Why Is My Diesel Engine Smoking Black? Causes & Fixes
Black smoke from a marine diesel almost always means the engine is burning a fuel/air mixture that’s too rich — more fuel than the engine can fully combust with the air available. The most common causes, in rough order of likelihood, are a clogged or dirty air filter/intake, a fouled or misfiring injector, an overloaded […]
How Long Does Awlgrip Last on the Chesapeake Bay?
A properly applied Awlgrip topcoat on a well-prepped hull typically holds full gloss for 10-15 years, with functional protection lasting well beyond that when the boat is maintained. On the Chesapeake specifically: brackish water, heavy UV, and a real winter freeze-thaw cycle; that number holds up well compared to coastal boats further south, but only […]
Awlgrip vs. Gelcoat: Which Hull Finish Is Right for You?
Gelcoat is the pigmented resin molded directly into a boat’s hull at the factory: easy and cheap to touch up, but it chalks, fades, and loses gloss within 8-10 years of sun exposure. Awlgrip is a two-part polyurethane topcoat sprayed on after the boat is built. It holds color and gloss roughly two to three […]
ASA Certified Sailing School: What It Means & Why It Matters
If you’re seriously researching sailing schools, you’ve probably noticed that not all of them are the same. Some offer weekend experiences. Some are informal programs run by a local club. Some teach to a defined standard with certified instructors, structured curriculum, and credentials that actually mean something once you leave the dock. That difference matters […]
Buying a Yacht on the Chesapeake Bay | Complete Guide
Purchasing a yacht on the Chesapeake Bay is a thrilling venture, offering a blend of adventure, relaxation, and the promise of countless unforgettable experiences. However, navigating the yacht buying process can be daunting without comprehensive guidance. In this complete 2023 guide, we will explore the types of yachts best suited for Chesapeake Bay and the […]
Bennington vs Barletta: Which Premium Tritoon Actually Wins?
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 […]
Bennington vs Harris Pontoon: An Honest Comparison for Mid-Atlantic Buyers
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 […]
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40 vs 40.3: What Changed and Which One to Buy Used
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 […]
Jeanneau vs Beneteau Sailboats: An Authorized Dealer’s Honest Take
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 […]
Saffier SE 27 vs SE 33 vs SE 37: Which Is the Best Sailboat for Single-Handed Sailing?
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 […]