Sailing
Sailing basics for small boats and the communication side of cruising: what to carry for a coastal passage, what changes once you are offshore, and how sailors actually get weather, email and a voice line without a fixed dome on the stern.
For most cruising sailors the answer is a satellite phone or an Iridium GO hotspot for GRIB weather files and short messages, with a fixed Certus or Fleet One terminal once the budget and the passages get bigger. Starlink with a maritime plan has changed the picture for boats that can power it.
Start at Satellite Phones, Hotspots or Satellite Internet, and see marine power for keeping it all running.
Sailing questions, answered
What is the minimum communication kit for a coastal passage?
A handheld VHF, and a satellite messenger or phone for when you are past VHF range or the coastguard is busy. Add a registered EPIRB or PLB for distress.
Can I get weather at sea without a big terminal?
Yes. An Iridium GO hotspot pulls GRIB weather files to a tablet at low data rates, which is what most cruising sailors use.
Is Starlink practical on a sailboat?
On boats that can supply the power and mount a Mini or Standard dish clear of the rig, yes, with a business maritime plan. It does not replace a distress beacon.
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May 08, 2019