Petzold's Marine Center
A family-owned boating tradition since 1945
From a basement workshop to the water's edge.
For four generations, Petzold’s has grown alongside the boaters of New England—beginning with a pair of newlyweds building rowboats by hand in their home to today’s multi-location marina and boat sales operation. Currently, Petzold’s Marine Center is a dedicated, family-run group of marinas and boat sales locations, serving boaters across New England from five locations.
What follows is the short version of a long voyage: eight decades of new brands, new waterfronts, and new generations of the family, all in service of getting people safely and happily out on the water.
Over Eight Decades on the Water
William and Agnes Petzold begin selling outboard motors - including Martin, Ozanah and Elto - while building rowboats in the basement of their home. As demand grows, the business expands into a dedicated store and shop on Route 66 in Portland.
Bill Sr. purchases a seven-acre waterfront property at the former Gildersleeve Shipyard in Portland - the site that would shape the company's future on the Connecticut River.
The next generation of the family and long-time colleagues join to lead office and service operations. Petzold's expands its showroom, storage and hauling capacity, becoming a premier service and storage destination and one of the region's largest marine retailers.
Petzold's opens satellite sales offices in Norwalk, Connecticut and Warwick, Rhode Island, strengthening its reach across the shoreline and Rhode Island markets. The company becomes an authorized service provider for Yamaha, Crusader, Kohler and Volvo Penta.
Petzold's adds the prestigious Chris-Craft brand to its lineup, continuing to strengthen its premium portfolio of boats.
Petzold's begins selling boats, starting with Tomahawk and Ambassador models. Bill and Agnes leave their full-time jobs to build the business, and the lineup expands with brands including Tempest, Penn Yan and Crestliner. Tomahawk fiberglass rowboats prove popular for launching and mooring.
William Petzold II joins the business, and in 1966 Petzold's moves all sales and service to its new waterfront home on Robert H. Larue Drive in Portland. A travel lift, storage sheds and a full workshop are built as the company grows its service and repair operations.
Petzold's grows into one of New England's largest boat dealers, representing leading brands including Sabre, Mainship and Back Cove. In 2008, Ken and Bob Petzold take over the family business - Bob leading yard operations and Ken leading sales.
Petzold's marks 75 years in business with the purchase of a 165-slip protected marina in Chester, Connecticut. The Chester Boat Basin - with a haul-out lift and a 35,000-square-foot service facility — completes the company's full-service presence on the lower Connecticut River.
Petzold’s celebrates 80 years in business and continues to grow with the 2025 acquisition of Port Clinton Marina, now Petzold’s Port Clinton Marina. By expanding their dedicated marine services throughout Connecticut and New England, Petzold's remains committed to helping families and boaters create lasting memories on the water for generations to come.
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From a small family shop to a trusted
New England boating destination,
Petzold's legacy continues on the water.