John and Suzette Craig really seem to have it all: a beautiful house on the lake, the freedom and comfort of their retirement years, as well as a sleek and eye-catching pontoon they use regularly for exploring the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. 

Everywhere the Craigs go in their 2020 Amara pontoon, they turn heads. People comment on the vibrant fiberglass curves of the pontoon’s exterior. They also comment on the curves of the V8 Yamaha 425hp engine on the back of the boat, which can easily be spotted from a mile away.

The Craigs are happy with their pontoon and happy with their home overlooking the lake, both important additions to their life since retiring. They’ve found their yin yang formula for a life that pleases them both, but to get there, they had to search for a middle ground between two nearly opposite visions for the future.

A Connecting Factor

When John and Suzette began discussing the life they wanted after retirement, they were living in the sunny and heavily populated Dallas, Texas, area. They both wanted a change of scenery. John was hoping for a dose of adventure and a cooler climate. He was thinking Alaska. But Suzette had another idea entirely, something much more southern. She wanted to go somewhere warm, but not too warm to eliminate snow. 

“I told John I wanted to live as far south as we could while still having all four seasons,” she recalls.

With visions that inhabited separate regions of the map, compromise seemed far off. But one thing bridged the divide for both John and Suzette: boating. Wherever they went, they both knew they would have to have a boat and access to a lake. It was a must. They could compromise on just about anything but this.

Home Sweet Home

The Craigs began their search for a lake in an area that could satisfy both their needs. After lots of deliberation and research, they set their sights on the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri and began a house hunt.

They were thorough. The Craigs aren’t the type to impulsively jump into a decision. They know what they want and they don’t settle until they get it. When it came to a new home, they didn’t just want a home near the lake, they wanted a home on the lake.

“I searched up and down 100 miles of the river trying to find the home we were hoping for,” John shares. “When we found it, we knew. You just don’t find many homes as perfectly situated as ours. It’s in a beautiful spot with space and a view and prime access to the water. This is exactly what we wanted.”

John recalls the day they brought their new Amara pontoon from G3 Boats home for the first time—a pretty hard moment to forget, the way he describes it. 

“It was an impressively smooth ride,” he recalls. “It was already in the water when we picked it up from Surdykes and we drove it home. We rounded the bend in the river, and we were still about a mile out from our home. But we could see the house so clearly, even at that distance. It was right there on the hill in a beautiful spot. It was pretty amazing.”

The Boating Life

The Craigs have been surprised by how convenient the boating life has been, with their home right on the water as it is.

“You can get to most places in the area more quickly in a boat than you can in a car,” Suzette says. “There are some nice restaurants along the river, and we can pull right up to the dock. It’s very convenient, especially during the warmer months.”

Though many people think of boating as an activity that is reserved for the summer months alone, John takes every opportunity to get the boat out and run the motor.

“Even during the winter, we like to take the boat out every couple of days to keep it primed,” he says. “I love the convenience of an outboard. It’s so easy to tilt it up and drain it out, so I don’t hesitate to take the boat out on a warm winter day. I’m able to keep an eye on my boat and make sure it’s maintained all winter long. Why not?”

The Craigs have such a sweet setup, they certainly have reasons to enjoy every minute of their time out on the lake, regardless of the time of year.

The Sweetest Seasons

Though the Craigs enjoy spending time on the water throughout the year, they definitely have their favorite seasons for taking the pontoon for a run. 

“The best times are fall and spring, because there are so few people out on the lake,” Suzette explains. “Everything is so scenic. You really get a chance to take it all in.”

When asked about their favorite moments in the pontoon, they both smile. 

“It’s great when our kids come to see us. Being out in the boat is always central to their visit,” John says. “We’re out on the water constantly when the whole family is here, and we have a good time. They love the Amara. We have some really fond memories. But our favorite moments on the boat are when it’s just the two of us.” 

Suzette agrees. “Especially during those quiet, scenic seasons,” she adds. “Everything is so beautiful and peaceful when it’s just us out on the water.”

No Regrets

If you ask the Craigs if they have any regrets about purchasing the Amara, their answer is no. 

“We couldn’t be happier with it,” John says. “We’re still amazed at how affordable our boat was, considering the motor it has. The Yamaha XTO 425 is an offshore outboard designed for big boats and salt water. We purchased the boat for thousands less than boats with the same motor offered by other manufacturers. They wanted to clear it out of the warehouse. It was a mind-blowing deal.”

The service after the sell was equally as impressive, as Surdyke Yamaha has stayed in contact with the owners after selling them the boat. Having a great dealer only confirms their decision to get into boating, but the Craigs’ love of the Amara goes beyond the savings they got when they bought it. Their list of reasons for loving it is extensive.

“This boat can really hold its own on the water,” Suzette says. “The water here can get very choppy, but in the Amara, we’re never afraid to go around other boats.”

John agrees, “Most boats would get washed out in the wake of other boats on this lake. Our boat cuts through the chop nicely and stays level. We have the strongest outboard on the lake and we don’t ever have to back off from waves. We can just crush through it. We’d never seen anything like it before we found the Amara. It’s amazing.”

The Craigs also love how spacious the pontoon is. They have no trouble storing toys and gear when their kids come to town, and there’s space enough for everyone to stretch out. They’re also big fans of the Kicker audio system.

“When you’re cruising on the boat, you’ve gotta have music,” John says. “We crank it up.”

When they first saw the boat, the Craigs also immediately loved the high-class look with its fiberglass walls. They’ve gained attention on the lake with their classy pontoon, and people now recognize the Craigs in the Amara, even from a distance. They get regular compliments from people all around the lake, including the neighbors.

“Our neighbor loves the Amara so much, he’s decided to buy one himself,” Suzette says.

But no one loves it more than the Craigs do. The Craigs have found a happy rhythm in their life at the lake, and the Amara is usually at the center of it. The pontoon has acted as a connecting factor to keep John and Suzette close and happy. They look forward to many years ahead filled with even more memories on the lake.

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