Tech Talk with SeaBits

24 Tech Talk with SeaBits

CHOOSING AN ONBOARD INTERNET SYSTEM by Steve Mitchell

More than ever, people need to stay connected while on their boats, but figuring out where to start when setting up a system can be daunting. Many purpose-built boating systems can be complex and cost a lot of money, and most provide very lackluster results. Using home equipment can result in frustration, and end up only solving part of the problem.

In light of the array of options and challenges, let’s focus on sailors who want internet access while cruising and anchored, and look at both ends of the spectrum in terms of internet usage. I won’t address offshore access (yet) because of cost and complexity. The goal will be to keep the choices as simple as possible to help guide you to one general area.

HOW DO YOU USE THE INTERNET?

Understanding how you want to use the internet is important in choosing a system. This has to do with the types of activities you use the internet for, how many people will be aboard, and how much data or traffic you will be generating.

If you are only checking weather reports and email, sending texts, and making an occasional phone call; and there are two people or less aboard—you’re likely a “normal” user. Normal users have a lot more flexibility in what they can choose because their requirements demand less capacity and the system will most likely be less expensive.

If you have more than two people aboard, are watching videos online, streaming Netflix, doing Zoom calls, and have a lot of devices—then you’re considered a “high-end” user. Highend users will need to invest in a better system to handle the traffic and the number of people using it. Many people try the smaller or cheaper options, and end up being frustrated or having a system that won’t handle the activity or number of users. A family of four can have significant requirements—two devices for each person and perhaps a TV with streaming capabilities can be a demanding setup.

CHOOSING A SYSTEM

The two most common internet systems to choose from are a hotspot device or a dedicated cellular router. Hotspot devices are small, about the size of a stack of credit cards, and have a cellular connection and WiFi router all built in a compact package. Cellular routers are purpose-built devices that usually are much larger, can run directly off of DC battery power, have a bunch of antennas, and are meant for more devices and traffic.

If you are a “normal” user with only a couple of people and pretty simple needs, a hotspot device will likely work fine for you. Combine this with a cellular booster (see my article in the March 2020 issue of 48° North for details on boosters) if you go to remote locations, and you have a flexible system that can be easily upgraded. Hotspots are usually only a couple hundred dollars at most, and are easy to replace when technology is updated. Phones also have hotspots, but they are far more limited in range and capability than a dedicated device, although they may work for simple use cases.

Hotspots usually have small screens Netgear Nighthawk M1 Hotspot device.

that allow you to see connection information, battery level, and other useful details. They have a simple web interface or app you can use from your phone to control them, and usually only work well with one cellular provider. The downside of a hotspot is that cell phone providers limit the number of devices that can connect to a hotspot, and the range of the WiFi network the hotspot creates is limited. Sometimes these limits can be very low, so carefully check the device and plan to make sure there are enough even for simple use cases. Hotspots also do not typically have physical ethernet ports, if you have devices that require that.

If you are a “high-end” user with multiple people aboard streaming videos and need excellent connectivity, you’ll likely need a cellular router. Cellular routers are more specialized than your average home router and cost quite a bit more, but they have the benefit of being able to connect to the internet and create a local WiFi network that is very powerful. They also typically have a wealth of tools

Peplink MAX Transit cellular router.

and features that can help manage your connection, and connect to remote WiFi networks and wired devices as well.

Cellular routers can also be combined with a booster, but more often they have dedicated outdoor antennas and cabling which allow the cellular and WiFi signals to be more powerful. This also adds cost, and can bring installation difficulty with cable space and outdoor mounting challenges, especially on sailboats. Cellular routers can be expensive, and are harder to upgrade two to three years in when technology changes, and are usually more complex to set up. Nonetheless, if you need the power they afford, they are the best option.

FINDING A CELLULAR PLAN

The final hurdle is finding a cellular plan that will accommodate your usage. This is the single biggest challenge in getting internet on board, and can be frustrating, so be patient. For a normal user, most plans should work fine. For a high-end user, you will need an unlimited plan, or one with very high data allowances, usually represented in gigabytes (GB) per month. Cellular companies used to have unlimited plans that were excellent for boats, but most have been retired. Just adding a new “line” to your existing plan won’t always work, since many plans share an overall maximum and you can go through that in a weekend of busy activity on a boat, which can slow things down both on the boat and on other associated devices as well.

Many smaller companies will sell you a month-to-month plan with very high data usage that you can use during the boating season, and have little contractual limits—look for plans tailored for boats or RVs. The larger carriers usually rely on these companies to deal with what they consider to be non-mainstream users such as boats.

One final thing to consider is roaming. This is what happens when you leave the U.S. and travel into British Columbia, or vise versa. Essentially, your devices move over to a compatible carrier while you visit, and severe limits are placed on your plan. Most plans will not work well when roaming, if they do at all. You may wish to consider purchasing a monthly plan from a local carrier in the country you’re visiting and use that instead.

Getting a reliable internet setup aboard is a bit more complicated with today’s cellular providers, but if you consider how you want to use the internet, how many people will be aboard, your budget, and the space on your boat, you should be able to get a good start with one of the two paths above.

Steve is a long-time sailor, musician, and tech nerd who loves working on challenging problems. He is the editor of SeaBits.com and spends as much time as possible on the water, enjoying the smell of the sea and the sound of the waves.

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