small boat satellite weather, expensive toy or ?

[cdavisdb]

I think I remember about $1600 for a minimal system, + 100/month when you are using it. You can spend a lot more. Talk to Boat US for an overview.

When you are far out in the Bahamas, is there any problem getting satellite reception? Radar would be fabulous for crossing the stream, if nothing else. My short wave picks up the offshore forecast, but reception isn't great,they talk so fast, and you get only one shot at it. It is very hard to really get the whole thing. I don't dock except for fuel every few days, so, if I can't pick it up myself, its not much use. Having it in writing and be able to study it would be priceless when things are iffy.

Bushwacker, I was very impressed with your system. Somehow it did not register that it might be available in the Bahamas. Any repair problems?

The price makes me groan, but two summers back access to that kind of info through the marina office saved a trip for me. The weather service was freaking out about dime size hail and 60 knt winds in some of the numerous boomers coming through. Weather radar showed us a nice clear path across the stream on a day when only a fool would have tried it otherwise. That is worth a lot.

Connor