It used to be that folks set off for open waters to leave everything behind: no phone, email or outside world. That's still possible, but many modern mariners want to stay connected.
Internet service allows boaters to download charts and weather information, pay bills, keep a log, organize photos and remain in touch with friends and family. And there are an increasing number of Internet options available to enable all of that. From land-based wired connections to completely mobile wireless systems, Internet connectivity varies widely in price, availability and convenience, so it pays to study up.
Start by assessing your needs. Is Internet access an integral to your plans, as it might be if you are cruising full time or creating an onboard office? Or would you simply like to check the weather and send a few emails before you go out on weekends.
GLEN JUSTICEThe options for Internet access vary widely, from simple land-based systems to pricey satellite outfits. Which you choose will depend on how you use the boat - and Internet.Costs for equipment, installation and monthly fees can add up fast, so it pays to be honest with yourself. It also never hurts to do some research. Talk to the people who run your marina and to fellow boaters about what they are using. The best choice will often present itself fairly quickly.
WI-FI PROS AND CONS
The two best options for boat owners who split time between port and short coastal passages are usually Wi-Fi (for wireless networking) and cellular connections, both of which can be backed up with some kind of land-based system.
Wi-Fi offers free or relatively low-cost Internet access, if your computer is configured to use it. Most late-model laptops and many desktop PCs are already equipped. If yours isn't, you'll need a Wi-Fi card, available for about $100 at an electronics or office supply store. If you're using a laptop, buy a card that plugs into your computer's card slot or USB port. For a desktop PC, opt for a card that plugs into the USB port or the PCI slot, which is inside the housing.
Wi-Fi works by translating data, such as websites on the Internet, into a radio signal. The signal is transmitted by an antenna to a wireless router, which decodes the signal and forwards the information to your computer. It works the same way in reverse with outgoing data from your machine.
To access Wi-Fi, you need a "hot spot," meaning an area where you can receive the signal. As Wi-Fi becomes increasingly common, this is getting easier to do. But it is by no means universal, and there will be no connection out on the water.
You may be able to access Wi-Fi through your marina. More and more marinas now offer this service, though it's still the exception rather than the rule. Another alternative is to take advantage of free hotspots in places like coffee shops, libraries, universities and other public places set up for wireless networking. Some businesses also offer access for a small fee. Connecting is easy. Simply instruct your computer to search for existing networks.
Cell phones also use radio frequencies, but Wi-Fi's signal can carry more data. In addition, Wi-Fi can transmit data on any of three frequency bands, and it can quickly jump between the bands, reducing interference and allowing simultaneous wireless connections for multiple users (such as a marina full of boaters). But there are limitations. If too many users tap into the system at the same time, service can slow.
THE CELLULAR ALTERNATIVE
One very practical alternative is cellular service, which offers a mobile Internet connection that is fast and relatively inexpensive. Cellular networks often extend miles off the coast, making this a viable option for on-the-water Internet access in many areas.
This is accomplished most often via an "air card" that fits in your laptop's PCMCIA/PC Card or ExpressCard slot, or is connected via USB. Some expensive laptops have an embedded chip that performs the same function. The system can be bolstered with an amplifier and arch-mounted antenna, to boost reception in areas with poor signal power.
Cellular data service is not cheap. A card costs about $200 and monthly fees start at about $60. If you want an amplifier and antenna, you can spend another $300 or more. There is also the question of which carrier to choose.
T-Mobile and Cingular use technologies that will work worldwide. Sprint, Verizon and Alltel are U.S. systems, with limited coverage in Canada and Mexico. Based on its technology, T-Mobile has the slowest service, but it also offers the lowest price at $20, and it has an "A" rating for customer service from J.D. Power & Associates. Cingular's service is fast in most areas, but costs are higher and its customer service rating is a "D."
