Reviews: Portsmouth Boating Center

Reviews Summary

The reviews for Portsmouth Boating Center (PBC) highlight several key points:

1. Fuel Prices: PBC is praised for offering the best diesel fuel prices in the area at $2.99 per gallon, with high-speed pumps that facilitate quick refueling.

2. Service Quality: The owner, Mike Davis, is frequently mentioned for his integrity, professionalism, and extensive knowledge. Reviewers appreciate his willingness to accommodate last-minute requests and provide excellent service, particularly in repairs.

3. Facilities: The marina is described as a working yard with fixed docks and back-in slips. While it may not have luxurious amenities, it is considered a reliable option for boat storage and repairs. The area is well-protected, although some reviewers note challenges with wind conditions and dock design.

4. Overall Experience: Customers express high satisfaction with the friendly and respectful service from Mike and his crew, making PBC their preferred marina in Virginia. The pricing is viewed as fair given the quality of service provided.

5. Considerations: Some practical advice is offered regarding docking techniques, especially in windy conditions, and potential issues with dock fendering at low tide.

Overall, PBC is recommended for its competitive fuel prices, excellent service, and reliable repair capabilities, despite being primarily a repair yard rather than a luxury marina.

Reviewed by: Gary Miller , Lady Barbara, on Jul 5, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 76'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 4

Stopped for diesel on 5-18-25, $2.99 gal. best price in area.

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Reviewed by: Amy SPENCER , Jessica Grace, on Jun 1, 2025
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Last minute, end of day reservations, since we were unable to find space at free dock or good holding at hospital point anchorage. They happily put us in a slip for the night and made sure we were secure on their fixed docks. Reasonable price.
Also discount on diesel fuel over 100 gal was an amazing $2.99/gal price. Free pumpout. Expect a no frills work yard, boat storage and seasonal wet slip. Great Plan B for us.

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Reviewed by: Morgan Nelson on Jan 9, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 17.0'

Rating: 5

PBC has the best diesel fuel prices and high -speed fuel pumps which make for a quick convenient stop for our 50' Sportfish before starting down the ICW. The owner, Mike Davis, has many years of experience and tons of knowledge and integrity so we have been going to Portsmouth Boating Center for many years for our fueling and repair needs. Open 7 days a week.

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Reviewed by: David Toms , SV TomTom, on Nov 11, 2020
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 5.5'

Rating: 5

Superb, friendly and professional service with a 70-ton lift. Mike Davis is outstanding, as he took us in on short notice, and worked really hard to fix the cutlass bearing on our sailboat. The marina is so-so, but it's really a working yard. Pricing is very attractive, given the value they provide.

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Reviewed by: William Anderson on Jun 24, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 29'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 5

The portsmouth Boating Center is an Awesome place. Mike Davis has integrity which matches no other. And the work provided by him and his crew is strictly phenomenal!! They are kind, respectful, knowledgeable, and will do their very best to provide an experience second to none! All this and their price is fair as well. For these reasons they are forever my go to marina in VA!!!

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Reviewed by: John Rockwell on Apr 29, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

This is mostly a repair yard. This is a very well protected area up Scott's Creek. It is however open to a stiff northwest breeze that could pin a single screw boat to the gas dock. Use of a spring line solves the problem, so brush up on spring line theory.

These are fixed piers with back in slips. Get your lines ready and its manageable for a first timer with a south wind..

Problems with a northerly -- The gas dock fender pilings have rubber fenders that do not go down to the water at low tide. If you have a low rail, your rail is hitting the pilings but the fender system is sticking out another six inches (in my case it resulted in my hand rail beating against the dock taking the force of the NW breeze.)

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