Marine Satellite Internet Installation on Long Island
Stay connected offshore. Starlink Maritime delivers 50 to 200+ Mbps at sea — fast enough for weather routing apps, video calls, and streaming while anchored or underway. LIME installs marine satellite internet on Long Island boats across Nassau and Suffolk County.
NMEA certified, fully insured, and experienced with Starlink Maritime, cellular LTE routers, and Iridium Certus. We mount the dish, run the cable, place the router, and leave you connected. No exposed wiring, no guesswork on mounting location.
Offshore Connectivity
Why marine satellite internet matters for Long Island boaters.
Marina Wi-Fi is unreliable. Cell signal fades past 15 miles offshore. For anyone running to the canyons, cruising to Block Island, or spending extended time at anchor, marine satellite internet has shifted from luxury to practical tool.
The use cases are real: weather routing services like PredictWind need a data connection for GRIB files. Communication with shore is better over satellite when you are 80 miles out. Liveaboards use it for remote work; offshore fishing boats use it to monitor weather cells and coordinate with other boats. A satellite connection is also a safety upgrade — a second channel beyond VHF that works 200 miles offshore, now at a consumer-grade price.
How It Works
What Starlink Maritime is and why it outperforms older satellite systems.
Traditional marine satellite used geostationary satellites at 22,000 miles — latency of 600 to 800ms, enough to make video calls choppy and weather apps slow. Starlink's LEO constellation sits at 340 miles, dropping latency to 20 to 40ms, similar to home broadband. The flat phased-array dish tracks satellites automatically as the boat moves — mount it with a clear sky view, run the cable below, and it connects. Speed is typically 50 to 200+ Mbps, enough for video calls, weather apps, and streaming simultaneously.
The Installation
How LIME installs marine satellite internet on Long Island boats.
The installation starts with a mounting location assessment — the Starlink dish needs an unobstructed sky view with no rigging or mast shadows crossing its view cone. LIME evaluates your boat's layout and recommends the best location: hardtop, radar arch, pole mount, or mast bracket. Then we install the hardware, route the cable to the router below deck using weatherproof entry fittings at every penetration, and wire power from the ship's 12V or 120V supply.
- Mounting location assessment — unobstructed sky view required
- Hardtop, arch, pole mount, or mast bracket depending on boat layout
- Weatherproof cable entry fittings at all deck penetrations
- Router placement at helm or nav station with clean power wiring
- Connection confirmed and speed tested before leaving
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Choosing the Right Solution
When to choose cellular LTE versus satellite for Long Island boating.
Not every Long Island boater needs Starlink. If you boat in Long Island Sound, the Bays, or the South Shore within 15–20 miles of shore, a Pepwave or Cradlepoint cellular router delivers fast speeds at lower equipment and monthly cost — Verizon and AT&T coverage across local waters is solid. Starlink Maritime makes sense when you go offshore: Block Island runs, canyon trips from Montauk, coastal passages, or extended cruising. Once you are 30+ miles out, cell signal fades and Starlink is your only broadband option. LIME installs both and will help you choose based on where you actually go.
Brands We Install
Marine satellite internet brands LIME works with on Long Island.
Three solutions for three different use cases — LIME installs and configures all of them.
The dominant marine satellite internet solution for recreational boaters as of 2025. 50-200+ Mbps, 20-40ms latency, works in motion. Hardware is approximately $2,500 plus monthly service. LIME handles full installation including mount, cable run, and router placement.
Marine-rated cellular LTE routers that pull signal from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile simultaneously. Best solution for in-shore boating within 20-30 miles of shore. Lower cost than Starlink with no separate service plan beyond your existing carrier data. LIME installs and configures for your boat.
Iridium Certus covers the entire globe including polar regions — used by commercial vessels and offshore passage makers who need guaranteed coverage anywhere. Slower than Starlink but with true global coverage and military-grade reliability. Available for specific offshore and commercial applications through LIME.
Why Long Island Boaters Trust LIME
Our Work
Recent marine satellite internet installations on Long Island.
Starlink Maritime and cellular LTE installs across Nassau and Suffolk County — clean mounts, hidden cable runs, tested before we leave.
5-Star Google Reviews
What Long Island boaters say about LIME satellite internet installs.
"Had LIME install Starlink Maritime on my Bertram 31 before canyon season. Running 80 miles offshore to the canyons and had a solid connection the whole time — weather routing, phone calls, even streamed the game at anchor. Mount is bulletproof, cable run is completely hidden."
"I cruise to Block Island every summer and used to be completely off grid. LIME installed Starlink and a cellular router as backup. Now I can work remotely from the boat and stay in touch with the marina. The install was clean — no visible cables on deck."
"Liveaboard on a 42-foot trawler. LIME installed Starlink and a Pepwave LTE router — Starlink for offshore, LTE when I am in the marina or the bays. It all switches automatically. Internet on the boat is now better than my apartment."
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions about marine satellite internet installation on Long Island.
What is Starlink Maritime and how is it different from regular Starlink?
Starlink Maritime uses a flat phased-array antenna rated for marine use — IP56 rated, wider temperature range, and designed to maintain connection while underway. It delivers 50 to 200+ Mbps at sea, faster than most marina Wi-Fi and far better than no connection offshore.
Can I use Starlink while my boat is moving?
Yes. Starlink Maritime is designed to work in motion. The LEO constellation is close enough that the antenna maintains lock at typical cruising speeds. Performance may fluctuate in heavy weather or when rigging obstructs the dish, but offshore passages between Long Island and New England maintain a usable connection.
How is Starlink mounted on a boat?
LIME mounts the dish on a hardtop, radar arch, mast, or custom pole mount — wherever there is a clear sky view with no rigging blocking the antenna. The cable runs to the router below deck at the nav station or helm, using weatherproof entry fittings at every deck penetration.
How much does Starlink Maritime installation cost?
Starlink Maritime hardware is approximately $2,500 and monthly service plans vary by tier. Labor for installation typically runs $560–840 (4–6 hours at $140/hr). LIME provides a written estimate before starting.
Is Starlink better than a cellular router for Long Island boating?
For boaters staying within 20–30 miles of shore, a cellular LTE router is usually more cost-effective — LTE coverage on Verizon and AT&T is solid throughout local waters. Starlink shines for offshore passages to Block Island, the canyons, or extended coastal cruising. LIME can install either and help you choose.
Are there other marine satellite internet options besides Starlink?
Iridium and Inmarsat VSAT systems offer true global coverage including polar regions, used by commercial and military vessels. They are slower and more expensive than Starlink for the same monthly cost. Starlink Maritime has become the dominant recreational solution as of 2025, though LIME can discuss Iridium Certus for specific commercial applications.
Get Connected Today
Ready to add satellite internet to your Long Island boat?
Call LIME for a written estimate. We assess your boat's layout, recommend the right solution for how you boat, and install it correctly — tested before we leave. Nassau and Suffolk County.