Swenson Bros. Marine has been part of Chamberlain since the fall of 1984, when brothers Kevin and Dave Swenson traded their construction business for a half-stall garage on Main Street and started selling Lund boats, Johnson motors, and Spartan trailers. It was a small start — but the right one.
Over the next 38 years, Kevin and his brother Jim built SBM into the shop it is today. The building moved one block closer to the marina, new brands came on board, and the customer base grew — but Kevin's approach never changed: simply take care of your customers and be kind.
In 2022, Kevin and Jim were ready to pass the torch. They sold the business to Benji Hammell — Kevin's son-in-law — and Benji's longtime friend and business partner Joe Aesoph, two guys who'd known each other since middle school wrestling. Benji had always wanted to run a business, went to school for it, and when the opportunity came up within the family, he took it. Joe handles the service side. Between the two of them, the whole operation is covered.
The name didn't change. Neither did much else.
Brothers Kevin and Dave Swenson founded SBM in the fall, transitioning from their construction business. They worked out of a half-stall garage on Main Street in Chamberlain, selling Lund Boats, Johnson Motors, and Spartan Trailers.
Recognized growing demand for Mercury motors and became an authorized Mercury dealer.
Opened a second location in Pierre with an additional business partner, serving the Pierre area's strong hunting and fishing community. The Pierre location was sold in 1994 to refocus on the original Chamberlain dealership.
Moved one block closer to the American Creek Marina — to the current location, which Kevin and Jim built themselves. That same year, Dave Swenson transitioned out and younger brother Jim Swenson joined Kevin as a business partner, a partnership that would last 38 years.
SBM carried a wide range of brands over the decades, including Blue Fin, Bayliner, Ebbtide, Crestliner, Yar-Craft, Skeeter, Premier Pontoons, and Yamaha Motors — always focused on putting the right boat in front of the right customer.
Kevin and Jim began planning for retirement and approached longtime employees Benji Hammell and Joe Aesoph to discuss the future of the business.
SBM was sold in January to Benji Hammell and Joe Aesoph — two friends since middle school wrestling, and exactly the right people to carry it forward. Benji is Kevin's son-in-law; Joe brings years of service expertise. Together they've kept everything that made SBM worth keeping.
Benji and Joe continued the SBM legacy, carrying Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, Premier Pontoons, and Yamaha.
Added Bentley Pontoons to the lineup.
Added Lund Heavy Gauge and Thunder Jet to the lineup.
Added Caymas Boats. Swenson Bros. Marine is now 42 years old and still family owned.
Some of the people working here have been here for decades. That's not an accident — it's what happens when you build a shop people actually want to work at. When you bring your boat in, you're not dealing with whoever got hired last month. You're dealing with people who know this area, know these boats, and have probably seen your exact problem before.
Owner/Sales
Since 2019
Owner/Certified Technician
Since 2021
Service Manager/Certified Technician
Since 1984
Service/Certified Technician
Since 2005
Service
Since 2024
Secretary
Since 2026