The story of Lancaster County Marine is the story of a small family-owned business that prospered and grew as each family member contributed their skills to the operation.
Dale and Fran Hartman started the business in a garage on Rothsville's Main Street in 1967, and their sons, Dale Jr. and Duane, began helping even before they reached their teen-age years. Dale Jr. started stocking shelves and helping in the showroom, while Duane, being only five, was back in the shop with the service crew. He started back then being a "motor head". Both sons worked part time until high school graduation.
Duane (1967)
Business at the Rothsville, PA address was good, and it wasn't long before the business outgrew its location. So in 1970, we moved to our current location on Route 272 in Akron, PA. This move allowed us more room for further expansion.
Original Showroom (1970-1987)
We have a 25,000 square-foot showroom, featuring an upstairs accessory deck. This facility allows us to keep ALL new and preowned inventories indoors and out of the weather. We have a 12 bay service area and 2 of the few Master Technicians in the whole country with over 69 years combined experience. There is a 10,000 square-foot two-story warehouse/storage facility here on the property that allows us to store boats indoors and keep our preowned inventory out of the weather.
Duane, Dale Jr., Fran, Dale Sr. (1980)
Dale Sr. founded Lancaster County Marine based on his mechanical background. He has been trained in both Mercury and MerCruiser product lines and with 40 years service experience he has maintained the Master Technician status longer than many marine mechanics have been alive.
Fran's secretarial background lended itself well to office management. She is responsible for clerical and bookkeeping duties, boat and trailer registrations and title work and is a PA Notary Public. Most customers arriving around noontime will notice Fran prepares a home-cooked meal to keep our staff cranking.
Dale Jr. graduated from Conestoga Valley High School in 1974, and worked into the current position he now holds, general sales manager. This allowed his father to devote more time to the shop. In addition to management and sales training, he also attended service schools to be able to work in the service department. All of this gives him a full understanding of the entire business, which involves sales and service of boats, motors, trailers, canoes, kayaks, marine supplies and accessories, everything to make boating and water sports fun.
Duane obtained the status of Mercury Marine Certified Technician before graduating from Ephrata High School in 1980. He has been our technician-shop manager since then. Duane received the prestigious Master Technician Award for Mercury and MerCruiser Stern Drives and continues to attain additional technical education, keeping up with the latest technology.
Dale Jr., Dale Sr., Duane - Master Technician Award
Dale Jr.'s daughter, Sarah joined our crew in 2003 after graduating from Conestoga Valley High School. She works in the office with her grandmother, Fran and her father. Sarah designed and maintains our store website and does the computer work for the store. She also helps her grandmother in the office with answering telephones, paperwork and helping customers.
Our family is about working together, to make things happen that will help everyone. We all share knowledge and try to help each other all the time. A family that works together stays together. We are now in our 41st year of business and in our 3rd generation of family.
We strive to continue making your boating fun!
Our Current Facilities (1987-Present)