| Petzold’s is a family- run business started in 1945 by William Sr. and Agnes Petzold. They started out by selling out-board motors and small rowboats on Route 66 in Portland Connecticut out of the basement of their home. Bill Sr. worked in the aircraft industry for many years, and he repaired out-boards and small boats on the side, and he eventually hired a boat builder, while he continued to work at the aircraft company. The first out-board motors he sold were Martin & Champion and Evinrude. As time went, they built a separate store and shop to accommodate the larger boats they sold. Out-board boats were built up to 25ft. At that time, he started buying factory- built boats. The first one was the Tomahawk brand 12-16ft wood runabouts and this is when Agnes gave up her job as a school teacher to run the office. As the business grew, new boat brands were added to the company. Among them were Trojan, Pembroke, and Owens. It became difficult to service and transport them to the water from the highway location. So in 1959, Bill Sr. decided to buy 7-acres of land, which was the former Gildersleeve Shipyard. The land had been vacant since 1930 and no buildings stood there.In 1966, we transferred everything to a new location in Portland. A few years later, the company discontinued out-board sales and service. The new land was graded and prepared for a new travel lift well to be built and, the first storage shed was 40ft by 100ft and a small workshop was built. As time went on, the original shed was expanded and the show room and more storage buildings were built. In addition, two more travel lift wells were added. Petzold’s now has a 15-ton, 35-ton and 55-ton travel lifts capable of hauling boats up to 70 ft. We offer full service with our own mechanical, fiberglass and canvas departments. We also have the largest discount marine store in the area. We have storage for over 300 boats both inside and out. Petzold’s is one of New England’s largest boat dealers, representing some of the finest new boats in the industry, including Silverton, Mainship, Ocean, Back Cove and Sabre. Petzold’s also has a very active brokerage department.Upon retirement of William and Agnes, their son Bill Jr., along with his sister Elaine Cote and her husband Richard Cote, ran the yard until recent years. All three have retired or are semi retired. Bill Jr’s two sons Bob and Ken Petzold now run the yard. The newest addition to the company, the fourth generation, can be found in the ship store or working around the yard. |
 |