Using Wi-Fi on your boat – How to do it safely and efficiently

Discover the benefits and risks of wireless communication at sea and learn why NMEA 2000 is crucial for secure data transfer.

Wi-Fi on board a boat offers flexibility and convenience. Wireless communication means no cable runs, saving time and money. But is it always the best solution? Here we review the benefits, risks, and how to best integrate Wi-Fi with your NMEA 2000 network.

Benefits of Wi-Fi on board

• No cabling – easier installation
• Ability to use tablets and smartphones as extra screens
• Cost savings during installation

Disadvantages and risks of wireless communication

Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference and connection problems. Critical data such as AIS targets, radar, GPS, and depth must always have a stable connection. Therefore, Wi-Fi should be seen as a complement, not a primary solution.

Why physical connection is important

An NMEA 2000 connection guarantees constant data transfer. If the Wi-Fi connection is broken, you can lose important information such as AIS targets and position. With a physical connection to your MFD (Multi-Function Display), you are always safe.

Best solution – Actisense W2K-1

Do you want to add Wi-Fi to your NMEA 2000 network? Actisense W2K-1 is a wireless gateway with logging function and support for multiple data formats, including NMEA 0183 via our award-winning NGW-1 conversion engine.

Understanding Wi-Fi signal strength on board

A stable Wi-Fi signal is crucial for wireless data transfer. Signal strength is usually measured in dBm on a scale from -30 (excellent) to -100 (poor). For reliable communication, the signal should be at least -73 dBm.

Signal strength and what it means

• -30 dBm: Near maximum strength
• -67 dBm: Good for streaming and stable connection
• -73 dBm: Minimum level for reliable data transfer
• -80 dBm: Risk of instability and packet loss
• -90 dBm: Very weak signal, connection often breaks

In short: For safe and stable communication with wireless gateways like W2K-1, ensure your signal strength is -73 dBm or better.