The area lakes are still feeling the effects of the flooding.   The Madison Chain (Monona, Mendota, Waubesa, & Kegonsa) are all still “slow/no wake”.  Lake Wisconsin, however, is open to normal boating.

Don’s Marine currently sponsors a 4-member pro fishing team.

Aside from being a great way for Don’s Marine to get their name out there, the team works as form of community outreach and product testing. These men are serious fishermen who put their boats through their paces. If a boat can stand up to what these guys put it through, it’ll stand up to anything a regular user can do. So, if you see a boat out there with Don’s Marine written across the side, stop and talk to them. Ask about the boat and what it can do.

Jeff Patrick

Jeff is the owner of Bola’s Guide Service. As well as being a versatile angler and professional guide, he loves to share his wealth of fishing experience by writing several fishing reports for In-Depth Outdoors and Lake-Link for viewers to read.

Jeff operates a 2007 Alumacraft Trophy 185 powered by an Evinrude 175-hp E-TEc and a Johnson 4-stroke 9.9-hp kicker.

Brad Walker

Brad is the owner of Teal River Rods, makers of custom handcrafted fishing rods. An avid fisherman for almost 25 years, Brad has concentrated on muskie for the last 13 years. Brad guides on the lakes of Northern Wisconsin for both avid fishermen and beginners.

Brad operates a 2008 Alumacraft Navigator 165 Tiller powered by a Yamaha 75-hp 4-stroke engine.

Chris James

Chris is a competition fisherman working mostly on Lake Wisconsin and the Madison chain of lakes. In addition to the dozen or so competitive events each year, and the weekly Team Tuesday bass tournaments, he also takes time to work with the Thursday’s child charity.

Chris operates a 2008 Alumacraft MV1860 Tunnel Boat powered by an Evinrude 90-hp E-TEC engine.

Jason Mazzarisi

Jason, of course, is the lead salesman for Don’s Marine and spends his working days right here on our showroom floor helping others find the boat that’s right for them.

Jason operates a 2006 Alumacraft Tournament Pro 185 Tiller powered by a Yamaha 90-hp engine.

Think you can’t have a nice boat on your lake because rules against gas engines? Think again! Imagine a strolling slowly across your lake in a luxurious Bennington pontoon, powered by a silent, eco-friendly, 2 horse-power Minn Kota E-Drive electric motor. Okay… Stop imaging and come over to talk to us about making it happen.

The E-Drive motor is designed specifically for electric-only lakes and waterways. The 48-volt outboard motor mounts to the transom just like a regular gas motor, and even connects to the standard rigging. Pilot your boat from the comfort of your captain’s chair`using the ultra-responsive electronic throttle controls. Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer technology and real-time battery gauge let you spend hours on the lake with a single charge, and the security of knowing you have enough power to make it back home.

After more than 70 years in the Marine industry, Don’s Marine is no stranger to innovation. We started with the simple carbeurated 2-stroke engines of no more than 20 horse-power, and now work on state-of-the-art electronic multi-port fuel-injected engine exceeding 200 horse-power. The next step is electric, and we’re already doing that.

This summer, Don’s Marine powered and rigged a brand news Bennington 165 EI pontoon with all-electric power.  4 standard marine batteries power the E-Drive, a bow-mount Minn Kota trolling motor, the stereo system, and all the normal electrical features such as the horn and navigation lights.  The 4 batteries sit where the engine housing and fuel tank would normally go, so no special modifications are needed.  The E-Drive is controlled by normal rigging, so no special steering controls are needed.   And just like any other engine, the throttle controls are part of the installation.  With the exception of having batteries where there’s normally a fuel tank, this pontoon is just like any other–with all the comfort and features you’ve come to expect from a Bennington.

If you have an unusual or unique boating situation and are looking for creative solutions, stop in and talk to us. We’re more than happy to put our knowledge and skills to work for you. We’ve had a lifetime on the water; we want you to enjoy the same.

See photos of the electric pontoon in our gallery