You’ve may have heard the ads for the “Boat Wars” going on this weekend. They promise you they’re going to sell more boats than anyone else, that they’ll sell them cheaper than anyone else, that they’ll throw more gimmicks and tricks at you than anyone else.

Is that really what you want? Do you want someone hounding you and pushing you to sign on the dotted line “RIGHT NOW! RIGHT NOW! I’VE GOT MORE BOATS TO SELL!”? In order to sell a lot of boats, they need to push you through fast. They need to put on the pressure and get you to make a major decision without letting you think about it.

What are you getting? If the prices are that low, where are they skimping? Where are the hidden costs? What’s included–or more importantly, what’s not included? When you get home with a boat that you bought “CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!” how disappointed are you going to be when it’s not everything you wanted?

What do you do next? After you’ve signed on the dotted line, handed over your check and the salesman has run off to someone else, what happens next?

At Don’s Marine, we do things differently. We’re here for you, from your first day on the water until the last.

When you walk into our showroom, you’re greeted with a friendly “hello”. We ask how we can help you. We take the time to talk with you about what you’re looking for, how and where you plan on using it, what options you need and which you want. Do you need a day or two to think about it, talk it over with the family, do some research? Take the time.  We want you to be happy with your new boat.

At Don’s Marine, it’s not over when you sign on the dotted line. Your boat will be rigged with the engine and equipment you’ve chosen, it’ll receive a full check-over. It’ll be test-run and detailed. And it’ll be made “Water-Ready“; you’ll have everything you need to get on the water. That includes knowing how to use your new boat. When you come to pick it up, Jason or Andy will walk you through all the details of how to use and maintain your new boat, trailer, and engine. Your questions will be answered, and you’ll head out to the lake knowing what you’re doing. We can’t make you an expert in a hour, but we’ve got an entire lifetime to help you get there.

Don’s Marine has been right here in Lodi for almost 75 years. We’ll be here for the next 75. We stand behind our boats and our services–from your first day on the water until the last.

When Monday morning comes along, where are those other guys going to be?

If you’ve been paying attention to our advertising, you may have noticed 2 phrases that keep appearing over and over:  “A lifetime on the water” and “From your first day on the water until the last”.  What do they mean?  In the 72 years that Don’s Marine has been around, we’ve always operated with the same goals, the same philosophies:  We’re not just here to sell boats, we’re here to make your boating experience great for as long as you’re boating.

A Lifetime on the Water

Don’s Marine has been putting people on the water for 72 years–a lifetime.   Andy, Mark, & Neil grew up in this business.  They’ve been doing it all their lives.    We’re not some discount store that’s just popped up hoping to make a few bucks.  We’re here to stay.  And that means we have to make sure we do things right.  We’re not just here to sell you a boat, we’re here to help you have a lifetime on the water–one that’s safe, exciting, relaxing, and most of all, fun

From your first day on the water…

Buying your first boat can be both exciting and a bit scary.  We understand that.   That’s why we take so much time to make sure that you, as a new boat buyer, understand every aspect of your boat.  We’ll talk with you about what you want in a boat and how you expect to use it.   After you’ve bought your boat, your salesman will walk you through how to use it and how to take care of it.  He’ll show you all the features and controls, show you how to start it, explain how to get the best performance out of it, and make sure that you understand how to properly store it for the winter.

…until the last.

Once you’ve become an experienced boater–or for those of you that already are–we’re here for as long as you’re out on the water.  We’ll help with all the little things you want and need.  Accessories, parts, storage, maintenance, upgrades, repairs, repowers, and trade-ins when you’re ready for a new boat.

When you come to Don’s Marine, you’re getting more that just a boat; you’re getting everything you need to keep you boating for a lifetime.

When you buy a new car, you expect to be able to drive it home. It just makes sense.

When you buy a boat, you should be able to take it right to the water and enjoy it. With most dealers, that’s not the case.

At Don’s Marine, every new boat that leaves the lot is “Water Ready”. What does that mean?

First of all, it means that you understand your new boat and how it works. When you pick up your new boat from Don’s Marine, we don’t just shake your hand and say “have a good time”.   Your salesman takes the time to explain all the features of your boat, from stem to stern.  Hell show you how to start the motor, explain the best way to run it, what maintenance is needed–and why.  He’ll explain what  all the gauges mean, where all the storage spaces are, how to trailer your boat, and how to keep it in top shape.    We have a 19-point checklist to go through with every new boat owner.

Secondly, “Water Ready” means that you have everything you need to start boating the minute you leave the lot.  Every new boat comes with USCG-approved Type-II PDFs (wearable life jackets), a Type-IV (throwable) PFD, dock lines, fenders (bumpers), fender lines, and clips.

To us, buying a boat is more than just a purchase; it’s the start of a lifetime on the water!