What are onboard internet option in Caribbean

[KAG]

My husband and I have just boat a cat and we are interested in finding out what the options are for onboard internet connections at anchor and out to sea. Any info would be helpful.

[Gludy]

When out at sea
if its just email you want then you can get that via a box attached to your SSB radio and a PC - you subscribe to various services that provide email services.
You can also download weather information including images this way.

If you want more than that when out at sea you would need a sat dish and a broadband connection. That expensive.

In many harbours of course there is WiFi and you just need your computer with a wifi connection.

[KAG]

Thanks,
How expensive is expensive approximately for sat.

[Gludy]

I live in the UK where such things tend to be expensive - here you would be looking at between $6000 and $12000 USA plus installation and you then pay a fair amount for each Mb downloaded. Such things tend to be much cheaper in the USA. Usually about 35% cheaper.

[Soft Air]

The email box connected to your SSB radio for email and weather is called PACTOR and if you google it you will find plenty of info on all the current PACTOR options, you will need to find or have good skills for propper HF antenna and ground as well as Pactor wiring. Best,

[camaraderie]

Satellite Internet in the US is in the neighborhood of a $5k instal AND then a monthly charge of at least $1k per month depending on the speed you desire. Not practical unless you are really rich. Best solution is to wait for WIFI in harbors and marinas and use a globalstar sat phone for basic connectivity at sea for e-mail and FTP text type needs. The Globalstar advice applies ONLY to the Caribe. They have some VERY attractive plans right now since sat availability will continue to be an issue for a while. Recent reports have service improved from the lows of the last couple of years.

[cat man do]

Have a look here

Internet Connectivity When Miles Offshore.

Dave

[Cheechako]

For coastal and Bahamas coverage, I want something to actually get on the net occasionally. (Weather, Geo charts, Active Captain etc) Wouldnt a data contract and wireless laptop modem work for this?

[johnar]

lol you will be very very shocked at the cost of what you want



John

[Cheechako]

well, currently the verizon monthly cost is about $35 and the modem is anywhere from free to $90. maybe a booster is needed...? Remember... I'm talking coastal.....

[Cheechako]

Unlimited time I believe.....

[Vasco]

verizon doesn't work well in the Bahamas.

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

For coastal and Bahamas coverage, I want something to actually get on the net occasionally. (Weather, Geo charts, Active Captain etc) Wouldnt a data contract and wireless laptop modem work for this?

On my last Bahamas trip, (Abacos) I found that for occasional access it was easy to WiFi in many places. Sometimes free at bars and restaurants if you are having a few beers there. I could also access the internet, my e-mail and make the occasional phone call with an AT&T blackberry when I was well out of WiFi range. The cost wasn't too bad as long as that was not too long. (I now have an I-phone which I much prefer to a blackberry for internet use)

When I'm there for longer cruises I buy a pre-paid Batelco phone card for longer calls from public phones.

[Caribsailors]

Remember Cruising Rule # 2.............

Your Not At Home.

Cheers

[waterworldly]

Originally Posted by Caribsailors

Remember Cruising Rule # 2.............

Your Not At Home.

Cheers

I like that, because that's why I want to be on a boat to begin with . . . but it will BE my home.