www.iFourWinns.com

I wouldn't go out on LOTO in an 18' boat for love or money, at least on the weekend, and probably during the week. LOTO has been a childish game of "who has the biggest one" since the early '70's when the biggest boats on the lake were 18'. When I was a kid it was one of the most beautiful places on earth (at least to me it was), but the outrageous money (er, debt) and the 2nd grade mentality, combined with the fact that it's not a Corp lake, has ruined it as far as I'm concerned. (Actually I like the fact that it's not a Corp lake, but not when it results in the zoo that LOTO has become.)

For years Table Rock was everything LOTO used to be, and more. To a large extent it still is, but it too has slowly become busier and rougher as many former LOTO people have moved south to escape the madness. But if you stay away from the general area of the dam and Indian Point, you can easily find any of literally thousands of coves, even on the weekends, and have some of the best boating water to be found practically to yourself. Although TR is smaller (54K acres vs. 43K), the countless arms and branches of TR make it seem twice as big. It's very deep, often reaching 175-200', just 50' from shore. Water clarity is amazing for this part of the country since the bottom is mostly rock; you can often see your feet when floating vertically. The fishing is some of the best in the country, if that's your thing.

Many years ago the off-lake attraction at LOTO was the Bagnell Dam area. Now it has that and more, but I don't see how it can compare to Branson, which is a 20-30 minute drive from even some of the quieter, remote parts of TR. About the only concern with TR is the fact that most of the ramps range from steep, to .

Maybe that helps to give you one person's opinion of TR; I'm sure others will add their thoughts. If I can try to answer anything specific, let me know.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

That is great info. Thank you for the response.

I agree it is rather scary trying to get around in an 18' boat on the busy days. We also have a 26' pontoon going with us so we will be in that most of the time anyway. We have been going down the LOTO for as long as I can remember. My Dad wants to take a trip to TR sometime to see how it compares and for a change of scenery.

We always seem to find a calm cove to swin, tube, ski at the LOTO but trying to get to places on the water can be frustrating at times in our tiny boat. I am looking into upgrading to a bigger boat in the future. I rode in a 24' Chris Craft in the LOTO on one of our vacations and that seemed to handle the water well. What size at minimum do people suggest for handling the choppy waters? I would like more room inside the boat anyhow.

Thanks for the help!

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1998 Four Winns Horizon RS - 5.0GL
2002 Avalanche - Tow vehicle

In fairness, we haven't had our 24' boat on LOTO since we've owned it, so I probably shouldn't be so harsh. The last time I boated on LOTO was 13 years ago in an 18' rented boat. I'm a bit over 6' tall and when I was able to stand up in the boat and not see over the tops of the waves I knew it was a mistake. I'm fairly sure it hasn't gotten better since then.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Even though I bought mine at Villiage Marina LOTO; I haven't had it south of the 45 mm since the test drive... just too dang rough! I am considering a cruise up the Niangua arm on an off-weekend/week-day or something. I figure a full day from where I stay (60 mm) to the Niangua (the castle thingy) and back. I prefer the river to "get away" but has been too full of debris... trees, fridges, houses, etc. Last weekend, the weather cooperated enough and we finally got on to Smithville. Unfortunatly there were two fatalities (drowning). Kinda brought the party down.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I heard about that. It's been a tough year for boating around here.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

(What size at minimum do people suggest for handling the choppy waters? )

We have very choppy waters here as well due to the same problem Mike mentioned at LOTO. Way to many 30-40 foot boats out here that have no buisness being on a smaller lake. Our lakes are rather large (Lake Winnebago), but this is the reason we went from out 200 SS to the 25' Baja. Mainly to handle the chop better and she does the trick. It could be better, but the 24 degree hull and the extra weight really cuts the waves pretty nice.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

LMAO Mike...

I've taken my 18' out on Lake Geneva which has its fair share of large boats in a smaller lake. It was a bumpy ride to say the least.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Great post Mike. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad nothing worse happened on that blowout. I bet you pinched off some leather seat when that happened. Your a saint for helping all those boaters out. Your good karma bucket is full!

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Our 26' boat handles LOTO pretty good. You still cannot get in a hurry in certain spots even in a 26' boat. We typically stay on the 3MM of the Niagua (34 miles from Bagnel Dam) and do most of our crusing up river from there. It's a nice place to wake up and do some skiing, then head out for the day in various directions. We just got back Friday from our second trip this year. On this trip, we didn't make it past the 18MM. Only up river. We did make it all the way to 76MM to "Buck Naked's". The owner bought a houselick while I was in Skipper's at 60MM earlier in the week, so I figured it was the least I could do was sniff out his bar and return the favor. I like that end of the lake. Everybody's your friend up there.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Never been up that far before. Are there still places to stop and dock if you need gas? I would imagine it would take us two days to get up that far in our boat, ha. We will be staying on the 20mm this year. We usually are down closer to the damn.

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1998 Four Winns Horizon RS - 5.0GL
2002 Avalanche - Tow vehicle

I think Holiday Hills had gas at 66MM, but I'm not 100% sure. I know Red Fox has gas at 50MM, but have never filled up there. One of the advantages of a 75 gallon tank. . . Fill it in the morning and don't worry about it until the next day. I think I saw Walt stays at 60MM, he probably knows better about the gas situation up there.

Up in that area there is a bar (or 2 or 3) around every corner. Red Fox (50MM), Plain Jane's (51MM), Moonie's (58MM), Skipper's (60MM), Fatty's & Possum Holler (61MM), Holiday Hills (66MM), Buck Naked's (76MM). I'm sure I missed 3 or 4 in there. They're all local dives which is more my speed. Toad Cove is not for me. Red Fox is still my favority stop on the lake. Great food, reasonable prices, excellent frozen margaritas and the best shuffle board table I've ever played on. If you do get to the upper end of the lake, watch your depth finder in the general areas from 55 to 60, then again from 65 to 70. Stay to the bluff side of the lake and you should be fine.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Holiday Hills is about the 72mm (i think) and has the cheapest gas prices. I recommend them for Bloody Mary's too, if you are in for that sorta stuff. There is also Linga Longa at the 60mm. I don't think either are open on non-holiday Mondays. As far as bars. as bentioned Moonies, Possum Holler and Fatties (all about the 60-61 mm). There is also Kelly's Landing, which is about 2 miles back (South) in the cove at the 60. Good food, small hotel and covered docks. I spent a week there last year at less than $100 per night inc. the covered dock. My sis lives at the 60 as well, so I am quite familiar with the immediate area.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.