Lightning Rods
Are Tesla Cybertrucks a glimpse into the future of boat towing? by Nathan Bechtold & Janet Dabbs In the summer of 2024, a new truck began turning heads on roads across the country: the Tesla Cybertruck. Everyone — literally 100% of the population — has an...
Papa Chubby’s!
This lakeside resort serving up Chicago-style food is a must-go and must-stay this season! by Kate Robbins/LakeExpo Staff Chicago-style cuisine on Lake of the Ozarks? Boaters can find the best of the Windy City at Papa Chubby’s Lakeside Resort. With their lakeside...
The Family Resort Revival
Something remarkable is happening to the Lake’s lodging scene: old family resorts are coming alive again. by Tegan Shockley, Deborah Wolfe, and Nathan Bechtold In the first few decades after Bagnell Dam was completed (in 1931), the Lake mostly drew anglers, coming to...
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...
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...
Where To Buy?
You know the kind of Lake life you want, but where’s the best place for it? Lake of the Ozarks realtors know just the spot. by Kate Robbins The Lake of the Ozarks is one of the hottest real estate spots in the country. With vast waters to explore, and plenty to do...
No Dock-Blocking, No Trespassing
Two new rules of the water that Lake of the Ozarks boaters need to know by Nathan Bechtold A new Missouri law went into effect, late in the 2021 boating season, and it affects boaters and dock owners alike. The two big things to know? 1. No more anchoring your boat...
Healing Waters
Wake For Warriors gives wounded military members a place to carve wakes in the sunshine and connect with other veterans. MarineMax is bringing them to Lake of the Ozarks. by Kate Robbins For millions of people, Lake of the Ozarks is a place for fun-in-the-sun and...
SNAPSHOT: Lake Of The Ozarks In The ‘60s
by Al Griffin & Nathan Bechtold In the 1960s, the Lake of the Ozarks truly came into its own as the Midwest's playground. Amid the ups and downs of the tumultuous decade, Lake of the Ozarks proved to be the perfect place for a summer getaway. The magnet of a huge...
Finding Fish Their Way
Fishermen are always angling for an edge. Some love tech, some lean on tradition, and others say it’s all about big baits. by Brent Frazee When Andy Newcomb launches his bass boat at Lake of the Ozarks, it looks like a floating computer lab, filled with the latest...
The Locksmith, The Powerboat, & The Roller Coaster
Wife's Money, vintage boats and hillbilly engineering on the Gravois Arm, the Rickers are living Lake Life their way, and they're having a blast. by Kate Robbins The Lake of the Ozarks shoreline is covered with interesting sites to see, from million-dollar homes to...
The Small Waters
Beauty and brilliance upstream: boaters are exploring the Lake above the 40MM by Deanna Wolff It’s no secret that there’s absolutely nothing better than spending the day cruising, coving, and catching fish, and converging at waterfront restaurant/bars on the Lake of...
Up From The Deep
Missouri State Highway Patrol rescue divers see a lot… especially when they can’t see a thing. by Public Info. Spec. III Cheryl D. Cobb (Q/PIED), republished with permission In 1960, four troopers were trained in scuba diving to serve part time with a Water Rescue...
A Premier Pick-Up
With the purchase of Premier 54, Rick Ball and Steve Brink keep growing their marine business portfolio at Lake of the Ozarks. Here’s their secret. by Nathan Bechtold Where would the number-one dealer of Chaparral Boats in the world be located? Of course, the answer...
The North Shore
Homebuyers are finding this stretch of lakefront real estate appealing, for a host of reasons. Photo by Lake Shots Photography by Kate Robbins The real estate market has exploded at Lake of the Ozarks. In 2021, home sales were on-pace to show a 33% increase compared...
The Lake’s Lost Towns
Beneath these waters, a history lies… by Janet Dabbs, with additional information by Michael Gillespie (posthumous) Bagnell Dam was—and is—an engineering marvel, one that would supply electricity to Missouri and, in creating Lake of the Ozarks, bring economic...
Business In Their Blood
The family that founded Cobalt Boats just bought family-owned Summerset Boat Lifts at Lake of the Ozarks. Meet the St. Clairs. by Nathan Bechtold - all photos courtesy the Brooks & St. Clair families Ancient historians report when the Romans went to war, their...
