12 Essential Subscriptions Used When Boating as Full-Time Sailors
Sailing full-time is a dream come true, but it does come with some hidden costs. Some of our biggest routine expenses? Subscriptions used when boating full-time.
We use many services to keep us afloat (literally and figuratively!) and they definitely make our lives easier while cruising full-time.
From having great weather forecasting data, internet wherever we go, and relaxing downtime watching our favorite movies and shows, these subscriptions are a game-changer.
These 12 subscriptions below keep us safe, connected and entertained while out on the water. Here’s what we actually use, how much they cost, and whether we REALLY need them.
1. PredictWind: The Best Weather Forecasting Tool
As a sailor, we use many sailing weather apps, but I’ll start with our favorite paid weather subscriptions. For us, that is PredictWind, who provide very good wind forecasts for sailors.
You can read more about PredictWind’s features, pros and cons in my thorough review.
We use it daily for looking at the weather forecast (it goes out 8 days), radar, and especially for our sail planning for helping us make safe trips from one location to the next.
- Cost: $249 per year
- Plan: Standard Plan
- Favorite Features: Departure Planning & Weather Routing
- Free Version Offered: Yes
Do We REALLY Need PredictWind? Yes! We plan all of our passages using PredictWind’s marine weather software and most of their extra features in the Standard Plan.
2. Chris Parker – Marine Weather Center: Detailed Weather Routing for Cruisers
Tied as our favorite paid weather service is Chris Parker. He runs Marine Weather Center and provides various levels of detailed weather forecasts, including personalized forecasts.
We like to compare what we are seeing in PredictWind to what Chris Parker is seeing and reporting on. Many more times than not, they are aligned, like when we used it to cross the Gulf Stream and cross the Mona Passage.
We receive daily (Monday – Saturday) regional emails (Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean , East Coast / West Atlantic, and Bahamas / Florida) and can also call into his daily (Monday – Saturday) Webcasts.
- Cost: $219 per year
- Plan: Daily Regional Email Forecast (including Webcasts)
- Favorite Features: Detailed synopsis and outlook in the emails along with suggested travel windows broken down by regions within the Eastern Caribbean. We also love the Webcasts and opportunity to ask questions there.
- Free Version Offered: If you have an SSB radio, you can tune into the Webcasts for free. All information for the SSB frequencies and times are posted on the website
Do We REALLY Need Chris Parker? For us, yes. We like to compare Chris Parker’s forecasts with PredictWind before going out on long passages to make sure they align.
3. Navionics: The Must-Have Digital Charts for the Caribbean and Beyond
For digital nautical chart subscriptions, we use Navionics as our go-to charts for the Caribbean. We find they are the most accurate for this region.
We have Navionics on our chart plotter with an SD card, and subscribe to the digital charts for our Samsung tablet as a backup.
One downfall for the digital subscription is that we can only use it on up to 2 devices. Scott runs it on his phone as a backup to our backup, but I cannot also run it on my phone.
- Cost: $49.99 per year
- Plan: Mexico, Caribbean and Brazil Digital Charts
- Favorite Feature: The automatic routing feature (although, be sure to check it thoroughly – it sometimes has us going through some tight spots or hazards that we prefer to go around!)
- Free Version Offered: You can download the app for free and sign up for a 15-day free trial
Do We REALLY Need Navionics? Yes, in the Caribbean. We used AquaMaps more in the USA and Bahamas
Our Samsung Tablet with Built-in GPS runs Navionics for our Chart Plotter. It works great and we love the large display!
Big Screen, Quad Speakers, Upgraded Chipset, Multi Window Display, Slim, Light, Durable Design, US Version, 2024, Graphite
4. AquaMaps: The Must-Have Digital Charts for the USA and Bahamas
While in the USA and Bahamas, we found ourselves primarily using Aquamaps, with Navionics as a backup.
If you plan to cruise down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), you can download “Bob423 Tracks” onto AquaMaps (I highly recommend it), which provide you with breadcrumbs through the winding and sometimes shifting path along the US East Coast ICW.
- Cost: $14.99 and $10.99
- Plan: $14.99 per year for Central America / South Caribbean and $10.99 per year for US nautical charts. The cost for the Bahamas charts is $49.99 per year, but we do not keep that up since we are in the Caribbean.
- Favorite Features: Able to install on up to 5 devices, able to download “Bob’s Tracks” and can see anchorages and reviews with Waterway Guide and Active Captain right on the charts.
- Free Version Offered: A 14-day free trial is available for each subscription
Do we REALLY need AquaMaps? Depends. Yes in the United States and Bahamas. We don’t really use it much in the Caribbean, but like to keep our subscription as a back-up to Navionics. However, we do use the Anchor Alarm feature in AquaMaps in the Caribbean as we have found it to be very useful.
5. Garmin inReach: Stay Connected Anywhere on the Water
Our Garmin inReach satellite messenger allows us to check weather forecasts and send text messages to family and friends when we are on a passage far away from land such as during overnight passages. More importantly, we can send an SOS message should we need assistance while underway.
I also love that you can allow the device to track your position at whatever interval you set (I use every 2 hours or every 4 hours, depending how long our passage is) and your family and friends can track your location along your trip with a link you provide them. You can set up a password for this link, or leave it open for anyone to track you.
While you do need a Garmin inReach device for this service, I did not include it in the annual cost, as it is a one-time fee. We got really lucky, as the previous owner of our Hunter 450 Passage left it for us when we bought our boat.
- Cost: $14.99 / month plus $0.10 per tracking point when tracking is on during a passage
- Plan: inReach Essential Plan
- Favorite Feature: Tracking feature for family and friends to see where we are on passages
- Free Version Offered: No, a free plan is not offered but they have many plans to choose from
Do we REALLY need Garmin inReach? Yes, we rely on our Garmin inReach for passages away from land as a way to get updated weather forecasts, and be able to reach out in the event of an emergency.
- Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator
- Sailing, Hiking and More
- Handheld
- Orange
6. DAN Insurance: Evacuation Coverage for Cruisers
DAN, Divers Alert Network, has more than just divers insurance. We have the Enhanced Family Membership which provides us with emergency medical transportation and travel assistance benefits, along with several other benefits like search and rescue and a 24/7 emergency hotline.
The Family Membership covers both Scott and me at $100 per year, or you can opt for the Individual Membership for $75 per year.
We subscribe to DAN Insurance for evacuation coverage while cruising the Caribbean in addition to having other boat insurance costs covering our boat, should anything happen to Pelagia.
- Cost: $100 per year
- Plan: Enhanced Family Membership
- Favorite Feature: Peace of mind knowing we can get evacuated to a hospital that meets our medical needs
- Free Plan Offered: No, a free plan is not offered, but you get a discount for a family plan
Do we REALLY need DAN Insurance? Not necessarily, but this is more for a piece of mind in worst case scenarios. I feel that $100 per year is a fair price to pay for this piece of mind.
7. Starlink: High-Speed Internet for Live-aboard Cruisers
Starlink has been a game-changer for having internet access as a live-aboard cruiser. While sailing in the Caribbean, it seems that nearly every boat we see has their Starlink dish attached.
We are using the Starlink Roam Plan at $165 per month. This is by far our most expensive subscription we use as full-time cruisers.
We have been able to use it in every country we have visited in the Caribbean. It is important to note that we did stay in Grenada for 6 months, and our service was cut off during this time, as we stayed longer than the allotted 2 months out of our country.
We were able to re-establish our service after some down time (a couple weeks) and have not had any further issues.
Other than getting cut off in Grenada (as expected due to the length of our stay), the service and coverage has been great in the Caribbean.
We do typically keep Starlink off when between islands during longer passages, as we have our Garmin inReach to stay connected should we need it.
You can also suspend your service if you aren’t sailing full-time, and only pay for it while you are using it.
- Cost: $165 per month ($1,980 per year for 12 months)
- Plan: Roam Plan
- Favorite Feature: Reliable internet with great speed
- Free Plan Offered: No, a free plan is not offered
Do we REALLY need Starlink? No, I wouldn’t say we NEED Starlink, as you can purchase cell phone and hotspot plans and save money. But, it surely is nice to have it.
We love our unlimited data with Starlink for planning our next passage and relaxing with Neflix while at anchor.
High-Speed, Low-Latency Internet, Ultra Portable WiFi Router - Elegant Design, starlink Travel Router WiFi 6, Satellite Connectivity
8. Surfshark: VPN Protection for Security and Privacy Wherever You Are
Do you really need a VPN when sailing? That was a question I had before we quit our jobs and sailed away in January 2023.
Turns out, we use Surfshark for VPN quite a bit! We use it when we hotspot our Google Voice phones to our Digicel French phone plan so we can use apps like Pandora to stream music.
We also need it when clearing into the French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Martin. Their check-in process is now all online (yeah!) but only works with a French internet connection. Not a problem at all with Surfshark!
I also really like the security and protection it provides if we are using a vendor’s Wifi onland. We have Surfshark installed and use it on our phones as well.
- Cost: $59.76 per year
- Plan: VPN and Alternate ID
- Favorite Features: Being able to switch our internet location and the security and protection it provides when using public Wifi.
- Free Plan Offered: Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial
Do we REALLY need Surfshark? Yes, we definitely need it in the Caribbean to use the French online website for clearing into the French countries, as it only works with a French IP address.
9. SailClear: A Must-Have For Customs Clearance in the Caribbean
SailClear is an easy-to-use online system several Caribbean Islands use for maritime pre-arrival and departure notifications. It is required for the following islands:
While it was once free to use, it now requires an annual subscription of $25.
- Cost: $25 per year
- Plan: Annual Subscription (only subscription they have)
- Favorite Feature: It’s very easy to use and it saves your boat and crew data so you don’t have to enter into the system each time you arrive and depart to an island
- Free Plan Offered: No, they are no longer free to use.
Do we REALLY need SailClear? Yes, you must use SailClear when checking into the Caribbean countries listed above.
10. St. Brendan’s Isle: Worry-Free Mail Forwarding Service
Before we sailed away from land, we knew we had to come up with something to do with our mail. They have no state income tax, so setting up residency in Florida made sense for us.
St. Brendan’s Isle is tailored to liveaboard cruisers, RVers, or anyone who travels frequently. They collect your mail, can scan it and send it to your email, and mail it to any address you provide to them.
Having used them for over 2 years now, I can say that their customer service is outstanding.
One time, I selected a mailing option that would have cost me over $75 to mail an envelope.
They emailed me to call them and discuss – which saved me a ton of money with a better and cheaper option!
They have different packages to choose from for whatever fits your needs.
For billing, they charge your credit card a flat rate of $100 and draw from this money until it reaches a balance of less than $10. Then they will email you and notify you that they will be charging your credit card again. This system works quite well for us.
If at any time you decide to close your account, you get any remaining balance back.
- Cost: $21.98 per month total – $13.99 per month for the Travelers Special and $7.99 per month for the Mail Scan Pro Standard. Additional minimal charges apply to scanning your mail and for mailing letters and packages
- Plan: Travelers Special and Mail Scan Pro Standard
- Favorite Feature: Easy to use and great customer service
- Free Plan Offered: No, a free plan is not offered, but they are very helpful with questions
Do we REALLY need St. Brendan’s Isle? Not necessarily. If you have a family back home with a physical address you can send your mail to, and who can help forward mail to you, then no.
11. Netflix: Downtime Relaxation
Even while out cruising, we like to have a little downtime and keep up with a couple of our favorite sailing movies and shows.
We use our Starlink with Surfshark to access our US-based Netflix account wherever we are. What works well for us is to download episodes and movies onto our Samsung Tablet during the day when Starlink is running, then watch our shows later in the evenings.
- Cost: $7.99 per month
- Plan: Standard with Ads
- Favorite Feature: Being able to download episodes and watch without internet whenever we want
- Free Plan Offered: No, Netflix does not offer a free trial, but you are able to change or cancel your plan at any time without additional fees.
Do we REALLY need Netflix? No. This is definitely a luxury spend.
12. BoatUS: Get Towed to Safety
When we were cruising in the United States and Bahamas (they cover Canada too!), we made sure to have a subscription with BoatUS in the event we needed a tow.
Unfortunately, they don’t cover the Caribbean, where we did need a short tow once!
While we have been fortunate to not need BoatUS in the US or Bahamas, we definitely know fellow cruisers who have been thankful for their BoatUS membership!
- Cost: $175 per year
- Plan: Unlimited Saltwater Towing Membership
- Favorite Feature: Additional savings fuel and dockage at select marinas
- Free Plan Offered: BoatUS does not offer a free plan, but they do offer a FREE online boating safety course that you can take at your own pace.
Do we REALLY Need BoatUS Tow Insurance? No, you can always go without tow insurance and pay for towing as needed (which can be very expensive without coverage). BoatUS does not cover the Caribbean, and we currently are not subscribed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Subscriptions Used When Boating
Are there free alternatives to paid boating subscriptions?
Yes, there are free alternatives and/or free trials for the paid boater subscriptions we use, such as PredictWind, Navionics, and AquaMaps. BoatUS offers a free boating safety class available to non-members.
Are subscriptions necessary for all boaters?
Each boaters’ needs are going to vary, but most likely, each boat will want at least a few subscriptions for digital navigation charts and weather forecasting.
What subscriptions are most essential for full-time sailors?
Digital navigation charts such as Navionics and/or AquaMaps, and weather forecasting subscriptions, such as PredictWind, Windy, and/or Chris Parker Marine Weather Center would be the most essential for full-time sailors. A Garmin inReach or alternate satellite communication device is also essential for offshore sailing.
How Many Subscriptions Do You Use While Boating?
As you can see, we use several subscriptions when boating and cruising full-time. I was honestly a little surprised how much we spend per year just on subscriptions!
Starlink is 61% of our total subscription expenses, with St. Brendan’s Isle at 8.12% and PredictWind at 7.67% for our top three subscription costs. Starlink can be paused when not in use, which is helpful and helps saves on cost.
While it is a lot of money, having a couple reliable sources for weather forecasting, digital navigational charts, and internet and satellite connection are essential for us.
We use nearly everything on this list (thankfully we haven’t had to use our DAN Insurance) on a very regular basis while sailing to the Caribbean and we are thankful for these resources to make our sailing and living a little bit easier.
