MickinMO

We were at SDC a couple of weeks ago on a day there were some scattered storms in the area. I guess lightning got within 10 miles and the rides were shut down pronto and pretty much at the same time. They must use radios to notify the operators.

A year is actually pretty fast in government time

The curtains not being released and no decision to abandon ship will be widely criticized and rightfully so. Not only can people not get out, but the curtains would make the boat harder to drive and cut the wind. The News-Leader has a new story from the mom and ex wife of two survivors. The canopies initially kept people from getting out of the boat and eventually one side rolled up letting them swim to the surface.

We were just in that area two weeks ago for a day of pleasure boating. I had not been on that area of Table Rock in 15 years. Saw many Ride the Ducks in the water that day. It seemed to me they would be in the water about 15 minutes looping around the island off the Belle. They don't move very fast and trying to go against the wind and current would be even slower. I can't recall if they were using the state park ramp or the one behind the Belle. SDC sold Ride the Ducks last year. From the video of the boat that made it back it looks like they were trying to get to the ramp behind the Belle. Even if wearing life vests, that is no guarantee you can get out of the boat in time or even survive open water in those conditions. Not to mention if you get knocked out hitting the roof, side, or person thrown into you. The people on the boat that made it back certainly don't appear to be wearing them, but by the time the boat is rocking it would be hard for many to stand up to get them and then get them on in those conditions.

There has to be PFDs, right? Not that they are easy to get to or put on during a crisis

You mentioned a dike across from Branson Landing. How far does it come out and how deep is it if the water is off? I don't have much experience on the lake below 65 bridges

You just need one of those 350HP outboards that can push your boat 100mph

Maybe it was a Gambler tourney instead of a Skeeter tourney? 😛

He is a college professor at OTC. So, by nauture he is likelh a bitter crusty old man.

What the heck is their V.I.B access add-on? Got to looking online tonight and can't figure it out. Nothing on their site describes it. Back story: So the in-laws all want to come down to Branson for the day when we are at the lake. Since my boat only can hold 6 that is a problem. For some reason non-boaters don't seem to realize you can't put an endless amount of people on a boat. So, looking at getting a pontoon to accommodate everyone. State Park will be the easiest for all parties to meet at.

Any armed guards walking the perimter?

Is there a place on Lake of the Ozarks that compares to the Plaster compound at Table Rock?

Thankfully I have little experience with Water Patrol, but in general I would have to think there is a level of ease produced by someone who acts like they know boating etiquette, safety, and shows outward respect to LE. Even something as simple as how you approach a checkpoint or properly yield to other boats helps your cause. And who is more likely to do that, your fishing boat and pontoon people who probably grew up being on the water. My grandpa, dad, and two of my buddies dads' growing up gave me a lot of wisdom that you can't just read about to understand. The 25 year old from Chicago driving daddy's cruiser may not have been as fortunate to learn the proper way to boat or handle yourself in front of LE. Yes sir, no sir, eye contact, do not ask questions only answer the questions they ask, do not appear agitated or in a hurry, tell your friends to keep their mouths shut unless they are asked a question, and most of all act interested.

These arent guys pulling into a fishing spot. If you are in a runabout and are going fast enough to total a boat and injure or kill people you have lost track of where the open water is. It just baffles me that this happens so often.

How drunk or stupid do you have to be to run into a cliff/bluff? I know being on the water at night can be disorienting, but come on. I can somewhat understand running aground on a shallow point or flat if you don't know a lake well, but running straight into shore? The only thing I can think is that if they don't see dock lights they assume it's the channel. http://www.abc17news.com/news/three-injured-after-boat-crashes-into-cliff-at-lake-of-the-ozarks/751182188

Don't leave out BWI enforcement

For the kids I would use minnows and anchor/tie up in timber near mouth of a main arm cove. Nights can be good under a light. You can also troll jigs like a roadrunner or 3" grub along the edge of flats and have a chance to catch almost anything.

Welcome aboard.

Well, none of it matters at this point. Just noticed that I have a seal busted somewhere on the left wheel so going to need a full bearing set replacement. Might as well put new bearing buddies on at the shop. Not what I was hoping to see

I removed more grease from under the dust cap around the zerk. It is round and flush so no socket going to grab this. Must be compression of some sort or I need to replace the entire buddy

The socket won't grab. I think this may be an EZ Lube system. The zerk seems a little loose, but I know nothing about this stuff

Went to replace the grease on the boat I recently bought that has bearing buddies. First side went fine, the other side won't accept grease from the gun. As soon as I start pumping it just flows out of the end at the zerk. I assume the zerk is clogged. Is there an easy way to unclog without taking the bearing buddy off?

Does anyone know if Bass Pro in Springfield still has the in-house embroidery shop that is open to walk up customers in the store? Thanks

Since there are no local investigative journalists left we may never know more about this. The whole story doesn't add up. He gets back in the boat and paddles a severely damaged runabout back across the channel? Who owned the boat might offer a clue to who could have been driving or was more likely to be driving. Maybe they were at Dicks Halfway and eye witnesses from there put a different driver at the helm? Maybe they have interviewed others friends who said that this kid never drove the boat. I can remember my college days and there was always that guy that was never allowed to run the boat no matter what.

Water Patrol now saying they are unsure who was driving the boat when it hit a rock bluff. This just seems weird. https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP03/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=180294662