Thanks for taking the time to look us up on-line. Proctor Marine Ltd. is a family owned and operated marine store located in southwestern Ontario. We are a little “old fashioned”, and we happen to think that’s a good thing. Our business has operated in the same small town for over 65 years, treating customers like friends and trying hard to do all of the little things right.
We aren’t fancy but we have a well stocked store that’s staffed by family and friends who understand the products that we sell. Our service team is made up of a great group of technicians who have worked with us for years. These guys are factory trained at the highest levels in their field and are known industry wide to be amongst the best in the business.
We sell brand name boats, motors and boating equipment but you can get the same stuff at several other stores. We feel it’s our people and the way that we do things that set us apart from other stores. We try our best to guide customers to the products we feel will work best for them rather than pushing them into what we happen to have in stock. We price our products fairly & ethically and always include freight, prep fees and administration costs in our prices. We develop long term relationships with the vast majority of the customers that we serve.
If life has taught you that where you buy is every bit as important as what you buy, we think you might have found your store and we hope that you will hang up the internet and drive over for a visit. If you are strictly shopping for the lowest advertized price or a “deal of the week”, you have probably already clicked on by now.
We serve Lake Erie boaters from our store in the town of Simcoe.You can find us at:
Proctor Marine Ltd.
487 Queensway Street West
(Highway #3 West)
Simcoe, Ontario
N3Y 4R5
519-426-0653
519-426-3390
Hours
April/November
Mon – Fri : 8:30am – 5:30pm
Sat – 8:30am – 12:30pm
Sun – Closed
We’re boaters too so we are closed long weekends to enjoy some family time.
December/March
Mon – Fri : 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sat – Closed
Sun – Closed
Closed for Christmas and New Years break beginning
December 23, 2022 and re-opening January 9, 2023
Closed Family Day Monday
Our Story
When Mike and Jill Cutting purchased Proctor Marine Ltd. in July of 2022, they bought a business with deep roots in Norfolk County, a company with a rich history.
In 1951 Don Proctor opened a modest shop just west of town on a lot shared with 5 cabins at the Proctor’s Motel. Don got his start selling Evinrude outboards and Honda scooters. Later came Peterborough skiffs and Chris Craft kit boats.
Sales were strong, and the business grew. A more prominent location was needed, and the business moved across the street where Proctor’s dad Cecil raised a few mink. The business blossomed, and more boat brands were added. Starcraft aluminum boats came to Canada in 1959, and Proctor was one of the first dealerships on board. Traveler fiberglass boats were also sold alongside Chris Craft and Shepherd cruisers. Lawn Boy lawnmowers were offered as well as snowmobiles by SnowCruiser. The operation grew, and the building was expanded. Then additional outbuildings were added.
In 1973 Don found a business partner in Jim Heighington. Jim had worked in the marine business since high school, starting as a fledgling outboard mechanic at Leatherdale Tire Shop in his hometown of Orillia. He was at the time managing General Marine in London. When the opportunity arose to partner with Don Proctor, Jim moved his wife Donna and four boys to Simcoe.
The well-established business flourished under the couple’s ambitious, hard work. Jim’s solid work ethic and honesty quickly earned the local community’s trust and respect. Many loyal customers from General Marine in London followed Jim to Simcoe.
As Jim grew the business rapidly, still more expansion became necessary. The late 70s saw the development of the service department, and in the early 90s, a new boat showroom was constructed. As Jim and Donna’s sons grew, so did the business. Over about 20 years, each of the four boys came to work for the family business. Boat brands came and went, but the family’s core focus never changed, and the hard work paid off.
When Jim and Donna were ready to step back, they sold the business to their four sons, who carried on the family tradition with a small, tight-knit staff of family and good friends. Never wavering from the long-held family tradition of working passionately and treating customers fairly and honestly,
When the surviving Heighington brothers were ready to retire, they found the perfect successors in Mike & Jill Cutting. Both born into local boating families with entrepreneurial backgrounds and residing in Norfolk County, the Cuttings make the ideal fit to carry on the legacy that began over 70 years ago by Donald Proctor.
Over the years, Proctor Marine Ltd. has been honored with various awards from key suppliers for their strong position in the marine industry in Ontario.
The Crew
Click on one of the crew members to find out more about them and their role at Proctor Marine.
