Top 5 Boats for the Gulf Coast Lifestyle

Top 5 Boats for the Gulf Coast Lifestyle

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

When you live on the Gulf Coast — especially in places like Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Gulf Shores — your boat becomes more than a vessel. It’s an extension of your home and lifestyle. Whether it’s a calm cruise through the back bays, a Saturday anchored off Robinson Island, or a long offshore run to chase the bite, the right boat brings both comfort and capability to every adventure.

Here are my top five boats that perfectly capture the essence of Gulf Coast living.

1. Grady-White Canyon 336

Grady-White remains one of the most respected names in…

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Investment Opportunities in Orange Beach & Ono Island, Alabama | Build Equity with Custom Home Construction

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ORANGE BEACH & ONO ISLAND, ALABAMA 

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

Why Orange Beach and Ono Island Continue to Attract Smart Investors

As an expert real estate advisor specializing in Orange Beach and Ono Island, I’m seeing growing interest from investors seeking opportunities along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. With its blend of pristine waterfronts, boating access, and strong rental demand, this region offers unique ways to build long-term equity.

A 6% drop in Orange Beach single-family home inventory last month signals that the market is shifting. With roughly 11 months of inventory and a median sold…

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Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Investor Market Update: Opportunities for Buyers and 1031 Exchange Investors

Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Investor Market Update: Opportunities for Buyers and 1031 Exchange Investors

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

Why Investors Are Watching Gulf Shores

As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor, I’m seeing more investors than ever evaluating Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/ — for long-term wealth building. From buy-and-hold rental income to fix-and-flip renovations, this market offers an attractive blend of strong rental demand, mid-luxury pricing, and coastal lifestyle appeal.

One strategy that’s gaining momentum here is the 1031 tax-deferred exchange. Many investors who are selling…

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Ono Island Boathouse Rules, Permits & Restrictions | Meredith Folger Amon

ONO ISLAND BOATHOUSE RULES, RESTRICTIONS, AND PERMITS

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

When it comes to owning waterfront property on Ono Island, one of the most frequent questions I hear is about building or maintaining a boathouse. Because Ono Island is a private, gated community in Orange Beach, the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) enforces strict guidelines to protect property values, water quality, and navigability. Below, I’ve outlined the most important rules, fees, and restrictions every homeowner should know.

Boathouse Placement & Setbacks

• Shoreline indentions are allowed on 40-foot-wide platted canals…

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A 54′ Ricky Gillikin in Orange Beach: A Southern Sportfisher Dream on the Gulf Coast

A 54′ RICKY GILLIKIN IN ORANGE BEACH: A SOUTHERN SPORTFISHER DREAM

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

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…

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The Invincible 36 Open Fisherman and Ono Island Waterfront Living

THE INVINCIBLE 36 OPEN FISHERMAN AND ONO ISLAND WATERFRONT LIVING

By Meredith Folger Amon

Life on the Gulf Coast is about more than just a beautiful home—it’s about how your property and your boat work together to create a lifestyle. Few boats embody that lifestyle better than the Invincible 36 Open Fisherman, and few communities showcase it more seamlessly than Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Why the Invincible 36 is a Gulf Coast Favorite

At 36 feet 10 inches in length with a 10-foot beam, the Invincible 36 Open Fisherman is an offshore powerhouse with the versatility to handle everything from back bays to bluewater runs. Powered by twin Mercury 400 Verados (800 horsepower combined), the boat cruises comfortably above 50 mph and…

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Ono Island Homes + Boat Series: Big Water Quick Reference Guide

ONO ISLAND HOMES + BOAT SERIES: BIG WATER QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

By Meredith Folger Amon

When buyers ask me about Ono Island, the conversation almost always comes back to boats. Along Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal Waterway, the big-water streets define what kind of vessel you can comfortably own, dock, and enjoy. To make things easier, I’ve created a quick-reference guide so you can see which streets work best for different types of boats.

Which Ono Island Streets Fit a Viking 48?

The Viking 48 Convertible is a Gulf Coast favorite—a sportfisher with range, power, and luxurious comfort. Streets like Harbour Drive, Turtle Key, Hatteras Cove, and Marlin Key are ideal. These properties typically offer 90–110 feet of frontage and…

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Top 5 Orange Beach Homes That Fit a 60’ Sportfishing Yacht

TOP 5 ORANGE BEACH HOMES THAT FIT A 60’ SPORTFISHING YACHT

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida

On the Gulf Coast, life is measured in tides and traditions. For those who own a 60’ sportfishing yacht, the right home isn’t simply about a dock—it’s about creating a seamless life where mornings begin with a run through Perdido Pass and evenings close with a quiet drink overlooking the water. In Orange Beach and on Ono Island, certain properties are built to carry this rhythm, pairing luxury living with true deepwater access.

Here are five types of properties that pair beautifully with a yacht of this size.

1. Ono Island Deepwater Estates on Old River

Ono Island  — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/

Ono’s…

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Alabama Real Estate Agency Law Changes: What You Need to Know

ALABAMA REAL ESTATE AGENCY LAW CHANGES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Meredith Folger Amon
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

October 1st marks a significant change in Alabama real estate law. These updates affect how we, as licensed real estate advisors, handle agency relationships. If you’re buying or selling property on the Gulf Coast—whether it’s a waterfront estate on Ono Island or a condominium in Orange Beach—understanding these changes matters because they shape how your interests are represented in a transaction.

Goodbye Limited Consensual Dual Agency

Until now, Alabama allowed “limited consensual dual agency.” This meant one licensee could represent both buyer and seller with the…

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Understanding Rental Policies on Ono Island

UNDERSTANDING RENTAL POLICIES ON ONO ISLAND

By Meredith Folger Amon
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

As a homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama, I am often asked about the community’s rental policies. These rules are unique to Ono Island and are important for both current owners and those considering a purchase. If you are thinking of renting out your property here—or buying with the intention to rent—it’s essential to understand the framework set by the Ono Island Property Owners Association (POA).

Minimum Rental Term

All rental properties on Ono Island are restricted to a minimum of 30 days per rental contract. Weekly or nightly vacation…

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