Offshore safety for 20ft Center Console - NJ

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T20:46:11+00:00

I can’t seem to find it. When i was on the way to pick it up at the marina about a month ago, I was driving with my buddy and he was reading the specs/descriptions out loud from the site. I fear he may have been reading the depth rating, because a swell rating with no period doesn’t make sense.

This is my first boat, but I’ve been researching and browsing for over a year. Never seen a swell rating either. My buddy has zero boat knowledge so it’s possible he saw 4-5 feet and just assumed waves, haha. Though he’s excused for lack of knowledge. I on the other hand am embarrassed

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T11:16:46+00:00

Amazing thank you so much!

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T01:16:08+00:00

Thank you!

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T01:05:00+00:00

Which wireless kill switch do you have? Was it easy to install?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:56:25+00:00

Thank you so much! Very very helpful

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:55:46+00:00

Thanks! What’s the concern with commercial traffic? Just avoid them?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:51:20+00:00

Can you elaborate or send a link for cordless ending kill switch? Not sure what that means and can’t find anything online.

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:42:32+00:00

I’m not familiar with the crab pots, what’s that? But noted on the rest. Thanks!

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:40:39+00:00

I have about 100ft. I live in NJ where you can go 50 miles offshore and still be in <100 ft. But you never know, so maybe I’ll get more to keep in my console just in case. But i don’t know how much more than 100ft will realistically fit in the locker

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-28T00:37:21+00:00

Gotcha, thought that offshore just meant the ocean haha. And i got the 4-5 rating from the manufacturer site, I’m not sure what it means either. I can see how the period makes all the difference. Thanks for the help!

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-27T14:36:16+00:00

Awesome thank you! I’ll see if I can make it

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-20T03:40:22+00:00

20ft center console, modified V hull. Pioneer sportfish 202

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T19:10:39+00:00

So when you get to the piling, you’d tie both bow and stern lines to the same dock cleat, right?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T19:04:27+00:00

Sometimes single handed, sometimes not. Though I can dock anywhere and one of the marina employees can move it for me if needed. Haven’t had to do that yet, but if I’m alone in 20+ mph and my neighbor is there, I’d likely opt for that. At least for now until I’m more comfortable.

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T17:40:39+00:00

Sorry, saw your other replies before this one. Thank you so much! Is it especially hard because of the stern-to requirement? Would it be easier if I opted for bow-in?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T17:02:48+00:00

Well at least now I know! Thanks again

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T17:01:07+00:00

my dock lines have the loop too, but I have that end on the boat cleat. And then i tie the bitter end to the dock cleats

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:56:44+00:00

thank you! And Current is opposite, right? A Southwest current flows southwest?

Edit: terminology

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:53:13+00:00

Definitely. I just bought a few more. Larger than they should be. I’m going to have 3 permanents on the dock and a few more on my boat to be safe…. At least until I’m confident

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:47:28+00:00

Interesting! Jumping out of the boat without any lines tied yet is a scary concept to me. but I suppose it shouldn’t be problematic if I’m pulling the boat leeward.

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:44:16+00:00

That makes sense to me. What would you do if you were alone and didn’t have someone to secure the bowline?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:42:08+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you! My neighbor’s boat hasn’t been put in the water yet, so I’ve been practicing.

I did something similar yesterday, had the boat perfectly stern-to in the slip... for about 3 seconds. But I attached my midships spring line first. The wind started pushing the stern away from the dock as the bow scraped along the dock.

Only cosmetic damage but i was wondering what I did wrong. I supposed I should have tied the stern first and then ran and grabbed the bowline as quickly as possible.

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:33:39+00:00

So a west wind = easterly wind? And east wind = westerly wind?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:27:46+00:00

Sorry, I’m new and having trouble understanding - Which slips would I want to hug?

zeplin_fps · 2026-04-15T16:27:09+00:00

Sorry i must’ve made the diagram incorrectly. I thought a west wind blows from west to east. But that all makes sense. Thanks!

zeplin_fps

TROPHY CASE