Lake of the Ozarks first timer

C

Chad33

New Member
Jun 18, 2014
19
Illinois
Boat Info
1997 Sea Ray 240 Signature.
Engines
7.4L Mercruiser 454
I was just hoping to pick up some knowledge from you all. I will be trailering my boat from a Chicago suburb down to a rental in Osage Beach. I am curious on what exactly I will need to be in compliance with Missouri law. Also, any helpful tips and interesting things to do would be great. We do plan on visiting the famous "party cove" a few times with a few other couples. But, us guys would like to do some watersports and fishing in the mornings and afternoons. I have heard that the lake is near impossible to navigate due to all the yachts and sport cruisers, so are there any large coves for this? Thanks in advance everyone.
 
First things first. Service the trailer. I can't count the number of lost weekends I see every year related to trailer failure. I never stick around for the fight after the fact.

Second..... What are you towing with? Is it serviced and is it up for the the trip? Figure your boat and trailer weight * 1.4 for

As as for the compliance issue, 8'6" boat beam is lower 48 state street legal without permits. Make sure you have your trailer registration and all the lights function properly. Check the lights at every rest stop.
 
dpmulvey said:
First things first. Service the trailer. I can't count the number of lost weekends I see every year related to trailer failure. I never stick around for the fight after the fact.

Second..... What are you towing with? Is it serviced and is it up for the the trip? Figure your boat and trailer weight * 1.4 for

As as for the compliance issue, 8'6" boat beam is lower 48 state street legal without permits. Make sure you have your trailer registration and all the lights function properly. Check the lights at every rest stop.
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I will be taking a full set of bearings, grease, and miscilanious lights. Plus, the trailer is at the marina presently for start-of-the-year service.

I will be towing with a 1997 Ford F250. This grand ole steed as been rock solid since the day I bought her. And the 7.3L is practically bulletproof. As an added security, I am having the front end replaced in a month.
 
Depending on when you are going the Lake isn't always busy. The channel is fairly quiet and smooth during the week, most weekends are decent, holiday weekends the channel gets very rough but still ok in my '08 380. The Lake is generally pretty calm anytime you go above MM 35. There is a lot to see and do there and a lot of great food on the Lake. Some of my favorite places to eat and drink are... Back Water Jack's, Coconuts, Frankie and Louis', Dock Knockers and Shorty Pants.
 
Chad33 said:
I will be towing with a 1997 Ford F250. This grand ole steed as been rock solid since the day I bought her. And the 7.3L is practically bulletproof. As an added security, I am having the front end replaced in a month.
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I like your taste in trucks :thumbsup: I miss my 97.
Should be a walk in the park for it, I've easily pulled our wide beam 270DA to Florida and back with our 99 7.3 F350. It's the "other guy" I'm always worried about when trailering.

Looks like Big JP answered some on your actual posted question. Have a great time!
 
It really isn't that busy during the week, but can be very busy on the weekends. There are literally coves everywhere for fishing, tubing or just dropping anchor and chilling. We have been down there twice in the past with boats. Enjoy!
 
Evergreen Cove (across from Backwater Jacks cove) around the 17mm.....Linn Creek Cove (the FISH & Co. cove) at the 31mm.....Larrys on the Lake (just up from Linn Creek Cove)......ANY area on the Grand Glaize Arm (that's where the Party Cove is)......the arm is like 10 miles long...close to Osage Beach where you'll be staying and relatively calm compared to the main channel on a weekend....during the week you won't have any issue....when are you coming down?
 
Chad33 said:
I will be taking a full set of bearings, grease, and miscilanious lights. Plus, the trailer is at the marina presently for start-of-the-year service.

I will be towing with a 1997 Ford F250. This grand ole steed as been rock solid since the day I bought her. And the 7.3L is practically bulletproof. As an added security, I am having the front end replaced in a month.
Click to expand...


I would highly recommend bearing buddies or a bearing oil bath kit on tour rig prior to departure.

As to LOTO. Have fun. I'm jealous!
 
First off, thank you everyone for the replies. I will be coming down for the Memorial Day weekend so I know it will be busy. A bunch of couples from high school all try to go on 2-3 vacations a year together. And what better way to start off the summer than in a vacation home and on the lake. None of us have ever been to the lake though which explains my very vague questions. Up in Illinois it is not required to have a boating license. I do have a boating card though. So I am curious if this falls in line of Missouri law. And like I said in an earlier post, we do want the Party Cove experience. From some of the videos I have seen online, it gets really crowded. I was curious on what time to get there so
we would get a prime location. Also, what is the procedure for tying off with another boat? And lastly, what other lake etiquette should I know that's particular to this location?
 
I just don't want to be "that" guy who everyone laughs at..
 
In party cove expect someone to tie up to you whether you want them to or not. Don't expect them to use fenders. So throw them out in advance.
 
I don't boat at LOTO, but I understand Water patrol is out in force especially on holiday weekends and really target high traffic areas....so make sure you have a DD.
 
Enter at you own risk! There is not much etiquette or boating experience among the boaters in party cove. The house boats tied up to the shore where the center of the party is but they do not rent those any more. It is a free for all in rafting up. Just pull up and tie up. Don't take kids on Memorial Day weekend and if you get there early and get in a raft up you will have a hard time leaving. I have been there and had loads of fun in my younger days. If you want nice boat ride and a large cove take a ride to the Ha Ha Tonka state park at the end of the big nianga arm. Anything past 31 mile marker will still be busy on that weekend but it all be better. bottom line is correct the water patrol will be out in full force so be careful. The navigational rules at times here are "navigate by the bars not the stars".
 
Memorial Day weekend will start the "No Wake Zone" from 10am to dusk weekends and holidays thru Labor Day. No wake starts at the entrance to the Grand Glaze arm continues past the bridge and ends where it splits. This area is heavily patrolled. Don't overload your vessel and keep everyone under control in this area. MWP looks for the obvious. There will be a lot of rentals on the water that have never operated a boat in there life. I gas up and pump out the weekend before just to avoid the gas docks.

If you are going to party cove. It is to the right of the split. Stay to the right of the markers as the channel bends back to the left as it is a blind corner for on coming boat traffic. After the bend party cove will be the 2nd or 3rd cove on your right. I've only been there once. That was enough for me. But you should go at least once.

Wave runners are like nats. Expect them to not see you coming. In the main channel. waves get big enough that they will disappear from view.

All in all. I would not want to boat anywhere else in the Midwest. Hope you have a great weekend.
 
I definitely am excited for my first trip down there. There are a total of 12 people going. So I know that pretty much puts somebody in every seat including the cuddy. But the boat will only be that loaded for when we go to party cove. For the watersports I am not even gonna try to go out in the main channel with the number we have. Fortunately, the house we rented is a 10-15 minute rider by boat at a no wake speed. According to our renters. And I have a life jacket for every single occupant that will step aboard. Atleast in Illinois that is the law. So I appreciate you bringing up the point to not overload. If I have a life preserver for each person is that legal in Missouri?
 
Do Over said:
I'm heading down in a few hours for the weekend (65 today...74 tomorrow)...I'll let ya know how things are :grin:
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Getting out on the water already?!?! I am jealous, I was just about to take the shrink wrap off the boat. That was until the weather man brought out some great news of a possible snow fall on Monday. After the late start last year, I cant wait anymore..
 
Chad33 said:
Getting out on the water already?!?! I am jealous, I was just about to take the shrink wrap off the boat. That was until the weather man brought out some great news of a possible snow fall on Monday. After the late start last year, I cant wait anymore..
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We boat on Table Rock, which is about 1.5 hours from LOTO, and we took our 1st Ride on March 7th:grin:
 
Chad33 said:
Getting out on the water already?!?! I am jealous, I was just about to take the shrink wrap off the boat. That was until the weather man brought out some great news of a possible snow fall on Monday. After the late start last year, I cant wait anymore..
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Was nice on Sat (could of been warmer but kept the eisenglass on)......hardly any traffic at all....went to party cove (it's really better when there's not a lot of boats for us).....4 or 5 other Cruisers there just sittin in the sun and enjoying life.....and yes....a PFD for each person on board plus you need one you can throw (like a seat cushion).
 
There is no daytime speed limit, but 30 MPH at night. From mile marker 1 to 8, main channel pretty tame. From mile marker 8 to 28 on Memorial Day, hold on to your seat. Gets pretty rough. Do not let anyone sit on the gunnels, Water Patrol will stop you.


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