onboard office

[pbaran]

How do you handle internet, email, fax, phone connections at anchor? We don't want to live in a marina and are trying to find out about wireless. Anyone know how to accomplish this?

[PBzeer]

My solution was to add wireless internet through Verizon, who I have my cell with. While slow, it will connect anywhere my cell will. If you are already a Verizon Wireless customer, it's an additional $60 per month for unlimited usage, with broadband where available (metro areas). You also have to buy a PCI card, $50 after rebate.

Works okay at home, but I won't be on the boat for another 2 weeks, so can't comment how well it does work there. Seems like it should work okay though. I should add, I'm only planning on coastal cruising at this time.

[cmendoza]

Quick follow up to PBzeer's response:

It works... but exactly as he said; if you get a signal.

On a recent short trip north (NJ - Provincetown), we were out for a bit over 15 days and it worked like a charm... no problems until we hit Provincetown. At that point, I simply went ashore and used the public Library... a bit of a wait for a machine, but wanted the "cruiser" experience. Since it is business, you can always hit the local "cyber cafe" and pay per use.

Again works well when it works, frustrating as hell when it doesn't, so don't fight it. One last point, sucks battery life like you wouldn't believe, so be prepared to do a lot of charging!

As always, your mileage may vary...

Fair winds,

Carlos
SV Rocinante

BTW, just switched to Cingular from Verizon... we'll see if it's better or worse ;-)