MarineMax Lifestyles Page 52

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MarineMax Lifestyles

and the prop tunnels give this boat a shallow draft," he says. "the
second bedroom and bathroom were a must. Dual GPs, the radar,
autopilot, the smartcraftTM system and satellite television were
all added luxuries."

the post-christmas 80-degree weather heats up the enclosed

bridge and prompts Jerry to mention the six air conditioners
onboard. Janeen fakes a shiver and laughs at the thought of all
the years she and tom spent enduring nebraska winters. "i can't
imagine the cold up there," she says, "because we've been down
here for 16 years."

a hush falls over the yacht as the sun sinks toward the sea.

a pale pink morphs into a crimson blaze, and the light casts a
purple hue on the gleaming meridian's long bow. all eyes remain
affixed on the stunning horizon. tour boats filled with sightseers
turn their attention from the colorful show before them to the
Perkinses' meridian as Jerry skillfully captains the 441 back inside
the bay.

"oh look, there's our eagle," Jeanne says, pointing to a divine

creature perched high on a bare tree trunk. "isn't he beautiful?"
the bird is a regular fixture inside the pass, and the four friends
always make a point to keep an eye out for it.

Jerry turns in the direction of Port royal, famed for having

some of the most extravagant real estate in the nation. the couples
gawk at a home with a vast infinity pool that overlooks the water.
they are unaware that a resident, lounging on the veranda, casts
an equal amount of curiosity in the direction of the meridian.

Jerry asks Jeanne to take the helm for a minute, and she eagerly

obliges. "i've had the opportunity to take a class at marinemax,"
she says. "i was so overwhelmed when we got the boat, but they
really helped me. i learned how to dock, and they made me feel
so comfortable. now i am going to have them come over so i can

learn more about the electronics." learning all the
ropes--not just the dock lines--is Jeanne's goal
for the couple's upcoming trip to the Bahamas.

she and Jerry acquired a taste for the excitement

and adventure that longer rides have to offer when
they traveled to Key West earlier this past year. "it
takes the same amount of time by water as it does
by land. much better on a boat," Jerry says.

after retaking the helm, Jerry maneuvers the

meridian around the bend and expertly docks it in
the couple's slip at Windstar. the moonlight now
reflects off the club pool and beckons the crew.

as they disembark, Jerry flips on the 441's

underwater lights. With champagne flutes in
hand, they head out onto the deck. He looks
back, admiring his meridian--the fantastic result
of a lifelong joy of being on the water. "at night,
we love the colored lights underneath the swim
platform," he says, pausing for a moment before
continuing. "they'll definitely look good in that
Bahamian water..."