Boatloads Of Memories
From the heyday of excursion boats on Lake of the Ozarks, these four may be the most beloved and nostalgic. by Nathan Bechtold; Tom Sawyer reporting by Vicki Wood; Governor McClurg story from Damming The Osage, Lens & Pen Press. Available at...
Big Developments on the Lake
After two or three years of talking about it, my cousin Trevor and I finally got our families together for an afternoon of boating. On a cloudy Saturday in September, we climbed aboard his wake boat—me, my oldest three kids, Trevor, his son, and his dad David (the...
Tales From The Deep: How To Float A Giant On Lake Of The Ozarks
When big things sink in the Lake, Tim McNitt — aka ’The Walrus’ — gets to float them by Nathan Bechtold & Al Griffin Ask Tim McNitt of Atlantis Dive & Dock Salvage for an interesting story, and you'd better get comfortable. When your job is diving for sunken...
These Vintage Boats On Lake Of The Ozarks Take Us Back To Simpler Times
Keep your superyachts. These classic boat owners turn heads everywhere they go. by Kate Robbins From flashy catamarans to sleek cruisers, Lake of the Ozarks is home to some incredible boats. But for some, the best boats on the water are from years gone by. Antique...
The Filmmaking Accident At Lake Of The Ozarks That Changed Hollywood Forever
by Michael Gillespie (posthumous) with additional information by Shore While Netflix could be credited with thrusting Lake of the Ozarks onto the global stage, Hollywood actually discovered the Lake in 1938. A movie production company used the still-new body of water...
Captain Ron’s Dishes Delicious Fun
by Kate Robbins, photos by Lake Shots Photography It’s a favorite Lake of the Ozarks hotspot as well as the home of the Shootout and Aquapalooza: there’s no place at the Lake quite like Captain Ron’s! The prime location on the 34 Mile Marker, plus fabulous food and...
Whimsy & Nostalgia! The Aquarama Mermaid Show From Lake Of The Ozarks’ Past
by Nathan Bechtold Long ago—when The Clown was the best waterfront restaurant around, the Ozark Opry was roaring, and Tan Tar A had a ski resort—at Lake of the Ozarks had a mermaid show. The Lake’s tourism “golden age” produced plenty of zany attractions, but Aquarama...
Franky And Louie’s: Key West Of The Midwest, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Deborah Wolfe Palm trees and sandy beaches might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of the Lake of the Ozarks, but visitors to Franky and Louie’s Beachfront Bar and Grill at the 10-mile marker will find a tropical paradise lush with beachside...
Yo Ho Ho! Captain Ron’s Is The Perfect Port For Pirates Young & Old On Lake Of The Ozarks
by Emily Debert Whether ye be an old salt, sea dog, or a mere scallywag, Captain Ron's has something for every pirate at the Lake! Captain Ron's, owned by Ron Duggan, opened up in November 2006 and boasts 700 feet of Lakefront, two beaches, and a sand volleyball court...
Redhead Lakeside Grill: Where Captains Keep Their Crew Happy
by Mike Kircher I have been a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain at Lake of the Ozarks for 5 years. In that short time, I have learned that boat charters at the Lake are about more than just driving a boat. I am navigator (nobody knows where they are), tour guide, and...
Dog Days All Summer Long, At Lake Of The Ozarks
by Sara Halverson Home of the cove-out music festival AquaPalooza, the White Party, and one of the coolest-looking pools and swim-up bars at the Lake, Dog Days Bar and Grill sits on the 19 MM just west of the Grand Glaize bridge. While it’s easily found by land and...
Jolly Rogers + The Kraken Shack: 2 Legendary Dining Experiences In 1 Lakefront Location
by Deanna Wolff When you work like a captain, you need to play like a pirate. Lake of the Ozarks boaters can “get their pirate on” at Jolly Rogers Grub & Grog and The Kraken Shack, Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar, in Rocky Mount – two terrific restaurants at one...
Elevating Dock Electric Safety
Lake of the Ozarks has 30,000 docks, and local electricians are raising the bar to keep them safe. by Nathan Bechtold A group of electrical contractors at Lake of the Ozarks is banding together to improve dock electric safety. Decades ago, most docks had no need of...
What’s In A Name? How “Lake Of The Ozarks” Almost WASN’T
“Lake of the Ozarks” almost wasn’t. by Deanna Wolff Lake of the Ozarks—the name uttered by untold millions of happy residents and eager vacationers every year—began its existence with an identity crisis. Drama permeated the process of naming this new lake in central...
The Formula For Success
Two Missouri boys’ journeys from selling cars to dream boats by Tegan Shockley & Nathan Bechtold Anyone who’s had a business partner knows the huge upsides… and the potential pitfalls. But with Rick Ball and Steve Brink, it’s been a charmed partnership from the...
Thunder All Around
Iconic Marine Group owner Fred Ross leveraged his trucking logistics experience into growing performance boating titan Big Thunder, at Lake of the Ozarks. by Eric Colby republished with permission from Soundings Trade Only When Fred Ross was a boy, he stuttered. The...
1932 Reserve: Chef-Inspired Lakefront Dining
Seasonal dishes, creative cocktails, and upscale-casual with a lake view. by Nathan Bechtold An evening on the Lake can be anything you want it to be, but when it comes to an elevated waterfront dining experience, there’s only one place: 1932 Reserve. Formerly a...
Floating 45 Years
For nearly half a century, Poly Lift has kept boats—and the Lake community—afloat by Charlie Noland & Nathan Bechtold As a boat owner, it might seem like you don’t really use your lift very often. You put it down, take the boat out, and then put the boat back on...
Sharp Move!
FJ Propeller buys the iconic Hering Performance Propellers to create some serious synergy by Matt Trulio/speedonthewater.com A two-time offshore powerboat racing world champion, Casey Boaz, the co-owner of the CR Racing Team as well as FJ Propeller Midwest in Osage...
‘Ozark’ & The Lake’s Casino
How much truth lies in fiction? by Sara Halverson & Nathan Bechtold Will Lake of the Ozarks ever have a casino? To hear some tell it, the Lake has already had one. In the 1930s, Lakeside Casino was built by Union Electric after finishing the dam. The venue offered...
Cold-Water Killer
The surprising truth about cold water that every boater should know by Sky Smith & Nathan Bechtold Summer is the season for boating at Lake of the Ozarks, but in many ways, nothing beats the weather of fall. Yes, fall soon turns to winter, and in the Midwest that...
‘We Were Blown Away’: Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout Brings More Boats Than Expected
Shootout coverage by Jason Johnson & Matt Trulio -- republished courtesy of SpeedOnTheWater.com The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout has completed its 32nd year, and with 189 total runs by nearly 100 boats, the event was a success by any metric. By spectators'...
The Ozarkian Rock Band ‘Ha Ha Tonka’ – An Interview
Ha Ha Tonka singer and mandolin player Brett Anderson talks Ozarks roots, “Ozarkian” music, and their favorite place to be on the Lake. Interview by Nathan Bechtold (Editor’s Note: Interview edited for brevity and readability.) Mention Ha Ha Tonka outside of Missouri,...
What’s In A (Boat) Name?
Some boaters have known for years what they’ll name their dream boat. For others, their new vessel’s christening is the result of an agonizingly long debate. By any other name, would the ride would still be as sweet? Each year, Boat Owners Association of The United...
The Harley Davidson Tomahawk Is A Boat From Another Time
Many people love bringing their Harleys to Lake of the Ozarks. Eric Miller’s is built to float on it. by Ariel Thibodeau In the summer of 2016, Eric Miller’s wife gave him a one-of-a-kind gift. Eric was at their home in Kansas City, Mo. while his wife Joleena and her...
My Happy Place
Dan Debert What I enjoy the most about the Lake is the diversity of people you encounter. You meet people from all over the country who enjoy the Lake. I have been coming down here my entire life. I've gone from enjoying weekends with my family as a kid, to working at...
Letters From Readers
I loved "A Lake Story,” [editor’s note] and related to so much of falling in love with this place by wonderful family vacation experiences and memories. My husband's family used to come to the Lake starting in the 1950's with other families to camp, stay in those...
