Mr. Lewis Hewitt, a motor mechanic by trade, together with his wife Gretta started the Company in 1967. He began his boating career in 1956 in Zambia where he represented Rhodesia for 4 years against the Belgian Congo and South Africa. He claimed 2nd in the Rhodesia water ski competition, barefooting in 1958. He returned to South Africa in 1963.He then represented Natal in powerboat racing for many years. He stood 2nd and 3rd in Cape offshore races. He also raced in Berlin and the UK and was placed 3rd in Paris 6 hour race. He completed in the Cowes to Torquay Race as well as around the Isle of White race after returning to South Africa in 1964, Lewis started back in boating from a garage workshop in Durban North. He started the marine business at Killerby’s in Durban and eventually started on his own in 1976. Raced for Mercury, O.M.C and the famous Crescent Outboard motor Company. Held the world speed record for motors of up to 750cc. Successfully raced all over R.S.A at many 6hr races recording many wins. Suffered 2 serious accidents in the powerboat and motorbikes.Raceddirt track on bikes and a Mini Cooper at Roy Hesketh in Natal and was Rally champion for 1 year in Zambia and also raced circuit in Rhodesia. Achieved his Natal Springbok Colour  for powerboat racing.

 

He started the Company Dealership with Yamaha in 1977. All the mechanics on the bench have been trained through the Company and have qualified as Yamaha technicians. Gretta and Lewis’s two sons, Stewart and Russell were weaned on motors and boats and both qualified as outboard mechanics. Russell emigrated with his family in 1999 and has recently set up a marine workshop in New Zealand. Stewart, an instrument technician by trade and a outboard motor mechanic has been through all the courses at Yamaha. He has been with Hewitt Yamaha for 15 years. Stewart, who has achieved his Springbok/Protea colors in Jet Ski racing, has been one of the stalwarts in the Jet Ski fraternity. Currently he 

is a double South 

African champion in the 1200cc class and has just returned from Hungary after racing in the European Formula 1 Jet Ski Championships where he achieved 3rd place overall in Budapest. King of the Surf is one of the titles he has achieved. Yamaha S A sponsored Steward with a GP1200R jet ski in the previous and previous current series. Hewitt Yamaha in renowned as the oldest Yamaha dealer in the country and it is a family operated business servicing the needs of the boating fraternity in Natal. Their service ATD of parts Nationally is one of the best. They also service the Natal Sharks Board. The SA Navy and Defense force outboard, spares and accessory requirements.

 

Hewitt Yamaha have recently been appointed as the South African”Quintex”agency which deals with the famous Australian Aluminium range of boats. They have also recently introduced the world famous”Pro-Pell” propeller guard which increases the HP and safety of motors and is used extensively but South African, New Zealand and Australian lifeguards. A full range has arrived from NZ which we stock, The Company is also assisted by a number of staff who have been in the marine Industry for decades.