Best Boats for Orange Beach Homeowners: Draft, Depth, and Design for Every Waterway

Best Boats for Orange Beach Homeowners: Draft, Depth & Design for Every Waterway | Search the Gulf

BEST BOATS FOR ORANGE BEACH HOMEOWNERS: DRAFT, DEPTH, AND DESIGN FOR EVERY WATERWAY

I measure my days in tides and light. In Orange Beach, Alabama, mornings begin with a gull’s laugh over Terry Cove and end with a golden hush sliding across Bayou St. John. Between those moments lies the joy of choice: drift toward Old River or idle through Cotton Bayou; chase a bluewater sunrise through Perdido Pass or anchor behind Robinson Island while the kids cannonball from the swim ladder. I’m a homeowner and real estate advisor here—and the question I’m asked most is simple: “What’s the perfect boat for my dock?”

The right answer lives…

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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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Ono Island Homes + Boat Series: Big-Water Living on Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal Waterway

Ono Island Homes + Boat Series: Big-Water Living on Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal Waterway

By Meredith Folger Amon

Ono Island Homes + Boat Series: Big Water Living on Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal

By Meredith Folger Amon

Life on Ono Island is defined by water, and nowhere is that more evident than along the big-water stretches of Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal Waterway. These properties aren’t just homes—they’re harbors for boats that take their owners into the Gulf, across the Intracoastal, or over to waterfront restaurants with ease. For serious boaters, the right street matters just as much as the right floorplan.

Big-Water Streets for Serious Boats

The premier addresses on Bayou St. John—…

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Perdido Pass, Orange Beach AL: Coastal Birds & Bridge Photo

PERDIDO PASS IN LATE SEPTEMBER: “THE WATCHERS ON THE WALL”

By Meredith Folger Amon — Orange Beach, Alabama

I made this photograph at the end of September, standing along the seawall at Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, Alabama. The day had that clean, post-summer light I love on the Gulf—blue on blue—and a soft northeast breeze that kept the surface groomed. Fishing boats and a few yachts slid in and out of the pass beyond the frame. To my left, the white umbrellas and palms of The Gulf restaurant fluttered like little signals of shore life; ahead, the Perdido Pass Bridge arced across the water, carrying the day’s traffic toward Ono Island and back again.

But the subject here isn’t the bridge, the boats, or the restaurant. It’s the coastal birds…

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Navigating Boats Around Orange Beach & Perdido Pass: A Local Guide

NAVIGATING BOATS AROUND ORANGE BEACH & PERDIDO PASS: A LOCAL GUIDE

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

I run these waters constantly—Orange Beach, Ono Island, Perdido Pass, and the back bays—and I keep a running list of notes to help friends and clients make confident, courteous runs. Below is my first-person guide to reading the water, understanding markers and wake zones, and knowing where extra caution pays off across Perdido Pass, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Ole River, Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, the canals, and the open Gulf.

Heads-up: Conditions change with tide, wind, and storms. This guidance is local…

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How to Captain a Boat in Orange Beach: Rules, Buoys & Pro Tips

How Captains Run a Boat in Orange Beach (Lessons Learned from Local Pros)

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

Running the waters around Orange Beach, across Old River by Ono Island, and out the pass into the Gulf is a masterclass taught daily by seasoned captains—tow operators, charter skippers, and neighbors with thousands of local hours. The practices below reflect what those captains consistently do and the lessons they’ve shared.

Reading the Water (What Experienced Captains Watch)

• Color & texture: Greener/clearer often means deeper; tan or tea-colored water with tight ripples (“cat’s paws”) can mark shoals. A narrow…

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Why Azimut Yachts Are a Popular Choice on the Gulf Coast and Orange Beach, Alabama

Luxury on the Water: Why Azimut Yachts Are a Popular Choice on the Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

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

When I’m out on the water near Orange Beach or cruising past Ono Island, there are certain yachts that immediately catch your eye. One that always stands out is the Azimut, especially models in the 70–80 foot range like the Azimut Fly 72 or Azimut 77S. These yachts embody the perfect balance of Italian luxury, performance, and design—making them one of the most popular choices on the Gulf Coast.

Why Azimut Yachts Turn Heads

The first thing you notice about an Azimut is its sleek profile and modern lines. With panoramic…

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The Top 3 Things You Must Know About Boating on the Gulf Coast in 2025

The Top 3 Things You Must Know About Boating on the Gulf Coast in 2025

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

As a real estate advisor and boating enthusiast, I know that boating is more than just a pastime on the Gulf Coast—it’s a way of life. Whether you're a seasoned captain or a new boat owner, the waters of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and beyond offer endless opportunities for fishing, cruising, and waterfront living. However, boating in 2025 comes with new considerations, from evolving regulations to cutting-edge technology. Here are the top three things you need to know before setting sail this year.

1. New Boating Technology: Smarter, Safer, More Efficient

The boating industry has seen remarkable advancements in…

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Navigating the Future: Top Boat Manufacturers Leading the Gulf Coast Market in 2025

Navigating the Future: Top Boat Manufacturers Leading the Gulf Coast Market in 2025

By Meredith Amon, Your Trusted Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor

As a resident of Orange Beach and an avid lover of the Gulf Coast lifestyle, I've seen firsthand how the boating industry continues to evolve along our beloved shores—from the bustling marinas of Gulf Shores and Pensacola to the chic waterfronts of Destin and 30A. With 2025 ushering in a wave of innovative boat designs and cutting-edge technology, I’ve taken the time to explore which manufacturers are setting the pace for the offshore fishing boat segment, and I’m excited to share my insights with you.

Over the years, I’ve built relationships with local boat dealers and manufacturers who…

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The Best Boats for Catching Marlin in Orange Beach, Alabama

The Best Boats for Catching Marlin in Orange Beach, Alabama

 The thrill of chasing marlin in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico is a dream for many anglers. Orange Beach, Alabama, offers direct access to some of the most productive marlin fishing grounds, but having the right boat is crucial for success. Marlin fishing requires a boat that’s not only seaworthy and powerful but also equipped with advanced technology and plenty of space for long offshore trips. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best boats for catching marlin in Orange Beach and how they compare.

Top Boats for Marlin Fishing

1. Viking Yachts

• Price Range: $1 million to $10 million+
• Sizes: 38’ to 90’
• Why It’s Great for Marlin Fishing: Viking Yachts are the…

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