The (Anti)Social Issues with Starlink

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by alctel

it's a pretty big power hog .

Only if you have inadequate battery supply.
We don't notice it - nightly amperage draw is close enough to what it was before we got it.

and is extremely pricey (nearly 200 bucks a month CAD!)

Compared to that other fast internet that works at sea and in remote locations?
Oh wait.....

Plus for me at least, part of 'getting away' is getting out of cell range for a while

We haven't been in cell range for months
But that's not how Starlink works

[Montanan]

Fly this pennant and you will become social central.

And you can use Starlink to order Online : https://www.amazon.com/1000-Flags-Pe.../dp/B07SVGB2QP

[Montanan]

Invite other cruisers to go to places on shore that display signs like this:

[alctel]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Only if you have inadequate battery supply.
We don't notice it - nightly amperage draw is close enough to what it was before we got it.

Compared to that other fast internet that works at sea and in remote locations?
Oh wait.....

We haven't been in cell range for months
But that's not how Starlink works

In fairness, not everyone lives on a fully kitted out 60' power cruiser... I feel your idea of 'inadequate battery bank' would differ from most people.

And $200 bucks a month is expensive compared to the alternative, which is not having 'fast internet that works at sea and in remote locations'.

And I know how starlink works, I work in IT Telecommunications - I was using 'cell service' as a shorthand for being out of internet range.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by alctel

In fairness, not everyone lives on a fully kitted out 60' power cruiser... I feel your idea of 'inadequate battery bank' would differ from most people.

And $200 bucks a month is expensive compared to the alternative, which is not having 'fast internet that works at sea and in remote locations'.

And I know how starlink works, I work in IT Telecommunications - I was using 'cell service' as a shorthand for being out of internet range.

I agree. $200 a month is ridiculous. Just for Internet? No thank you.

That feels like a payment on some kind of a loan or a lease. And you know you’ll have it the rest of your life.

[Rod Headlee]

So with the internet and all is the radio net a dead thing? I used to really enjoy them. The local nets, Southbound net (SSB), Maritime net (Ham net) and the Amigo net (SSB)
Good times.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Chotu

I agree. $200 a month is ridiculous. Just for Internet? No thank you.

That feels like a payment on some kind of a loan or a lease. And you know you’ll have it the rest of your life.

True, it's expensive, but depending on what you do and where you cruise, that can be what allows you to work while cruising. If that's the case, it's likely well worth the money. For others, it's probably a lot less worthwhile.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by alctel

In fairness, not everyone lives on a fully kitted out 60' power cruiser... I feel your idea of 'inadequate battery bank' would differ from most people.

.

If the battery can't run the systems on the boat it's an inadequate battery.
Doesn't matter what size the boat is.

Was the same on our first small monohull, our 10m sailing cat and now our current vessel.

And $200 bucks a month is expensive compared to the alternative, which is not having 'fast internet that works at sea and in remote locations

Some people spend their money on marinas
We haven't used one in 7 years
Money saved can pay for several starlink subscriptions/ mth if we so chose to.

Having decent access to internet and weather allows us to cruise remote and stay out indefinitely

[BlueH2Obound]

Typical marina's around here for our boat are $75 to $150/night. My Starlink is still $135 usd/mo, but according to the notice I received, it will go to $145 next month.

So, away from our "home" marina, the choice is: have good internet for a full month for less than the cost of one or two nights in a marina, or tie up to a dock somewhere that has facilities/amenities we don't use/need anyway . . . . and miss the peace and quiet of a remote anchorage . . . .

hmmmmm, tough choice. We prefer to be on the hook anyway, and internet access is a plus! Now, if prices keep going up, at some point, we'll go back to cellular hotspot. That $ point is probably under $200 . . . .

Back to the point of the thread. Access to high speed internet in remote places is not the reason for any perceived decline in personal social interaction. People's choices are.

[jalmberg]

You answer your own question, now take your own advice !

[Siberian Sea]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

"...anchored waaaaay over here..."

I wasn't going to explain about that! We were notorious about that, though not for the sake of being left alone, more from wanting to be anchored with less chance of being drug down on by others.

The martini glass burgee usually means visitors welcome. You could make your own Cuppa! one, easily.

Ann

The martini glass burgee......I have seen that and wondered about it’s meaning and now I understand. Supper cool idea, wish it would become more common than Starlink dishes on the back deck.

[rsementi]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

Socialization can start with you. Go dinghy over to their boat and knock on it, make arrangements for sundowners or outings. It's what I always loved about cruising as well.

I get you, people will stay in their boats all day and browse social media, but it's hard to ignore someone who is knocking!

Exactly! There’s no problem here. Just socialize and enjoy the connectivity.

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Probably got rich by not going to bars and getting pissed paying $12 a drink

[wingssail]

I frankly have not noticed a difference in the amount of social interaction.

Internet has always been important to me, and we have usually found a way to get it.

Originally we had only email via SSB, but then got cell service and could connect that way. Cell service got better. Then WiFi at times. Now Star Link is available (though we don't have it due to the cost). I hoped for years that satellite internet (since Teledesic) would become available, now it has. So what?

We used to choose anchorages where we could get Internet. So now more have opened up. Big deal.

On our last cruise this winter it all seemed the same as it was 15 years ago except more people were connected. I was not struck by any change in the number of boat visits or shore activities. I just didn't notice any.

[skipgundlach]

[QUOTE=sailorboy1;3756429]But I think we are taking about the same people who were more social just a few years ago. There less cruiser beach get together, sundowners etc. Even locations here in Bahamas that a few years ago had morning cruiser vhf nets dont[/QUOTE]

Any you can cite? I just got this in the mail (I used to do the local net; I still put together the scripts) from one of the anchors I recruited over the years:

"Fun story (with a Flying-Grounded-Pig link):
Traveling with our buddy boat we use 68 to check in. Imagine our surprise the first morning anchored at Cambridge Cay, when a familiar net script keyed up at 0815! Kimberly [s/v Pegu Club] has been leading/controlling a morning cruisers' net while traveling between Exumas Park and Blackpoint areas.
...your influence is a lasting one."

The 10-year old that I trained in 2019 took that skill to Green Turtle Cay immediately post Dorian, and that net continues today (She's currently in Vero Beach, and doing the weather and commercials sections). I'd be amazed if there weren't an Abacos cruisers' net (see barometerbob.org), and stunned if there weren't one at George Town.

Much to my annoyance, I have not been back to the Bahamas since Dorian, but I know of many nets which continue...

Where was there previously a net where this isn't one today?