Across Canada, dealerships have long been the backbone of our industry. They’ve celebrated the highs, weathered the lows, and adapted to every twist in an ever changing market. Ask any dealer what it takes to succeed and you’ll hear the same three things: patience, determination, and above all, a genuine love for the products they sell.

One dealership that embodies all of this is Southwest Marine & Powersports, located in the beautiful beach town of Grand Bend, Ontario. From motorcycles to UTVs to an impressive marine lineup, SMP has earned its reputation as a true one stop shop for powersports and watercraft enthusiasts.

Southwest Marine & Powersports has everything from bikes to gear.

The Southwest Marine & Powersports Experience

As you enter Grand Bend from the north along the scenic Bluewater Highway, the majestic Southwest Marine & Powersports dealership stands proudly on the east side of the road. The main building is a modern, eye catching structure—new, clean, and at first glance, deceptively compact. But much like an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean, looks can be deceiving. Step inside the lobby or showroom and you quickly realize the fun is just beginning.

From the moment you walk in, you feel welcomed. The showroom is packed with motorcycles, UTVs, gear, accessories, and everything a rider could want. And then there are the boats. Multiple models of beautiful watercraft line the showroom floor, from larger leisure boats to nimble two seaters and wave runners. Considering Lake Huron is only a stone’s throw away, it makes perfect sense that SMP is so dialed in on marine products.

Check out the main showroom area at Southwest Marine & Powersports.

Next on our tour was meeting the knowledgeable staff—people who can answer any question about a new bike, a boat, or even how a particular piece of gear works. One standout is Product Specialist Andy Wilson, whom we met last month at the Walton TransCan where he managed SMP’s impressive vendor row display. With a background in motocross and off road riding, Andy’s passion and industry knowledge shine through instantly. Connecting with customers is a key component of any successful dealership, and it’s something SMP’s entire team excels at.

More Than Meets the Eye

The main building is just the beginning. The dealership sits on nine acres, and behind the showroom is a massive service centre and several large climate controlled storage buildings. As I learned during my tour, if you’re going to be a successful marine dealer on the shores of Lake Huron, you must be able to store customers’ boats during the winter. SMP even offers transportation services—moving boats from storage to the marina in the spring and back again in the fall. As you can imagine, this service is extremely popular among their larger watercraft customers.

Jason and his staff are very inviting and they try and make every visit a good one!

Customer service is clearly a pillar of SMP’s success. Touring the property with General Manager Jason Breedon, it became obvious that the team works hard not only to attract new customers but to ensure they return time and time again. After the tour, Jason sat down with us to share his thoughts on what makes SMP thrive.

MXP: Jason, this dealership is impressive. From the highway, the main building really grabs your attention and makes you want to go through the front gate and see what it’s all about. The staff is also friendly and accommodating.

JB: Thank you. We’re very proud of how everything looks. When our owner, Jeffrey Kints, built the new building, he really wanted it to look inviting as you drove by. We also pride ourselves on customer service and making sure that even if it’s your first visit, you feel comfortable.

MXP: Well, Jeffrey did a fantastic job with all of the design and construction. You mentioned you come from an automotive sales background. How did you make the jump to powersports and marine?

JB: I worked at a car dealership for over twenty years and really enjoyed it. About five years ago, I was approached about a position here. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was the right move, but after talking with my wife and a few others, I decided it was the best decision for my family.

MXP: Five years in—any regrets?

JB: None at all.

The service area at Southwest Marine & Powersports is large and professional looking.

MXP: Was the transition difficult?

JB: It wasn’t easy. I had to learn an entirely new product line and customer base. Most people need cars and trucks. People don’t need a boat or a dirt bike—they want them. It’s a different mindset. Leaving my old dealership was tough too; we were like a big family. But I was excited for the new chapter.

MXP: Did you grow up riding?

JB: I did. I grew up riding bikes and being outdoors. My passion for two wheels runs deep. That’s a big reason I accepted this position—I want to see every kid and their parents out riding.

MXP: What are some differences between selling vehicles and selling powersports products?

JB: A car customer usually knows their monthly budget. Here, we have many types of customers—from dirt bike buyers to high end boat buyers. Boat customers often know exactly what they want and what it costs. Everyone wants the best price, but what really matters is the service after the sale. For boats, that includes storage, detailing, and transportation. For dirt bikes, it’s routine maintenance or repairs. Regardless of the product, customers want peace of mind knowing we’ll take care of them.

One of the areas that Southwest Marine & Powersports has several of these large climate controlled storage buildings.

MXP: How does your location affect business?

JB: Grand Bend is a big summer town. The population doubles in the warm months, and marine sales are strong. Once summer ends, things slow down, so we rely heavily on marketing. The town is also growing—new homes and infrastructure projects are underway—which will help year round business.

MXP: The past six years have been volatile—pandemic, tariffs, supply challenges. How have you managed?

JB: Retail is about predicting and reacting to changing patterns. People watch the news and either rush to buy before prices rise or decide not to buy at all. It’s constantly shifting. It’s tough, but that’s the business we’re in.

MXP: You have approximately nine acres here, and almost all of it is used up. Is there anything else you’d like to see done here in the near future?

JB: Good question! One thing that Andy, and I would like to do is add a small riding area on the North side. Nothing crazy, just a small track so customers could test a bike out on, or we could go out and spin a few laps. It just depends on how close the new housing development comes to us. Right now, they’re building phase one, so we’ll see what happens. It would be nice, but that might be more of a dream right now.

MXP: Obviously, you have to focus on the short term and the next season, but looking ahead to the next several years. What do you think the focus will be on?

JB: I do believe the next year or so is going to be challenging when it comes to the economy and the decisions consumers have to make. However, I feel like we’re in a good spot, and as we have during the past six years, we have to adapt and keep moving forward. We’ll also continue to focus on sales, of course, but also continue to excel with our service and storage capabilities. I believe there will be a lot of potential growth in the luxury boat market, so the goal there will be to attract new customers. As I said, we’re living in challenging times, but I feel like as a group here we’ve always found a way to navigate our way through those challenges.

MXP: Well Jason, thank you again for your hospitality. It’s been great getting to tour around Southwest Marine & Powersports, and I definitely look forward to coming back soon.

JB: Yes, thank you for coming in to see what we’re all about. We will be looking forward to your next visit.

Owner Jeffrey Kints and the Southwest Marine & Powersports staff have a great looking dealership.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Southwest Marine & Powersports—and the Grand Bend area—was a great experience. After driving past the dealership countless times during my son’s Silver Stick hockey tournaments, it was a pleasure to finally stop in. Jason and his staff were incredibly welcoming, and seeing the showroom, service area, and storage facilities firsthand was impressive.

This dealership is truly multi faceted in how it serves its customers. Grand Bend is only a two hour drive from most of Southern Ontario, so whether you’re looking for a Yamaha or Honda motorcycle, an ATV or UTV, parts and accessories, or any type of watercraft, it’s worth the trip.

For more information, visit: Southwest Marine + Powersports | Grand Bend Ontario