South Jersey

[Hobie1]

Looking for a Marina in SJ NJ that can handle a Catalina 42 5ft draft. Will use it as a transition point from part time use to full time in 2 years. So for the short term (2years) will be for vacation and long weekend use near a beach. Long term will migrate to FL in the winter and the North East in the summer.

[SV.StellaMaris]

I’m surprised you haven’t received any responses. I’m not from the area, so don’t have any local knowledge. But we stopped in Atlantic City NJ on our way north from Norfolk to Cape Cod. We stayed at the Farley State Marina which is run by the Golden Nugget Casino. It had a number of large boats, some cats and very deep draft. You might try them, they are off Abescon Inlet.

We had a much better experience then I expected. I don’t like crowds or casinos, but it was our only option to get a medically compromised crew to shore. It was fairly busy till about 10 pm then quieted down - which surprised me as it was Friday night on Labor Day weekend. We stayed two nights and the only disturbance was mid-day Saturday when a group of cigarette boats came in and one was having engine trouble. We had two peaceful days and slept soundly down below with our ports closed and the AC on.

[Sparx]

My top and only picks would be a marina on the "mainland" accessible to Barnegat Inlet, Atlantic City, Cape May or Atlantic Highlands . Our favorites are Atlantic Highlands followed by Barnegat Inlet. Cape May has the advantage of access to Delaware Bay, Cape Henlopen, and Lewes.

Having been in and out of every navigable inlet along the Jersey Shore, my life desire is to stay out of ALL the others.

We found many of our dock neighbors on the Northern Chesapeake came from New Jersey. They made the drive to have access to numerous places to explore and less angry ocean days. Something to consider depending on your situation.

[daveandsara2016]

Really depends on where you want to be and what you consider South Jersey.

In Barnegat there is Mariners Marina. They say they have 7 ft depth at dock. It is about an hour to Barnegat Inlet. There are also several marinas on the Forked River worth looking into. Nice thing up there is you can always sail Barnegat Bay when the ocean is not cooperating.

Like previously mentioned, there is the Farley Marina in Atlantic City, if AC interest you. It is a quick shot to the ocean.

Seaview Harbor in Longport is right inside Great Egg Inlet. They say they have 6 foot at the dock. Also nearby is Harbor Cove Marina in Somers Point.

There are several marinas in Cape May, I would recommend Utsch's, though it says they only have 6 foot depth at the dock. Canyon Club marina across the way may provide more depth. Both these Marina provide quick access to Cape May Canal. Cape May is nice because it provides access to both the Ocean and the Delaware Bay. Weekend traffic can suck when driving into Cape May in the summer.

Dave

[TheOffice]

Canyon Club has filled in. South Jersey Marina is a far better option with friendlier staff in Cape May. Visited both in the last 2 weeks.

[bensolomon]

Hobie,
How far are you willing to drive to get to the boat? Barnegat is not good for your draft, and really nowhere to sail. Cape may is nice, but also no place to sail to and anchor out, etc.

I agree with Sparx, and I have similar experiences. I have sailed up and down from Chesapeake to New England multiple times and have stayed in absecon at the municipal marina, as well which was very nice, as well as barnegat and cape may. I think you would be much happier in the Chesapeake Bay with a reasonable size town at your disposal such as Rock Hall, or Annapolis in the mid Bay or Havre de Grace at the top of the Bay. This way you have the amenities of a town and 10,000 anchorages to go to explore and if you want to, and when you are ready to head south, you head down the bay and either take the icw or go out into the main ocean. My home Port is Rock Hall so that is my bias. We live north of Philadelphia and it's very much worth the drive to have access to the Chesapeake bay.

Ben

[Hobie1]

Thanks for all the feedback, just what I was looking for! For awhile there I did not think I would receive any responses. Sail often out of the Bohemia River on a friends boat, 3.5ft draft, so know the upper Chesapeake better then other areas. The reason behind South Jersey over the bay initially is to be near a short point ‘think beach’ for grandchildren on weekends while I still have to work. Once I retire most likely will relocate to Rock Hall. Still a short drive from Philly but with quick access to the a larger portion of the bay.

[bensolomon]

Hobie,

Jersey shore beaches are nice, but your grandkids may enjoy crabbing and fishing in the Chesapeake, as well. In rock hall, there is a small-ish beach and tons of things to do for kids. It's certainly not Cape May, nor is there a boardwalk, etc. Anyway, you get the idea. Look forward to seeing you in Rock Hall one day.

Ben

[pesarsten]

Sassafras River northern chesapeake has Skipjack cove marina . Beautiful resort with pool
and wonderful sailing ( other than August). Perhaps a pool could satisfy the "beach' requirement.

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by bensolomon

Hobie,
How far are you willing to drive to get to the boat? Barnegat is not good for your draft, and really nowhere to sail. Cape may is nice, but also no place to sail to and anchor out, etc.

I agree with Sparx, and I have similar experiences. I have sailed up and down from Chesapeake to New England multiple times and have stayed in absecon at the municipal marina, as well which was very nice, as well as barnegat and cape may. I think you would be much happier in the Chesapeake Bay with a reasonable size town at your disposal such as Rock Hall, or Annapolis in the mid Bay or Havre de Grace at the top of the Bay. This way you have the amenities of a town and 10,000 anchorages to go to explore and if you want to, and when you are ready to head south, you head down the bay and either take the icw or go out into the main ocean. My home Port is Rock Hall so that is my bias. We live north of Philadelphia and it's very much worth the drive to have access to the Chesapeake bay.

Ben

I apologize for hijacking your thread, Hobie, but I have a related question I want to get input on from the folks here.

I am trying to figure out depth in Barnegat inlet and Oyster Creek channel and I am getting different responses. We draw 6’ - BoatUS says there’s enough depth to enter the inlet and channel whereas SeaTow says there isn’t. Can someone local comment on it? Has anyone been there recently?

I have contacted the marina where I want to store the boat for winter but still awaiting their response.

Thank you.

[bensolomon]

There has been a lot of shifting of the bottom. Move with the incoming tide to maximize your water under the keel. You'll get in and out at high tide. And....the tide runs fiercely through the inlet.

Ben

[Woodland Hills]

Originally Posted by Knotical

I apologize for hijacking your thread, Hobie, but I have a related question I want to get input on from the folks here.

I am trying to figure out depth in Barnegat inlet and Oyster Creek channel and I am getting different responses. We draw 6’ - BoatUS says there’s enough depth to enter the inlet and channel whereas SeaTow says there isn’t. Can someone local comment on it? Has anyone been there recently?

I have contacted the marina where I want to store the boat for winter but still awaiting their response.

Thank you.

Did you call the local BoatUS or SeaTow or the national offices?

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Did you call the local BoatUS or SeaTow or the national offices?

I called their local offices.

[Woodland Hills]

Interesting that they disagreed. If you have time ask on thehulltruth, there are a bunch of guys there who fish out of Barnegat Bay there.

[Gadagirl]

So I think AC might work for you if you are talking weekends and occasionally weekly stays. The marina itself comes with amenities that are favorable to families. There is security in passcode protected dock access ( still AC , so not entirely crime free, but only heard of petty crime, nothing violent) There is free parking in a parking garage if you are not lucky enough to snag a spot along the bulkhead. There is a restaurant/bar with entertainment on weekends. There are nice clean showers, rest rooms, and laundry room.There is electric, water, and pump out at every slip. There is access to the hotel pool and gym, but not sure if those are included in slip fees or a little bit extra. You can dinghy across to a beach along the inlet or drive less than 5-10 mins. over the bridge to Brigantine beach. A great family friendly beach town. Stop at Earnst&apos;s deli for sandwiches, or call in your order, they deliver to the beach👍 https://ernestandson.com/#<br>
You can dinghy across or drive to Gardners basin for meals or to visit the park or aquarium.
Day sail out on the Atlantic, make trips to NY or south to Cape May or the Chesapeake. Explore, fish, and crab the inland water way and marshes on your dinghy. It is really a great area. Go inland to a farm and pick blueberries in June. Visit the wineries. Take the grandkids to Batsto for a day. Not sure if it is still a thing but we used to swim the abandoned quarries.
I must say though you will be surrounded by many politically proud flying flags. If you fall into their phylosphy great. If not, it is easy enough to keep to yourself neutral and just go about your buisness.
It's a nice area. I grew up s. Jersey. My father kept his boat in AC for the last years that he owned it. I have friends that keep their boats there now. If your trying to keep kids, moms, and dads happy it's probably a great compromise for all.