The race among satellite internet providers to enable fast, effective communications for ocean voyagers while underway or at anchor is heating up with worldwide coverage, faster download speeds and competitive prices. No longer are cruisers forced to depend on marine single side band, ham radio or the unassuming yet still necessary marine VHF radio to make contact with the world beyond their decks. A whole new generation of handheld satellite telephones and deck-mounted satellite antennas have opened up world communication for yacht owners who have the need and the funds to install these amenities aboard their vessels. Until recently, the…

So, you’re all set to go cruising — you got your offshore cruising boat, you got the safety gear. You got the life raft. You got the crew. You got all the provisions. You’re all set to hit the high seas. Except you haven’t quite figured out how you’re going to get weather and stay in touch with important people. Your cell phone will work for the first 25 miles offshore. You can get weather from the VHF radio – that’s good for about 50 miles offshore. Then what? Two ways to connect In the 21st century, there are still…