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...

Small Plane Crashes In Bon Secour Bay Near Gulf Shores

Small Plane Crashes In Bon Secour Bay Near Gulf Shores

By OBA Staff • March 8, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — A small private plane crashed into Bon Secour Bay near Gulf Shores on Saturday evening, killing two people and prompting a large emergency response on the water and along the shoreline. The aircraft went down in the bay while en route to Gulf Shores, according to early reports from...
The intersection of South Hickory Street and West Michigan Avenue reopened after construction

Intersection Of Hickory And Michigan Reopens To Traffic

By Guy Busby • March 8, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials say the intersection of South Hickory Street and West Michigan Avenue is open again after months of construction at the busy crossroads in southwest Foley. The project aimed to improve safety and help traffic flow more smoothly through the area. Local leaders noted that the work...
Golfers Set To Tee Off For Youth-Reach Gulf Coast Charity Event

Golfers Set To Tee Off For Youth-Reach Gulf Coast Charity Event

By OBA Staff • March 8, 2026
Loxley, Ala. — (OBA) — Golfers across Baldwin County are preparing for a day of friendly competition and community support as Youth-Reach Gulf Coast hosts its 14th Annual Golf Tournament. The event will be held at Steelwood Country Club, giving players a chance to enjoy time on the greens with friends, good food...
Summer Youth Work Program

Summer Youth Work Program Offers Local Teens A Chance To Earn And Learn

By OBA Staff • March 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Teens in Orange Beach have a new opportunity to earn money and gain real work experience this summer. The City of Orange Beach is accepting applications for its Summer Youth Work Program for local students aged 14-15. The program provides young people with a chance to develop job skills...
City of Foley Employee Appreciation Dinner

City of Foley Celebrates Municipal Employees’ Dedication

By Guy Busby • March 7, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The city of Foley expressed gratitude to its municipal workers for their dedication. Officials hosted a special event to honor their service to the community. Mayor Ralph Hellmich commended the team for making Foley exceptional. He emphasized how their pride and teamwork distinguish the city.
Marshals Krewe Hosts Fundraiser Dinner For Future Trade Students

Marshals Krewe Hosts Fundraiser Dinner For Future Trade Students

By OBA Staff • March 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Marshals’ Mardi Gras krewe is gathering community members for an evening of purpose and celebration this spring. Partnering with Perdido Beach Resort, the group will host the Trades of Tomorrow fundraising dinner to support scholarships for local students. The event will feature fine...
Gulf Coast Boating Fans Gear Up For The Wharf Boat Show

Gulf Coast Boating Fans Gear Up For The Wharf Boat Show

By OBA Staff • March 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Boat enthusiasts along the Gulf Coast are preparing for one of the region’s largest marine events as The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show comes back to Orange Beach this spring. The annual show will showcase over $100 million worth of boats and marine gear, ranging from basic crafts to luxury...
Alabama Beaches Tourism Summit Showcases Growth and New Initiatives

Alabama Beaches Tourism Summit Showcases Growth and New Initiatives

By OBA Staff • March 6, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Tourism officials say Alabama’s beaches continue to grow as a year-round destination for travelers. New data shared during the annual Tourism Summit showed strong visitor spending and steady visitation outside the traditional summer season. Leaders also introduced new marketing ideas and...
Erie Meyer Civic Center To Host Magnolia Charity Gala

Erie Meyer Civic Center To Host Magnolia Charity Gala

By OBA Staff • March 6, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — One of Baldwin County’s most anticipated charity events is making a return this spring on the Gulf Coast. The South Baldwin Newcomers Club is organizing its annual Toast to the Coast fundraiser, known as The Magnolia Charity Gala. The event will gather residents, supporters, and community...
Foley Hosts German Students During Sister Cities Exchange

Foley Hosts German Students During Sister Cities Exchange

By OBA Staff • March 5, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Fifteen students and three teachers from Hennef, Germany, experienced life in Foley during a recent Sister Cities exchange visit. The group stayed with local host families, attended Foley schools, and explored the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Mobile. Their visit was featured at a Foley City...
Show More