No matter what you might think of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, there’s no denying that his
company, Starlink, is revolutionizing satellite communications, not only on land but also on the water. With a network that at last count includes nearly 6,900 operational satellites launched into orbit by SpaceX—one of Musk’s other endeavors—Starlink enables internet communications virtually anywhere in the world.
What’s more, Starlink’s mobile systems eschew big, cumbersome satellite reception dishes and domes, replacing them with light, compact, affordable and portable flat-panel receivers. Further, Starlink receivers do not require complex, power-hungry and expensive gyrostabilization systems, which are common in many conventional marine dome antennas in order to track orbiting satellites.
All of this makes Starlink a welcome alternative for boating anglers who want to stay in touch—be it with family, business associates or other anglers—via Wi-Fi and mobile devices to text, email or call when outside of cell range. You can also stream video programming to stay entertained between bites or relax in the evening on multiday trips.
“I take my Starlink antennas just about everywhere I travel or fish,” says Chris Wheaton, a Southern California resident and businessman who owns three boats and an interest in a vacation home on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez in Bahia de Los Angeles, Baja California Sur. “It covers me when I am driving or fishing outside of cell coverage, be it in Mexico or the US, so I am always able to stay in touch with the office.”
Communication between boaters is possible only if both have Starlink on their boats, Wheaton points out. Yet, your group of boating anglers should give this idea consideration. The advantage to such a collaboration lies in the ability to call your buddy boats in on hot offshore bites, and vice versa.
Here’s what you need to know and buy to get started with this satcom system.
Receiver Choice
While there are a number of flat-panel Starlink receiver choices available, the latest to emerge for mobile use is the Starlink Mini ($499; westmarine.com). With an array just 11.4-by-9.8 inches and weighing a scant 2.43 pounds, the Mini and its supplied components can easily fit in a backpack or on boats as diminutive as 25 feet in length.
With an unobstructed view of the sky, the phase-array antenna will automatically adjust to maintain a strong and seamless connection, whether you’re charging through choppy waters or running at high speeds. It’s capable of providing a high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi connection for up to 28 devices, according to Starlink. However, with heavy streaming, it will support only about three devices, says Stephen Jones, manager of the West Marine store in Glen Allen, Virginia. “Also, because download speeds are relatively slow, it will not support gaming.” Sorry, kids.
Able to operate on 12- to 48-volt DC power, the Mini has an integrated Wi-Fi router and comes with a pipe mount, a kickstand, and all of the cabling you will need.
While the Mini is IP56 water-resistant, it is important to use the proper IP67 waterproof cable connectors and plug included with the kit to avoid the intrusion of salt water that can damage the internal electronics.
Mounting Systems
It’s one thing to use the antenna at a peaceful campsite, but quite another to have it on a heaving, wind-swept boat. You will definitely need some sort of secure mounting system—be it permanent or temporary—to prevent your Starlink antenna from pitching overboard or slamming down on the deck. Thankfully, there are a number of mounting systems available to boaters from brands such as Darkstar, Seaview, Star-Mount and others.
One that Jones recommends is the Seaview Starlink Adapter Ratchet Base ($200.99; westmarine.com) You can easily attach and take off the Mini once this mount is installed. Use a cable seal to create a waterproof entry point for the cabling, and make sure the location, such as on a hardtop, offers a clear view of the sky.
Read Next: The Future of Saltwater Angling
Going Portable
As indicated earlier, the Mini comes with cabling that connects to the onboard DC electrical system. However, you can dispense with cables by using a portable case with a self-contained power source such as that offered by RoamSat. This system encloses a Mini receiver (sold separately) along with a battery pack inside a 13.5-by-12-by-2.7-inch waterproof case. The great advantage is that you don’t need to drill any holes for a mounting bracket or routing a cable. Plus, you can easily take the Mini on another boat or vehicle.
The 12-volt rechargeable battery offers seven hours of service, and the Mini can send and receive through the top of the polyethylene case. For power, you turn on the switch on the outside of the RoamSat.
Weighing under 11 pounds, it is available with four optional high-strength vacuum-suction feet that allow boaters to secure the unit to a hardtop or other flat, smooth horizontal surface. It can also be mounted on a 1-inch, 14-thread post. It retails for $1,399 without the Starlink Mini receiver.
Service Options
Starlink offers a variety of service plans, but one that’s appealing to many saltwater boating anglers is called Roam. At $50 per month, it is the most economical plan, and it offers “in-motion” capabilities and coverage on land, as well as up to 12 nautical miles off the coast. Roam provides 50 GB of data per month. That equates to about 20 hours of video streaming.
“Once you venture outside of the 12-nautical-mile limit, Roam provides coverage for five consecutive days or 60 days total in a year,” Jones says. “You can also opt for the Roam Unlimited plan that offers unlimited data, but with the same geographic limits as Roam.” It also covers you on land throughout the country, as well as when you travel or boat internationally.
Very importantly, with either plan, you can pause and unpause the Starlink service at any time. Billing is in one-month increments, allowing you to tailor the service to your particular fishing or travel schedule.
If you insist on coverage anywhere on the water and all of the time, you can opt for the Maritime Mobile Priority plan, which starts at $250 per month for 50 GB of data per month.
Thanks to Starlink, satellite communications and video streaming at sea are no longer the purview of superyachts and commercial ships. Now saltwater boating anglers also can easily stay connected no matter where fishing adventures take them.
