Townsend's Inlet - Avalon

[Erik]

Hi,

I'll be heading down to Avalon from the Hudson river after the 4th, probably arriving on the 7th. Anybody have any local updates for the inlet? Thanks!

 

[alk]

I haven't been through Townsends in three years, so my info may be dated, but prior to that I used it every summer weekend for five years, so I have some experience with it. Great inlet, in almost any weather, besides the three big ones ( Cape May, Absecon, Manasquan) in my opinion Townsends is the best one on the Jersey Coast. But you have to be careful since it's not charted. Almost every weekend someone coming form the north would reach the offshore bouy, head straight for the inlet, and promptly run aground. Approach from the south and you'll be fine. When you pass the offshore buoy, head southwest, towards the pier at 30th street, or the water tower at 39th ( NOT the water tower at 13th street, 39th is second tower south of the inlet). When you are getting very close to the 30th street pier, you will see the jetty, and should see the green and red can markers that mark the channel. Turn towards the north - after you pass the jetty, you should see the channel that takes you right under the bridge. You'll need an opening, I believe it opens on demand.

If I remember right, from your trip to Stone Harbor last summer, your mast is to tall to get under the Ocean Drive bridge in Avalon, so is it safe to assume you'll be docking near the inlet. If so, you shouldn't have any problems with depth, even at low tide.

 

[Erik]

You are correct, sir! We are staying just north of the Ocean Drive Bridge this time. There is a small harbor opposite Avalon on the mainland side where we have rented a house & slip. I don't know the name of the harbor, but the real estate agent said that it had 6' all the way to the back, and we are near the front so we should be good there.

Thanks for the tips on the inlet.

 

[36mainship36]

Erik, Alk is correct with the approach to the inlet. You shouldn't have a problem. I run the inlet at least once a week. You will come close to the tip of the jetty. Chances are other boats will be comming and going, so just observe. We stay at Commodore Bay[ 9th street] Avalon. BTW this marinsa can handle vessels to 100ft. Bernie is the G.M., he does a great job with the place. 1st Class marina

Lou R. 36 Mainship D/C

 

[alk]

Sounds like you're over in Avalon Manor, I did three summers on that side, and the previous year (2001) at Commodore Bay. The current can be a real brb2@gr5t&ch over there.

 

[dominic]

quote:

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Originally posted by alk

......... Great inlet, in almost any weather, besides the three big ones ( Cape May, Absecon, Manasquan) in my opinion Townsends is the best one on the Jersey Coast. .......

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Great info on the traversing the Townsend....thanks....but IMHO, I would certainly include Barnegat Inlet in any discussion with regard to BIG inlets in NJ....

 

[Erik]

Thanks Lou, I took a look at Commodore Bay's web site. It looks great. If we didn't have family meeting us in Avalon, I'd certainly stay there.

Alk, is the current tough in Avalon Manor or at Commodore Bay? The house the family is renting sits back in the first corner of that little harbor. It looks pretty protected back there...

Dominic, we stopped at Barnegat last year both on the way down and the way back. I agree with you, it is a pretty good inlet as long as you don't try and cut any corners!

Thanks,

 

[alk]

I should have said after the three best inlets in New jersey, Townsends is next. Barnegat might be more popular, but Townsends is much safer, easier, etc.

The current moves pretty good at Commodore Bay, but it's manageable. At Avalon Pointe Marina, which is on the Avalon Manor side, it's brutal. If you're off the channel in a Harbor it might not be so bad. You'll have people meeting you with a car, right? There's not much on the Avalon Manor side.

 

[Erik]

Yes, the rest of the family will have cars, but we bring bikes on the boat, and we also have the dink to get across to the island. Which I guess is the next question - Any good dinghy docks to use?

Thanks,

 

[alk]

I don't know of any dinghy docks in Avalon. 99% of the bayfront property is privately owned. There are two marinas, a charter fishing center, a yacht club, and a restaruant. But I don't think there is anywhere to tie up a dingy and leave it.