What Makes a True “Gulf Boat”: Durability, Style, Ride & Comfort

What Makes a True “Gulf Boat”: Durability, Style, Ride & Comfort

On the Gulf Coast, boating is not just recreation — it’s identity. From Ono Island’s canals to Perdido Pass and Cotton Bayou, every hull tells a story of craftsmanship and coastal endurance. For me, a true “Gulf boat” must stand up to our conditions: humid air, brackish currents, and those late-afternoon squalls that test even the best-built vessels. It’s about how a boat feels at speed, how it lands in the trough, and how gracefully it handles both salt and time.

Durability Meets Design

A Gulf boat’s backbone is its hull — ideally composite, foam-filled, or vacuum-infused for long-term integrity. Saltwater demands stainless steel fittings, anodized aluminum,…

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Ono Island Boathouses: Old River & Bayou St. John vs. Canal Rules | Meredith Folger

Building a Boathouse on Ono Island: My Owner’s Guide to “Big Water” vs. Canal Rules

I’m Meredith Amon, a homeowner on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and a Gulf Coast real estate advisor licensed in Alabama and Florida. I work with owners, architects, and builders to design boathouses that meet the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) standards while fitting the way you actually use your boat. The rules are different on Old River & Bayou St. John (what I call “big water”) versus canal lots, and understanding those differences up front saves time, money, and headaches.

You’ll find property search links and neighborhood guidance throughout this article, including Orange Beach…

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Assumable Mortgages on the Gulf Coast — A Practical First-Person Guide by Meredith Folger Amon

Assumable Mortgages on the Gulf Coast: How They Work, What to Watch, and When They Make Sense

As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor serving Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/, Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/, and Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/, I’m often asked whether an assumable mortgage is a smart path for buyers and sellers. When rates are higher than a seller’s existing note, the answer is sometimes yes. The key is knowing how assumptions really work, how the down payment and equity are handled, and what the lender will require.

What is an assumable mortgage?

An assumable mortgage lets a buyer take over the seller’s existing home loan—same interest rate,…

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Orange Beach Homes: Prices, Waterfronts & Docks

What Your Money Buys in an Orange Beach, Alabama Single-Family Homes

When I sit down with buyers searching for a house in Orange Beach, the first question is almost always the same: what does my budget really buy in today’s market. Below is a clear, first-person guide to price tiers, bedroom counts, neighborhoods, and the features I see most often—especially for those who want boating access, docks, and lifts. If you’re just getting started, my Orange Beach area page is a good jumping-off point: Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/.

Across current listings I’m tracking, the market stretches roughly $160,000 to $9,500,000, with a median around $769,000. About 62% of homes advertised are in a waterfront or water-oriented…

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Ono Island Concrete Trends: CMU vs. ICF

Concrete Trends I’m Seeing on Ono Island — And Premium Ways We’re Using Concrete on the Gulf Coast

On Ono Island, I often walk jobsites and pay close attention to what holds up in our salt air, sun, and storm cycles. Concrete is the quiet performance layer of a coastal home—how it’s specified, placed, and protected determines how your house lives over the next 30 years. Here’s what I’m seeing now, plus the premium upgrades that truly matter in our market.

Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/
New Construction on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/onoconstruction/
Boating accommodations on the Gulf Coast —…

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Orange Beach Condos: Prices, Bedrooms & Boat Slips

What Your Money Buys in an Orange Beach, Alabama Condos

As a local real estate advisor on the Gulf Coast, I’m asked every week, “What can my budget buy in an Orange Beach condo?” Here’s a clear, first-person guide—built from today’s MLS activity—on what I’m seeing across price tiers, bedroom counts, waterfront settings, and boating amenities. I’ve also included complex names you’ll recognize so you can quickly narrow your search on the Gulf, Old River, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, Perdido Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway. For a deeper dive into the area, start here: Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/.

Entry Level: Approximately $180,000–$400,000

Typical fit: Studios to 2 bedrooms, efficient footprints, strong…

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Ono Island New Construction Trends & Design Guide

New Construction Trends on Ono Island: Clean Lines, Expansive Glass, and Purpose-Built Living

Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
New Construction on Ono — https://www.searchthegulf.com/onoconstruction/

Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/

I tour every new build I can on Ono Island, and a clear pattern has emerged. Today’s homes lean modern-coastal, prioritize natural light, and solve for real island life—boats, carts, gear, guests, and salt air. Here are the defining trends I’m seeing right now.

Resilient Coastal Shells

• Gold Fortified construction as the baseline for wind, water, and insurance considerations.

• Robust envelopes using 8" CMU (concrete masonry unit) or ICF with a…

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Ono Island Construction Guide: ACC Permits, Setbacks, and Erosion Control | Meredith Folger

Building on Ono Island: A Clear, Builder-Level Guide From My Desk

I’m Meredith Amon, a homeowner on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and a Gulf Coast real estate advisor licensed in Alabama and Florida. I work closely with architects, surveyors, and builders who understand the island’s Architectural Control Committee (ACC) standards—so when you’re planning a new home, addition, pool, pier, or boathouse, my goal is to keep you a step ahead of the rules and timelines. Below is the concise guide I share with owners and investors who want a smooth path from concept to CO.

You’ll see references to Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ and my Ono Island New Construction page —…

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Ono Island Boathouses, Docks, and Piers — Permits, Design Tips, and Buyer Guidance

Boathouses, Docks, and Piers on Ono Island: A Practical Owner’s Guide

By sunset, Old River turns to gold and the silhouettes of boathouses and piers say everything about how we live on Ono Island. I’m often asked how to plan, permit, and build waterfront structures here—especially the differences between “big water” on Old River and Bayou St. John versus the interior canals. Below is the way I advise homeowners and buyers, with direct links to help you start smart.

Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/
Boating & Waterfront Living — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/
Ono Island New Construction —…

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Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores: What $350k–$500k Buys — Homes vs. Condos

Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores, Alabama: What $350,000–$500,000 Buys — Homes vs. Condos

I work every day with buyers comparing Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and the question I sometimes hear is simple: “In the $350,000–$500,000 range, should we buy a single-family home or a condo, and which city fits us best?” Here’s my straightforward, first-person guide using real-world examples and carrying-cost insights so you can decide with clarity.

At a Glance: How the Markets Feel Today

• Price Focus: $350,000–$500,000
• Orange Beach: Tighter single-family inventory at this level; stronger access to Gulf-front or near-Gulf condos with robust amenities.
• Gulf Shores: Better selection of single-family homes in this band; deep bench of…

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