Marina & Boat Sales Serving Sumter Meares Marine

If you’re shopping for a boat in Sumter, Meares Marine is the closest full-service boat dealer and marina on Lake Marion — just a short drive from Sumter, SC. We’ve been serving boaters in Gamecock City since 2014 from our location at 2058 Lake Shore Drive, Manning, SC — the only boat dealership sitting right on the water.

Unlike dealers who show you boats on a concrete lot, our boats float at our marina, ready for a real test drive on Lake Marion before you buy. Whether you need a new Crest pontoon, a Stingray center console, expert repair work, or a weekend rental, we handle everything in one spot — no running around town.

Sumter

Sumter boaters are practically neighbors — Manning is less than 45 minutes away, making Meares Marine the most accessible on-water boat dealer in the region. If you’re shopping for a pontoon, need engine work done, or want to spend a day on Lake Marion, we’re a short drive down US-378. We serve Sumter, Dalzell, Mayesville, Pinewood, Wedgefield, and surrounding Sumter County communities.

Sumter Fun Fact: Sumter is nicknamed the “Gamecock City” — named after General Thomas Sumter, the Revolutionary War hero the British called “The Fighting Gamecock.” The city is also home to Swan Lake Iris Gardens, the only public park in the United States that has all eight known species of swan.

New & Used Boats — Test Drive on the Water

Our new and used boats aren’t sitting on concrete. They’re floating at our marina, ready for you to take the helm. Customers from Sumter drive out to Manning and love that they can actually test drive before buying — it’s the only way to know you’ve found the right one.

New Boats for Sale

Pontoon Boats

(20 – 26ft) — Michigan-built since 1957, our Excursion and Crest pontoons boats are some of the most popular boats on Lake Marion.
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Pre Owned Boats

Tritoon Boats

High-performance tritoon boats that are fun for families and serious boaters alike.
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Xcursion Tritoon Boats

Stingray Center Console Boats

Versatile fishing and day-cruising center consoles built to perform.

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Crest Pontoon Boats

Quality Pre-Owned Boats

Inspected, tested, and priced right. Ask about current used inventory.
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Stingray Center Console Boats

Load Rite Trailers

Authorized dealer for galvanized and aluminum boat trailers.

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Load Rite Boat Trailers

In-House Financing Available

Through Priority One Financial Services — apply online or in-store.

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MM Why Choose

Why Sumter Boaters Choose Meares Marine

Learn more about Meares Marine on our about page — and discover why boaters from Sumter trust us year after year.

Award-Winning Excellence

Voted Best Boat Dealership and #1 Marina/Repair Shop on Lake Marion by Manning Times and Clarendon County readers.

Personalized Family Service

Patrick and the team treat customers like family — not a ticket number.Patrick and the team treat customers like family — not a ticket number.

Lake Marion Expertise

We live on this lake. We know the water, the fish, and the best spots.

Factory-Certified Technicians

Annual Yamaha certification means you get real expertise, not guesswork.

On-Water Convenience

Everything in one place: sales, service, fuel, storage, rentals, and supplies. Right on Lake Marion.

Everything Sumter Boaters Need In One Place

At Meares Marine, boaters from Sumter have access to a marina with everything on one lake — no hauling boats across town.

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Boat Sales

New and used pontoons, tritoons, and center console boats from Crest, Xcursion, and Stingray. Test drive on Lake Marion before you commit.

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Full-Service Marina

Wet slips, dry storage, dockside fueling, and a fully stocked ship store right on the lake.

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Boat Repair & Service

Factory-trained Yamaha technicians handle everything from engine repairs and electrical work to oil changes and winterization.

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Pontoon Boat Rentals

Half-day and full-day rentals available year-round. Fully fueled and ready to go — perfect for visitors from Sumter.

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Parts & Accessories

Marine parts, safety gear, tubes, towables, and boating essentials at the dockside store.

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Dockside Fueling

Fill up without leaving the water. Extended hours Friday through Sunday.

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Boat Storage

Secure wet slips (18+ available) and dry storage to protect your investment year-round.

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Authorized Dealer

Official Yamaha, Crest, and Load Rite dealer — genuine parts, valid warranties, and certified service.

Frequently Asked Questions from Sumter Boaters

Getting Here & What We Offer

How far is Meares Marine from Sumter?
Meares Marine is located at 2058 Lake Shore Drive, Manning, SC 29102 — right on Lake Marion. Most customers from Sumter make the drive in under an hour, and many say the trip is worth it just for the chance to test drive boats on the water before buying.
What types of boats can Sumter shoppers test drive?
We stock Crest Pontoons (20–26 ft), Xcursion Tritoons, and Stingray Center Console boats. All inventory floats at our marina, so you test drive on real Lake Marion water — not a parking lot. It’s the only way to truly know you’ve found the right boat.
Do you offer financing for Sumter buyers?
Yes. We partner with Priority One Financial Services (P1FS), a Berkshire Hathaway division and the nation’s oldest marine financing company. You can apply online or in-store. We offer flexible terms for new and used boats, making it easy for customers from Sumter to get on the water.
Are you the closest boat dealer to Sumter?
We’re likely the closest full-service boat dealer actually on Lake Marion near Sumter. Our location at Manning gives us fast access from Florence, Orangeburg, Charleston, and Clarendon County. More importantly, we’re the only dealer where you test drive on the lake before buying.

Marina Services & Repairs

What marina services are available at Meares Marine?
Our full-service marina includes 18+ wet slips, dry storage, dockside fueling, a ship store with accessories and safety gear, and boat rentals. The fuel dock runs extended hours Friday through Sunday. It’s everything a boater needs without leaving the lake — conveniently close to Sumter.
Do you do boat repairs for customers from Sumter?
Absolutely. Our factory-trained, Yamaha-certified technicians handle engine repairs, re-powers, electrical work, oil changes, tune-ups, winterization, de-winterization, battery replacement, hull cleaning, and dockside diagnostics. We also perform warranty repairs for Yamaha owners. Call (803) 478-2527 to schedule.
How do I schedule boat service if I'm coming from Sumter?
Call us at (803) 478-2527 or stop by during service hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat 9am–1pm. We’ll assess your boat, schedule a drop-off, and give you a realistic time estimate. Many customers from Sumter drop off boats the evening before — just call ahead to arrange.
Do you rent pontoon boats near Sumter?
Yes! We rent full-size pontoon boats for half-day and full-day periods, year-round. All rentals come fully fueled with life jackets and safety gear included. It’s a great option for visitors from Sumter who want a day on Lake Marion without trailering their own boat. Call (803) 478-2527 for availability.

Marina Services & Repairs

What boat brands does Meares Marine carry?
We’re authorized dealers for Crest Pontoons, Xcursion Tritoons, and Stingray Center Consoles. For engines, we’re a certified Yamaha and Mercury service dealer. We also carry Load Rite boat trailers. Every brand comes with manufacturer warranties backed by our factory-trained technicians.
Do you carry used boats for sale near Sumter?
Yes. Our pre-owned inventory changes regularly. Used boats are inspected and tested by our service team before being listed for sale. Stop by or call (803) 478-2527 to hear about current pre-owned options — or visit our website for the most up-to-date used boat listings.
What's the most popular boat for Lake Marion?
Pontoon and tritoon boats are by far the most popular choice on Lake Marion — and our top sellers. Crest Pontoons are especially in demand for families who want comfort, stability, and performance. We’ll help you match the right boat to how you plan to use the lake.
Can I see your current boat inventory before making the drive from Sumter?
Yes — current inventory is listed on our website. You can also call (803) 478-2527 and our team will walk you through what’s available before you make the trip. We recommend calling ahead during peak season (March through September) when inventory moves fast.

About Meares Marine

How long has Meares Marine been in business?
Meares Marine was founded in 2014 by Patrick Meares and has been serving boaters on Lake Marion for over 10 years. We’ve grown into the area’s most trusted full-service marina and boat dealership — voted Best Boat Dealership and #1 Marina and Boat Repair Shop on Lake Marion by Manning Times readers.
Is Meares Marine family-owned?
Yes. Patrick Meares owns and operates the business day-to-day. That means you get personal service, honest advice, and real accountability — not a call center. When you call (803) 478-2527, you’re talking to someone who knows boats, knows Lake Marion, and genuinely cares about getting your experience right.
What makes Meares Marine different from other boat dealers near Sumter ?
Simple — we’re on the water. Our boats float at our marina on Lake Marion, so you test drive before you buy. We offer sales, service, storage, fuel, and rentals all in one place. No other dealer in the region gives you this combination of water access, authorized service, and family-owned personal attention.

What Our Sumter Customers Say

Read our reviews and see why Meares Marine was voted the #1 boat dealer and marina on Lake Marion.

Contact Meares Marine

Have questions or ready to visit? Contact Meares Marine today—we’re here to help with all your boating needs.

Phone

(803) 478-2527

Address

2058 Lake Shore Drive, Manning, SC 29102

Email

info@mearesmarine.com

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Hours

Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm
Fuel: Extended hours Fri-Sun

Facebook

facebook.com/mearesmarine

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Service Areas

Meares Marine proudly serves boaters throughout the Lake Marion region and beyond. Visit our service areas page to see our coverage. We welcome customers from Clarendon County, Manning, Summerton, Florence County, Orangeburg County, Sumter, Charleston, and all surrounding South Carolina communities.

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Clarendon County

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Florence County

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Charleston

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Orangeburg County

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Sumter

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Lake Marion

And all surrounding South Carolina communities.