Norton Yachts
type: channel
date: 2026-06-07T18:28:10Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Saffier SE 27 Review: 2026 Compact Daysailer Buyer’s Guide
items: Best Anchorages on the Chesapeake Bay: A Dealer’s Guide
items: Bennington L Series Review: 2026 Tritoon Buyer’s Guide
items: Bennington vs Barletta: Which Premium Tritoon Actually Wins?
items: Bennington vs Harris Pontoon: An Honest Comparison for Mid-Atlantic Buyers
items: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40 vs 40.3: What Changed and Which One to Buy Used
items: Jeanneau vs Beneteau Sailboats: An Authorized Dealer’s Honest Take
items: Saffier SE 27 vs SE 33 vs SE 37: Which Is the Best Sailboat for Single-Handed Sailing?
items: Bennington QX vs LX vs R Series: Which Pontoon Is Best for Entertaining?
items: Leader 9 vs NC 895 vs Merry Fisher: Which Jeanneau Powerboat Is Right for the Chesapeake?

Saffier SE 27 Review: 2026 Compact Daysailer Buyer’s Guide
type: item
creator: Kendall Webre
date: 2026-06-07T18:28:10Z
subject: Uncategorized
description: The Saffier SE 27 is redefining the compact daysailer segment with its innovative design tailored for both novice and experienced sailors. In this comprehensive guide, you will discover the key features, performance capabilities, and unique advantages of the Saffier SE 27. Many boat enthusiasts often face challenges in selecting a suitable daysailer that combines performance […]
encoded: The Saffier SE 27 is redefining the compact daysailer segment with its innovative design tailored for both novice and experienced sailors. In this comprehensive guide, you will discover the key features, performance capabilities, and unique advantages of the Saffier SE 27. Many boat enthusiasts often face challenges in selecting a suitable daysailer that combines performance and ease of handling. This guide promises to deliver critical insights, helping you make informed decisions when considering the purchase of the Saffier SE 27. The detailed overview includes its design elements, performance in various conditions, pricing insights, marine support services from Norton Yachts, and a comparison with other leading daysailers. What Are the Key Features of the Saffier SE 27 Daysailer? The Saffier SE 27 boasts an array of impressive features making it a top choice for compact sailing enthusiasts. At the heart of its design is a structure that promotes stability, ease of maneuvering, and a pleasurable sailing experience for all skill levels. The integration of advanced materials and technologies enhances both performance and durability. This daysailer is not only aesthetically appealing but also functional in various water conditions. Which Design Elements Make the Saffier SE 27 Ideal for Compact Daysailing? The Saffier SE 27 is crafted with specific design elements that enhance its appeal for daysailing. It features a sleek hull shape that reduces drag and allows for smooth navigation. The balanced weight distribution ensures that the boat maintains stability, even in choppy waters. Additionally, the

Best Anchorages on the Chesapeake Bay: A Dealer’s Guide
type: item
creator: Kendall Webre
date: 2026-06-04T14:24:17Z
subject: Basic
description: The Chesapeake Bay is renowned for its picturesque beauty, abundant wildlife, and excellent boating opportunities. For both seasoned sailors and novice boaters, finding the best anchorages is vital for enjoying this renowned maritime corridor. This guide delves into the top anchorages across various regions of Chesapeake Bay for 2026, making it a helpful resource for […]
encoded: The Chesapeake Bay is renowned for its picturesque beauty, abundant wildlife, and excellent boating opportunities. For both seasoned sailors and novice boaters, finding the best anchorages is vital for enjoying this renowned maritime corridor. This guide delves into the top anchorages across various regions of Chesapeake Bay for 2026, making it a helpful resource for anyone looking to explore this iconic waterway. Readers will learn about prime spots for anchoring, safety practices, and marine services available to enhance their boating experience. We will cover the best anchoring areas in Virginia and Maryland, ensuring boaters can find secure and enjoyable places to drop anchor. Safety tips and local regulations will also be included, along with insights into the types of boats best suited for this region. What Are the Top Chesapeake Bay Anchorages by Region for 2026? The Chesapeake Bay is dotted with numerous anchorages, offering diverse environments for boating enthusiasts. Focusing on regional highlights, both Virginia and Maryland present unique anchoring spots that cater to different preferences and boating needs. Within each area, specific features such as amenities, safety conditions, and local attractions determine the best locations for boaters seeking a reliable anchorage. Which Anchorages Are Best in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Areas? In Virginia, some of the most recommended anchorages include: Mobjack Bay: This sheltered bay offers calm waters and stunning views, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. The surrounding forests provide a tranquil escape for boaters seeking tranquility. Deltaville: Known for its welcoming community and marine services, Deltaville is a central location for boaters. Its proximity to local shops and restaurants makes it convenient for stopping and resupplying. Cherrytree Point: This anchorage is appreciated for its natural beauty and relatively shallow waters, making it particularly suitable for smaller boats. The pictur…

Bennington L Series Review: 2026 Tritoon Buyer’s Guide
type: item
creator: Kendall Webre
date: 2026-06-04T00:41:04Z
subject: Review
description: The 2026 Bennington L Series Tritoon boats have emerged as a top choice for boating enthusiasts in Virginia and North Carolina, capturing the interest of both seasoned boaters and newcomers. This review provides insights into the remarkable features, engine options, and safety enhancements that distinguish these vessels in the current market. Readers can expect a […]
encoded: The 2026 Bennington L Series Tritoon boats have emerged as a top choice for boating enthusiasts in Virginia and North Carolina, capturing the interest of both seasoned boaters and newcomers. This review provides insights into the remarkable features, engine options, and safety enhancements that distinguish these vessels in the current market. Readers can expect a detailed analysis of comparisons with other leading tritoons and essential considerations for potential buyers. Understanding the Bennington L Series’s unique offerings and advantages will equip you with the knowledge necessary for an informed purchasing decision. This guide also covers maintenance tips, the benefits of sailing education, and current market trends that influence tritoon ownership. What Are the Key Features of the 2026 Bennington L Series Tritoon Boats? The 2026 Bennington L Series Tritoon boats present a blend of innovation and luxury, making them ideal for leisure and sports enthusiasts. Key features include spacious layouts, top-tier materials for build quality, and advanced technology integration. These elements not only enhance the boating experience but also provide exceptional comfort for families and groups. With a variety of customizable options available, buyers can tailor their boats to meet personal preferences and maximize enjoyment on the water. Which Engine Options and Hull Designs Power Bennington L Series Tritoons? The Bennington L Series offers a selection of powerful engine options and innovative hull designs tailored to suit various boating needs. Choices range from fuel-efficient outboard motors to high-performance inboards which provide enhanced speed and maneuverability on the water. Paired with hydrodynamic hull designs, these engines deliver optimal performance, stability, and handling, ensuring an enjoyable ride whether for fishing, cruising, or entertaining on the lake. How Do Bennington Pontoon Features Enhance Safety and Comfort? Safety and comfort are paramount …

Bennington vs Barletta: Which Premium Tritoon Actually Wins?
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T19:14:15Z
subject: Comparison
description: Barletta is the challenger brand that the premium pontoon market has been talking about for the past several years. Their positioning is direct: build a boat that competes with Bennington on quality and feature specification, price it aggressively to gain market share, and back it with the kind of warranty that forces the comparison. If […]
encoded: Barletta is the challenger brand that the premium pontoon market has been talking about for the past several years. Their positioning is direct: build a boat that competes with Bennington on quality and feature specification, price it aggressively to gain market share, and back it with the kind of warranty that forces the comparison. If you are cross-shopping Bennington and Barletta, you have already done enough research to know both brands are serious. This comparison — from Norton Yachts, an authorized Bennington dealer — goes deeper than the spec sheet to tell you where the real differences are. The Brand Positioning Bennington is the incumbent. They have built the premium pontoon segment in the US market over 30+ years, and their quality reputation is backed by production volume and dealer network depth. When you buy a Bennington, you are buying from the brand that effectively defined what a premium pontoon should look like. Barletta launched in 2017 out of Syracuse, Indiana with a specific ambition: enter the premium pontoon market with a product that matched or exceeded Bennington’s specification at a competitive price. Their Corsa, Cabrio, and Aria lines have attracted meaningful attention, and their 10-year structural warranty on tubes is the most aggressive warranty claim in the segment. Tube Construction and Structural Comparison Barletta’s 10-year tube warranty is the company’s most visible differentiator. The tubes are constructed with heavier gauge aluminum — Barletta advertises this aggressively — and the warranty covers structural tube failure for a decade, which exceeds Bennington’s standard warranty coverage. Bennington’s response is their legacy: millions of pontoon tube hours in the water across 30 years, with very few structural failures on record in normal use. Their standard warranty is shorter on paper, but the brand’s track record provides a form of warranty that a relatively young brand cannot replicate. Honest assessment: both brands build …

Bennington vs Harris Pontoon: An Honest Comparison for Mid-Atlantic Buyers
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T19:10:14Z
subject: Comparison
description: Bennington and Harris are both legitimate pontoon brands with real followings and real differences. If you are shopping for a pontoon boat in the $50,000 to $120,000 range and these two brands keep coming up in your research, this comparison will give you a clearer picture of what separates them. Norton Yachts is an authorized […]
encoded: Bennington and Harris are both legitimate pontoon brands with real followings and real differences. If you are shopping for a pontoon boat in the $50,000 to $120,000 range and these two brands keep coming up in your research, this comparison will give you a clearer picture of what separates them. Norton Yachts is an authorized Bennington dealer. We sell Bennington. We are going to tell you exactly why — and where Harris competes with them — rather than pretend the comparison only has one side. Brand Overview Bennington Marine is based in Elkhart, Indiana, and is the highest-volume premium pontoon builder in the United States. Their strategy has been consistent for decades: build a better-quality pontoon than the competition, charge a premium for it, and capture the buyer who wants a performance or luxury platform rather than a value-priced family floater. Harris Boats (formerly Harris FloteBote) is also US-based with a strong following particularly in the Midwest and Appalachian lake markets. Harris has historically positioned against Bennington with a quality-focused build and more competitive pricing — the argument being that you get comparable quality at a lower price point. Build Quality: The Honest Assessment Bennington’s aluminum pontoon tube construction is a genuine differentiator. The wall thickness on Bennington tubes — particularly on the QX and upper LX Series — is above industry standard, and the welds are finished to a standard you can see without measuring. The deck frame construction uses heavier gauge aluminum than entry-level brands, and the cross-beam connection points are reinforced in ways that matter for performance applications. Harris builds quality boats. Their tube construction is solid, their welds are clean, and deck hardware is appropriate for the price point. Where Harris falls relative to Bennington is primarily in finish quality details and hardware specification at equivalent price points — the furniture-grade vinyl, the quality of h…

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40 vs 40.3: What Changed and Which One to Buy Used
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T19:05:40Z
subject: Comparison
description: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40 and Sun Odyssey 40.3 are different boats that share a name, a heritage, and — unfortunately for used buyers — a fair amount of confusion in the market. If you are shopping for a used Jeanneau in the 40-foot range and you have seen both models in your search, this […]
encoded: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40 and Sun Odyssey 40.3 are different boats that share a name, a heritage, and — unfortunately for used buyers — a fair amount of confusion in the market. If you are shopping for a used Jeanneau in the 40-foot range and you have seen both models in your search, this comparison will help you understand what you are actually looking at and which one is worth pursuing. Brief History: The 40 and the 40.3 Are Not the Same Boat The Sun Odyssey 40 was produced from approximately 1999 to 2002. It was designed by Daniela Messina — a capable if conventional production cruiser for its era with an IOR-influenced hull form, twin-cabin layout options, and solid overall performance for a family cruiser. The Sun Odyssey 40.3 replaced it from approximately 2002 to 2006. The design changed meaningfully: the hull form was updated, beam was carried further aft (a shift Jeanneau was making across the entire Sun Odyssey range during this period), and the interior layout was revised for improved volume and flexibility. Both boats are approximately 40 feet, but they are separate hull designs with different characteristics. A survey that covers one does not substitute for surveying the other. Sun Odyssey 40: What You Are Getting The Sun Odyssey 40 is a product of its era in both positive and challenging ways. The narrower beam aft compared to the 40.3 means a more traditional sailing hull — slightly more alive underway, slightly less volume below decks. The Marconi ketch rig option available in some build years makes it interesting to buyers who want offshore capability with a manageable sail plan. Below decks, the standard layout provides two double cabins, a center saloon, and a single head with shower. The nav station is proper and well positioned. Headroom in the main saloon is typically around 6.0 to 6.2 feet depending on variant. Structural concerns to prioritize when surveying a Sun Odyssey 40: osmotic blistering in the hull gelcoat (common in boats from this…

Jeanneau vs Beneteau Sailboats: An Authorized Dealer’s Honest Take
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T18:59:49Z
subject: Comparison
description: Full disclosure: Norton Yachts is an authorized Jeanneau dealer. We sell Jeanneau sailboats. That makes this comparison either more credible or less trustworthy depending on your level of skepticism, and you are right to have some. Here is why we are writing it anyway: buyers come into our showroom with this question constantly — Jeanneau […]
encoded: Full disclosure: Norton Yachts is an authorized Jeanneau dealer. We sell Jeanneau sailboats. That makes this comparison either more credible or less trustworthy depending on your level of skepticism, and you are right to have some. Here is why we are writing it anyway: buyers come into our showroom with this question constantly — Jeanneau or Beneteau? — and they deserve a real answer, not a sales pitch. If Beneteau is the better fit for your sailing life, you should know that before you spend $300,000 or $400,000 on a boat. Sending you to the wrong boat does not serve anyone. The Corporate Reality: Same Parent Company, Different Brands Jeanneau and Beneteau are both owned by the Beneteau Group — a French publicly traded company and the largest recreational boat manufacturer in the world. This creates confusion: why would two brands from the same parent serve different buyers? Because they do, and the group has maintained separate design and engineering teams for each brand for decades. The Sun Odyssey line is not a rebadged Oceanis. The design philosophies genuinely differ in ways that matter to serious sailors. Design Philosophy: Where the Brands Diverge Beneteau’s Oceanis line has moved consistently toward maximum interior volume and family liveaboard comfort. Beam is held wide for the full length of the boat, cabin headroom is generous, and deck and cockpit configurations prioritize accessibility for crew with varying experience levels. Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey line, under Marc Lombard’s design influence, places more emphasis on sailing performance alongside comfort. The Sun Odyssey 410, 440, and 490 carry wide stern sections for interior volume, but the hull sections and keel designs show a sharper emphasis on upwind performance and light-air efficiency than equivalent Oceanis models. In practical terms: in 8 knots of apparent wind on a 44-foot boat, the Sun Odyssey 440 will outperform a Beneteau Oceanis 45 by a measurable margin. Both will have comfortable interi…

Saffier SE 27 vs SE 33 vs SE 37: Which Is the Best Sailboat for Single-Handed Sailing?
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T18:52:55Z
subject: Comparison
description: Single-handed sailing demands something from a boat that most production cruisers were never designed to deliver: complete control from one position. Sail controls that require a crew to trim properly, headstays that need two people to gybe safely, and cockpit layouts that put essential lines out of the helmsman’s reach are workable with a full […]
encoded: Single-handed sailing demands something from a boat that most production cruisers were never designed to deliver: complete control from one position. Sail controls that require a crew to trim properly, headstays that need two people to gybe safely, and cockpit layouts that put essential lines out of the helmsman’s reach are workable with a full crew and unworkable alone. Saffier Yachts has been building boats specifically for short-handed sailing since 1983. The SE 27, SE 33 Life, and SE 37 are the three mid-range models in their current lineup, and they represent a coherent design philosophy: how do you build a sailboat that a solo sailor can manage completely from the helm? Norton Yachts is one of the few authorized Saffier dealers in the United States. This comparison is what we tell buyers who come to us specifically for single-handed or short-handed coastal sailing. Saffier Design Philosophy: What Sets These Boats Apart Every Saffier in the SE line shares three fundamental design decisions: all running rigging led aft to a central helm position, a cockpit configured for single-point control rather than crew distribution, and a hull form that balances ease of handling with meaningful upwind performance. The result is boats that are genuinely manageable solo — not theoretically manageable with modifications, but designed from the keel up to work that way. Saffier SE 27: The Entry Point LOA: 8.30m (27.2 ft) | Beam: 2.73m | Displacement: 2,200 kg | Draft: 1.35m fixed / 0.55m to 1.20m lifting keel The SE 27 is the most accessible boat in the Saffier range — in price, in size, and in the demands it makes of its skipper. At 27 feet and 2,200 kg, it is genuinely light. In 12 to 15 knots of breeze it is fast — faster than its modest appearance suggests — and it rewards attentive helming. For single-handed sailors building skill, or those who primarily sail protected coastal waters, the SE 27 provides everything needed. The cockpit is large relative to the boat’s size, s…

Bennington QX vs LX vs R Series: Which Pontoon Is Best for Entertaining?
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T18:48:58Z
subject: Comparison
description: Bennington’s lineup is intentionally broad. They make boats for families, for performance buyers, for fishing, and for the crowd that wants a floating living room with a sound system and enough seating for everyone they know. If entertaining on the water is your primary use case, three series stand out: the QX, the LX, and […]
encoded: Bennington’s lineup is intentionally broad. They make boats for families, for performance buyers, for fishing, and for the crowd that wants a floating living room with a sound system and enough seating for everyone they know. If entertaining on the water is your primary use case, three series stand out: the QX, the LX, and the R Bowrider. Norton Yachts is an authorized Bennington dealer in Deltaville, Virginia. This comparison is based on dealer experience and feedback from buyers after their first full summer — not on what the spec sheet says, but on what actually makes people happy. The Three Lines at a Glance QX LX R Bowrider Tier Flagship Premium mid-tier Entry / family Hull Triple-tube tritoon Standard or tritoon Twin-tube or tritoon Performance High-performance outboards Balanced performance Sporty profile Layout Flagship entertaining features standard Luxury amenities at mid-range price Open bow, family entertainment Bennington QX: Built for People Who Do Not Compromise The QX is Bennington’s answer to every buyer who said “I want everything.” Performance tubes rated for high-horsepower outboards. Standard luxury upholstery that competing brands charge as an option. Flagship sound systems, LED lighting packages, and a helm station that feels considered rather than assembled. For entertaining, the QX delivers in three specific ways: seating volume (a 25 QX seats 12 to 14 people without feeling cramped), sound system quality (the premium audio package is genuinely good — not marine-audio-good, but living-room-good), and aft deck design that makes the social area at the back of the boat functional for groups rather than just rows of seats. Performance means the QX can also move. A 25 QX Sport with twin 250HP runs at 45+ MPH. If you want to tow a tube at speed and then anchor for hours with music and drinks, the QX is the only Bennington that does both at the top level. Price reality: a fully configured 25 QX Sport is a $120,000 to $150,000+ boat. That price poin…

Leader 9 vs NC 895 vs Merry Fisher: Which Jeanneau Powerboat Is Right for the Chesapeake?
type: item
creator: Aquaticseo
date: 2026-05-28T18:44:21Z
subject: Comparison
description: Jeanneau makes three distinct powerboat lines that sell well in the mid-Atlantic market — and they are not interchangeable. The Leader 9, NC 895, and Merry Fisher 895 are all roughly 30-foot outboard-powered boats from the same manufacturer, but they are engineered for different buyers with different priorities. If you are standing in front of […]
encoded: Jeanneau makes three distinct powerboat lines that sell well in the mid-Atlantic market — and they are not interchangeable. The Leader 9, NC 895, and Merry Fisher 895 are all roughly 30-foot outboard-powered boats from the same manufacturer, but they are engineered for different buyers with different priorities. If you are standing in front of all three trying to decide, this is what we tell buyers at Norton Yachts. We sell all of them. We have no incentive to steer you toward the wrong one. The Three Boats at a Glance Leader 9 NC 895 Merry Fisher 895 LOA 9.04m 9.10m 8.95m Beam 2.99m 3.38m 3.02m Style Open cockpit day cruiser Protected cabin cruiser with flybridge option Fishing and family cruising Max Power 2×150HP 2×150HP 2×150HP Sleeping Forward cabin for overnight Two sleeping cabins Fishing-oriented layout Leader 9: The Open Cockpit Day Cruiser The Leader 9 is the sports car of the three. The cockpit is maximized for outdoor living — generous seating, a sun lounge configuration, and an open transom that makes boarding from a dinghy or swim step natural. The boat is designed around a lifestyle where you are outside most of the time and below decks only for storage, head use, and occasional overnighting. It is the fastest of the three — the lighter hull and outboard-optimized design push it to 35+ MPH with appropriate power. The helm station has excellent visibility and a driver-forward ergonomic position that experienced powerboat operators prefer. The limitation is interior volume. The forward cabin provides V-berth sleeping for two adults, but serious weekending requires careful packing. If your typical use case is day cruising with four to six people and the occasional overnight marina stop, the Leader 9 covers the brief. If you regularly overnight with a second couple, look at the NC 895. Check our comparison guide Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440 vs 490. NC 895: The Cabin Cruiser Built for the Bay The NC (New Cap) 895 is a fundamentally different boat despite simil…