Wi-Fi on the yacht rental in Spain
With a yacht rental you have the opportunity to discover some of the world’s most beautiful destinations and enjoy the luxury of having your own private space away from the throngs of tourists. Many yachts also offer a range of services from chefs to bar staff for the perfect vacation experience. However, with the growing appetites for online connectivity and reliance on smartphones for navigation, staying connected is becoming a necessity for everyone aboard.
The good news is, that with the right equipment you can equip your yacht rental in Spain to stay connected at sea for a minimal investment in antennas and data SIMs. The basic system involves a wireless router (often called an access point or AP) to distribute the signal and create a network for computers, multifunction displays and other devices onboard. This is paired with high-gain mobile phone antennas on the pushpit to boost the reception and deliver a strong, stable connection for work, play or just surfing the web.
Some marinas provide free Wi-Fi in their berths and ports but this can be unreliable and can lead to security risks where passwords, pictures and personal information can be compromised when using public Wi-Fi. The alternative is to use a 4G cellular network, which uses mobile data and works anywhere with a mobile phone signal. This can be done by installing a router on board and plugging in a mobile data SIM which is available with monthly contracts or pay-as-you-go plans.
Do you provide Wi-Fi on the yacht rental in Spain?
Other ways to get online on a charter a superyacht include using your smartphone as a hotspot, or by purchasing a portable Wi-Fi extender that can be used at each port and anchorage to boost the signal and connect to Wi-Fi networks. This is a cheaper option but it may not be as reliable.
For the ultimate in internet at sea, a 4G cellular signal booster and router kit such as Digital Yacht’s WL70 or the Rogue Wave is an excellent choice. These kits combine a high-gain mobile phone antenna on the pushpit with a router to give a solid, dependable signal that has been reported to work for up to 15 miles from a mobile network tower and along cliffy coasts. These systems are relatively inexpensive and can support two separate WLANs so that the owner and crew can have their own networks, as well as a guest network for guests to use.
All of these options are a great way to ensure that you can get online on your yacht for rent while at sea, but the most secure and fastest method is to install a wireless cellular router and an external antenna. The best system will be a combination of a router and an external antenna that can pick up 3G/4G/5G signals and create a secure, fast and robust Wi-Fi network onboard the yacht for rentals. The cost of these systems is comparable to the costs of a high-end yacht and can be repaid very quickly with the savings made on airtime, data and tethering charges.
