3 Tips for Staying Safe on Your Dock this Winter

Winter weather can cause issues for homeowners, especially those with homes on the water. For many of you, avoiding your boat dock during the winter months is the best option. However, if you get hit by a winter storm, you may feel the need to go down and check on it. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when going on your dock and boat lift at the Lake of the Ozarks this winter:

1. Be Cautious During Ice and Snow Removal.

Dock owners attempting to remove snow and ice from their dock during inclement weather should be extra careful. Not only could you slip and fall into the frigid waters, but the added weight from the snow and ice could cause the dock to collapse. Falling into the extremely cold water can cause hypothermia to set in quickly, rending a person helpless in the water. If you insist on being on your dock during winter conditions, always wear a life jacket and use the buddy system.

2. Treat All Wires as Live Wires. 

Winter storms can cause electrical issues on your dock. Strong winds and/or ice can damage wires. Remember to treat any and all damaged electrical wires around docks as if they were still live. Even if the power is shut off, these loose wires could pose a threat. If you suspect electrical damage on your dock, the best thing to do is make sure the power is completely shut off and then call in an electrician to take a look at it. Most electrical companies will come out and inspect your dock electricity for free.

3. Make Sure Your Dock is Secure.

Winter weather can take it's toll on your dock. Depending on how secure your dock is, it's possible for a large chunk of ice to damage it, make it crash into the shore and/or even break it free. Check your hardware to ensure everything on your dock is secure. You might even want to tie a line from the dock to a fixed object on land that will not break if pulled. Keep in mind that icy conditions also weaken dock cables, which may need to be replaced or repaired in the spring.

Summerset Boat Lifts wants to make sure you, your dock, your boat and your boat lift all stay safe this winter. The winter weather is just beginning here at the Lake of the Ozarks and we don't know what to expect in 2016. Preparing your property now, will save you from costly repairs in the spring. You want to make sure your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift, dock and boat are all ready to hit the water as soon as the warm weather hits!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Protect Your Dock During Winter Drawdown

While we haven't seen much snow or ice yet here in mid-Missouri, winter has arrived. The temperatures are dropping and the water levels in the Lake of the Ozarks are dropping. The annual winter drawdown is something that waterfront property owners need to pay special attention to, as their docks can be affected by the change in water depth.

Winter Drawdown

At the Lake of the Ozarks, lake and river fluctuations occur for several reasons. In order to prepare for the winter flood season, the levels of the lake are lowered. This makes room in the lake for possible runoff produced by winter storms or melting snow and ice. Also, during the winter months, there is a higher demand for electricity; therefore, water levels will change when Bagnell Dam releases water to meet this need for electricity.

Lake of the Ozarks Docks

While the winter drawdown is necessary to prevent flooding and provide electricity, it can cause issues for dock owners at the Lake of the Ozarks. Now is the time to prepare your docks for the lower lake levels that are to come in the coming months. Here are a few things you, as a dock owner, can do to avoid damage to your dock this winter:

1. Check to make sure your dock isn't pinned or hampered by any stumps or other objects that would prevent it from moving up and down with the fluctuations in water levels. 
2. Inspect all dock cables and bolts for any loose or rusting parts. 
3. Be sure to drain all water lines. 
4. Raise your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift to ensure that it is holding air as it should. 
5. Lengthen your dock cables to allow the docks to drop. 
6. Make sure that you have a deicer to keep the water around your dock from freezing and causing major damage. 

Don't let the water level fluctuations damage your dock - get prepared now. For all your winter boat lift needs, contact Summerset Boat Lifts at 573-348-5073. We have deicers available that can protect your dock and boat lift throughout the winter months, ensuring that you're ready to hit the Lake come springtime. 

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Join Us at the Overland Park Boat Show in January

Kansas City's Largest Boat Show!

Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the 2016 Overland Park Boat Show, January 7-10! The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association invites you to participate in this premiere show for boating enthusiasts across the Midwest. We're bringing the Lake to Overland Park this winter! See the latest in 2016 cruisers, runabouts, performance boats, tritoons, ski boats, personal watercraft, docks, lifts, and all boating accessories. Bring the entire family to the Overland Park Convention Center for KC's largest annual boat show!

Photo From: Overland Park Boat Show Website

HOURS 

January 7: 3-9 PM
January 8: 12-10 PM
January 9: 10 AM - 9 PM
January 10: 10 AM - 5 PM

ADMISSION

$9.00 for Adults
$5.00 for Children 6-12
FREE for Children 5 & Under

**$1.00 of each paid Adult admission is donated to Kids' Harbor Child Advocacy Center

For further boat show information, you can text BOATS to 22828. 

The best boat lift dealer at the Lake of the Ozarks will be there to show you all we have to offer with our Galva-Hoist product line. Galva Hoist is engineered at the Lake, for the Lake...Lake of the Ozarks that is. It is extremely capable of withstanding the roughest waters here at the Lake. No matter what brand of boat or dock you have, the Galva-Hoist provides great value and performance. Be sure to stop by and see Summerset Boat Lifts next month at the Overland Park Boat Show!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Come Aboard the Celebration for a Deck the Docks Cruise!

It's that time of year again - Christmas is just around the corner and people are already putting up their Christmas lights! What's the best way to check out all the great Christmas decorations around the Lake? By cruising around the Lake of the Ozarks on one of the 5th Annual Deck the Docks Cruises!

Photo Credit: Deck the Docks Facebook Page

About Deck the Docks

Deck the Docks is an annual event benefiting Dogwood Animal Shelter. Live entertainment and appetizers will be donated by different local entertainers and restaurants each night. See the beautiful Christmas lights all along the shoreline of the Lake!

Deck the Docks Benefactors' Cruise  

The Deck the Docks benefactors' cruise is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1st from 5:30-8 PM. There will be a 6 course sit-down dinner catered by Savannah Grille with entertainment by Dale Blue. Tickets are $125 per person which includes beer, house wine and well drinks. All proceeds go to the Dogwood Animal Shelter.

Additional Deck the Docks Cruises

Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations for tables of 8 are also available. Please call Dave at 573-480-3212 for ticket information and reservations. Cruise dates are as follows and each start at 5:30 pm, with 3 hours for the cruise:

• Wednesday, December 2
• Friday, December 4
• Saturday, December 5 
• Wednesday, December 9
• Friday, December 11
• Saturday, December 12
• Sunday, December 13 (Departing from Redhead Lakeside Grille) 
• Wednesday, December 16
• Friday, December 18
• Saturday December 19
• Wednesday, December 23
• Saturday, December 26 
• Wednesday, December 30

While you’re out decorating your docks for the Deck the Docks Cruises, take a quick look at your Lake of the Ozarks boat lift. You want to make sure it is in proper working condition for when Spring rolls around. Give Summerset Boat Lifts a call at 573-348-5073 for all your boat lift repair and replacement needs!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Winterizing Your Boat Dock

While you may have already winterized your second home at the Lake and put you're boat away for the season, you might not have thought much about your boat dock. Boat docks need to be winterized as well. Just like with your home, the harsh winter weather can take a toll on your dock. Summerset Boat Lifts is here to give you a few suggestions on how to prepare your boat dock for the winter months.

1. Inspect Your Dock for Good Condition. 

The work you put in now will not only protect your dock from the extreme winter weather, but it will also make sure it's ready for use when spring hits.

• Clean the surface of your dock with a deck cleaner to remove dirt, fungus and algae. 
• Spray your dock with water to see how the water beads on the surface of the wood. If your dock is not adequately repelling the water, it might be time to get it re-sealed. 
• Check to make sure you do not need to replace any components. Replace them now so that you're not exposing a weak structure to the brunt of winter weather. 
• Check all fasteners, hardware, bolts and skirting. Make sure the skirting is well above the water line. 
• Remove any ladders or other attached components in contact with the lake water. 

2. Store All Boating Accessories. 

This tip may come as a no-brainer. When you decide it's time to put away your outdoor furniture for the winter, it's important to remember the furniture and other stuff that typically sits on your dock all summer. Be sure to store not only dock furniture, but also any life jackets, water toys, fishing rods, etc. If you don't have a good place to store them, look into purchasing one of our dock lockers! Summerset Boat Lifts has a large selection of boating accessories not only to use during the summer months, but also to help you get through the off -season.

3. Install a De-Icer. 

Protect your dock, and boat lift, from ice damage by installing a de-icer. The number of units you need will depend on the size of your dock, the depth of the water, lake conditions and the expected weather conditions. Ice can break up entire dock structures, as well as age the wood and even splinter the surface. The best way to protect your dock is with a de-icer, which you can purchase right here at the best boat lift dealer at the Lake of the Ozarks! 

Preventing damage to your dock and boat lift at the Lake of the Ozarks from winter weather is much easier and less expensive than repairing your dock after the fact. By taking the time to winterize your dock now, you can ensure an easy transition to your boating lifestyle again come spring. For more information about our de-icers and dock lockers, give Summerst Boat Lifts a call at 573-348-5073! 

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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The History of Bagnell Dam

The Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Bagnell Dam. With a surface area of 55,000 acres, stretching 92 miles long, and more shoreline than the state of California, this lake brings in millions of dollars in tourism to Missouri each year. The Lake is what our Lake of the Ozarks boat lift business thrives on. Let's take a look into the past at how Bagnell Dam and the #1 Recreational Lake in the country was created!

Courtesy of the Missouri State Archives

Construction of the Bagnell Dam

It was the year 1912, when a Kansas City man by the name of Ralph W. Street first proposed damming the Osage River to generate electricity. It wasn't until 1924 that Mr. Street and Walter Cravens, also of Kansas City, arranged financing and formed the Missouri Hydro-Electric Power Company. Unfortunately, financial difficulties brought the project to a halt in 1926. Just a few years later on July 27, 1929, Union Electric Company of St. Louis (now known as Ameren Missouri) bought the facilities and on August 6 construction resumed. Construction continued throughout the Great Depression, attracting thousands of workers from all across the United States. More than 20,000 people worked on the project and while some steam shovels and other powered equipment was available, the majority of the labor was done by hand. They worked for as low as 35 cents an hour.  Construction was completed just two years after the work began. On October 16, 1931 commercial operation of the Osage Power Plant began.

Bagnell Dam Fun Facts 

The project was truly massive! Let's take a look at some interesting facts about the Bagnell Dam's construction.

Courtesy of the Missouri State Archives

• Nearly 60,000 acres of land had to be acquired. 
• About 30,000 acres of trees and brush were cleared. 
• One million cubic yards of earth and rock had to be moved.
• Enough concrete was poured to build an 18-foot-wide highway from St. Louis to Topeka, Kansas.
• Enough carloads of material were used in the dam to fill a freight train stretching from St. Louis to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  
• The dam is of concrete gravity type, 2,543 feet long.
• Approximately 5,082 cubic yards of concrete were poured in a single day during the construction period.
• The spillway section is equipped with twelve flood gates, each 34 feet wide by 23 feet high. 
• Each flood gate weighs 27 tons. 
• Each flood gate is capable of discharging 101,000 gallons of water per second.
• The water impounded in the reservoir is enough to supply the daily needs of the city of St. Louis for more than 12 years. 
• The dam supports a 20 foot wide roadway and a 3 foot wide sidewalk.
• Union Electric created nearly 10,000 new jobs during the worst depression the United States had ever seen. 
• The project was completed in 18 ½ months. 
• The power station is 511 feet long and the flood control spillway section is 520 feet long.
• The power plant produces 215,000 kilowatts of electricity, mainly to the eastern part of Missouri and St. Louis. 

Engineers proudly predicted the amount of electricity the Osage Power Plant would generate in future years, but no one dreamed of the millions of hours of recreation, the Lake of the Ozarks would provide for tourists, local residents and second homeowners alike. Next time your out boating at the Lake of the Ozarks, be sure to drive your boat over by Bagnell Dam and check it out. While you're out on the water, keep Summerset Boat Lifts in mind for all of your boat lift needs. Whether you're looking for a new boat lift at Lake of the Ozarks or just need your old one repaired, we've got you covered!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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Premier Galva-Hoist Dealer at Lake of the Ozarks

Since 1982, Summerset Boat Lifts has been Lifting your Dreams... From Canoes to Cruisers! We're proud to offer Galva-Hoist floating boat lifts, which are engineered right here at the Lake and are designed to withstand the roughest waters at the Lake of the Ozarks. No matter what brand of boat or dock you have, the Lake of the Ozarks Galva-Hoist provides great value and performance. Take a look at some of our new boat lifts ranging from personal watercraft lifts up to custom 20,000+ lb lifts.

Personal Watercraft Lifts 

Our personal watercraft lifts come in either side mount or front mount styles. The front mount lifts offer a single tank solution, which by design, holds your machine higher out of the water. We also offer double places lifts for those of you that own a pair of jet skis and want to save on the price of purchasing a lift for each one.

4,000 & 6,000 lb Lifts

The 6,500 lb lift is an ideal capacity for almost every Tritoon on the Lake of the Ozarks. For any of your smaller boats, a 4,000-6,000 lb lift will do the trick. The mechanism and structure of these lifts are well suited for the rough waters here at Lake of the Ozarks.

8,000 & 10,000 lb Lifts

Our 8,000 lb boat lifts are unique to the industry in that the structure has c-channel on the bottom of the tanks! The lower structure creates a rigid box dispensing the weight of the boat across many more load points than the competition. The 10,000 lb boat lift utilizes the same structure and mechanism, but allows the opportunity to grow into a bigger boat utilizing the same lift.

12,000 - 17,000 lb Lifts

Our 12,000 to 17,000 lb lifts are heavy duty 6-arm mechanisms, designed for the rough waters of the Lake of the Ozarks. Our 14,000 lb lift is the first to offer 3 tanks; this allows for the added capacity and does a great job keeping those big boats level.  Capable of lifting many of the 34 and 35 foot day cruisers, the 17,000lb lift is again "best in class".

20,000 lb and Bigger Lifts

The 20,000lb lift is an 8-arm mechanism ideally suited for many 37 to 41 foot day cruisers. The 24,000lb lift is available in 8-arm or 10-arm mechanisms, with a 4 tank system. The lift offers a superb weight to width ratio in stability for your boat. Anything larger than that can be custom built just for you!

At Summerset Boat Lifts, we pride ourselves in service and it's what sets us apart from everyone else. We want everyone to relax knowing all their boat lift needs are being handled by professionals. Summerset's record of service after the sale in unparalleled in the boat lift industry. We don't just sell you a lift, we sell you our service. If you're interested in purchasing a new or used boat lift at the Lake of the Ozarks, give us a call at 573-348-5073.

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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A Spook-tacular Quiz to Test Your Halloween Knowledge

The scariest holiday of the year has arrived!  Halloween is all about dressing up, candy and fun for all ages. Each year on October 31st, children dress up as their favorite characters and go door to door collecting candy. Adults celebrate with costume parties as well. Summerset Boat Lifts is here to help you get into the Halloween mood with a spook-tacular quiz. How many of these Halloween trivia questions do you know the answer to?

1. In what country did Halloween originate?

A. Germany
B. Mexico
C. United States
D. Ireland

2. What was the first wrapped penny candy in America?

A. Dum Dums

B. Toostie Rolls
C. Salt Water Taffy
D. Bubble Gum

3. Jack o' Lanterns started as a way to keep away spirits and ghosts when people placed candles in what?

A. Pumpkins
B. Turnips
C. Melons
D. Gourds

4. According to superstition, what will you see if you stare in a mirror at midnight on Halloween?

A. Your Future Husband or Wife
B. Bloody Mary
C. A Ghost
D. Yourself

5. How many people were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials?

A. 19
B. 3
C. 7
D. 13

6. What is the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters?

A. Milky Way
B. Butterfinger
C. Snickers
D. Reeces


7. What does the Halloween color Orange stand for?

A. The Burning of Spirits
B. The Harvest
C. The Twilight
D. The Voice of Spirits

8. What does the Halloween color Black stand for?

A. Death 
B. Darkness
C. Uncertainty
D.  The Devil

9. Why do you wear masks on Halloween?

A. To Protect Your Faces in Case the Dead Attack
B. To Protect the Dead from Seeing Us Happy
C. To Keep the Dead from Recognizing the Living
D. To Stop the Dead from Touching Our Faces

10. Originally, what was the trick in "trick-or-treat"?

A. Knock on the Door and Run Away
B. Throw Water on the Person Opening the Door
C. Sing a Song to the Person Giving You Candy
D. Recite a Good Luck Protection Spell







**ANSWERS**

1. D - Ireland
2. B - Tootsie Rolls
3. B - Turnips
4. A - Your Future Husband or Wife
5. A - 19
6. C - Snickers
7. B - The Harvest
8. A - Death
9. C - To Keep the Dead from Recognizing the Living
10. C - Sing a Song to the Person Giving You Candy

Happy Halloween from Summerset Boat Lifts, the best boat lift dealer at Lake of the Ozarks. We’re proud to offer the Galva-Hoist product line of floating boat lifts. Galva-Hoist is engineered specially for the Lake of the Ozarks. It is extremely capable of withstanding the roughest waters here at the lake. No matter what brand of boat or dock you have, the Galva-Hoist at Lake of the Ozarks provides great value and performance!

Summerset Boat Lifts

1165 Jeffries Road Osage Beach, MO  65065

573-348-5073

Email:info@summersetboatlifts.com

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