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I'm currently looking to purchase a new to me boat that I'll probably want to keep in the water at a marina. I have never rented a slip before. I prefer one of the Portage marinas mainly for location. Does anyone have any pros or cons for any of the marinas there? Any tips for a newbie?  TIA

I've been at Marina Shores for 13 years. We really like it there. The docks are nice and wide that makes it easier for docking. There's a restaurant, pool, laundry facility and even a workout facility. A ship store and fish cleaning station too. Fuel dock is there and pump outs are free. The charter boats are there along the G-wall.

I have been over at the Portage city marina for approx 10yrs. now. Have had good experience there. All depends on what your looking for. There is a new cleaning station that has gone in and this spring they will have a grand opening for it. I don't think there is going to be any cost to use it. Barb Lusco manages the marina and is very good at her job.The bath houses are always kept in good shape. It is nice sometimes to get off the boat and take a shower before heading home.

Thanks for the reply. I am leaning towards the Portage marina. Marina Shores sure looks nice, but I probably wouldn't use half of the amenities. It's good to know they're installing a fish cleaning station.

To echo what both Bob and Ed said. I am also at Marina Shores. There is the swimming pool, workout facility, and restaurant right there. Plus the fuel dock. If you keep your boat at portage you still have to go somewhere else to get fuel. The fish cleaning station was always an advantage of Marina Shores. But now portage is installing one. Another difference would be going in and out of your slip at portage Marina you do still have to deal with all the trailered boats going in and out of the marina. I do believe Marina Shores is more money.

Northwind,

Thx for the reply. Marina Shores is ~$1k+ more than Portage. Like I mentioned before, I probably wouldn’t use most of the amenities there. It definitely looks like a nicer marina but for what I need I think Portage will work for me. Especially with the new fish cleaning station.

Marina shores is better if you want to use amenities and want a community feel. Been there for a while with Bob Lloyd and everyone is awesome. Pool and bar/restaurant is a highlight of the summer if you have kids or grandkids.

Sounds like you have your mind made up, but another vote for marina shores. The restaurant is great, pool is wonderful, the fuel dock is on your way in/out along with the pump out, and theres a lot of space to maneuver, both in the slips and around fuel. If I was single, or didnt have the wife and daughter that like being down there, I would probably be over at portage, but with the family the pool and restaurant are really hard to beat.

I've been in both marinas and I prefer Marina Shores. More of a sense of community there and as mentioned the resturant is convenient and regularly has live music. Since Jimmy and his wife took that part of the marnina over everything has improved.  I dont use the pool but the club bathroom has showers and lockers if you need them.  Having the fuel dock, fishing cleaning station, and ship store all right next to each is great too.  If fishing is a big part of your plan, G wall is where most of the fisherman are and it cost less than the A-F docks so you might want to look into that.  I'm constantly giving Brent and Lloyd tips so they can find fish....

I was told Barb will still be Harbor Master, but no longer at portage Marina.  Some good people at Portage Marina,some not so much.