Bennetts Marine Sales & Service
# 21 Bennett Road off of Highway#641 Keewatin, ON, Canada

So for the last 3 weekend, Garry, Roddy, Ty, Scotty, Mark and I have been working on a new little plowing project. Got given this little Suzuki Samuri, Ty and I checked it over and got her running and cleaned up. Mark found an old blade lying in the bush and got it for free, and the boys dragged it over to the shop. Garry and Scotty fabbed and welded up a mount on the little Suzi for the blade and lift winch. Roddy and I wired everything up, put on some decals and finished th...e roof so it is like a mini truck. Works good and only weighs 2100lbs, this weight will let us start our ice roads a little sooner, and it certainly warmer than when we would plow with the ATV’s. Good job boys, thanks for all the input and help, this little project was a lot of fun to build.

And this week the Black Fox Construction crew is getting to their island job site safely. Good job guys.

Last week we got asked to give the guys from Black Fox Construction some operational and safety training of there new to them and refurbished airboat. Sean and Matt did an awesome job and caught on fast to the crafts handling, attitude and personality. Spent a few hours in Keewatin bay getting used to it.

We are Closed tomorrow, Rememberance Day, November 11/20 for the day out of respect for those who sacrificed for our Freedom.

It dock day. Finally the wind has died and Tyson Bennett, Rick Wyder, Logan Mahaffy, Scott Bailey, Garry and I can move all our Marina docks and 28 other customers docks as well. Good crew today. A little snow but not that cold, but still to early for this kinda weather.

Six guys and two barges killed it today. On the water all day called it a day at 6:30pm, only 2 docks left to do on our lake and 2 to do on Sandy Lake. Was sure nice for all the guys to come back to home base to a nice warm fire going in the fireplace and a hot supper, thanks a bunch Norie Bennett, you’re the best!

Up the Winnipeg River at Myrtle Rapids winterizing a couple of docks. Water level is really low but come spring it could be up 8ft. On the way up we stopped in to see a new dock construction being built by Shoreline Docks, and we visited with those family members for a few minutes. Good job guys, all the family relatives working hard on the river today were making happy customers.

Logan Mahaffy brings in another pontoon to the launch on Lake of the Woods on this cold day. Haul her to the shop, for winterizing, shrinkwrap and storage. We’re getting to look after more and more pontoons every year.

Got another shop truck early this summer and we put on a new BOSS 9ft 2in poly V blade this week. This is our 5th plowtruck in our fleet ready for plowing season. Thanks Uncle Rick Wyder for all the help this week. We don’t want to much snow yet, stil got boats coming in to winterized a shrinkwrap for storage.

Logan Mahaffy brings in another pontoon to the launch on Lake of the Woods on this cold day. Haul her to the shop, for winterizing, shrinkwrap and storage. We’re getting to look after more and more pontoons every year.

Some times you get asked to help with the odd jobs. This one was a challenge for sure. Together with Dave Lockie from Frontier Construction we both combined our resources to pull a cottagers broken mini excavator about 750ft to the shoreline of island. She was a challenge as tracks wouldn’t move and we had rough terrain to get to the shoreline. I’ll plow an ice road in and once ice is thick enough we’ll load it on my deck trailer and haul it in the Kenora for major repair. Get’r done

Never had to do this before, but we got the job done. Customers wanted their big Tooner shrinkwrapped, so that’s what we did. Another one done....

SOLD SOLD SOLD!!!!!! SELLING FOR ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS 2008 Legend Bowrider (Fish &ski) 18ft, w/ 2007 Merc 90 EFI and trailer. Nice and clean, looked after.... One small nick in the skeg and a small rub on the prop. $18,000 OBO We have the unit in our yard, dont hesitate to contact if more info needed (807)543-2163 See more

And so it has started. Last Wednesday we got all of our winterization supplies, shrinkwrap, 2 barrels of -100 RV Antifreeze etc. and the boys, Tyson Bennett and Logan Mahaffy, got right at it. By the time we get finished up shrink-wrapping everything usually mid November they should be a muscle bound beef cakes...lol, or a lean mean Shrink wrapn machines Good job boys

Not a good day for this customer. In a tournament and it just stopped running. Got it started and limped her home at a fast idle and she died at the docks. They called us concerned as they are entered in the One Man Lake Walleye Classic this coming weekend, so we told them to get it here ASAP and wed look at it. Not good news, 2 blown cylinders, time to go shopping for a new one boys, and hurry up, you only got 3 1/2 days so we can get her back in the water for you.

A good night out for Wanda Marshall and her #23 Camaro Street Stock dirt race car. She and her car keep getting better every time out on the track. Wanda does most of the work on her own car outside (not in a shop or a garage) and is so humble and never wants to impose on anyone for some help, and is alway trying her best and tuning and tweaking her car for better results. So, after she left the race track last night some of us guys stole her car, loaded it up on my trailer and I hauled it to our Marina shop so she and a couple of of the guys can work on it inside and be ready for the last race of the season Sept 13th. Always happy to support the racers,especially the ladies!

Towing in another broken one .....

Our dock stairs/ladders have finally arrived, a little late due to COVID19. There were some folks waiting for their arrival.

Working on something differant this weekend. Some of us guys are getting together and are going to help out Wanda Marshall and her #23w dirt track Camaro.

FOR SALE - 1999 Lund Pike 16ft with a 1999 Merc 50hp/4stroke and a Ezloader bunk trailer, fish finder and a trolling motor included. Nice shape, new flooring, carpet etc. $9995.00 OBO

Beautiful day in the office. Doing some barging on the Winnipeg River this morning.

For Sale- good little boat & motor 1981 16ft Sea Raider, bowfrider, fibreglass hull, with a Mariner 80hp w/ trim&tilt. No top just a mooring cover. In good condition, the owner had reconditioned the boat (interior, floor, transom etc.) by a good shop in Kenora a number of years ago but then the unit was hardly used. The outside finish is a little faded and chalky, but would be a good little starter boat for some folks.... $3750.00 OBO WE HAVE THE UNIT IN OUR SHOP YARD

Another beauty dock built by my brother inlaw Garry and Scotty on the Winnipeg River. The Shoreline Dock boys are on a roll, nice work guys. Anyone looking for dock construction call the Marina and we can get you contact info for Garry or Scotty.

Yep, customer got this new to him boat. Brings it down to the lake for the first time in the middle of June, and tells us it was a really good deal , EBay, out of Iowa..... Okeyyyyy....... Its in the shop this week, not running good and he hears strange noises. Cant be anything major , right?... Blown gimbal bearing, u-joints, and bellows are torn. Leaking gear oil and is overheating, and baffles in exhaust collector have fallen apart and worn a hole in it and the collector now leaks water into boat. $$$$$$$$$ feal bad as these folks got bent over on this purchase!

And they wondered why it wont run....

And they wondered why it won’t run....

Ok, ok, enough with the rain Ma Nature. Lulu Lake has gone up 12 since Sunday evening, and forecast is for more on Wednesday. Up and over the last 8ft of our launch ramp, gotta wear rubber boots to load and unload boats. Lots of debris floating around so boaters be cautious.

Crazy weather. Lots of thunder, lightning and 3.8 of rain last night, even tornado warnings. Couple of sunk boats we raised this morning, and a few we saved from sinking. While we were going down the lake we spotted boats at cottage docks sitting very low in the water so we pumped them out with our big gas pump. For sure they would have been sunk tomorrow morning as we got hammered again tonight, more thunder, lightning and a down pour, with more tornado warnings. Crazy weather for sure!

Well my boy, Tyson Lake Bennett, is officially a Ontario licenced Small Powered Technology Mechanic. His certificate came in the mail a few weeks ago. Now if we can get this COVID issue resolved Ty can go to trade school for 10weeks in North Bay again and get Marine Tech added on, to become a licenced Marine & Small Power Technology Mechanic. Your Mom and I are Proud of you son, there are not to many of us in our trade that are licenced by the Province. I got mine in March of 1982, and you have yours April 2020.

Little cousins rode their bikes over to the shop this afternoon for a visit. Young curious minds at work, why? Who? Where? and What is this? Josie and Lucas turning the gantry into a adjustable height swing. Yes Tyson was there to supervise and to make there were no accidents. They stayed for a bit, I fixed Lucass bike and off they went. Love their visits.

Officially been open to the public and recreational boaters for 4 minutes this fine May long weekend Saturday morning. Our Office hrs are: Monday thru Friday 8:30-5:00 Saturday 9:00 - 2:00 Sunday CLOSED

This May long weekend just keeps on getting better!!! As of Midnight tonight (May 15th 2020) the Ministry of Natural Resources has lifted the RFZ (Restricted Fire Zone). Campfires, fire pits etc. will be allowed starting Saturday. Please be safe out there.

Well I guess well be able to turn on the OPEN sign Saturday morning and change to summer hrs, as restrictions for Marinas will be lifted and as of 12:01 Saturday morning we can be open to recreational boating public. None of the local Marinas in the area were not expecting this to happen this soon, so please be patient as we all are just swamped with requests to get boat ready and in the water. The governmental restrictions can change over night, but the amount of work the ...Marinas now have to do does not happen over night. 2/3rds of our docks are hooked up and ready to use. The other 1/3 are in the process of being replaced. 10 new docks are built and we were in the process of installing the floatation, but had to stop and get some boats ready to hit the water for this long weekend. The parking lot quite full, we still have almost 100 boats in the yard so car parking will be a little unorganized for a couple more weeks at least. Also got a load (4200 litres) of fresh NON ETHANOL PREMIUM fuel yesterday, and we got another load of SADIE SPRINGS DRINKING WATER, and tomorrow Norie is picking up some Ice. This should help us all get thru this extremely differant May long weekend. REMEBER THAT WE ALL STILL HAVE TO ADHERE TO PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES, and PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. Lets have a healthy and safe opening long weekend and continue to somewhat get back to normal.

Well I guess we’ll be able to turn on the OPEN sign Saturday morning and change to summer hrs, as restrictions for Marinas will be lifted and as of 12:01 Saturday morning we can be open to recreational boating public. None of the local Marinas in the area were not expecting this to happen this soon, so please be patient as we all are just swamped with requests to get boat ready and in the water. The governmental restrictions can change over night, but the amount of work the ...Marinas now have to do does not happen over night. 2/3rds of our docks are hooked up and ready to use. The other 1/3 are in the process of being replaced. 10 new docks are built and we were in the process of installing the floatation, but had to stop and get some boats ready to hit the water for this long weekend. The parking lot quite full, we still have almost 100 boats in the yard so car parking will be a little unorganized for a couple more weeks at least. Also got a load (4200 litres) of fresh NON ETHANOL PREMIUM fuel yesterday, and we got another load of SADIE SPRINGS DRINKING WATER, and tomorrow Norie is picking up some Ice. This should help us all get thru this extremely differant May long weekend. REMEBER THAT WE ALL STILL HAVE TO ADHERE TO PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES, and PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. Let’s have a healthy and safe opening long weekend and continue to somewhat get back to normal.

Here is the amended section from the Government of Ontario, List of Essential Workplaces - Marinas (section 5): 1. Marinas must ensure that only the following services are provided: 1. Repairing or servicing boats or other watercraft. 2. Placing boats or other watercraft in the water to be secured to a dock until the marina is open to the public. 3. Any other services that may be required to: ... i. enable individuals to access their place of residence or their other property, ii. support government operations or services, or iii. support the transportation of items by commercial barges. 2. Marinas cannot be used for recreational boating purposes, except as described above in paragraphs 1 and 2. GOOD MORNING FOLKS, As of late yestersday these are the AMENDED RESTRICTIONS, note 3i - states access to other property. We are very busy and did not antisipate these changes until later this month, SO PLEASE BE PATIENT. Thanks, the Bennetts

Monday May 11th, shes chilly out on the water this morning -5c, what the hell....

Monday May 11th, she’s chilly out on the water this morning -5c, what the hell....

Ty painted this lawn tractor as a special request for one of our good neighbour Dick Tolton. Apparently all his wife Pat has been asking for many years is a PINK Tractor. Well today we delivered it for her Mothers Day gift as well as their 45th Wedding Anniversary. Her reaction was priceless!!!

Out to the Manitoba border this morning to meet a new pontoon customer and good friend Gerry Brabant. Hauling his pontoon the rest of the way in Ontario to our place. Just being COVID19 Cautious.

SOME COVID19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATES AS OF LATE THIS MORNING. Under MARINA'S - we can now do a little more work. Boats and watercraft can be dewinterized serviced and put in the water and tied to MARINA DOCKS ONLY and NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BOATS MUST STAY AT MARINA DOCKS UNTIL PUBLIC ACCESS IS ALLOWED BY THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO....Continue reading

SOME COVID19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATES AS OF LATE THIS MORNING. Under MARINAS - we can now do a little more work. Boats and watercraft can be dewinterized serviced and put in the water and tied to MARINA DOCKS ONLY and NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BOATS MUST STAY AT MARINA DOCKS UNTIL PUBLIC ACCESS IS ALLOWED BY THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO....Continue reading

We (Bennetts Marine Service) fall under this restriction. We dont make the rules, just try to follow them to the best of our ability to help curb the spread of the COVID19 Virus. There are heavy penalties in place for individuals and businesses who do not follow. Trust me, we dont like it either, and we are monitoring governmental restrictions daily for changes.... This might slow down the phone calls, messages and emails we have been getting requesting boats to be readied and in the water for use. ANSWER is - at this time NO.

We (Bennett's Marine Service) fall under this restriction. We don't make the rules, just try to follow them to the best of our ability to help curb the spread of the COVID19 Virus. There are heavy penalties in place for individuals and businesses who do not follow. Trust me, we don't like it either, and we are monitoring governmental restrictions daily for changes.... This might slow down the phone calls, messages and emails we have been getting requesting boats to be readied and in the water for use. ANSWER is - at this time NO.

Making dock hardware and corners for our new docks today, since we have some COVID time...lol

New docking project for our docking customers. Phase1 started last year, but we didnt get as much done as we wanted. Phase2 underway early already, not to many folks around due to Coronavirus Health Precautions. Ty and I will keep banging them together and out the door and hopefully well have them all done and ready for ice out.... Swinging hammers and Screw guns instead of wrenches!

Good weekend in Beausejour Manitoba with our MPH Race Team Racing snowmobiles, now back home to the peace and quite of the lake.

New docking project for our docking customers. Phase1 started last year, but we didn’t get as much done as we wanted. Phase2 underway early already, not to many folks around due to Coronavirus Health Precautions. Ty and I will keep banging them together and out the door and hopefully we’ll have them all done and ready for ice out.... Swinging hammers and Screw guns instead of wrenches!

Checked last Friday morning and we had 32 of ice on the road and the pad area in front of the cottage where the truck has to sit to off load the propane. Friday at noon the job was done. Happy customer.

They want 32 of ice, so well make 32 of ice. Well do a little flooding the next couple nights, forecast is for -20c should work.

Now this is a Chainsaw! Thanks Dave David Lockie of Frontier Construction for lending it to us so we could check a few more spots for ice thickness. Our Ice roads on Lulu Lake have 32 of ice, but this pad area which should have more ice only has 28-29, and some of the bigger trucks want 32.

Me and my wingman Ozzieboy in the snow plow, kept me company all day. Took snacks, treats and drinks for both of us, he enjoyed the ride and the scenery. The only thing is he got to have a couple naps and I couldnt ...lol Such a good lil puppy.

They want 32 of ice, so we’ll make 32 of ice. We’ll do a little flooding the next couple nights, forecast is for -20c should work.

Yesterday was a fun day at the "Stay in Kenora" Vintage Enduro Races at the Lake of the Woods Speedway. Woke up to -31c but that didnt deter Travis, Elizabeth and Tyson, as they were eager to have some fun and run some of the old sleds from Tys ever growing collection. Elizabeth was up first on a 1977 Polaris SS340, she ran one 5 lap heat race and then the 20 lap final. Beth did a great job, and you could tell she had got some coaching from Travis and all the family, as she...Continue reading

Photo of the day - MPH Racing at World Championship Derby Complex 2020

Brother in Law Garry sent me this photo of me working on his sled and not enjoying it to much. The manufactures sure don’t make it easy as the engine is sure shoehorned in the chassis. Frustration... but Patients prevailed! Rebuild the engine then put it back in chassis, hope it goes better!

On the ice. Ice Road on Lulu Lake is in, 75ft - 90ft wide, from Marina around the south side of Indian Island, then over to Pincushion Point, then down to the cliffs (for the rock/ice climbers).

We think this is the last boat to shrinkwrap, but we though we were done 3weeks ago, then we ended up getting 7 more boats in that we weren’t expecting in the last three weeks. Ice on all the lakes in the area now so there better not be any boats in the water now....lol

Got to give a big shout out and thank you to Michel Piche, a good friend and customer of ours. Yesterday he came down from Winnipeg and brought us a great lunch with dessert, and there was enough that we had leftovers for today lunch. Was yummy, thank you Michel, the boys are all fed up now.....lol Now back too work!!!

Today was Dock day, try and get them all moved before ice in. We missed brother in-law Garry and Uncle Rick Wyder for this,but they are tending to more important matters for the family. Good job guys!

Now that was a lotta work.

Long weekend but we’re still at it. Ty, Garry, uncle Rick Wyder and I started yesterday servicing and readying our trucks for the winter plow season. Back to boats on Tuesday morning.

Wow what a week, rain, rain and more rain. Got 2 1/4 of rain yesterday and so far today and Lulu Lake came up 2 last night. Since the beginning of Sept it has come up 18 1/2s the highest I have ever seen it, beating the high water mark of June of 2017, and it still raining off and on and probably come up a little more yet. Sure makes it hard putting boats away, can’t even get in one side of our storage yard. So wet Ty sunk the pontoon trailer a ft. and got his truck stuck ...as well. Had to pull the his truck, the trailer and pontoon boat out with the tractor. NOT FUN... Next weeks forecast looks a little better! See more

Wednesday in my office...

We had the best looking Captain running our barge today, my beautiful niece Jade Thorsteinson. Good job Jadie in keeping that crew of men in order.

Fridays job in the rain. Two new Docks & Lifts docks and a ramp way towed down the lake to customers and hooked up. Looks good.

Yep, they’re still hitting rocks out there, ouch!..

Pickup, Winterized, Shrinkwrap and put in Storage... and repeat...and repeat... Fall season seems to have started early!

Hauling in another pontoon from Minaki. Already have a dozen units in for storage, sure seems early.

Lulu found a new comfy bed in the shop... Happy Dog.

Got back from Brainerd Minnesota late last night, and a flying trip into Winnipeg this evening to pickup a good used flat deck for one of our shop trucks. Little Caesars pizza on the road home!

Ty and I towing in another dead one, last job of the day, NOT! Lol

Ty had a couple nice little jobs on the lake this morning. Our little 25ft pontoon barge always comes in handy for different job and is trailerable to other lakes.

2 1/2 hr drive up to Ear Falls early this morning to do a Insurance Marine Survey on this houseboat going in on Lac Seul. Nice job reskinning and welding the pontoons Welder Clint. Every day is something different to do...