A 54′ RICKY GILLIKIN IN ORANGE BEACH: A SOUTHERN SPORTFISHER DREAM
By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
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From time to time, I’ll see a 54-foot Ricky Gillikin sportfishing boat making her way through Perdido Pass, and it always stops me in my tracks. There’s just something about the clean Carolina lines, the sharp bow, and the way she sits on the water that makes you pause and say, now that’s a serious boat. From my perspective, it appears to be a mid-1990s build,, and I can’t help but imagine what a machine like this is capable of out in the Gulf.
My Observations and Thoughts
In my opinion, a 54′ Ricky Gillikin likely measures up something like this:
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Length Overall: 54 feet
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Draft: about 4.5 to 5.5 feet, which feels perfect for our coastal waters — deep enough for stability offshore, but still able to move through Orange Beach marinas and Perdido Pass without worry.
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Beam: probably in the 16–17 foot range, offering both balance and a spacious cockpit.
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Design: the unmistakable Carolina flare at the bow, built to throw spray aside and provide a dry, comfortable ride.
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Power: I’d expect twin diesels, designed to push her comfortably at 24–30 knots when running offshore.
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Layout: a raised bridge or tower for spotting, a wide-open cockpit with room for fighting chairs and rigging, and a salon below that’s likely outfitted for overnight stays and long runs.
Why It Belongs on the Gulf Coast
When I picture this boat heading offshore, I imagine her chasing marlin, sailfish, and tuna on the deepwater edges. The tower gives her crew the vantage to find bait and bird activity, and the hull design provides the balance and nimbleness you want when backing down on a billfish.
It’s the kind of boat that feels equally at home at the scales of a Gulf Coast tournament or tied up at Orange Beach Marina after a long day. Around here, boats aren’t just transportation; they’re part of the story of coastal living. And a boat like this, well, it’s a chapter all its own.
As we say in the South, “that dog will hunt” — and in this case, it’ll fish, too.
Comparable Sportfishing Yachts
If a 54′ Ricky Gillikin speaks to you, then you’ll probably also appreciate other names in the same league:
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Jarrett Bay and Spencer for custom Carolina craftsmanship
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Merritt and Buddy Davis, which carry their own pedigrees offshore
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Hatteras GT series and Bertram convertibles, production models with serious offshore reputations
Each of these boats shares the same DNA: performance offshore, prestige at the dock, and capability that matches the passion of big-game anglers.
The Real Estate Connection: Where a Boat Like This Belongs
A sportfishing yacht of this size needs the right waterfront home. On Ono Island — the best streets for larger boats are those with deep-water frontage and big-water maneuverability, such as Shoalwater Drive, select sections of River Road, and the bayfront stretches of Ono Boulevard. Over in Orange Beach — Marina Road and properties near Orange Beach Marina offer excellent access and are home to some of the most impressive sportfishing yachts on the southern coast.
Having a home that can host a boat like this isn’t just about dockage — it’s about lifestyle. Buyers who understand these boats know that a property with the right water depth, dock engineering, and access is worth its weight in gold.
Connecting You With the Right People
If you’re considering stepping into the world of sportfishing yachts on the Gulf Coast, I can connect you with a professional and skilled boat associate here locally. Pairing the right yacht with the right home is what creates the ultimate Gulf Coast lifestyle, and I’d be honored to guide you through that process.
The South has always been about pairing tradition with utility, beauty with grit. A 54′ Ricky Gillikin embodies that perfectly: a boat that looks elegant idling at the dock, yet built to chase marlin in blue water until the sun sets. And when you match a vessel like that with the right home in Orange Beach or Ono Island, you’re not just buying property — you’re investing in a way of life.
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