Here in the US, I use my phone as a hotspot and have a T-Mobile unlimited plan. When we’re in slightly remote spots with a weak signal, I plug my phone into an external battery and then put the phone and battery into a small dry bag and hoist it up to the top of the mast with the main halyard (be sure to attach a downhaul line to make it easy to retrieve).
In the Bahamas, we used a hotspot device and I know many people who use them in the US as well. This is particularly good for families, so that the kids don’t lose internet for schoolwork when Mom or Dad leaves the boat and takes their phone. Again, plugging it into an external battery and then raising it helps the connection considerably.
Regardless of where, I generally get about two bars more by raising it, making it possible to stream YouTube, sports, and movies.
Phones and hotspots work well around populated areas where there are cell towers. But what about more remote locations or more than 10 miles from land? Or where you need bulletproof high bandwidth to run a business? For those situations, I recommend consulting with this week’s newsletter sponsor, SeaTech Systems.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Peter L Breit says
What is make your HOTSPOT? Have you tried various models?
Carolyn Shearlock says
I have a Netgear Nighthawk — https://amzn.to/3MjWHj9
I’ve also used the ones that come from MyIslandWifi and several of our team have used the ones from Aliv in the Bahamas. All have worked well. Read reviews about how good the antenna is — that’s the important thing for using a hotspot on a boat.
Most of the time, though, we just use our phones as the hotspot. I have a top-end 5G phone and Dave has a low-end phone. My phone connects over a much greater distance and gets a stronger signal, even when there is no 5G (obviously, it’s better when there is 5G available).
ed says
Have you looked at Starlink yet? I have it on my boat in the USVI and it works great. Range is only about 10 miles off-shore right now because they are blocking it but they should be opened up by the end of the summer. I am getting about 180 mbps. My land based service was only about 20 mbps. So it is fast and reliable. I have seen video of others using it underway. I have not tried that yet. We live onboard and I do computer work for a living 9-5 M-F. Would love to try that from anchor somewhere. One other downside to Starlink is the power consumption. It uses about 100-150w to power it on 110v so you need a decent inverter or generator. I have already dropped my land based service because the cost was the same, $100 / mo.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I am really interested in this. Just in the last month, I’ve heard people using it in real life. Can’t wait until it’s available further offshore!