Cruise control

Water is a big part of Ron and Julie Throgmartin's life. They have a 65-foot boat docked near their waterfront home on Cape Coral, on Florida's Gulf Coast. They love cruising out in the Gulf of Mexico or to Key West, and they can access their boat easily. But for Julie, the main draw of this house was its style and its livability. And while the water views and the access to boating are great, so are parents' worries when their children are about. Through some technological tweaks to their Gulf Coast home, the Throgmartins have it all: coastal living, great views, fun on the water, and safety for all, with some strategically placed cameras and a well-thought-out video monitoring system. Sprinkle in some multiroom music, a few high-definition plasma screens, and a revamped home theater, and about the only reason for them to leave their house may be for a refreshing cruise in the Gulf. See this slide show

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