Harbor Highlights - June 2015

"Beach House" - Joe and Sunny Miceli

This Navigator 56' has room for a family and the oomph to go places.  Meet Joe and Sunny Miceli and find out why they're about to have two Beach Houses in the Bay!

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Joe and Sunny Miceli on the aft deck of "Beach House" in the Bay St. Louis Harbor

Joe and Sunny Miceli wanted to consolidate.  In 2008, the Gulfport residents owned a beach house on Ono Island in Alabama and a 45’ Sea Ray Sundancer.  Three generations of family often used both and many fond memories had been made through the years, but the upkeep was formidable.

The two decided to sell both the Alabama house and the Sea Ray, then find a slightly larger boat that would fill the shoes of both.  Once the Ono Island house sold, Joe began seriously shopping  The couple agreed that whatever boat they finally settled on, they’d rename it - despite the fact that mariner’s folklore says it’s bad luck to rename any vessel.  One name said it all:  Beach House.

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Soon, a broker from Fort Myers called, promising that he had the perfect boat for the Micelis.  It was a 2001 Navigator.  The classic pilothouse boat was 56 feet long. Two Volvo 430hp engines provided the power.  With three full cabins and two full baths, it did indeed seem made to order.

Joe happened to be in Tampa on business and drove over to inspect it.  The Navigator fit the bill in every way.  And the boat's name wouldn't have to be changed after all.  “Beach House” was already emblazoned on the fan tail.  The coincidence sealed the deal. 

Beach House lives up to its name.  The salon is spacious and furnished like a comfortable seaside retreat.  The main living area is open to a roomy galley that could have been transported from a chic Manhattan apartment.

The pilothouse contains ample room for a captain and a full complement of crew who may want to keep him (or her) company.  Down below, the master cabin glows with wood tones and reflected light.  While the other two cabins aren’t quite as large, neither feels cramped.  

The bathrooms offer full showers and lots of head and shoulder room.  One design device is genius:  the ceilings are mirrored.   The illusion of unlimited height makes it seems as if  even Shaquille would have plenty of headroom.

The view from the bridge of Beach House

The top deck, however, is Sunny’s favorite hangout.  There’s another captain’s station there and enough wrap-around seating and tables for a goodly sized crowd.  The Micelis like the open-air feel and the panoramic views of Bay St. Louis Old Town.

The couple have always been fond of Bay St. Louis, so it was an easy decision to use it as a home base for Beach House.  The feature they like most is the fact that there’s no busy four-lane highway separating the harbor from the town.  They also enjoy the shops, restaurants and pleasant strolls through the historic neighborhood - all easily accessible.

“They have a little beach right here for our grandkids,” says Joe.  “And this location is convenient to gulf.  It’s not like you have to go through a lot of canals and no wake zones.  Once you’re out of the marina, it’s short distance to islands, and the Louisiana marsh is right there for fishing.”

With the perfect boat in the perfect location, the Gulfport house is now on the market.  The  Michelis have bought property on Washington Street, near the beach.   Joe’s happy that the property is in the Bay St. Louis Historic District because he feels like his investment will be protected over the long haul.  The couple is planning to start building in the coming year.  And when the house is complete, the Micelis will have two beach houses.  But one has a feeling the grandchildren won’t mind.