For Steve Dawson, owning a successful boat dealership wasn’t just a business move—it was the next chapter in a lifelong legacy of serving customers with honesty, hard work, and hometown pride. Before there were boats, motors, or fishing rods in the picture, there were mobile homes. Steve’s parents launched their family’s business in 1967, establishing deep roots in Huntsville. That property on Highway 19 in Huntsville remained in the family for over 50 years. Steve grew up in the mobile home business, helping build what became one of the area’s most recognized names. After selling that company in 1998, he spent time in other ventures before finding his way back into business ownership with a new goal in mind: boats.
In 2017, Steve acquired the former Gullo dealership property off Highway 19 and secured a Yamaha franchise. That opportunity was the spark that launched Big D Marine.
“The Yamaha franchise was what really attracted me,” he shares. “It was a solid brand and a good entry point into the marine industry. Once I got in, I realized how strong the boat market really is.”
What started as a single location in Huntsville has grown into a four-location operation—including full dealerships in Huntsville, Conroe, and Hitchcock, as well as a consignment outlet on the I-45 frontage road in Huntsville. Each location plays a unique role in the business, but together they represent a complete, customer-focused marine experience.
The “Big D” in Big D Marine is more than just a catchy name—it’s a tribute. “My dad called our first business Big D Mobile Homes. The ‘D’ was for Dawson,” Steve says. “When I opened this business, it felt right to bring that name back. He had passed by then, but it was a way to honor where we came from.”
That sense of legacy runs deep. From the layout of the showroom to the tone of every customer interaction, Big D Marine isn’t just family-owned—it’s family-driven. Steve’s wife Tricia handles the company’s accounting and oversees their corporate office in Huntsville, where all title work and internal operations are managed. Their son Trey is involved in financing, especially at the Hitchcock and Conroe locations. And Coleman Wyatt, Steve’s stepson, takes the lead on service operations—ensuring customers not only leave with the right product, but also receive the support they need long after the sale.
Big D Marine carries a lineup of boats as diverse as the Texas waters. Whether you’re fishing on a secluded creek, duck hunting in the marsh, or cruising on Lake Conroe, they offer something for every type of boater.
“We’ve been very intentional about the brands we carry,” Steve explains. “We’re not just trying to have the most—we want the best options for the kind of boating people actually do here in Texas.”
While Big D Marine is known for boat sales, many customers come to rely on them even more for their service department. Their facilities in Huntsville and Hitchcock offer full-service maintenance, installations, and repairs on a wide range of marine engines and equipment.
“We service what we sell—and a lot of what we don’t,” Steve says. “If someone buys electronics or a trolling motor online or from another dealer, we’ll install it for them. Our job is to help people stay on the water.”
They handle everything from routine oil changes to complete motor rebuilds and electrical system upgrades. The service team is also trained on the latest trolling motor technology, and Dawson is constantly working to expand what they can offer in-house. “The goal is to do as much as we can for our customers, right here, without sending them somewhere else.”
Boating isn’t the only thing Big D Marine offers. Their locations also carry a wide selection of motorcycles, ATVs, and side-by-sides from brands like Yamaha and Suzuki, as well as WaveRunners, Yamaha’s personal watercraft line.
“This store has been a WaveRunner and motorcycle shop for a long time—even before we took it over,” Steve explains. “We’ve just continued to grow that side of things.” These options provide customers with even more ways to enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s on water, trails, or open road.
From financing and registration to service and upgrades, Big D Marine takes pride in offering a full-circle experience. Whether it’s someone buying their first boat or a longtime customer upgrading their setup, the goal is always the same: treat people right.
“We’ve always worked hard—and that’s what we continue to do,” notes Steve. “We listen to our customers, take care of them, and treat them how we’d want to be treated.” That mindset, combined with years of industry knowledge and a deep commitment to family values, is what sets Big D Marine apart. Whether you’re ready to hit the lake, chase the next trophy bass, or just need a place that knows boats inside and out—Big D Marine is ready to help. After all, they’ve been serving Texas families for generations… and they’re just getting started.
CONROE/MONTGOMERY
17720 Hwy 105 W
Montgomery, TX 77356
936-703-5026
HUNTSVILLE
256 State Hwy 19
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-295-5175
I-45 HUNTSVILLE
740 IH45
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-339-0532
HITCHCOCK
4120 Hwy 6
Hitchcock, TX 77563
409-938-4408
