Valhalla V-37: The Orange Beach Boater’s Dream

VALHALLA V-37: THE ORANGE BEACH BOATER’S DREAM

Every so often, a boat catches your eye and you know instantly—it was built for this stretch of coastline. That’s exactly how I feel about the Valhalla Boatworks V-37 by Viking. Sleek, powerful, and polished, this quad-powered center console turns heads every time she glides past Terry Cove or rounds the markers at Perdido Pass. She’s more than a fishing machine—she’s a symbol of the refined boating lifestyle that defines Orange Beach, Alabama.

• Draft (engines up): ~28 inches (2.3 ft)

• Draft (engines down): ~40–41 inches (3.3–3.4 ft)

• Beam: 10 ft

• Length Overall: 36 ft 9 in

• Weight: Around 16,700 lb (half load); about 17,500 lb with quad engines

• …

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Red October: Tales of the Gulf Coast’s Fall Fishing Season

RED OCTOBER: TALES OF THE GULF COAST’S FALL FISHING SEASON

Come October, the Gulf turns a shade of silver-blue that’s hard to describe and impossible to forget. The breeze shifts from south to north, the bait runs thick through Perdido Pass, and every friend with a boat starts trading text messages before dawn: “They’re biting at the jetties.”

It’s what locals call Red October — that sweet stretch when the bull reds school up and the fall bite hits its stride from Terry Cove to Bayou St. John. The water cools, the air sharpens, and conversations around the marina turn from summer crowds to tide charts and tackle talk.

The Gulf in Her Autumn Mood

Neighbors often tell me October is their favorite time to be on the water —…

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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 Boat: A Perfect Match for Gulf Coast Living

THE INVINCIBLE 36 OPEN FISHERMAN: A PERFECT MATCH FOR GULF COAST LIVING

By Meredith Folger Amon

When I see an Invincible 36 Open Fisherman cruising through the waters around Orange Beach and Ono Island, I can’t help but stop and admire it. This boat represents everything I love about our Gulf Coast lifestyle—strength, elegance, and the ability to transition seamlessly from serious offshore fishing to a leisurely day on the water with family and friends.

The Invincible brand has long been respected for its offshore performance, and the 36 Open Fisherman is one of its most versatile models. At 36 feet 10 inches in overall length, with a beam of 10 feet, it strikes a perfect balance—large enough to handle long offshore runs into the Gulf, yet…

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Charleston Pickled Shrimp: A Lowcountry Favorite with a Gulf Coast Twist

Charleston Pickled Shrimp: A Lowcountry Favorite with a Gulf Coast Twist

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

Being born in Hilton Head and later living in Charleston, where I went to college, South Carolina flavors are in my roots. One recipe that has always stayed with me is Charleston-style pickled shrimp. Unlike the typical shrimp cocktail — which can sometimes feel heavy with just cold shrimp and cocktail sauce — this dish shines with its light, tangy dressing of vinegar, lemon, capers, and bay leaves. It’s refreshing, flavorful, and deeply satisfying, especially on a hot Gulf Coast day here in Orange Beach.

The best part? It travels…

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Experience Boating and Fishing in Orange Beach, Alabama: A July Adventure with Meredith Amon

Boating and Fishing in Orange Beach, Alabama: A July Adventure

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

If you’re looking to experience the best of the Gulf Coast, July is one of the most exciting months to be out on the water in Orange Beach, Alabama. Whether you're a seasoned fisherman or just love a peaceful boat ride, Orange Beach offers everything you need for an unforgettable summer on the water.

As a resident and real estate advisor in the area, I’ve spent countless hours boating and soaking in the beauty of this part of the Gulf Coast. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect when you head out onto the water in Orange Beach this July.

Perfect Conditions for Boating

July in Orange Beach is synonymous with sunny…

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Celebrating Community, Conservation, and Coastal Living at the Orange Beach Billfish Classic

Celebrating Community, Conservation, and Coastal Living at the Orange Beach Billfish Classic

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

There’s something truly special about living and working in Orange Beach. Beyond the beauty of the Gulf and the charm of our waterfront neighborhoods, it’s the way our coastal lifestyle brings people together—through boating, conservation, and shared traditions. One event that exemplifies this harmony is the Orange Beach Billfish Classic.

It’s more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of what makes Orange Beach feel like home. From the excitement of the weigh-ins to the stories shared at the docks, there’s an…

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The 2025 Gulf Coast Masters: A Premier MBGFC Tradition on Alabama’s Coast

The 2025 Gulf Coast Masters: A Premier MBGFC Tradition on Alabama’s Coast

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

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

Each year, one tournament stands out as the signature kickoff to the Gulf Coast’s deep-sea fishing season—the Gulf Coast Masters, hosted by none other than the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club (MBGFC). This Memorial Day weekend tradition isn’t just about who lands the biggest marlin—it’s about legacy, sport, and the remarkable community of anglers who return to Orange Beach Marina each spring to compete, connect, and celebrate the lifestyle that defines this coast.

A Tournament Backed by Heritage and Prestige

The MBGFC is one of the most…

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Sportsfishing Yacht in Orange Beach: Pure Power and Coastal Elegance

COMMANDING THE GULF: A POWERHOUSE YACHT IN THE HEART OF ORANGE BEACH

By Meredith Amon | Real Estate Advisor & Coastal Lifestyle Enthusiast

There’s something about the way a sportfishing yacht slices through the water at full throttle that gets your heart racing. I had the chance to photograph this absolute beast of a yacht as it made its way through the pass in Orange Beach, Alabama, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Graceful, aggressive, and unmistakably elite—it’s the kind of vessel that turns heads from every balcony and beach chair.

This yacht isn’t just transportation—it’s a statement. 

Built for Speed. Designed for Power.

 With its sky-blue hull and sleek black window profile, this sportfisher roared through Perdido Pass…

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Deep Sea Fishing & Boating in Orange Beach, Alabama: A Way of Life on the Gulf Coast

Deep Sea Fishing & Boating in Orange Beach, Alabama: A Way of Life on the Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

There’s something about watching the sun rise over the Gulf of Mexico while the bow of your boat cuts a glassy trail toward open water. As a real estate advisor and full-time resident of Ono Island, I don’t just help people find homes—I help them live the boating and fishing lifestyle that defines Orange Beach and the surrounding Gulf Coast.

At www.searchthegulf.com, I work with homeowners and buyers who crave this lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for a deep water dock, a boat lift-ready canal front lot, or a luxury home minutes from Zeke’s Landing Marina or Orange Beach Marina, boating isn’t just a bonus…

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