Hobie Cat Beach, Stone Harbor

Due to beach erosion from winter storms, the Hobie Cat beach slips at the south end of Stone Harbor were not offered this summer.

Yet today I noticed the numbered markers, and a lone Hobie Cat in the 123rd Street parking lot.

I could not find updated information on the Borough of Stone Harbor web site, but will post when I know more.

UPDATE 8/7/16 from article in the Cape May County Herald 

Hobie Cats

Hobie Cats will be returning to Stone Harbor after council approved a modified number for their traditional beach site. Damage to the beaches due to winter storms had led the borough to eliminate the Hobie Cat beach locations this season.

Council member Mantura Gallagher reported that she had been working with a group of Hobie Cat enthusiasts to see if a reduced number might be able to gain approval.

Gallagher said the “Beach was beginning to naturally restore itself.” She and resident Jack Kelleher, an informal representative of a group of Hobie Cat owners, presented the case to the council for 30 spaces at their traditional south-end beach area.

Kelleher pledged that the owners would ensure their boats were off the beach if weather reports predicted an unusually high tide or approaching storm.

The boat owners also indicated that they realized the season would be shortened on the tail-end by the scheduled beach replenishment project beginning in October.

“We will have eight weeks with a chance to sail,” said Kelleher. Council gave him and fellow Hobie Cat owners those precious weeks.