Used Pontoon Boats - Branson, Mo. Lakes

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Hi gang, Rick Ostler from Used Pontoon Boats with news and views from the boating industry. Here is an articles on The many ways to enjoy Branson's favorite water sports lake is a deep subject, especially when you look beneath the surface.

State Park Marina - Table Rock Lake

Following the recent Memorial Day weekend, recreation on Table Rock Lake adjacent to Branson was in full swing with spring activities, said Pat Cox, an owner of State Park Marina.

"We'll have lots of boat rentals and fishing, and quite a bit of scuba diving because the water tends to be clear in late May with the water temperature in the low 70's (degrees)," Cox said. Two weeks later, the water on the 43,000-acre lake will warm to about 80 degrees and all the water sports will be on for the entire summer.

Scuba Diving on Table Rock Lake

One of the most sought-after spring experiences is the three-hour Discover SCUBA course, Cox said. The marina has two dive boats that go out at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Novice divers are first introduced to the gear, and then dive to about 10 feet where they can explore the underwater landscape and hand-feed the bluegill and other fish.

Each instructor handles only six divers, so there is plenty of individual attention for a safe and fun experience, Cox said. Mike Messenger is a lifelong resident of Branson. He has a day job, but his real fun is as a scuba instructor for the Discover SCUBA tours. In that role, he interacts with kids of all ages, he said.

"A lot of times, we'll have the younger kids. Twelve's a good age," he said. "But we've had a 90-year-old guy out there." On a Discover tour, participants are in clear water and may stand on or float above the rock bottom, he said. "People really relax and have fun," he said.

For Messenger and his family, the lake provides a way of life. Messenger has eight-year-old twins who love diving, he said. And they live close to the lake. "We've got a perfect view of the lake," he said. They also have a houseboat. In addition to diving, his hobbies include water skiing, wakeboarding and parasailing. "It's a whole lot of fun out here," Messenger said.

Three Buoys Having Fun on Table Rock lake

Table Rock Lake has become a way of life for "the three buoys," said Pat Cox. Pat and his twin brother, Phil Cox, and older brother Bob Cox, own and operate State Park Marina and The Harbor Marina on Table Rock. They also operate the marina at the Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa and Convention Center and Bob Cox oversees the family's boat sales facility -- The Harbor Boat & Yacht Sales. The Coxes are the Missouri and Arkansas dealers for Sumerset Houseboats, the leading houseboat builder in the world, doing mostly custom "dream" boats, Pat Cox said.

The Cox family moved to Branson in 1996 from Columbia, Missouri, and bought the first marine property, State Park Marina, that same year. The brothers named their company Starboard Marinas to signify their mission of "doing things right." Starboard is the nautical term meaning "right."

"It's been a good family business, and we've had great customers," Cox said. "We've always tried to listen to them and make the improvements that people wanted."

Table Rock Lake Lifestyle is Popular - Large four bedroom Houseboats

State Park Marina has 600 boat slips on several docks. Most are rented year-round. There's a large dock for the big houseboats, some up to 100 feet long and sporting four bedrooms. "If you can dream it, we can build it," Cox said. "What we're finding is that people are going for the houseboat lifestyle."

Some of the boat slips include patios on the dock for additional grilling and entertaining space, Cox said. They also have access to dock water and cable TV. Table Rock Lake is a U.S. Corps of Engineers lake dedicated to public use, so boaters can go out for a Sunday drive or a long weekend and pull up anywhere along the more than 850 miles of shoreline.

Fun on the Water

To get the feel of a cruise, there's the 48-foot Spirit of America sailboat offering noon and sunset cruises. "It's really a laid-back Caribbean experience," Cox said.

For more activity, there's the Water Adventure Cruise. When the boat drops anchor, it's time to play with the toys including a water trampoline and an inflatable climbing wall, Cox said.

The marina has 75 rental boats. Cox expects lots of families renting pontoon boats over the holiday weekend.

They also can go parasailing

"They fly about 10 minutes, and we fly 350-feet of line, so that takes you up a maximum height of 200 feet," Cox said. "You're way up over the hills, and you can see all the way to downtown Branson. We fly mainly around the dam area because it's really wide there and safe." Speaking of safety, Capt. Sam Sandt has been their parasailing operator for 13 years, so he's got plenty of experience, Cox said.

They also can arrange for a guided fishing trip. "This year, it's the best fishing in five years," Cox said. "The fish are responding to the high water, and moving into predictable areas where people can really get to them."

More Fun on the Dock

Many people come to State Park Marina regularly just to take a stroll, enjoy the ambiance and look at the boats, Cox said. Visitors enjoy feeding the "pet carp," Cox said. Dozens of the docile giant fish--like a pack of dogs begging for treats--patrol the waters beneath the gangplank, seeking a handful of fish food available on the dock.

"They're my best employees," Cox jokes. "They always show up on time and do a great job." And people come out to eat at the restaurant operated on the dock by the popular Danna's BBQ and shop in the 4,000-square-foot Boathouse Boutique with lots of unique gifts and apparel. The restaurant and gift shop are especially popular with families, he said. "If Momma and the kids aren't happy, no one's happy," Cox said.

For additional information about Branson, its shows, live entertainment, theme parks, lakes, golf courses, family attractions, shopping and other features, or to order a free Branson Vacation Guide, call the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-214-3661 or visit our website at www.explorebranson.com.
Thanks Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau for this.

Used Pontoon Boats, By Rick Ostler
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