Have you ever been to the lake and seen friends fishing together, parents trying to flip their kids off a tube, or families cruising around the lake and thought, I wish that was me? Even if, much like me, you have little to no experience driving or maintaining a boat, a little guidance from a trusted source can go a long way to getting you there.
In Minnesota, that trusted source is Erickson Marine. Founded in 1967 in Hastings, the family-run company specializes in boating sales, service, and storage with an emphasis on quality customer care.
Luke Erickson’s grandparents (Roger and June Erickson), who started the company along with his father Jon, have instilled in him a passion for living life fully on the water.
“It means a lot to me that Erickson Marine was founded by my grandparents and remains a family business today. I grew up loving boating and making life-long memories with family and friends on the water,” Luke says.
How does Erickson Marine do that?
For some people, it’s storing and servicing their boat. Erickson Marine will sell you a great boat, service it when needed, and also store it in the winter. They are a full-service marine dealership with locations in Hastings, MN, along with a sales facility in Tonka Bay on beautiful Lake Minnetonka.
For others, it means helping them buy the right boat to begin with. “The big question I always ask people is, what does a perfect boating day look like for you? Is it your small family going out? Is it taking a couple of your friends and their families out on the water? Is it going to a restaurant? Fishing? Water sports? Is it going to the beach and packing up a cooler?”
Luke says asking those questions helps guide a person towards what they might need or be interested in — something Dan Scardino is very familiar with as well, Erickson Marine’s newest full-time sales associate at their Minnetonka sales location.
And for the people who don’t know how to operate a boat or realize the morning of their big fishing trip that their boat won’t start, Erickson Marine helps with that, too. With four dual-certified mechanics, Erickson Marine offers on-the-spot diagnoses as well as on-the-lake guidance for how to drive your boat.
“An important part of our delivery process is to take customers out on the water with their new boat to make sure they are comfortable with everything. After the delivery, we are also there to support them and answer questions along the way. Our goal is to build long-term relationships with our customers and provide excellent follow-up service.”
And if you’re wondering specifically about boating on Lake Minnetonka, Luke has his favorite spots.
“Truly, one of my favorite parts of the lake to boat on is by Howard’s Point. The bays in that area are a bit calmer, the scenery is still beautiful, and there are a couple of fun little sandbars to enjoy,” he says.
But Luke also acknowledges that the restaurants on Lake Minnetonka — such as Maynards, Fletchers, and others are great spots to stop by when you’re out on the lake enjoying boating with family and friends.
Luke recommends exploring Lake Minnetonka on weekday evenings if you’re new to boating or unfamiliar with your new boat. He says the lake is typically calmer and less busy during the week, allowing for a safe environment to get comfortable on the water.
When asked about his role in the Minnesota boating community, Luke shares, “My main goal for us is to help our customers make great memories by enjoying quality time on their boat with friends and family. As the familiar saying goes, ‘life is better on a boat,’ and I strive to help our customers live their boating season to the fullest.”
Ready to get out on the water? Luke and his team are ready to help: https://www.ericksonmarine.com/