B & E Marine
B & E Marine is a family-owned, full-service marine dealership and marina in Michigan City, Indiana, founded in 1953, selling new and pre-owned boats (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha), providing service, storage, fuel, and dock facilities to recreational boaters across the Lake Michigan region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersMichigan City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What B & E Marine does
B & E Marine is a family-owned, full-service marine dealership and marina founded in 1953 by Ronald Bensz in Michigan City, Indiana, and currently operated by second-generation owners Barry Bensz (Owner/President) and Rod Bensz (Owner/Director of Sales). The business operates from a single waterfront campus spanning more than 100,000 square feet across ten buildings on Trail Creek, with direct access to Lake Michigan and proximity of approximately 38 miles by water to downtown Chicago. Its core offerings include new boat sales (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha Boats), pre-owned and brokerage sales (representing over 50% of unit volume), trade-ins, in-house consumer financing, factory-trained service and repairs, indoor and outdoor seasonal storage, marina slips up to 60 feet, fuel dock operations, a ship's store, and water toy rentals.
The company monetizes through a hybrid model combining one-time unit sales (new boats ranging from approximately $45,000 to over $1 million; pre-owned from approximately $16,500 to $795,000) with recurring service and amenity revenue streams including bottom painting ($540-$1,190 by vessel length), launch fees ($99.50), pump-out services ($15), fuel sales, and storage. Distribution is direct-to-consumer from the Michigan City marina, supported by an experienced multi-decade-tenured sales team, broad digital marketing across boats.com, BoatMart.com, Boat Trader, and social channels, and participation in regional and national boat shows including Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. The dealership carries Brunswick Ambassador Dealer status, Marine Industry 5-Star Certification since inception, and Top 100 Dealer recognition from Boating Industry magazine, and has maintained a 98%+ Customer Satisfaction Index for over 24 consecutive months.
Customer segments are recreational boaters and families across the Lake Michigan region (Chicago, Northwest Indiana, Southwest Michigan) and Great Lakes anglers and cruisers, with a secondary brokerage seller segment. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and event-driven (heavy boat show participation), with no disclosed technology platform, AI/ML capabilities, digital product, or external funding — the business model is operationally intensive rather than technology-driven, and its competitive position rests on waterfront location, brand portfolio, workforce tenure, and ecosystem integration.
B & E Marine firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- B & E Marine
- Legal name
- B&E Marine, Inc.
- Website
- https://bemarine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- B & E Marine is a family-owned, full-service marine dealership and marina in Michigan City, Indiana, founded in 1953, selling new and pre-owned boats (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha), providing service, storage, fuel, and dock facilities to recreational boaters across the Lake Michigan region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
B & E Marine industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Dealership Services
- NAICS
- Boat Dealers (441222), Motorcycle, Boat, and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (44122), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Boat & Personal Watercraft (PWC) Retail (CRAMAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail (CRAMAIAB), Marine Recreation Rentals & Tours Retail Counter (On-site Sales) (CRAMAIAM)
Keywords
Where B & E Marine is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Michigan City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
B & E Marine business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Inventory (Supply Chain), Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- New Boat Sales: Sale of new boats from brands including Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, and Yamaha Boats. New boat sales represent a significant portion of revenue with boats priced from approximately $45,000 to over $1 million.
- Pre-Owned / Brokerage Sales: Over 50% of boat sales are pre-owned. The company operates a full brokerage service for selling customers' boats on consignment, with extensive internet advertising and on-water listing exposure.
- Service and Parts: Full-service maintenance, repairs, winterization, and parts sales. Services include engine tune-ups, inspections, bottom painting, detailing, and fiberglass repair. Dockside pump-out service available for $15 per service.
- Marina Slips and Storage: Private slips up to 60 feet with amenities including drive-up access, fuel docks, pool, laundry, and bathhouse. Indoor heated and cold boat storage, shrink wrapping, and outside storage. Launch fees starting at $99.50 for trailer boats.
- Fuel Sales: 91 octane gasoline, no ethanol, with Valvtect fuel additive sold at the fuel dock. Updated pricing as of 5/29/2026.
- Ship's Store: Retail sale of boating gifts, marine parts (Mercruiser, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler), clothing, water sports equipment, cleaning supplies, and boating hardware.
- Water Toy Rentals: Rentals of Maui Mats, single kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Wateraft floating lounge. Full day rental $75, PM special $60, with $75 security deposit.
- Financing: In-house financing services with dedicated Financial Services representative Janet Ruud. Consumer financing for boat purchases with various term options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | New Boats — entry-level to luxury |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-Owned Boats |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bottom Painting Services |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trailer Boat Launch and Delivery |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dockside Pump-Out |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Water Toy Rentals |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels10 records
B & E Marine product offering
Product offeringCore offering
B & E Marine is a family-owned, full-service marine dealership and marina in Michigan City, Indiana, selling new and pre-owned boats (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha Boats) along with Mercury engines. The dealership operates on a 100,000+ sq ft waterfront campus on Trail Creek offering brokerage, trade-ins, in-house financing, service and repairs, winter and summer storage, fuel dock, transient and private slips up to 60 feet, a ship's store, and water toy rentals under one roof.
Product overview
B&E Marine is a family-owned marine dealership established in 1953, operating as a single-location full-service marina in Michigan City, Indiana. The company offers a unified boat sales and service operation, combining new and pre-owned boat sales (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha Boats, and other brands) with comprehensive marina services including brokerage, trade-ins, financing, repairs, winter storage, fuel, dock slips, and a ship's store. The product portfolio centers on recreational powerboats across categories including bowriders, jet boats, cruisers, yachts, and center consoles, complemented by marine engine sales (Mercury/MerCruiser) and water toy rentals. All services are delivered through one integrated team under one roof on Trail Creek near Lake Michigan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- New Boat Sales Sale of new boats from authorized brands including Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, and Yamaha Boats, with prices ranging from approximately $45,000 to over $1 million. Sales include on-water training and licensing support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98%+ Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) rating maintained for over 24 consecutive months
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use B & E Marine
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
B & E Marine technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
B & E Marine partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sea RaycoreAuthorized dealer for Sea Ray boats — a Brunswick Corporation brand. B&E Marine carries new Sea Ray models including Sundancer cruisers, SDX deck boats, SLX luxury models, and SPX entry-level boats. The dealership is also an NMMA Certified Products dealer for Sea Ray.
- Boston WhalercoreAuthorized dealer for Boston Whaler boats — a Brunswick Corporation brand. B&E Marine carries Boston Whaler models including Montauk, Dauntless, Vantage, Outrage, Realm, Conquest, and Super Sport. The dealership is also an NMMA Certified Products dealer for Boston Whaler.
- NavancoreAuthorized dealer for Navan boats — a premium American-made boat brand. B&E Marine carries Navan S30, C30, and T30 models. Navan is described as a MADE IN THE USA brand, positioning as an American alternative to imported European boat brands.
- Yamaha BoatscoreAuthorized dealer for Yamaha Boats, including jet boats (AR series, SX series, 195S, 252SD, 275 SD, and 295 SD). Yamaha boats feature jet propulsion systems (no exposed propellers) suitable for shallow water and family-friendly boating.
- Mercury / MerCruisercoreDealer for Mercury and MerCruiser engines, including Mercury outboard motors, MerCruiser sterndrives, and Mercury Verado engines. Factory-trained technicians provide service and parts for Mercury products.
- Brunswick CorporationcoreBrunswick Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer of recreational boats and marine engines. B&E Marine has achieved Brunswick Ambassador Dealer status — the highest certification tier. Brunswick brands sold include Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, and Navan. Brunswick's certification program requires meeting over 110 best practice criteria annually.
- National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)minorNMMA is the primary trade association for recreational boat manufacturers, representing approximately 1,450 companies and 80% of marine products used by U.S. boaters. B&E Marine is an NMMA certified products dealer carrying Sea Ray and Boston Whaler, both of which are NMMA certified brands.
- Global Marine Insurance AgencyminorReferral partner for boat insurance. B&E Marine directs customers to Global Marine Insurance Agency for boat insurance quotes, providing a value-added service for customers at the point of sale.
- Vantage Protection SystemminorExtended protection program offered to boat buyers for additional coverage beyond standard warranties. Referenced as a featured service offering.
- Yacht BriteminorProfessional detailing service company operating at B&E Marine. Available upon request for spring detailing services, as noted on the Spring Launch Confirmation Form.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
B & E Marine competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Boat Trader: Largest U.S. online boat listing marketplace used by B&E Marine to distribute pre-owned inventory. Indirect competitor/ecosystem participant in used-boat retail, since digital marketplaces threaten traditional brokerage channels but also extend dealer reach.
Direct peers
- Galati Yacht Sales: Multi-location premium yacht and brokerage dealer on the Gulf Coast, ranked among the top U.S. dealers. Comparable on the premium-sales-plus-brokerage-plus-service model, though operating in a different boating geography.
- Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales: Michigan-based full-service boat dealer with multiple locations, offering new and used boat sales, brokerage, service, storage, and fuel. Directly comparable on geography (Great Lakes), brand portfolio, and integrated marina/dealership model.
- Sail & Ski Center: Texas-based full-line boat dealer carrying Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, and other major brands, with service, storage, and pro-shop operations. Comparable on multi-brand full-service marine retail model, though serving a different regional boating market.
- Walstrom Marine: Northern Michigan boat dealer and marina operator carrying Sea Ray and other major brands, with service, storage, and brokerage. Comparable on Great Lakes recreational boating market, full-service structure, and brand-tier focus.
- MarineMax: Largest recreational boat retailer in the U.S., operating new and pre-owned boat dealerships across multiple regions with full-service marinas. Directly comparable to B&E Marine on business model (sales + service + storage + fuel) and product mix (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Yamaha among key brands).
- Skipper Bud's: Multi-location Great Lakes marine dealer carrying Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Yamaha, and Meridian, with full-service marinas, storage, and brokerage. Closest Midwest geographic peer with overlapping brand portfolio and similar full-service marina operating model.
- Pier 33 Marine: Southwest Michigan marine dealer offering new and pre-owned boats (including Carver, Cruisers, and other brands), full-service marina, storage, and brokerage. Comparable on Great Lakes geography and full-service marina/dealership integration.
Broad incumbents
- Brunswick Corporation: World's largest recreational boat and marine engine manufacturer (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Mercury, Navan). B&E Marine operates as a top-tier Brunswick dealer, making Brunswick both an upstream partner and the dominant industry incumbent shaping dealer economics.
Regional players
- Prince William Marine Sales: Mid-Atlantic marine dealer (Virginia/Maryland) offering new and used boats with service and storage. Comparable on full-service marine dealership structure, but serves a distinct Chesapeake-based boating market rather than the Great Lakes.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
B & E Marine social profiles
Digital presenceB & E Marine financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
B & E Marine leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
B & E Marine funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
B & E Marine M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about B & E Marine
What does B & E Marine do?
B & E Marine is a family-owned, full-service marine dealership and marina in Michigan City, Indiana, selling new and pre-owned boats (Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Navan, Yamaha Boats) along with Mercury engines. The dealership operates on a 100,000+ sq ft waterfront campus on Trail Creek offering brokerage, trade-ins, in-house financing, service and repairs, winter and summer storage, fuel dock, transient and private slips up to 60 feet, a ship's store, and water toy rentals under one roof.
Is B & E Marine a public or private company?
B & E Marine is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was B & E Marine founded?
B & E Marine was founded in 1953. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is B & E Marine based?
B & E Marine is headquartered in Michigan City, United States, in the North America region.
How does B & E Marine make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. New Boat Sales are the primary driver. The others are pre-Owned / Brokerage Sales, service and Parts, marina Slips and Storage, fuel Sales, ship's Store, water Toy Rentals and financing.
Who are B & E Marine's main competitors?
Boat Trader is listed as an others. Direct peers are Galati Yacht Sales, Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales, Sail & Ski Center, Walstrom Marine, MarineMax, Skipper Bud's and Pier 33 Marine. Brunswick Corporation is listed as a broad incumbent. Prince William Marine Sales is listed as a regional player.
Does B & E Marine have an API?
No public API is recorded for B & E Marine.
What industry is B & E Marine in?
B & E Marine's product category is Marine Dealership Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAIAA, Boat & Personal Watercraft (PWC) Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAIAB, Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail. Its NAICS code is 441222 and its SIC code is 3730.