It was a cold, snowing night and I was prepairing to the head to the radio stations first thing in the morning of Dec. 1, 2006. That morning, my wife answered the home phone and it was BOAT US Insurance calling to see if we had a claim to file on our boat.
Imagine our surprise! "what" my wife said. The operator said "we've had many calls from Lake of the Ozarks and we know your boat is stored there".
My first mate called me and I called the marina and finally got a hold of the owner..."so anything we need to know?"
I was told that the roof of the marina had fallen overnight due to the heavy ice...snow...and wind and that our boat...had sustained the brunt of the force being the tallest vessel on the dock.
I immediately called BOAT US and was connected with David Wiggins, their Marine Adjuster who told me that he was already en route to the Lake from the Northeast and would meet us there. By the time we arrived the next day, Dave had taken the picture you saw on the home page.
The boat sustained $50K in damage and then the process of establishing a plan to rennovate was put into play. Our first BOAT US check arrived in just a few weeks and we began the 18 month process of finding parts, guages, stainless, canvas, teak, gelcoat, steeringwheel, depth sounders, etc. Oh...the boat? It was our dream boat...a 1989 36 Aft Cabin Carver.
So...as I was searching the internet for parts my first mate, Mo...said "you ought to build a web site and show others what you are finding". It wasn't but a few weeks after the web page got started that she said "you ought to do a radio show about boating...since you are in radio". So I started to search for to see if there were any boating shows...I found only two. One in the far NE...on an NPR station. The other in San Diego...so wow...what an opportunity!
Bob's No Wake Zone Boating Radio Show was born!
The first few years of the show, we aired on the Clinton, Mo radio stations and built a large online audience as many of my guests were from different parts of the country.
My show philosphy is to talk about all topics relating to recreational boating..."from kayaks to cruise ships". Boating safety education, product reviews, events on the water, boat shows, IBEX, unique offerings and interviews with key marine industry personnel and more. The internet has also provided me with the ability to reach listeners all over the world...interviews, too. I have recorded interviews from Austrialia...London...Alaska...and most all of those that will post me to their web sites, newsletters, social media providing me with a way to reach more listeners anywhere.
We recently relocated to Lake of the Ozarks and the show began airing on KRMS Radio Osage Beach in March of 2014.
Since finishing the boat...and she's a beauty now...we've spent nearly 45 weekends a year on board...me, Mo and Mayz...we hail from Marine Max, who has been a show partner since the boat was finished. I thank them...and BOAT US who has also been with me since the beginning...along with HydroHoist and Dock Realty. Iguana Watersports Rentals and Tow Boat US have also been with us for three plus years now.
Thanks for reading about our story...we are glad you listen and hope you will tell your boating friends about the show. I am always interested in topics from listeners so drop me an email...or see me at boat show or expo...and "we'll see you out on the lake"!
Bob and first mate Mo have been boating together since 1974 and with the exception of a few years where there was no water in sight...have enjoyed owning seven different boats starting with a 14 ft. Lund trihull that was towed all over the midwest! Bob and Mo took the US Coast Guard Boating Course, Bob went on to take the Missouri Water Patrol Boating Education Class and also earned his OUPV Captain's License in 2014. Liveaboard experience happened twice in their years of boating...on Grand Lake for the 9 month season and Bob was able to stay aboard at Lake of the Ozarks during the transition move from August until December of 2014.
email: nowakebob@gmail.com
