Hardware
| Kit | Best for |
|---|---|
| Starlink Mini | Sailboats, small powerboats, tight power budgets |
| Starlink Standard | Coastal cruisers, permanent installs, max speed |
| Flat High Performance | Large yachts, commercial, true in-motion use |
Check starlink.com for today's hardware pricing — it moves with promos. The Mini's real advantage isn't price, it's power: it sips DC, no inverter needed. Full Mini vs Standard breakdown →
Plans
| Plan | Best for |
|---|---|
| Roam 100 GB | Weekenders |
| Roam 300 GB | Regular cruisers |
| Roam Unlimited | Remote workers, heavy use |
| Personal Maritime | Small vessels under 40 ft, territorial waters |
| Standby | Off-season — keeps the account alive |
The Personal Maritime plan is worth a look if your boat is under 40 feet — unlimited data in territorial waters. Over 40 feet? You're outside its terms; Roam Unlimited or Global Priority are the honest options. Current rates at starlink.com.
The seasonal math
Here's what changes the equation for BC: most boats cruise six months and sit six months. Run your full plan May–October, drop to Standby November–April. That single move — paying for the off-season at the Standby rate instead of the full rate — is the difference between Starlink feeling expensive and feeling obvious.
Compare that seasonal total against a marina slip's wifi (that doesn't work) or a cellular booster (that can't invent signal). Run the Standby math against your cruising season — it's the part most owners miss, and it changes the answer. How to winterize it properly →
What installation adds
Hardware is only half the job. A proper marine install means: the right mount for your boat (arch, rail, or mast), 316 stainless hardware instead of the kit's mild steel, clean cable routing with proper glands, and power wired to your DC system without an inverter humming away below decks.
That's the part I do. Ask what your boat needs →