Starlink internet installation for Long Island boats.
We mount, cable, and configure Starlink Maritime and Starlink Mini systems on boats across Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Reliable offshore internet for navigation apps, weather routing, video calls, remote vessel monitoring, and streaming — no dead zones once you leave the dock. Low Earth orbit satellites mean real broadband, not the slow satellite of the past.
Why Starlink is different from every other marine internet option.
Traditional satellite internet for boats — KVH, ViaSat — uses geostationary satellites 22,000 miles above Earth. The distance creates 600ms+ latency. You can browse email but forget video calls or real-time weather data.
Starlink uses a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites at 340 miles altitude. The result is 20–60ms latency — comparable to a cable connection at home. Download speeds of 50–250 Mbps are typical on the water around Long Island Sound and the Atlantic coast.
The flat phased-array antenna automatically tracks satellites without mechanical movement. It self-levels, self-orients, and maintains lock even while the boat is underway — as long as you have an in-motion capable plan and hardware.
For Long Island boaters, this is a meaningful upgrade. Whether you're crossing Long Island Sound to Connecticut, running the Block Island race, or fishing the canyons 100 miles offshore, Starlink provides consistent broadband where cellular signal stopped long ago. Real-time weather data from SiriusXM, Zoom calls from the anchorage at Shelter Island, vessel monitoring from your phone while the boat sits on the mooring — all of it is practical with Starlink in a way it never was before.
- 20–60ms latency — usable for Zoom, Facetime, real-time weather routing
- 50–250 Mbps typical download speed on the water
- No mechanical dish to maintain or replace
- Automatic satellite acquisition — powers on and connects in minutes
- Coverage across Long Island Sound, the Atlantic coast, and offshore to 200nm+
Which Starlink kit is right for your boat?
Starlink Mini
11 x 10 inch compact flat antenna. Lightest unit at under 2.5 lbs — ideal for smaller boats, center consoles, and tenders where space and weight matter. Requires a flat, unobstructed mounting surface. Not in-motion capable on the basic plan without Maritime upgrade.
- Best for: boats under 28ft, day boats, console boats
- Power draw: ~25–30W
- Weight: 2.4 lbs
Starlink Standard
The most popular choice for recreational boaters. 19 x 12 inch flat antenna, in-motion capable with Maritime or Portability plan. Handles speeds up to 200+ Mbps. Pipe mount or flat surface mount — we fabricate marine-grade stainless mounting hardware for any installation.
- Best for: express cruisers, sportfishing 28–45ft, liveaboards
- Power draw: ~50–75W
- Weight: 4.5 lbs
Flat High Performance
24 x 16 inch high-performance flat antenna — designed for demanding maritime environments, faster speeds, and better performance in heavy weather. Built-in heating for icing conditions. The right choice for offshore vessels, charter boats, and yachts over 45ft.
- Best for: yachts 45ft+, offshore fishing, charter vessels
- Power draw: ~100–150W
- Weight: 9.2 lbs
Ready to talk? Or keep reading below.
What LIME handles from start to finish.
Starlink installs look simple on YouTube. In practice, a proper marine installation means UV-rated cable management, waterproof cable penetrations, 12V power conversion, and router placement that doesn't cook in the engine room. We handle every part of it.
Antenna Mounting
We fabricate or source a proper stainless or marine-grade aluminum mount for your T-top, arch, hardtop, or radar arch. The antenna needs a clear 100-degree sky view — we site it correctly so you don't lose signal from your own rigging.
Cable Run
The Starlink cable is a single proprietary cable — it cannot be extended without a proper junction box. We route it through conduit or existing cable pathways, seal all penetrations with marine-grade fittings, and protect the run from UV and chafe.
Power Setup
Starlink hardware runs on 12V but ships with a 110V wall adapter. We wire the system direct to 12V using the appropriate DC-DC converter and properly rated fuse, so it runs off your boat's battery system without needing shore power or an inverter.
Router Placement & Network
The Starlink router goes inside the cabin in a ventilated location. We configure the WiFi network, set up the Starlink app on your devices, and test download/upload speeds before we're done. Optional: network integration with onboard switch for wired connections.
Plan Activation Support
We help you select the right Starlink plan — Maritime for in-motion use, or Portability for dock and anchorage use. We activate the service on your account and confirm everything is working before we leave the boat.
ABYC-Compliant Wiring
Every wire run uses tinned marine-grade wire, waterproof connectors, and properly rated fuses — same standards we apply to every installation. No automotive wire, no crimp connectors that corrode in the marine environment.
Starlink vs cellular boosters — which do you need?
Both have a place. Starlink is not always the answer — here's how to think about it.
| Feature | Starlink Maritime | LTE Booster (Pepwave) |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage offshore | ✓ Excellent — works 200nm+ offshore | Limited — drops out 5–15mi offshore |
| Speed | 50–250 Mbps | 10–100 Mbps inshore |
| Latency | 20–60ms — video calls work | 20–50ms inshore |
| Monthly cost | $150–$250/mo (Maritime plan) | Carrier data plan — often cheaper |
| Hardware cost | $250–$599 hardware + install | $200–$600 router + install |
| Best for | Offshore, blue water, liveaboards | Coastal, marina, inshore fishing |
For most Long Island boaters who stay within 10 miles of shore, a quality Pepwave or WeBoost LTE system is the smarter investment. If you run offshore regularly, go to Block Island or beyond, or need internet on a passage — Starlink is worth every dollar. We install both.
Five-star reviews from Long Island boat owners.
★★★★★
Had LIME install Starlink Standard on my Grady-White 306 with a custom stainless arch mount. They wired it direct to 12V so it runs off the batteries — no inverter, no shore power needed. The whole job was clean and professional. Signal is rock solid from the dock to 80 miles out.
— Mike R., Grady-White 306
★★★★★
Starlink Mini on my 24ft center console — LIME mounted it flush on the T-top and ran the cable through the hardtop conduit so there's no exposed wire anywhere. Fits perfectly, barely notice it's there. Used it on a trip to Montauk with perfect streaming the whole way.
— Dan K., Scout 245 XSF
★★★★★
I asked LIME whether I needed Starlink or a Pepwave LTE setup for my boat — they were honest that for my use (mostly inshore, occasional Block Island run) the LTE router was the smarter call. They installed it perfectly. I respect that they gave me the right answer instead of selling me the bigger ticket item.
— Chris M., Mako 21 LTS
Every review LIME has received is 5 stars.
Frequently asked questions
Which Starlink plan do I need for a boat?
For in-motion use offshore, you need the Maritime plan ($150/mo) or a Portability plan with a compatible in-motion capable antenna. The standard Portability plan technically requires the boat to be stationary, though many boaters use it while moving at low speeds. We'll walk you through the plan options during the install consultation.
Where do you mount the Starlink dish on a boat?
The ideal location is the highest, most open mounting point with 100-degree unobstructed sky view — typically a T-top, radar arch, hardtop, or flush on the cabin roof. We survey your boat and recommend the best position before any drilling. We fabricate stainless mounting hardware to match your boat's existing structure.
How much power does Starlink draw on a boat?
The Standard dish draws 50–75W at the antenna, plus another 15–25W for the router. Plan for 70–100W total continuous draw. This is significant for boats without a generator or large lithium bank. We assess your power budget as part of the install — Starlink on a light battery system may require a lithium upgrade or solar charging.
Does Starlink work in Long Island Sound and offshore?
Yes — Starlink provides excellent coverage in Long Island Sound, around the coast, and offshore to 200+ nautical miles on the Maritime plan. Signal quality is consistent in the area. Heavy rain can cause brief outages (same as home Starlink), but performance is far superior to any cellular solution beyond 10 miles offshore.
How long does a Starlink installation take?
Most Starlink installs take 3–5 hours depending on the boat layout and cable routing complexity. We include the survey, mount fabrication, cable run, 12V power wiring, router setup, and final speed testing in that time. All billed portal-to-portal at $140/hr with a 4-hour minimum.
Will Starlink interfere with my existing marine electronics?
No — Starlink is a receive/transmit system operating on Ku/Ka band frequencies that don't interfere with VHF radio, AIS, GPS, or radar. The router creates a standard WiFi network. We integrate it carefully so it doesn't introduce noise into your NMEA 2000 network. If you have NMEA 2000 or Ethernet onboard, we can tie Starlink into the boat's network for wired access at the helm.
Can I use Starlink on multiple boats or move it seasonally?
Yes — a Portability or Maritime plan lets you use the hardware at different locations and pause service when the boat is out of the water for the season. The hardware is yours. We can also set up a quick-disconnect mount so you can remove and store the dish during storage season.
Ready to get Starlink on your boat?
NMEA certified. ABYC standard. Serving Nassau County and Suffolk County marinas.
Portal-to-portal billing · 4-hour minimum · Written estimate before we start