Reviews: Top Rack Marina

Reviewed by: EJ Meier , Knot Complaining, on Jun 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Great staff and service. Diesel price was fantastic! We were in on a Monday and missed the restaurant but got some great pizza from the store. Our battery charger went down overnight and our house battery drained. One of the staff came down right away, got us charging and we were able to fire off. Great place to stop on the ICW.

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Reviewed by: Angie Forte , Swamp Buggy, on Oct 10, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.8'

Rating: 5

These guys were amazing. We got our dinghy lines wrapped up in our prop on a Saturday morning. We were unable to free the last line so we called Top Rack to see if they could haul us out if we were able to limp in. They said they could use their forklift to raise us up. When we arrived, they were there waiting & lifted us up, pulled the line off & had us back in the water quickly. They were so friendly & helpful. We'd give 10 stars if we could - highly recommend!

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Reviewed by: Patrick Quinn on Apr 22, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 50'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Very nice place to make a stopover. Cheap fuel, friendly staff, great deli and a nice 5 star restaurant. It is a dry storage facility so it can get busy during the day but very quiet at night. No issues with wakes from passing vehicles.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Apr 15, 2023
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Top Rack Marina has several things going for it, even if they are face on to the Elizabeth River and there are too many boats that just ignore the "No Wake" zone covering the marina docks.

1. The people are the best. We have been here four different times and the dock crew at the marina is always "four star." They are knowledgeable, competent, and polite. They go the extra mile and always get a tremendous "thank you" from the crew.
2. The restaurant is supposed to be excellent. The snack bar, located on the lower level is great.
3. The diesel price has been the best in the area for the last three visits. It is good to save money.
4. The marina is the last easy access marina before Norfolk and, although it is no longer free, it is still very reasonable. Going south, I would consider going to the Chesapeake Free Docks at Great Bridge.
5. Although there is bridge noise through the evening, a good night's sleep is still possible.

We will continue to make this a scheduled stop going either north or south on the ICW.

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Reviewed by: Christopher Carmody on Oct 30, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Good stop for fuel and clean restrooms. Dockhands are great but if they don't answer 16 call the marina and they'll send someone down immediately. Docking is perpendicular to the river so take care at full ebb/flow tide. People like to ignore the no wake zone here as well.

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Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jun 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

One of our regular stops twice a year migrating on the ICW. See our previous review. Had to drop a star due to new rate structure. No more free overnight dockage without power and now $75 w/o electric and $90 with electric. No drinking water except at fuel dock so no rinsing salt off boat or easy tank fill up. Still a good and convenient stop, just not a bargain anymore.

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Reviewed by: Parker on May 7, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We came in to Top Rack Marina around 4:00 having called for an overnight slip earlier in the day. We were enthusiastically greeted at the dock by Bryan and a few other dockhands. They were so helpful and friendly giving us the lowdown on the facility. In terms of slips, there aren't a ton but it is a large facility able to do work. Amber Lantern Restaurant is a is an added bonus on site. Highly recommend. Bathrooms and Shower are Very clean but are closed on Mondays when the restaurant is closed. The Marine Store and Deli has fabulous sandwiches made by Kate. I needed to unexpectedly fly home and Bryan personally took me to run a couple of errands prior to my departure. Ashley, the Marina Manager, runs a tight ship with a great crew. If you are looking for a quieter stop prior to reaching Norfolk, Top Rack is a great value at $60.

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Reviewed by: Jim Ward , CLASSEA , on May 3, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

It wasn't a PLANNED Overnight Stay . . . But wow, TOP RACK MARINA is just that TOPS, from the time we encountered troubles with the gear cables affecting the use of our Port Engine, getting fuel, staying overnight and everything in between I visualized people that have a passion to serve . . . Bryan and Yari catching lines and getting our boat (and the others coming in for fuel and to use their boat in storage) in and out in a welcoming and professional manner (they know how to properly cleat a line) . . . Katelyn who runs the Ship Store & Deli, Jake the Forklift driver getting boats in and out of the racks, Josh the maintenance manager insuring all boats get the Top Care to exceed the boaters expectations and Ashley the Marina Manager . . . This marina will take care of you as a boater, not known for a Loopers overnight stay (as it is a bit close to the Big Bridge Lock, but is worth the stop if you make a later afternoon passage through the lock north bound or backtracking headed southbound and want to wait till the next morning to move on into Portsmouth/Norfolk North or Coinjock South (call ahead they close at 5:00) . . . They have an excellent restaurant on site (closed Monday's so we couldn't try it out, but great reviews) . . . Our misfortunes with the Seized Gear Cables were muted with their Hospitality!

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Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Nov 2, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

Top Rack Marina is one of our regular stops but their main business is being a boatel for rack stored boats. Usually competitive fuel, convenient to stage the lock and draw bridge combo at Great Bridge and attractive price at $60/night which includes electric. Slips are available first come, first served. Floating docks with Ipe wood (pronounced ee-pay) perpendicular to the ICW channel provide super easy docking. Lots of new young staff but very polite and attentive. Top Rack mostly does not monitor or respond to VHF radio calls. During our four day stay in late October we saw a couple of boats hail for fuel and then passed on by. Good wi-fi. This place gives you a great opportunity to save money over the downtown marinas if you don't want to spend time in town.

While it is an excellent stop, there are some limitations. Water is only available at the fuel docks. The boat business and the Amber Lantern restaurant no longer gives incentives or discounts from using one or the other, other than you can dock for free only while dining but must move on or pay to spend the night. The Amber Lantern has always been a popular linen cloth dinner spot for cruisers.

You will get rocked occasionally form inconsiderate large boats trying to make the lock opening however, the waves or wake are mostly to your bow or stern depending on which way you choose to tie.

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Reviewed by: Karen Ratte on Sep 15, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 49'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Best bargain in Hampton Roads for a short stay, perfect for staging before or after the Dismal Swamp Canal route. Docks and facilities are in great shape, bathrooms excellent with the only drawback that they are closed outside of business/restaurant hours. Gates are locked at night so very secure. We were there on a Monday so didn't get to try the restaurant. Did get waked once by some inconsiderate moron and with it bouncing off the sea wall right at the dock it got pretty roly for half a minute. Only reason lost a star is no water hookup and bathrooms locked at night.

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Reviewed by: Brenda Sanderson , Last Chance, on Jul 3, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 4

We favor Top Rack Marina. Cheap and cheap fuel. It's essentially a boatel but has four slips that can actually fit 45 – 50' vessels. Nice floating docks. First come-first served, no reservations. If you are over 50' ask for the slip next to the diesel pump as it has extra room for you anchor to overhang. $60/night with electric. Potable water only at the fuel dock. They also have about four FREE docks with no elect. power. Super easy as it is literally on the ICW and positioned that the boat wakes hit either bow or stern. The bonus here is the Amber Lantern restaurant. Upscale just a little over fast casual at dinner time.
Would get a 5th star if had water at slips and Wi-Fi. 5G in area.

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Reviewed by: Brian Chapin , Tug Life, on May 5, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Slip charge now $60 flat rate. There are 4 slips with 30/50 amp, which is first come, first serve.

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Reviewed by: Rob Dare , Liberty Call , on Apr 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

Great marina. Excellent dockhands. Brian was fantastic helping us get in during very rough conditions. Low price on diesel and the strongest pump out system we have used. Lots of green space to take the dog for very long walks. Restaurant is closed for COVID.

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Reviewed by: Alex Diffey on Feb 22, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Easy to reach and dock. Nice pricing. Restaurant was excellent. Not crowded when we were there. Helpful dock manager. Not a typical marina, but very clean. Fuel priced right, but didn't have Valv-tect. Good place if you're not planning to stop in Portsmouth or Norfolk, and docking is so easy that this my be most convenient in/fuel/out the next morning in this area. Plenty of room to get some exercise. A good choice for our next trip.

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Reviewed by: Marko on Sep 27, 2020
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 21'
Draft: 2.5'

Rating: 4

New boater, had my boat stored here since last year. Brian, the manager, is very responsive. The staff is great; they handle launch, fueling, and retrieval well. I had annual maintenance done by their technician last year with no problems, going to use them again when winter hits. Plenty of parking, wash racks, slips, and fuel so there's hardly any wait even on busy weekends. My only complaint is the Amber Lantern restaurant is closed because of the state of VA's ChinaVirus restrictions. I like the location because there's no traffic and the water is calm. Best of all, I don't worry about hurricane season or trailering.

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Reviewed by: Travis on Mar 25, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 46'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 5

The 5 stars belong to Blake. We were in desperate need of fuel and they were going to be closed before we arrived. Blake offered to stay late to accommodate our needs. He was very polite, very helpful and an overall sincere individual. The marina is easy to get in and out of, we did not take advantage of the amenities as they were closed. Thank you Blake for your kind and professional service.

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Reviewed by: Lee Bost on Mar 8, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

The last visit to Top Rack was in 2014. Now not your typical transient marina, more leaning towards dry stack boats. This place was then and is now top notch. Even though winter put a damper on some of the offferings, the service was still 5 star. Well maintained facility, quiet, no wake, convenient to the waterway for quick in and out, great deli and adequate supplies as well as a 5 star restaurant and bar “Amber Lantern”. Clean showers, reasonable fuel prices and the best part is the service and attitude fo the staff. Thank you all for your help, consistent quality and can do attitude.
Cheers

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Reviewed by: Pizza The Hut on Nov 28, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 22'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Good marina to stop at. The restaurant is good and they give free dockage for eating at the restaurant!

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Reviewed by: D. May on Aug 6, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

I've had my boat there since 2011. I love the dry storage, because it accommodates my 37' boat. The dockmaster, is personally involved with day to day operations, thus he and his crew are very boater focused. I've never had a problem getting a available slip, because there are lots of them,

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Reviewed by: Will Glass , GLASS MACHINE, on Jul 28, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 41'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

We travel from AC to KW and back every year. Great food and great fuel prices. We stop there every year in the spring and fall.

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Reviewed by: Phil Barbalace on Jul 27, 2016
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Not much ambience here but the docks are great and overnight dockage is FREE if you have dinner in their restaurant, which is outstanding. Restrooms/showers are excellent. A very new marina in a strange location with the bonus of also having some of the best fuel prices (diesel and gas) on the entire ICW! A great overnight stop and a great deal overall.

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