Our History
In 1936 Don Steckleberg started Don’s marine, and ran it out of a barn on his farm. In 1974, Don’s daughter and son-in-law, Jane & Steve Manke, bought the business. They moved the company to its new, larger site, and expanded the the products and services they provided.
In the spring of 2007, the business passed on to the third generation. Andy, Mark, and Neil Manke have purchased the company started by their grandfather, and made it part of the larger Manke Enterprises family of companies. The company that started out as one man working from his barn now employs over 25 people and continues to grow every year.
While the products and equipment are state of the art technology, the company’s dedication to service is still based on the simple and demanding standards laid down over 70 years ago.
Why Choose Don’s Marine?
Complete Care: Together with Manke Enterprises, we provide the most comprehensive range of sales and services in the area. When you come to us, you’re coming to a company that offers boats, motors, trailers, boat lifts, docks, dock furniture & accessories, parts, boat accessories, marine electronics, dock and lift installation & removal, boat maintenance and service, summerization, winterization, storage, detailing, and so much more.
Certification: Don’s Marine is proud to be one of the first Marine Industry Certified Dealerships in the country. By achieving Certification, Don’s Marine has demonstrated that we are dedicated to providing our customers with a consistent and positive experience every time they visit our dealership. Customers will know when they see the Marine Industry Certified Dealership logo in our window that we care about their boating experience from purchase to service and beyond.
Commitment: Our job doesn’t stop when you sign the check. It’s just beginning. Before you leave our showroom, we give you a bow-to-stern overview of your new boat, showing you where everything is, what everything does, and how to keep it running its best. Our thorough winterizing, summerizing, and indoor storage keep your boat safe and in top condition. Our parts and service departments are here to answer your questions and help keep your boat running its best. We’re here from your first day on the water to your last–a lifetime on the water.
Customer Satisfaction: Don’s Marine consistently ranks over 95% in customer service surveys. For the past 3 years, we’ve received Bennington Marine’s Customer Satisfaction Award. This award is important to us because it says we’re important to you. This award isn’t given for selling the most boats, making the biggest profit, or attending the most meetings. It’s given for for making the most customers happy. That’s an honor we’re proud to accept. Here’s a sample of what our customers are saying about us.
Communication: The Contact Form and Work Order Request Form on this website allow you to ask for help or request service at your convenience–even if we’re closed. E-mails and requests receive prompt attention, and after-hours messages are checked first thing in the morning. In-person, on the phone, by mail, or via e-mail: you choose which way fits your lifestyle best.
Community: We’re not just a store, we’re a part of the community– both the local community, and the boating community. Our goal isn’t to just sell you a boat, it’s to welcome you into the boating experience. Our quarterly newsletter, the Captain’s Log, keeps you up to date on the large events. Our company blog is regularly updated with news about the boating community and industry, and bits of information about boating in general. Special events throughout the year bring our showroom and our knowledge out to where you are. We also want to hear from you. Tell us your fish stories, send us photos of you out enjoying the water, and we’ll share them with the rest of the community.
Continuity: When you purchase a boat from us, you’re not forgotten once you walk out the door. We’re here to take care of you for the life of your boat, and on into the purchase of your next one. You’re not just another job to finish, you’re someone we know. This is why we’ve been in business for 70 years–and why we expect to be in business for another 70.
Don’s Marine: From your first day on the water until your last; a lifetime on the water.
