The Great Loop

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...

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A Nauti Makeover

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...

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The Ceramic Difference

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...

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$100,000 From Grandpa’s Honey Hole

$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...

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(Extremely) High Performance Marine

(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...

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Katie Angles

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,...

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A Trail To Connect The Lake

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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