Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Gratz.
Hi Joe , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2021, I started a floating concession stand on a 22ft pontoon boat. We made a name for ourselves selling hot dogs, walking tacos and mac + cheese on the water. Our goal was to bring joy to the boating community and make a little money on the side. That goal opened up many new connections for me and taught me a great deal about business, boating, entrepreneurship, and community.
By 2025, I had obtained my 25-ton master’s USCG captain’s license and we expanded the food boat into private BYOB, dog-friendly charters. This made the business a lot more money and set us up to expand the operation. Now we operate two boats in Cape May County out of Wildwood and Stone Harbor. Sandbar Joe’s is elevated hospitality on the water. Our boat in Wildwood can hold up to 10 passengers and our boat in Stone Harbor can hold up to 49. The Stone Harbor boat even has a bar.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I purchased our new boat out of Stone Harbor, I had to get approved for an SBA loan. The process was very up-to-the-minute, and we had to work with several banks before getting approval. I lost a lot of sleep putting a deposit on the build for this new boat but not have all the funds lined up. Thankfully, that risk I took stacked up, and we are fully operating against our 2026 plan and return value on our debt service ratio.
Besides getting the funding in place, the boat build was also 30 days late, which caused a backlog on our local licensing, almost having us miss the big Fourth of July weekend. Thankfully, I really worked my contacts and got everything up in time for the big holiday weekend.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets us apart is the vessel. The Sandbar Social is a brand new 40-foot, Coast Guard-certified pontoon built for groups up to 49 passengers. There is nothing else like it in the back bay. It is spacious, social, and designed to be the backdrop for the best moments of your summer — sunset cruises, birthday parties, corporate outings, bachelorette parties, family reunions. We handle the boat; you enjoy the experience.
We are also one of the only operators in the area running a structured Junior Boating Camp — a hands-on program where kids learn real boating skills in the same waters their families vacation in every summer. That is something we are genuinely proud of.
What we are most known for is the energy we bring to the water. This is not a quiet pontoon float. It is a curated, social experience on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in New Jersey. The back bays of Stone Harbor and The Wildwood are stunning, and most visitors never see them from the water. We change that.
We are locally owned and operated, built from the ground up by someone who lives and works here year-round. That matters to us and it shows in how we treat every group that steps on board.
Sandbar Joe’s — Wildwood & Stone Harbor, NJ | sandbarjoes.com | @SandbarJoes
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You never have enough time for prep. Be overly organized and two months ahead… always.
Pricing:
- private boat tour for up to 6 from $350
- private sunset tour for up to 6 $400
- Sandbar Social day cruise $75 per person
- Sandba Social Sunset Cruise $95 per person
- Private chef on the water available $$$
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sandbarjoes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandbarjoes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandbarjoes
- Twitter: https://sandbarjoes.com/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SandbarJoes
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbarjoes
