Avalon and Stone Harbor Weekly Update July 31, 2025

The AJ Meerwald, New Jersey’s tall ship, is back!  See below for details on how to sail aboard her!

TWO SAILBOAT RESCUES occurred this past week. In a dramatic incident in Townsend’s Inlet, a small sailboat that lost engine power was swept into the jetty.  Eight teenagers and two sailing instructors were rescued unharmed by the Avalon Beach Patrol as the vessel was destroyed on the rocks.  The story made national news; here’s a link to a Good Morning America report:  https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/video/boat-rescue-caught-camera-new-jersey-124027131?

In a separate incident a 62-foot sailing catamaran was struck by lightning in Delaware Bay, after sailing from Texas.  No one was injured, but the lightning strike destroyed the vessel’s electronic and navigation equipment, and disabled its engine.  Sea Tow Cape May towed the catamaran to Cape May Harbor, and later to Yank Marine in Tuckahoe for repairs.

WOW, THE FISHING IS GOOD!   Tuna fishing in the offshore canyons has been strong, and mahi mahi are showing up in the usual offshore and midshore locations.  In the back bays, flounder are being caught along with the occasional weakfish.  Moran’s Dockside in Avalon has reported some impressive catches, including a 6-pound flounder caught last week!  Want to try your hand at fishing?  There are numerous options, including fishing piers at 8^th Street and 83rd Street, ocean fishing aboard the Miss Avalon or back bay fishing aboard Avalon Lady, and charters with Nev-R-Enuf Sportfishing, Rising Tide Sportfishing, and many others.  Visit Moran’s Dockside at the Avalon Sport Fishing Center for more info.

GOTTA DO IT: AJ MEERWALD!  New Jersey’s official tall ship, the AJ Meerwald is a 115-foot,1928 oyster schooner that spent her working life in Delaware Bay.  AJ Meerwald now spends her summers visiting various ports in New Jersey, hosting a series of educational and public sails.  Earlier this week she returned to Cape May, where she’ll spend the next several weeks.  Beginning Friday, August 1st, she’ll sail daily on Wednesdays through Sundays, offering two-hour public sails.  It’s a great way to experience the shore through the lens of history—help set her huge sails and catch a relaxing sunset, too!  For info and tickets visit https://www.bayshorecenter.org/ports-cape-may-nj/

SLOW DOWN, YOU’RE ON ISLAND TIME!  While you’re here, ease off the gas pedal and take your time.  From the Boulevards to Dune Drive to our cross streets, taking it a bit slower makes it safer for all of us—including other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.  Slow down and enjoy being on “island time!”

DRIVING THE REAL ESTATE MARKET:  Various factors continue to drive our local real estate market.  Buyer demand remains steady, as mortgage rates have stabilized.  The number of active listings has increased somewhat over the past year, bringing us a more balanced market, and more options for buyers.  With properties beginning at $349,000 (for an efficiency condominium) and rising to eight figures for oceanfront homes, our market truly offers something for everyone.  Ready to discuss your next real estate move?  Call or email me today!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

286 16th Street, 3, Avalon, $1,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252188

2778 Dune Drive, D, Avalon, $1,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252145

435 20th Street, 435, Avalon, $4,999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252180

10425 Corinthian Drive, Stone Harbor, $5,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252147

82 W 9th Street, Avalon, $5,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252202

274 106th Street, Stone Harbor, $5,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252177

9301 1st Avenue, Stone Harbor, $7,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 252184

Under Contract:

460 20th Street, 2nd Floor, Avalon, $1,189,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251961

230 101st Street, #1 East, Stone Harbor, $2,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251970

396 95th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,499,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251957

55 W 22nd Street, Avalon, $2,799,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251328

242 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $5,595,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251969

10019 Sunrise Drive, Stone Harbor, $5,895,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251746

Properties Sold:

41 Marine Way, 41, Avalon, $1,775,000, SOLD MLS#: 243181

599 22nd Street, 599, Avalon, $1,800,000, SOLD MLS#: 251825