Get ONline, OFFshore with Signal Connect

Living the good life is different than it used to be. When we think of luxury yachts, we imagine impossibly thin models in bikinis getting impossibly dark tans. And yes, I am sure that’s a big part of it. But being offshore shouldn’t mean being offline. It’s not what you, or that model, actually want. You want to be connected, just like you’re connected on shore. I mean, if that model isn’t instagramming her fabulous life, is it really happening?

The right solution

There have always been options for staying online while you’re on the boat. For the most part they’ve meant staying within three miles of shore. And that may be far enough for some people. Within three miles, you’re likely to get decent enough cell service that you can use your phone while you’re on deck. You can even get a cell booster system that lets you take that strong signal from outside and pump it into the cabins. It’s a good solution, but is it the right solution?

The right solution would let you get good strong internet even 50 miles offshore. I mean, that’s far enough out that you can get into whatever sort of trouble you want, am I right?

That’s why the right solution is satellite internet. Satellite internet, called VSAT by those in the industry, is a solution that gives you a strong, fast connection even 50-100 miles offshore. It’s similar to satellite TV in that it uses a special, dome shaped antenna that constantly re-aims itself in order to get the best reception.

The answers you need

The first question people ask about satellite internet is, “is it fast enough?”

In most cases the answer is yes. Satellite internet is slower than most home internet, but it’s fast enough for unlimited email, social media, web browsing, and shopping. It’s generally fast enough for 1-2 people to stream video. There are options that are faster, but if you think about it, that’s probably fast enough for most online activities. Anything more than that is just “extra.”

People also ask about the price.

And yes, the price is a bit higher than most home internet plans. But think about it. Isn’t that true with everything in your marine life? I mean, everything on a boat is about luxury and disposable income. This is just one part of it.

And of course, people worry that satellite internet will take a lot of maintenance.

That’s a big deal if you’re sailing by yourself. Not every yacht is big enough to need a full crew, of course. Let me put you at ease there. A properly installed VSAT system doesn’t need any real maintenance. Occasionally you might need to reset a router or access point, just like you would with your home internet. But that’s about it. It’s not going to be a big burden to you while you’re on the water.

Finally, people ask if the internet will go out in a storm.

Let’s put it this way. If a storm is heavy enough to knock out your internet, you probably have bigger worries if you’re out on the water.

Get satellite internet now from Signal Connect

Are you ready? Did I convince you? If so, fill out the form below and get started on the way to fast internet while you’re out on the water! Why not live the good life? Signal Connect can help you choose the right plan and arrange for all the installation you need. We’ll even support you after the sale if there’s a problem, which is pretty rare. Get started today!

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.