NORTON YACHTS - Part 3
By: Paul Fenn
Welcome to part 3 of my 3 part series, Getting Back to It. Today I chat with Kendall Webre of Norton Yachts located in Deltaville, Virginia about life in the boat yard in the midst of Covid-19 and a world of social distancing.
PF: I know Norton’s has been around for a long time but for people who don’t know your history, please provide some background info?
KW: Norton Yachts was founded in 1948 in Deltaville, VA just off the Chesapeake Bay. Anchored in over 70 years of tradition, integrity, and excellence, we continue to offer the best in sales and service to our customers.
We want to be there through every stage of boating life. We’ve built one of the most comprehensive full-service marina facilities for high-quality boat repairs, boat storage, and maintenance for both sail and power. We own and operate our boatyard; all commissioning, installation and design, and warranty work is done “in house” and directly for the owner. We pride ourselves on being your one-stop boating center.
Here at Norton Yachts, we embrace the boating lifestyle and offer sailing classes through our ASA certified sailing school, captained sunset cruises, charters on our clean, fully equipped Jeanneau charter boats, and will go the extra nautical mile to help you find your perfect boat.
PF: Normally at this time of the year, what activities would the yard be involved in? Service work, boat launching, yacht sales, etc. And how are you operating today? What are some of the precautions you have had to put into place as a result of the Crona Virus and Social Distancing?
KW: Under normal operating circumstances, we would be busy with spring commissioning, splashing boats, sailing school and spring charters. To comply with recommended social distancing guidelines, we have paused our sailing school until June. Our charters continue to operate and we have implemented safety procedures, including eliminating same-day turnaround and enacting social distancing guidelines for check out procedures.
PF: States such as NY, NJ and CT have all given the green light for marinas to open albeit under strict rules. What is the current status in Virginia?
KW: Virginia is open for business! Most marinas and town docks are open and welcoming visitors. The economy of small towns all along the Chesapeake Bay is dependent on boating and weekend visitors and we are ready for you; restaurants are offering takeout and delivery, our fuel docks are open, our local grocery stores are fully stocked.
PF: What’s the general sentiment of your customers, are they adopting an attitude of “I don’t think I’ll bother with putting my boat in this year or are they more eager than ever to get out on the water and enjoy themselves?
KW: Our customers are more eager than ever to get out on the water! There is no better place to be than out on your boat on the Chesapeake Bay. Our yard has never been busier as we work hard to meet our customer’s launch dates. We consider ourselves lucky to continue to provide these services to our customers and look forward to a great summer on the Bay!
NORTON YACHTS
97 Marina Drive
DELTAVILLE, VA 23043
