Boating New - MarineMax Lake Ozark goes to Malibu!

Well, we may not have taken a trip to the islands, but we are going Malibu! MarineMax Lake Ozark has taken on Malibu Towboats in a partnership with State A Mind Watersports in St Louis, MO.

MarineMax Lake Ozark will represent Malibu and Axus Towboats in Lake Ozark and Kansas City areas.

Malibu Boats, considered the most state of the art tow boats in the world, build a variety of models dedicated to maximizing their enjoyment of tow sports.

The Lake Ozark MarineMax Team spent an afternoon learning and experiencing the technology, design and performance.

Call your MarineMax Team today at 573-365-5382 for your test drive!

MarineMax Missouri: Rewards Program

Become an exclusive Club Member!

As a member of the MarineMax Rewards Club you will have access to special members-only offers and discounts not only from MarineMax, but from our trusted partners. Plus, you’ll receive invitations to specialEvents and Getaways!

Click HERE to sign up now for only $19.95

As always, if you are looking to buy or sell call your Team Member at MarineMax Missouri today - 573-365-5382!

Axius and Zeus on Sea Ray Boats & Yachts

MarineMax Missouri presents Axius/Zeus Demo Day!

Come experience 360 degree control! The revolutionary Axius and Zeus Systems from Mercruiser are piloting systems that can make you an expert at the dock and on open water.

Stop in for a demonstration May 1st and 2nd and let us show you how the pinpoint control of a sophisticated joystick can easily provide the ultimate in boating confidence. Axius and Zeus systems are available on Sea Ray Sundancers from 31 to 54 feet.

MarineMax Missouri: How to Prevent the Spread of Zebra Mussels

What is a Zebra Mussel?

Zebra mussels and a related species, quagga mussels, are fingernail-sized black-and-white striped bivalve mollusks native to the Caspian Sea region of Asia.

They came to North American waters in international shipping ballast water and were discovered in Lake St. Clair near Detroit in 1988. Since then, zebra mussels have spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes and connected waterways of the Mississippi River, including the Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

Zebra mussels were first reported in Missouri in 1991 in the Mississippi River. For eight years, they were not found west of the Mississippi in our state. In spring 1999, however, zebra mussels were reported in the Missouri River near Sioux City, Iowa. In August 1999, zebra mussels were found in the lower Meramec River, a Mississippi River tributary south of St. Louis.

It's suspected that commercial barges originating from the Mississippi River, transported attached adult zebra mussels upstream to these previously un-infested areas. During the next several decades, zebra mussels could spread to other freshwater locations in Missouri and throughout North America.

Female zebra mussels can produce as many as 1 million eggs per year. These develop into microscopic free-swimming larvae (veligers) that quickly begin to form shells. At about three weeks, the sand-grain-sized larvae start to settle, and by suing they byssal threads, attach to any firm surface. They clump together and cover rock, metal, rubber, wood, docks, boat hulls, native mussels, crayfish and even aquatic plants.

Zebra mussels filter plankton from the surrounding water. Each mussel can filter about one quart of water per day. However, not all of what they remove is eaten.

What they don't eat is combined with mucus as "pseudo-feces" and discharged onto the lake bottom where it accumulates. This material, which may benefit bottom feeders, also may reduce the plankton food chain for upper water species. Diving ducks, the freshwater drum and other fish eat zebra mussels, but will not control them.

Zebra mussels can clog power plants, industrial and public drinking water intakes, foul boat hulls, decimate populations of native freshwater mussels, impact fisheries and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Economic impacts of zebra mussels in North America during the next decade are expected to be in the billions of dollars.

Overland transport on boats, motors, trailers and aquatic plants poses one of the greatest risk for spreading zebra mussels. Larger adult zebra mussels can live several days out of water in moist, shaded areas.

Boats that have been moored or stored for more than just a day or two in zebra mussel-infested waters may carry "hitchhiking" mussels attached to their hulls, engine drive units and anchor chains. Boats that have been in infested waters for only a day or two are less likely to transport adult zebra mussels.

Microscopic zebra mussel velgers can survive in boat bilge water, livewells, bait buckets and engine cooling water systems, regardless of how long the boat has been in infested waters.

However, they will die very quickly when their hiding places are warmed in the sun or when they "blow dry" on the highway on the trip home.

How You Can Help Prevent Zebra Mussel Spread

If you are a water recreationist (boater, angler, water-skier, scuba-diver, sailor or canoeist) there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of zebra mussels and other harmful exotic species from one lake or river to another. In some states and provinces it is illegal to transport harmful exotic species.

MarineMax Missouri wants you to Boat Safely!

Missouri Boating Laws

1. Life jackets must be accessible for every person on board a watercraft. Children under the age of seven must wear a life jacket at all times while on board a watercraft.
All persons must wear a life jacket when on a PWC.

2. Navigation lights are required on all boats underway between sunset and sunrise.

3. Proper ventilation is required of every vessel.

4. Fire extinguishers are required equipment on all motorized watercraft carrying or using flammable or toxic fluid such as gasoline or propane.

5. Registration is required of all motorized watercraft regardless of horsepower; all sailboats twelve feet and over in length are required to be registered.

6. The operator of any boat being used for towing a person on water skis, inner tube or similar device must have another person aboard the vessel, seated in a position so as to observe the progress of the person or persons being towed unless the vessel is equipped with a ski mirror approved by the Missouri State Water Patrol, mounted so that the progress of the skier can be observed by the operator. An orange or red skier down flag must be displayed any time people are in the water. PWCs and moored or anchored boats are exempt from displaying the flag.

7. Riding on the bow, gunwales, railing, top of seat back and decking over the back of a motorboat is prohibited.

8. Boater Education; anyone born after 1/1/1984, who wants to operate a vessel on the lakes of Missouri, must have successfully completed a certified boating safety course and carry proof of successful completion.

9. All marker buoys, such as No Wake buoys, apply to all motorized vessels, including all personal watercraft.

10. Operating a boat while intoxicated is a state offense, subject to a $5,000 fine and 1-5 years in jail, for a felony conviction.

Boating handbooks are available at:
Any Missouri Department of Revenue License Bureau
The Missouri State Water Patrol (573) 751-3333
Online at mswp.dps.mo.gov

Safety on the Water

The Lake of the Ozarks is a growing resort area with a myriad of activities that promise to make every family member's vacation a happy memory.

For those who plan on spending time on the water, here are some courtesy and safety tips that will ensure everyone a great time:

1. Be aware of those around you.

Drive on the right side of the channel or cove.
Look before you turn.
All boats have the responsibility to take whatever
action necessary to avoid a collision or accident.

2. Wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while water skiing and while operating a personal watercraft. Small children or non-swimmers should wear life jackets at all times anywhere near or on the water.

3. Turn your lights on 30 minutes before sunset.

4. Operate your boat at a safe & prudent speed.

5. Newer boats have a safety cut off switch. Use it.

6. Upon refueling, check your engine compartment for spillage. Use your blower to expel fumes.

7. Get a voluntary inspection of your boat. The Water Patrol and the Coast Guard Auxiliary provides this free of charge.

8. Take a boating safety course. (Available through the Water Patrol, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron, and online at www.boated.com.) Remember, experience is not always the best teacher.

9. Consideration should be given to equipping your boat with a marine radio or cellular phone.

10. Don't drink and drive. A designated driver is as important on the water as on the land.

For more information, call:

Missouri State Water Patrol
PO Box 1368
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1368
573 -751-3333

Be aware, informed, safe and have a wonderful vacation at central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

Women on Water at MarineMax Lake Ozark

MarineMax created our unique Women on Water^® (WOW) program more than 10 years ago as a way to help female boaters take the helm and learn the ropes — literally — in a safe and relaxed environment.

That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is that more and more women are getting involved in boating, and not only as a family pastime. Boating can offer advantages spanning the recreation and business worlds. Just ask one of our favorite boating friends, financial expert Suze Orman.

“For women to be powerful in their own lives, they have to understand the flow of money, the ups and downs of the financial tides. They have to be the masters of their own financial destiny. The same is true for every activity a woman wants to conquer. There is nothing as powerful as being the captain of your own ship, to not be dependent on anyone other than your own resources and abilities,” she says.

Orman knows what she’s talking about. As the owner of a Sea Ray 280 Sundeck^®, she is a contributor to our website’s blog. You can follow Orman’s boating adventures on Facebook and Twitter, and read more about her and Women on Water here.

We invite all women to take part in our hands-on boating classes by clicking here, April 8, 2010, at Lake of the Ozarks!

MarineMax Missouri Introduces New Parts Consultant

Dina Neftzger

Parts Consultant at Lake of the Ozark

Dina began working at Marinemax Port Arrowhead in 1995. During her tenure, Dina has served as a Service Advisor and Parts Consultant, making many friends over the years. Dina has had the opportunity to take three tours of the Sea Ray plants and operations in Florida and has added to her Service and Parts expertise through a combination of educational and training sources from Sea Ray, Mercruiser and Marinemax.

Dina enjoys boating and camping with her husband Kevin and son Tyler, every chance she gets. Please come by and say hello to Dina the next time you need that special part or accessory for your boat. She will be happy to provide you with the highest quality of service and products available in the marine industry today.

MarineMax Missouri Attends 56th Annual St Louis Boat Show

Hey MarineMax Fans we are heading to the 56th Annual St Louis Boat Show Feb 10-14, 2010! What can you expect to find at this year's show? We will be debuting the all new 22 Sea Ray Pachanga! And, as if that weren't enough, we'll have several sizes of Sea Ray Sundecks, Selects, Sports and Sundancers, up to 35 foot!

But if seeing our great boat display isn't quite enough excitement for you, never fear there are all kinds of great highlights at the boat show this year. The Dock Dogs Competition and Antique Boat Display.

Check out the Dock Dogs Competition - Come see what this exciting performance event for dogs is all about. Watch canine athletes run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 40-foot long pool of water to compete in Big Air® (long jump), Extreme Vertical® (high jump) and Speed Retrieve® (fastest dog to the end of the pool) competitions. An event like no other, Dock Dogs is sure to make a big splash at the show!! www.dockdogs.com

Antique and Classic Boat Display - If you're a fan of classic boats, or simply appreciate the chance to see a bit of history up close, be sure to visit this exhibit. Step back in time to admire the craftsmanship and beauty of vintage craft presented by the Mississippi Valley Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society of America.

Check out these great links...

Antique & Classic Boat Society

Mississippi Valley Chapter

MarineMax Launches New Website

If you haven't had the chance check out the all new MarineMax.com! There's more boats, more accessories and more resources! While you're logged on, don't forget to check out the On Command Sea Ray sales event, going on now through Feb 28, 2010.

MarineMax - Delivery the Boating Dream!

See MarineMax MO at the Overland Park Boat Show Jan 28-31

Thank you to all our fan for joining us at the Md-American Boat Show these past two weekends. If you weren't able to join us, click HERE to see what you missed!

We also want to invite you to join us this coming weekend, Jan 28-31, at the Overland Park Boat Show. We are so excited to have you come out, that we are giving away tickets! Email teresa.riley@marinemax.com before Jan 27 and she'll have your set of 2 tickets waiting at Will Call. What better way to spend a chilly January weekend than inside the warm Overland Park Boat Show? See you there!

Meet the MarineMax MO Team

We want you to meet our Sales Team at MarineMax MO. Each week we are going to highlight two of our sales people. Some you may know and some may be new faces to you. Be sure to catch up with our fabulous Sales Team at one of our upcoming Boat Shows: Overland Park, KS Jan 28-31 or St Louis, MO Feb 10-14.

Bruce Panus has been with MarineMax since 2002, and in that time has become known as the St. Louis connection for people looking to learn and boat on the Mississippi. Originally from St. Louis, Bruce worked at our location there until 2005, when he made the move to the Lake. The Sales Team considers Bruce the sport boat king as no one else has rivaled his sales success with boats under 30 ft.

An avid boater himself, Bruce has owned four Sea Ray boats and spent countless hours leading getaways and other customer events in Missouri and Arkansas. One of his favorite events, Spring Fling, celebrates the opening of the boating season and continues to grow in popularity each year. Be sure to stop in to MarineMax Lake Ozark to say hi to Bruce!

2010 Boat Show Season!

Boat shows are busy & people are excited about the boating lifestyle! Rumors are that MarineMax Facebook Friends and Fans will receive a special offer for the Overland Park Boat Show. Invite your fellow boating enthusiasts to join us & they too will benefit from next week's offer!

Join MarineMax Missouri at Kansas City Boat & Sport Show!

Now is the time to forget about all the snow and cold and think about the summer that is ahead! What better way to do this than to join MarineMax Missouri and the Kansas City Team at the 56th Annual Kansas City Boat and Sports Show!

Come see what we have to offer in booth R1D. To see the show schedule please click HERE

H. Roe Bartle Hall
301 W 13th St
Kansas City, MO 64105