Why are these yachts hanging out in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores?

John Mullen • May 25, 2020

Several are floating around on Pleasure Island waterways

Yachts near Robinson Island in Orange Beach, Alabama.
(OBA®) — Waterways around Orange Beach seem to have become inundated with luxury yachts with at least three seen floating on the Intracoastal Waterway and in Perdido Pass during the Memorial Day weekend.

“You don’t see 100-foot Benittis sitting out at Robinson Island very often,” Saunders Yachtworks General Manager John Fitzgerald said with a laugh.

A 100-footer – Jazz – has taken up residence at his dock in Gulf Shores on the Intracoastal south of Jack Edwards Airport. Also seen in the area is the superyacht 164-foot Apricity as well as the 85-foot Come Monday which is taking on charter trips while here. Also cruising around are the 126-foot Le Montrachet and the 90-foot First Boat. The largest boat Saunders Yachtworks can take out of the water is 120 feet.

“There’s two that have contacted us and we only got the one,” Fitzgerald said. “Some of them are just flat out too big for us. The bigger one out there I don’t know much about it. I saw a video of it moving on your website. I don’t know that one. I think that one’s too big to even talk to us or have at the dock or in the yard.

“The 164-foot boat would not be something we could not work on. They are probably at anchor. I don’t know that there’s anywhere (they could dock). Maybe they can go to The Wharf alongside but I’m not sure about that.”

Fitzgerald said with the COVID-19 restrictions in the Bahamas and other Caribbean destinations the boats are having trouble finding a place to dock.

“They were expected to stay until June 1 and now they’ve extended it into June,” Fitzgerald said. “It may even be July 1 before they open the Bahamas but they’ll be up here for a little while.”

Florida’s marinas that can accommodate these floating palaces are full driving traffic to the northern Gulf and up the east coast, Fitzgerald said. 

“They’re around,” Fitzgerald said. “I have a lot of communication with South Florida and they’ve been basically full for yacht dockage. The entire community has been overwhelmed by these boats coming from the south. Boats come here and boats are going up to places like the Carolinas that never go up there to some place to use the boat and where the owner has access to it or they could possibly run a charter trip. Just trying to use the boat somewhere where it’s safe.”

Stock photo of the Jazz luxury yacht.

JAZZ


Yachtharbor.com says the Jazz is Jazz is a 99-foot luxury motor yacht. She was built by Benetti in 2007. With a beam of about 23 and a half feet and a draft of nearly six feet. It is built with GRP hull and GRP superstructure and powered by two 1,000 hp engines, can cruise at 12 knots and can accommodate eight guests in cabins.
Photo of the Come Monday luxury yacht.

COME MONDAY


Yachtcharterfleet.com says the 85-foot custom motor yacht 'Come Monday' was built in 2002 by Breauxs Bay Craft. It is powered by two 1,400 hp engines with a beam of 22 feet and a draft of 5.7 feet. According to a Come Monday Facebook page, it is available for a dinner cruise charter or overnight charter in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Inquire through private message on the page for details.
Stock photo of the superyacht Apricity.

APRICITY


Superyachttimes.com he 164-foot Apricity yacht was built in 2014 by Overmarine. She features an exterior design by Stefano Righini Design. She cruises at 34 knots and reaches a top speed of 40. She can sleep up to 10 guests taken care of by a crew of 9. It is currently for sale for $21 million according to charterworld.com. 
Stock picture of the luxury yacht Le Montrachet

LE MONTRACHET


Luxury charter yacht Le Montrachet was built in 1986 by Broward Marine and has since been refitted, according to charterworld.com. She can accommodate up to 10 guests and charters in the Bahamas year round. It has twin 1,400 hp motors, is 126 feet long, has a beam of 24 feet and a cruising speed of 11 knots.
First Boat Yacht in Orange Beach

FIRST BOAT


This luxury yacht is 90 feet long, has a beam of almost 26 feet, can accommodate eight guests with a crew of two, has twin 1,600 hp engines, a cruising speed of 26 knots and a top speed of 33 knots. It was built by Mares in 1996, according to yachtcharterfleet.com.


Photo by:  Bradley Deal
David Lindley captured this video of the Apricity Yacht near Perdido Pass

Share this article w/ Friends...

Pensacola Man Arrested After Break-In in Foley

Pensacola Man Arrested After Break-In in Foley

By OBA Staff • April 24, 2025
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – At around 2:45 a.m., Foley police responded to a burglary call on State Highway 59. Officers found a man inside the business and apprehended him. The suspect, 52-year-old Patrick Odell Levens from Pensacola, Florida, had used a power tool to cut a hole in the back wall to get inside.
Perdido Beach Resort Backs Orange Beach Schools with Major Gift

Perdido Beach Resort Backs Orange Beach Schools with Major Gift

By OBA Staff • April 24, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools and the Mako Academics, Arts, and Athletics Club have announced a major new sponsor. Perdido Beach Resort pledged to be a Diamond Level Sponsor for the 2025-2026 school year.
Cyclists Gear Up for 2025 Good Life Ride at Gulf State Park

Cyclists Gear Up for 2025 Good Life Ride at Gulf State Park

By R. Ken Cooper • April 24, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The popular Good Life Ride cycling event is set to return to Gulf State Park on May 10, 2025. The annual event, which attracts cycling enthusiasts from across the Southeast, will feature multiple route options designed to showcase the natural beauty of Alabama's coastal region.
Major Drainage Overhaul Taking Place on West Peachtree Avenue

Major Drainage Overhaul Taking Place on West Peachtree Avenue

By Guy Busby • April 24, 2025
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Travel on West Peachtree Avenue will soon be smoother after the Foley City Council approved road repairs. The council voted to fix the road near Foley Airport last week. Jeff Phillips, the city construction projects manager, explained that collapsed metal storm drainage pipes buried alongside the road had damaged the street.
Orange Beach Schools Names Laatsch as Assistant Athletic Director

Orange Beach Schools Names Laatsch as Assistant Athletic Director

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools has appointed Chris Laatsch as their new Assistant Athletic Director. The announcement came Wednesday as school officials welcomed the veteran coach to his expanded role within the athletics program.
Mystery Urn Washes Ashore in Gulf Shores

Mystery Urn Washes Ashore in Gulf Shores

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – An unusual discovery was made on the beaches of Gulf Shores last week. A funeral urn containing human ashes washed ashore after apparently being released into the Gulf of Mexico.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Hosts Summer Zoo Camp for Kids

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Hosts Summer Zoo Camp for Kids

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is inviting kids to experience a summer of adventure through its 2025 Zoo Camp program. The camp will give young animal lovers a hands-on opportunity to learn about wildlife and conservation.
Orange Beach Powerboat Week Returns for the Sixth Year

Orange Beach Powerboat Week Returns for the Sixth Year

By OBA Staff • April 23, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – The 6th Annual Orange Beach Powerboat Week is coming to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The three-day event brings fast boats, fun runs, and parties to the area.
Foley Sanitation Department Faces Spring Cleanup Delays

Foley Sanitation Department Faces Spring Cleanup Delays

By Guy Busby • April 23, 2025
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – The City of Foley is asking residents to be patient as spring-cleaning and yard work increase the need for limb collection services, according to the City of Foley website. The Foley Sanitation Department collects tree limbs weekly from homes across the city. However, officials said temporary high demand may delay collections on some routes by about one day.
2025 National Shrimp Festival Poster Winner

Local Artist Captures Shrimp Festival Poster Contest with a Vibrant Design

By OBA Staff • April 22, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores-based artist Michael Swiger has been selected as the winner of the 52nd Annual National Shrimp Festival poster contest, festival organizers announced Monday.
Show More