Quick Navigation

• What this session covers

• Key takeaways (tl;dr)

• Glossary (LAN/WAN, routers, access points, etc.)

• Starlink hardware: Mini vs Standard vs Performance

• Service plans: Roam vs Global Priority (incl. Ocean Mode & Standby)

• Data control & real-world costs

• Security & network design aboard

• Apogee’s “GT-1” turnkey Balance integration

• Q&A highlights

• Resources & next steps
  
  

What this session covers

• What Starlink really means for offshore cruising today (capability, limits, costs).

• Picking the right plan for where/how you cruise.

• The “boat network” beyond the dish: routers, access points, cellular domes, marina Wi-Fi, and why the local network design matters.

• Practical data control, guest internet, and cost surprises.

• Security basics (firewalls, VLANs, VPNs).

• Remote monitoring & integrations (Victron VRM, PredictWind DataHub, cameras).

• A Balance-specific turnkey install option (Apogee GT-1).
  
  

Key takeaways (tl;dr)

• Starlink is a game-changer, but: service terms evolve, speeds can drop in congested areas, and costs are driven by data, not dish price.

• Plan choice depends on your cruising pattern: coastal vs ocean passage vs long stays outside your home region. You can switch plans month-to-month, pro-rated.

• Standby Mode ($5/mo) keeps low-bandwidth connectivity for remote monitoring when you’re away.

• Have options: in many places, 5G/LTE can be faster & cheaper than Starlink in marinas/near shore. Design for multi-WAN (Starlink + cellular + marina Wi-Fi).

• Control data use or pay for it: stream at 480p, enforce guest portals/quotas, and use low-data modes where possible.

• Security matters on an always-connected boat: segment guests from mission-critical systems and use a real router with firewalls.

• Carbon boats need multiple access points for reliable Wi-Fi coverage (salon, cabins, helm).

• Remote monitoring adds real value (VRM alerts, PredictWind DataHub/polars, cameras, proactive support).
  
  

Glossary (fast definitions)

• WAN: Wide-Area Network (the incoming internet: Starlink, cellular, marina Wi-Fi).

• LAN: Local-Area Network (your boat’s internal network: router, switches, access points).

• AP: Access Point (Wi-Fi radios that distribute internet around the boat).

• Multi-WAN: Using multiple internet sources with automatic failover/bonding.

• Captive/Guest Portal: A guest Wi-Fi splash page with usage quotas/limits.

• VLAN: Virtual LAN—separating guest traffic from critical systems (navigation, power).

Starlink hardware: what to choose & why

Mini

• Ultra-portable; DC capable; good for backup/emergency or light use with few devices.

• Heat degrades performance in hot sun; throughput limited vs larger dishes.

Standard

• “Residential-class” kit; includes entry-level AC router. Works, but not marine-hardened; often requires third-party power solutions aboard.

Performance (new)

• Built for boats: IP69 sealing, robust DC power supply, twist-seal connectors, pressure-wash tolerant, higher temp ratings.

• Ready for future higher throughput; lower performance degradation at heat.

• Recommended primary dish for Balance installs despite higher upfront cost.

Mounting notes: Keep clear of obstructions (mast/boom). Flat mounts reduce snags/trip hazards; mass mounts or panel mounts vary by rig and line runs.

Starlink service plans (owner’s view)

Roam (50 GB or Unlimited)

• Feels like “unlimited”/best-effort internet inside a region (e.g., your home market, coastal cruising).

• Terms enforcement is real: extended use outside the home region (or in unlicensed countries) can trigger warning emails or service blocks.

• “Ocean Mode” temporarily opts you into Global Priority for passages.

Global Priority (50 GB / 500 GB blocks + terminal fee)

• Business-grade data with prioritized service; billed by data blocks.

• Works reliably for international cruising and offshore passages where Roam’s terms bite.

• Cheaper per GB at larger blocks (e.g., 500 GB). No rollover of unused data.

Standby Mode

• Replaces “pause”; $5/mo and keeps ~low-bandwidth connectivity—perfect for VRM & camera monitoring while the boat sits.

Picking a plan

• Coastal/home region & marinas: Roam Unlimited (expect varying speeds with congestion; often supplement with 5G/LTE).

• Ocean passages / long stints abroad / unlicensed regions: Global Priority (or Roam + Ocean Mode during passage).

• Hurricane lay-up/yard: Standby Mode + VRM/cameras.

Plans and pricing change frequently; always re-check before committing.

Data control & the “surprise bill” reality

• Data is the razor blade—hardware is cheap, service is where SpaceX earns.

• Real-world example: a typical month with 2–4 users using phones/laptops/TV can blow through hundreds of GB, especially with social apps and background refreshes.

• Practical controls:

  • Stream 480p; disable auto-play & background app refresh.

  • Close tabs/apps that auto-refresh.

  • Use router-level guest quotas (e.g., 1 GB/day per guest).

  • Prefer cellular in marinas (often faster/cheaper).

  • Carry a Starlink Mini as a DC-powered emergency fallback.

Security & network design aboard

• Treat your boat like a small office:

  • Segment mission-critical systems (nav/NMEA, power/VRM) away from Guest Wi-Fi.

  • Use a real router with firewall rules, VLANs, and optional VPN.

• Carbon hull/superstructure attenuates Wi-Fi. Plan multiple hard-wired access points (salon, cabins, helm) vs a single mesh puck.

• Router placement & serviceability: keep key gear accessible (status lights, SIMs, fuses).

Remote monitoring & integrations

• Victron VRM: shore-power/battery alerts; remote diagnostics.

• PredictWind DataHub: tracks NMEA data to generate boat-specific polars for routing.

• Cameras: low-bitrate feeds work even in Standby Mode.

• Vendor integrations (e.g., Mastervolt/Integrrel) are evolving; expect improvements to remote capabilities over the next year.

Apogee “GT-1” (Balance-specific turnkey package)

What it is:
A pre-engineered, single-enclosure solution designed around Balance layouts, built & burned-in by Apogee, shipped, cleared, and commissioned with the yard.

Includes:

• Starlink Performance dish + marine DC power supply

• 5G/Wi-Fi dome (SIM + eSIM capable)

• Enterprise router & switch, fused DC distribution

• Multiple wired access points for carbon boats

• Guest portal, VLANs, firewalls, failover, and remote support tooling

• Pre-wiring diagrams, commissioning, and 3 months of post-launch support

• Designed for flush/accessible install (e.g., Tiger Lily example).

Why it matters: simpler install, proper security, better Wi-Fi coverage, multi-WAN resilience, and supportability.

Q&A highlights (condensed)

• Grenada/Bahamas/Antigua & licensing: Some countries remain unlicensed or enforce regional rules; owners on Roam report warnings/blocks after ~60 days. Global Priority has worked reliably in these cases. Always check the current Starlink coverage/licensing map.

• Roam “60-day” rule: Typically about time outside your activated home region, not per-country.

• Using phone off the boat: Use your carrier’s international roaming or an eSIM travel plan ashore; the boat’s Wi-Fi won’t reach far unless you’re close in.

• Starlink mounting: Avoid mast/boom shadows; mini can be moved but watch heat/obstructions. Performance dish is more robust for permanent mounting.

• Mastervolt/Integrrel remote monitoring: Catching up; Balance is pushing vendors—expect progress over the next year.

• Heat & enclosures: Marine gear runs hot; spec to high operating temps and avoid fan-dependent cooling where possible.