Vision Marine Is Inventing It For Boats
The Tesla of the boating world? Vision Marine's electric engines are powering big brands into the future. The partnership’s first commercial offering is the 22” H2E runabout powerboat under the Four Winns brand. Beneteau states it expects deliveries to commence in...
The Havens At Four Seasons Sets The Standard For Upscale Condos At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Nathan Bechtold A new luxury condo community is coming to the Lake of the Ozarks, and here, the developers say they are focused on quality over quantity. Already under construction, Havens at Four Seasons, located in the Village of Four Seasons, is a small, upscale...
Roxie’s Roadhouse: High-End Flavor With A Casual Vibe
No doubt, some special evenings call for gourmet dining. But typically, when you go out to eat, you crave two things: familiarity and excellence. At Roxie’s Roadhouse on the Lake Ozark Strip, familiar American fare is crafted with a rare kind of excellence....
You’ve Been Catching The Wrong Fish! These Anglers Live Outside The Mainstream
The most unappreciated, unwanted, thrown-back fish may just be the next one you should try catching. These anglers fish outside the mainstream. by Brent Frazee One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. We’re talking about trash fish here—you know, the nongame fish...
Who’s Watching Your Lake Home
Riggs Request offers Lake homeowners peace of mind Whether it’s the winter months or just a summer weekday, Lake of the Ozarks second-homeowners are forced to deal with a dilemma: who is keeping an eye on the Lake house when they're gone? When a home is vacant, issues...
Work From Lake
The explosion of interest in Lake of the Ozarks has brought new residents from far-flung places. The remote-work trend is making it possible. by Kate Robbins and Nathan Bechtold The Covid-19 epidemic and the real estate boom that followed have expanded Lake of the...
Solar On The Dock!
Lake of the Ozarks is especially suited for solar, and lakefront homeowners are discovering it. by Kate Robbins & Nathan Bechtold The Lake was built for energy. While Union Electric figured their new lake would have recreational potential, they were primarily...
What’s Developing?
Big things are under construction at the Lake: projects that promise to grow and reshape the Lake economy for good. by Nathan Bechtold The Lake of the Ozarks has long struggled under the “seasonal economy” stigma. And no doubt, the Lake’s population swings...
Tragedy & Mystery
How many people were aboard, during one of the most infamous boating calamities in Lake of the Ozarks history? by Nathan Bechtold & Captain Charles Meyer, various photos collected by Captain Charles Meyer A short tour of the Lake. A freak storm. Three people,...
The Big Gamble
Inside the schemes and dreams of two very different groups with the same aim: be the first to build a casino at Lake of the Ozarks. by Nathan Bechtold The buzz of energy and anticipation fills the room. Lights glimmer off cocktail glasses and diamond jewelry. A shout...
Editor’s Note
“The present is the future of the past,” sings Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman. That profundity is not original to Jon. He loves borrowing from philosophers and historic theologians for his lyrics, and in this case, the idea comes nearly verbatim from St. Augustine in...
FASS Man, FASS Boat
The story of Brad Ekstam, the man behind one of the Lake’s most well-known boats and coolest business success stories: FASS Diesel Fuel Systems. by Christy Wagner, Lake Ozark The year was 2003. Brad Ekstam was a man of humble beginnings and had driven a semi-truck...
DOCK DIGS: BARS AND KITCHENS
by Deanna Wolff Nothing complements dock life like a bar and/or kitchen! It’s the perfect place to hang out with family and friends after a delightful day out on the boat. Enjoy refreshing lakeside cocktails at the bar or cook a mess of fresh-caught crappie in your...
DOCK DIGS: FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES
by Deanna Wolff Docks aren’t just for boats anymore. Customizing your dock for your individual needs will make your dock the place to hang out on hot summer days – and nights. Consider adding a few of the ideas below to your floating haven. Then grab your favorite...
Weird And Wacky: 4 Drinks you can ONLY get at Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks is known for all kinds of excellent food and drink, but there are a few drinks that you can only get at the Lake. These four world-class drinks are as weird, wacky and wonderful as the Lake itself! The Minnow Shot The Minnow shot is one of the...
Take Better Boating Photos From Your Phone
Five tips for taking photos you'll be proud to share. by Ryerson Clark, republished courtesy of BoatUS Magazine, with introduction by Nathan Bechtold A day on Lake of the Ozarks is worth photographing. But whether your photos are worth looking at is a whole different...
Pups On The Patio!
by Kate Robbins Looking for a great restaurant on the Lake of the Ozarks but want to bring your furry best friend along? Look no further than this list of dog-friendly restaurants on and off the water! On Water: Ozark Yacht Club: (outdoor seating only) 1 Mile Marker...
PHOTOS: Lake of the Ozarks Boat Parades
Boaters from more than a dozen states came to Lake of the Ozarks for a world-record attempt at the largest boat parade ever, in 2021. In all, 612 boaters were counted. The world record, set in Malaysia in 2014, is 1,180. So, no new record, at least not this time. The...
Anchor-Line Time
For many boaters, the weekend is spent on the boat or the community dock, where evenings jive and friendships thrive. They’re called “live-aboards.” by Christy Wagner, Lake Ozark The Miceks For Mike and Diane Micek, living the dock life started more than three decades...