You bought the boat. You found the lake house. Now what?

In this episode of Against the Current: The Lake Life Playbook, John Lawlor of Omaha Marine Center joins us to talk about everything at the water's edge: docks, boat lifts, and the decisions that keep your boat safe and your lake life dialed in. With 25 years in the dock and lift business and Omaha Marine Center's standing as a ShoreStation Platinum Dealer, John breaks down the questions new lake homeowners should be asking before they buy.

In this episode:

• Why the lift that came with your lake house may not handle a modern 6,000 lb wake boat
• Hydraulic solar vs. electric direct drive lifts, and why a faster lift means you'll use your boat more
• ShoreStation's 15-year cable warranty, wireless remotes, and Bluetooth app control
• Solar vs. AC power, and why solar makes troubleshooting so much easier
• ShoreScreen PowerCurtains, canopy options, and guides for surf boats and tri-toons
• Fixed aluminum ShoreStation docks vs. Connect-A-Dock floating docks
• Favorite accessories like Shore Steps, bumper guides, and lights
• When to order and install, and why waiting until May is a mistake
• DIY vs. professional installation, and red flags when buying a used lift on Facebook Marketplace

Thinking about a new dock or lift? Reach out to Omaha Marine Center to set up a shoreline consultation and get a plan that fits your boat, your water, and your budget.

Pontoon shopping? Brandon and guest Adam, a pontoon specialist at Omaha Marine Center, cover it all in this episode of Against the Current: pontoon vs. tri-toon vs. sport-toon, horsepower restrictions by lake, buoyancy and passenger capacity, Godfrey and Premier lineups and pricing, electric motor options, popular layouts, trailer and zebra mussel rules, tow bar limits, lifting strakes, and the fiberglass Hurricane Fun Deck. Everything a first-time pontoon buyer needs before heading to the dealership.

Why does this dealership carry MasterCraft, and how do you choose between the NXT, XT, X, XStar, and ProStar? In this episode of Against the Current, Brandon walks through the full lineup, build quality, the Surf Star surf system, the redesigned X Series, Meridian audio, in-house trailers, and MasterCraft's 5-year warranty, plus advice for first-time buyers and a reminder on wake-responsible surfing. Whether you're comparing brands or narrowing down a series, this one's a practical buyer's guide from the people who sell and ride these boats every day.

Thinking about buying a boat in the Midwest? There's a lot more to it than just picking one you love online. In this first episode of Against the Current: The Lake Life Playbook, Brandon from Omaha Marine Center sits down to break down everything first-time boat buyers need to know before they spend a dime. From Nebraska lake rules and horsepower restrictions to boat storage costs, lift capacity, and the hidden costs of boat ownership that catch most people off guard.

Brandon covers how to figure out which boat actually fits your lake, why asking the right questions matters more than the price tag, what to look for when inspecting a used boat before you buy, and why the boating world has changed so much in just the last five years. Whether you're trying to figure out how much a pontoon costs, whether a wake boat is worth it, or just where to even start as a first time boat buyer, this episode will save you time, money, and regret.

Topics covered include pontoons vs wake boats vs bowriders, triple toon benefits, private lake restrictions, used boat inspections, boat storage in Nebraska, lift capacity, and how to find a dealership you can actually trust for service.

Against the Current is brought to you by Omaha Marine Center in Omaha, Nebraska, your guide on the water.