There is something about being near the water that just speaks to our souls. Maybe it is that water and being human are intertwined from the beginning of life. It certainly sustains us throughout life in many ways. It is where so many of us go to relax and refresh. But for some, living near the water is not enough – living on the water is the only way to satisfy their hearts.
Marsha and Harry Sherburne keep their 45-foot Sea Ray Motor Yacht docked at the Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor. “It is our floating condo,” says Marsha. Home is in Madisonville, Louisiana, but life is celebrated on the boat in Mississippi. “It feels like home. It is so comfortable. The marina provides great amenities, and we can walk or take the golf cart all over Old Town and what is not to love about Old Town?”
The couple have always owned boats and cannot imagine a life without one. Harry has owned more than 60 boats, including a vintage 1955 14-foot wooden Yellow Jacket that they continue to take to boat festivals. It was made by the Roy Rogers boat company in Texas. “We have a fun photograph of the whole Roy Rogers gang on board,” says Marsha.
Aptly named, Amnesia, the boat in the Bay makes them forget all of life’s little distractions. There are two bedrooms, two baths, a galley, a raised dining area, and living space with a fold-out sofa. “It has all the comforts of home, just smaller. You do have to be efficient and organized with storage. Sometimes the storage is in the floor!” Marsha shares that she did not have to do much redecorating after they purchased the boat. “It was simply fine the way it was. I made a bed spread and added pillows to a bedroom. A special down pillow that my grandmother made is our favorite piece on board. My grandmother collected the feathers for it.”
Boat life appeals to the couple’s family and friends too who join them on day trips to Ship or Cat Island. “People love coming over to spend time on the boat. After about five days, Harry and I are ready to go back to Madisonville and then about two days after we get home, we are ready to come back!”
Elaine and Jered Graham keep Nauti Dream, a 50-foot Blue Water Yacht they call home, docked in Biloxi. Nestled in a private marina area between two casinos, the couple live full time on the water. The location provides them and their bull terrier, Tigger, a haven from which to watch all the activity on the water including the shore birds that share their little piece of paradise. “We love watching the birds from the upstairs deck. The pelicans sit together and seem to get along, but the herons are a different story!”
Their floating residence includes a beautiful deck with a cushioned safety floor, a fire pit, ample seating, a grill, and speakers for tunes. Both agree it is their favorite spot. Working full time and surrounded by great restaurants, they seldom eat in for dinner. Jered is a firefighter in Gautier and Elaine is a nurse in Ocean Springs. When they do dine at home, it is typically blackened fish from the grill – Jered’s specialty.
Down below are two bedrooms, two baths, a large living area, and a fully operational galley. They have nearly all the amenities a land based home would have and as Jered mentions, they can move their home out of harm’s way anytime they need to. Elaine and her DIY skills have influenced the boat’s décor. She has lots of creative ideas and does her research before tackling a project. A unique chiseled cork wall runs along the galley, and she upgraded a standard island countertop by marbling it with paint and coating it in epoxy. “It looks quite different since I moved here. Jered has learned to trust me when it comes to decorating.”
Like the Sherburnes, friends and family of the Grahams love spending time on the boat. “We have a boat crew of about 20 people,” says Jered. “On a pretty weekend, a group will get together and cruise the Coast and local rivers. There is no drama on boat days, we just like to have fun.”
The couple loves to cruise the Caribbean when they can. A collection of island license plates and shells are prominently displayed in the living area. But they love staying at home almost as much. “We’ve learned less is more and this lifestyle is perfect for us,” they say. And you certainly cannot beat the view.
Holly Harrison has been a licensed interior designer for over 35 years. Shannon Stage has spent nearly 20 years in the giftware industry. Together they own Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Sassy Bird Interiors
211 Main St., Bay St. Louis
228.344.3181
www.sassybirdinteriors.com
