Company Information
Our Story
Smart’s Marina, located on beautiful Mazinaw Lake near Cloyne, Ontario — about an hour and a half northeast of Kingston — has been proudly family-owned and operated for over 50 years. Rich in history and tradition, the marina has grown alongside the local community and generations of cottagers who call Mazinaw Lake their summer home.
The property’s story began in the late 1950s, when John and Barb Lester transformed what was once a sawmill into a small lakeside business. Living in a trailer during those early years, they served the growing number of visitors from a simple tent store. As the lake community flourished, they added docks, began selling and servicing boats and motors, and eventually replaced the tent with a charming log building. With the establishment of Bon Echo Provincial Park in the 1960s, demand grew further, and the marina became a vital part of the local boating scene.
In 1974, Jim and Barb Smart purchased the marina, ushering in the first generation of Smart family ownership. They operated it with care and dedication until 1990, when their son Steve and his wife Pauline took the helm. Over the next three decades, Steve and Pauline modernized and expanded the marina — introducing floating docks in 1992, building a larger retail and service facility in 1998, and completing a major two-story addition with expanded service bays and storage in 2007.
Through every change, one thing has remained constant: Smart’s Marina’s commitment to quality, trust, and personalized service. Our success has always been anchored in strong relationships — with our customers, our community, and our team.
And as we look to the future, we’re proud to share that the third generation — James and Letitia Smart and their sons — are in the process of continuing the family tradition of excellence on Mazinaw Lake. Smart’s Marina remains dedicated to delivering the same friendly, dependable service that has defined us for decades, welcoming both longtime friends and new customers for years to come.
