Lake of the Ozarks Shootout: Where to Watch If You’re Boatless

Check out speedonthewater.com’s advance coverage of the 2016 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout and you’ll get a pretty good idea of who to watch during the upcoming speed contest on the Central Missouri waterway. And if you have a boat or a friend who does, there’s no better place to be than the raft-up fleet to catch the action. Not only can you watch the boats roar by and pick up the excellent radio broadcast out there, you can hop in the water when you need to cool off. And when the competitors aren’t screaming down the one-mile course, there are plenty of other distractions.

Boatless during the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout? Don’t worry—you have options. Photo courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

But what if you don’t have a boat ride or a friend with a home on the cliffs, which are private property, on the far side of the course? Here are two solid options.

1. Celebration Cruises—If nothing but watching from the water will do—and there’s nothing wrong with that—you still have a choice. Celebration Cruises is running spectator cruises on its 100-plus-seat, two-deck spectator yacht complete with food and beverages for purchase on board, on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28. Stationed near the exit of the course, the cruise yacht will depart from Captain Ron’s, the host venue for the event, between 9 and 9:30 a.m.

Cost is $50 per person.

While online registration for Saturday’s cruise is closed, there are a few slots left that can be reserved for that day by calling Celebration Cruises, 573-480-3212. “We have a few spots left for Saturday, but people have to call,” said Dave Shipp of Celebration Cruises. “We still have plenty of space left Sunday that people can book online. And that’s the final day of racing.”

2. Captain Ron’s—Thanks to more than 10 televisions and one “Jumbo Tron”—all carrying live action from the event on both days—at Captain Ron’s, spectators who find themselves landlocked won’t lack for viewing options. There are even TVs mounted under the covered docks. As Shootout headquarters, Captain Ron’s also offers the opportunity for fans to mingle with the competitors, as well as check out the raceboats at the docks. And of course, food, drink and great scenery are everywhere at the venue.

Related story: Coverage of the 2016 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout