SSB receiver or weatherfax for small boat

[marshappynation]

Hi guys,
We are currently sailing the coast of Honduras with the intention of continuing on down the coast of Nicaragua and are in need of weather information as we get into more remote areas. Currently we have nothing but an FM/SW radio and a VHF. The limitations are thus:
We are in a 21' daysailer which we've converted to be sea worthy. It has an 8' by 3' cabin with sitting head room only. We have no room for anything too fancy electronics wise and also not much power.

Our power supplies are thus: One 20 watt solar panel, one 10.5Amp hour alarm system battery, AA's and AAA's
We have a small laptop which we can keep charged with our panel.
We can't figure a way to have an antennae. Our masts are removable and to reef we have to rotate them. The work that would be required to run a wire through the inside of the mast is more than we are willing to deal with at this time.

So, any advice? Is there a small receiver of some type we can buy which will allow us to receive weather faxes into our laptop without having an antennae? Or would a simple SSB receiver be sufficient for weather in the area in question? i.e. are there any good programs for Eastern Honduras and Nicaragua weather?

Thanks.

[CrazyRu]

Atom Voyages | Making a Dipole Antenna

ICF-SW7600GR | FM Stereo World Band Receiver&trde; Radio | Sony | SonyStyle USA

[WanderingStar]

Can't help with electronics advice, but I admire your spirit. Is the boat a Sea Pearl?

[marshappynation]

Yes, we're traveling in our modified Sea Pearl!

[WanderingStar]

Cool. I hope you write about it all. Would make a great article, even a book. At least a blog.

[Allanbc]

You can go to the Sea Pearl boats website (Home) and read about the adventures of Steve and Ginny traveling in the Western Caribbean.

[marshappynation]

Yep, that's us, Steve & Ginny. If you're interested in our travels we also have a blog at: The Adventures of Ginny and Steve! and just started printing articles in Small Craft Advisor magazine.

[WanderingStar]

Thanks. I read some already, love it.

[5oclocksomewhere]

Is the sony world band radio mentioned a viable option for getting WX reports offshore? Will it pick up a signal away from land and is it possible to target WX reports to specific areas?

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by marshappynation

Yep, that's us, Steve & Ginny. If you're interested in our travels we also have a blog at: The Adventures of Ginny and Steve! and just started printing articles in Small Craft Advisor magazine.

Yup...just saw your article in the last issue of SCA I got.