PORTSMOUTH BOAT CLUB
History
In 1905 Portsmouth's boating enthusiasts founded the first Portsmouth Boat Club. Records from the Court of Hustings for the City of Portsmouth show the club was incorporated on 18 May 1905 with George R. Parrish as President and C.A. Carpenter as Vice President. Little is known about the activities of this organization and it is thought to have prospered until interest dwindled during World War I. Later writings in the “Log of the Portsmouth Boat Club” attribute the club’s origin to Dr. Joseph Grice’s efforts in 1937. Oddly enough, Dr. Grice was listed as one of the original Board of Directors in the club’s 1905 incorporation. ​
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Dr. Grice is also credited with donating the first known clubhouse. The building, an unpretentious wooden structure, was said to have been on pilings off what is now Swimming Point. The club and this clubhouse fell into disrepair during World War II and immediately afterwards. Court of Hustings records detail another incorporation on 17 August 1948 with Jefferson O. Hudgins as President and Lamar C. Toomer as Secretary. By 1949, the membership had begun a strenuous effort to put the club and clubhouse back in shape again. When the building renovation was complete, the result was a nice new clubhouse and dock, smaller than the Hampton Yacht Club, but very pleasant. This era of the club ended its life in the early 1970s as a result of Portsmouth’s downtown redevelopment. The extension of Crawford Parkway severed the connection between the clubhouse and what is now Crawford Bay. With the clubhouse essentially landlocked, the property was sold and the club disbanded.
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In 1991, the Portsmouth Boat Club was reestablished and since that time has been a boating and social hub for the City of Portsmouth. In June 2001, the club purchased a house and property located on Elm Avenue with a beautiful view of Scott Creek. After extensive renovations and construction of a parking lot, the first "official" meeting in the clubhouse was held in January 2003. A new meeting hall addition was built in 2005 and a large deck in 2006. The kitchen area was remodeled in 2007 and a outdoor grilling pavilion was erected in 2009.
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Power boating and sailboat racing were featured competitive activities in the club’s early years. Today, the club still sponsors both power and sailing events such as the Barnacle Regatta, The Cock Island Race, the Barnacle Cup, etc. However, PBC is considerably more than a boat club for racing sailors. Boating is truly a family affair, from the family of crew who laugh and party with each other after the Barnacle races, to the families who cruise for a day or a week (or more) to explore life on the Chesapeake and beyond.
Become a Member
We are a friendly, good-time social Club with a varied membership each with their own sense of humor. Yeah. That's a good way to describe us.
Whether you like to sail, powerboat or just attend social events -- our Parties are legendary -- we do it all. Our Calendar is packed with weekend Cruises and on-shore Parties. Stop by and see if we are the place for you.
You must be at least 21, and have an interest in boating, to join. You do not need to own a boat or even have boating experience.
Interested in joining? Submit an Application, along with your Initiation Fee of $200 and Annual Club Dues of $300.00. Dues are pro-rated monthly, as of April 1, according to when you join and any excess will be refunded to you. You will also need to be sponsored by two current Members. Apply and pay on-line OR print out an Application and drop it and your check off in the Club mailbox.
Hope to see you and get to know you!
Members May Reserve the Clubhouse for Private Use
As a Member, you may reserve use of the Clubhouse for a private function.
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The Use Fee is $75 if you are using it solely for personal use to invite family and personal friends or to use it for a meeting of a local group you belong to. The Use Fee for other events is $300. Use Fees are paid into the Clubhouse Maintenance Fund so please be honest about your Use. There is also a $150 Cleaning/Compliance Deposit that will be refunded after your event so long as you have complied with all of the Clubhouse usage Rules, including returning the Clubhouse (including bathrooms) in clean condition.
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The reserving Member must be present at all times and a Club ABC Manager must be present if any alcoholic beverages are served (including beer and wine). Absolutely no pets or smoking of any kind are permitted.
Complete the Application for Use of the PBC Clubhouse, and pay, on-line, or print the Application, complete it and return the printed/signed Application and your check to the Commodore or Secretary. All Applications must be approved by the Board, which meets the first Tuesday of each month. Only completed Applications will be reviewed.
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The Clubhouse Use Rules are attached to the Application. Be sure to also familiarize yourself with the Checklist for Rental Use of the PBC Clubhouse.
Officers & By-Laws
Any volunteer-based organization depends upon it volunteers to thrive and survive.
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Meet our 2026 Board and Officers.​
Commodore/President: Jimmy Schools
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Vice Commodore: Mark Stearns
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Treasurer: Jim Simpson
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Secretary: Jane Barclift
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Directors: Mike Barclift (thru 2026)
Gary Bahena (2026)
Della Stearns (2027)
Carl Smith (2027)
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Past Commodore: Nancy Kline
By-Laws
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By-Laws, November 4, 2014
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First Amendment, March 2022