22 Pontoon^ & Deck Boat March^2018 http://www.pdbmagazine.com
Improvements
Heading into the couple’s second pontoon
there were really only two things they were
adamant about changing. First, they were
ready to ditch marine carpet in favor of vinyl
flooring, which seems to be a common trend
these days. The other required upgrade
is the new pontoon had to have more
horsepower. During the shopping process
they found other upgrades they liked too
and wanted to make sure were on their next
boat. Although extremely happy with their
current Bennington that includes a Kicker
stereo system, Yamaha 115hp four-stroke
outboard and a ski/tow pylon, if they were
to do it again there is just one change they
would make.
“I wish we would have gone with the
Blackout Edition rail package,” says Ron.
“I’ve seen it since we bought this pontoon
and love the look, but really that’s all I
would change.”
With the PWR-ARM Automatic Bimini
Top and the mood lighting on the speakers
and throughout the boat, the Siemers feel as
if their Bennington were custom-built just
for them.
“Bennington takes customer suggestions
to heart and its boats have improved a lot
over the years,” says Jeannette. “And with
the queen’s chaise lounge with footrest
directly across from the helm, I knew I had
found my place on the boat.”Regular Passengers
Their two dogs, Max and Sox, are
regulars onboard, with Sox being named
after their favorite baseball team, the
Chicago White Sox. And even though they
live in Wisconsin and are surrounded by
rival fans, the couple has remained loyal
to their favorite football team, the Chicago
Bears.
“Oh yeah, we’re Bear fans and nothing
could ever change that,” says Ron. “We fly
our flag even though we’re surrounded by
Viking and Packer fans here.”Loyalty
The couple’s loyalty goes well beyond
their favorite sports teams and their decision
to go with another Bennington. Prior to
buying their first pontoon in 2007, the
couple used to rent from Hayward Power
Sports, a family-owned business that’s not
too far from Round Lake.
“We continue to do business withHayward Power Sports because they’re
customer friendly,” says Jeannette. “We’ve
not only bought both Benningtons from them
but four of five snowmobiles, a Jon boat and
two Jet Skis.”Seeing The Sights
Round Lake is approximately 3,400
acres with many home owners on the lake
like the Siemers who are full-time residents,
although there are plenty of vacation homes
too.
“We have neighbors from Madison,
Milwaukee, Illinois and the Twin Cities,”
explains Ron. “There are definitely more
transplants than natives on this lake.”
Props Landing Waterfront Grille, DJ’s
Dock, as well as Lakeview Pizza are some
of the options for food on Round Lake and
this is also where the first Famous Dave’s
Restaurant was located. Dave Anderson
opened his first Famous Dave’s rib shack in
Hayward in 1994. Soon after, the company
was serving thousands of meals a week in
this northwestern Wisconsin town of 1,800.
Famous Dave’s said this location, on the
grounds of the Grand Pine Resort and on the
shore of Round Lake, had been particularly
popular with tourists and was one of the
most photographed restaurants in Wisconsin.
Sadly in 2014 it burned to the ground early
one November morning and was completely
destroyed, but the locals still talk about the
iconic building with a lot of fond memories.
“Hayward has a lot to offer year-round
including cross-country skiing, mountain
bike riding, boating and as far as fishing
goes, this really is the Musky capital of the
world,” boasts Ron.
Loyalty runs deep for the Siemers and
it continues to pay off, especially with their
Bennington dealer.
“We’ve really developed a long-lasting
friendship with Hayward Power Sports
and we’ve enjoyed watching them grow as
a family over the years,” says Jeannette.
“They take good care of us like they do all
of their customers and what more could you
ask for?”
The couple have no immediate plans to
buy another pontoon, yet they are confident
that when that time does come again they’ll
remain loyal to Bennington because other
than “self-inflicted” problems as Ron likes
to put it—like dinging up his prop—he
hasn’t had any problems with his new
pontoon. And that alone speaks loudly to
why they remain loyal to this manufacturer.