Letter from the Editor

from the EDITOR

Boating is big business

WE ALL KNOW LAKE OF THE OZARKS IS ONE OF THE BEST RECREATIONAL LAKES IN THE COUNTRY. Watersports, fishing, boating, swimming, waterfront restaurants — not to mention the scenery — it’s no wonder the last two summer seasons have experienced a boom in visitors and second-homeowners playing and staying here more often.

Official statistics are hard to come by, but according to a Google search, there are over 70,000 homes on Lake of the Ozarks and more than 25,000 registered docks on the Lake. Since some residential docks have more than one slip and commercial docks can have dozens of spots, you can start to see how big the boating industry really is. So, dedicating an entire issue to the subject just makes sense for us.

January/February kicks off the boat show season. The largest recreational, boating and sports shows in the Midwest will be held just a few ours from us over the next couple of months. The Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers Association hosts several of them each year, giving our dealers the opportunity to showcase what they offer before the weather warms up and we are back on the water once again.

In this issue, we feature a family who lives aboard when they visit the Lake. Boats have become so luxurious and comfortable that more people are choosing this lifestyle. With everything at your fingertips, what more would you want? It’s amazing to see how innovative the industry has become. From electric boats to useful and fun gadgets, spending time on the water has never been so easy and enjoyable.

Because we live here, we tend to spend a couple of hours on our boat at a time. We have the luxury of going out whatever day of the week we want so cramming it all in on the weekend isn’t necessary. We will often boat to friends and family for dinner, go to a waterfront restaurant, take a sunset cruise or find a quiet spot to cove out.

In addition to our boat show issue, one of the publications Lake Media puts out every year is the Lake of the Ozarks Marine Dealers official boat show guide. When visiting the boat shows, make sure to pick up a copy of it as well for much more information from Lake area dealers, and tons of boating stories and other related topics.

If you are in the market for a new or pre-owned boat, there’s no time like the present. Visiting the boat shows is the best way to get advice and see what’s out there. Everything from boats, personal watercraft, all the gear you need on the water, and everything for your dock and Lake home can be found at the shows.

We hope to see you there!

FUN FACT The Lake stretches 92 miles from Bagnell Dam in Lake Ozark to Truman Dam in Warsaw and has 1,150 miles of shoreline — that’s 54,000 acres of water.

charis.lakesun@gmail.com

HOLIDAY DRIVE A SUCCESS! Lake Lifestyles magazine, Lake Media and Vernon Publishing participated in a holiday drive for three local charities: Citizens Against Domestic Violence, Kids’ Harbor and Meowtown Animal Rescue. Thank you to the community for participating and dropping off donations. For more information on these non-profit organizations or to donate go to: www. cadv-voc.org, www. kidsharbormo.org, and www. meowtownanimalrescue.com.