Boosting WiFi Network and Wireless Signals to Boat Docks at Marinas
The WiFi signal at our marina always seems to be low – with one or 2 bars at best. This was mainly due to the fact that our boat dock is located pretty far from the WiFi access point at the marina office. It simply couldn’t deliver a strong WiFi signal to our boat so we could have basic Internet access that was reliable or fast.
So after trying a few different options, we found that we got the best result so far using a USB WiFi Wireless Adapter
With the Alfa Wireless Network Adapter
WiFi Mobile Hotspot and 3G Internet Device Options for Boats at Marinas
Another problem with WiFi access at marinas is the availability of open IP addresses. Even if the wireless signal strength is good, your marina may have a limited number of IP addresses available. In other words, you’ll see the WiFi signal but won’t be able to connect your smartphone or laptop. This is particularly a problem in busy marinas with a large number of people using smartphones and laptops to access the Internet on their boat.
So to solve the problem of Internet availability on your boat at your marina, you may have to invest in a WiFi hotspot or other 3G/4G Internet device.
Here are some more options for improving Internet access while on a boat docked at a marina:
If you have good Verizon Wireless coverage at your marina, you can use this device to create a mobile WiFi Hotspot and allow several WiFi enabled devices on your boat – smartphone, laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc. – to use the same data plan.
Similar to the Novatel MiFi for Verizon, this one works with ATandT Wireless plans and lets you create a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi devices on your boat.
The Sprint Wireless Overdrive creates a 3G or 4G mobile hotspot – or a 4G mobile hotspot if 4G is available at your marina.
The CradlePoint is unique because it creates a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices, can provide 3G or 4G coverage and can be used with any mobile service provider that you may currently have for your Internet data plan (Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, ATandT, etc.)
The Kindle by Amazon is a great ebook reader for boaters because of its anti-glare screen that makes reading easy in even the brightest sunlight. But with the Kindle 3G boaters can also have access to the Internet for basic website surfing… like updating your Facebook status or looking up boating supplies.
The Internet browsing experience on a Kindle is much different than a laptop computer or even a smartphone. Internet usability of the Kindle 3G may seem somewhat limited because of the size of the screen and everything being in black and white… but it can be a good way to access basic sites on a boat.
The biggest advantage of using a Kindle DX 3G
Special thanks to our resident technology expert/boat captain (author of ITAdminTools.com) for input on this article!
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It has always been a challenge accessing Internet below deck, but we’ve found work-arounds. Even the marina we lived at for 2 years had it’s issues. Providing free wireless connection, it still couldn’t solve the problem below deck. With a MiFi and/or cellphone hotspot we stay as connected as possible.
Agree Captain Frank! The biggest problem is that most marinas don’t have sufficient equipment for today’s use with smartphones, etc. Its a frustrating issue for boaters that they could definitely try to solve (or at least make better!)
Nice
It’s hard to get a signal or internet access in a boat. People tend to look for other options to connect on the internet. I think that these devices can help in a lot of ways.