Narwhal
Turn-key Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Satellite Communications Solution for Leisure Boats and Yachts
Narwhal is a complete, turn-key, voice and data communications solution for boats of any size. Narwhal combines best-of-breed communications hardware and software with our own design, integration, testing, services, and support to give you what you need in a pre-tested, pre-configured, easy-to-use, easy-to-install, plug-and-play solution.
Narwhal connects to shore Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite networks and automatically chooses from the least-cost option available at any time. The system also controls which devices on your boat can use each of the Internet connections you have available, preventing non-critical devices from consuming expensive data. Guest logins and website blacklists are also included features in every Narwhal version. Narwhal supports any satellite network including Iridium, Inmarsat, KVH, Viasat, Aura, and Starlink.
Narwhal consolidates multiple existing Wi-Fi networks and easily integrates onboard NMEA2000 and NMEA0183 networks, enabling your smart devices to perform navigation and communications functions simultaneously. No more need to switch between a satellite device’s wi-fi network and an AIS or chartplotter’s wi-fi network; Narwhal bridges all of these networks into a single on-board Navigation and Communication network for your laptops, smartphones, tablets, smart TV’s, and more!
Narwhal Provides the following Below-Decks:
Vessel-Wide Wi-Fi Network for all your devices
Automatic Failover/Switchover between Shore Wi-Fi, LTE, and Satellite connections
PredictWind Vessel Tracking with any active Internet connection
Position Sharing to AIS aggregation sites such as Marine Traffic
Control over which devices can use Shore Wi-Fi vs Cellular vs Satellite connections
Limited Guest Logins (if desired)
Web Filtering Blacklists (protect your kids or limit data usage)
Single web UI to control Internet access connections, available from any device with a web browser
Integration for onboard NMEA0183 and/or NMEA2000 networks, and ability to eliminate Wi-Fi sprawl on board. Combine your AIS, MFD, Satellite, Cellular, and other networks into a single powerful, easy-to-use, Wi-Fi network. (Choose NMEA0183/2000 Combo or NMEA2000 Only during ordering)
Navigation Apps?
Narwhal supports all the popular cruising apps including but not limited to CruisersEmail, PredictWind, Navionics, iNavX, TimeZero, OpenCPN, Rosepoint, and more!
My Chartplotter Wi-Fi Apps?
Yes!
PredictWind?
Yes! Including vessel tracking, forecasts/GRIB downloads, autogeneration of boat polars, position sharing to AIS tracking sites, and more. Narwhal includes PredictWind’s Datahub appliance preintegrated.
My Own SIM Card?
Absolutely! Narwhal LTE hardware is completely unlocked and supports practically any global cellular network and SIM card
Starlink?
Yep! While Starlinks maritime service is still limited, Narwhal systems support Starlink as an Internet connection and can automatically switch between Starlink, Wi-Fi, LTE, and any other Satellite systems. Narwhal systems can even use Narwhal VPN to seamlessly bond 5G and Starlink together for uninterrupted video and audio conference calls!
Narwhal Advanced upgrades the standard LTE data hardware a basic cellular system to our advanced Masthead or Rooftop Mounted Global LTE Cellular system with multiple SIM Card slots below-decks (works with Narwhal Connect or any other SIM Card). Stay connected to speedy LTE while up to 20nm or more offshore!
Narwhal Advanced 5G is the best performing LTE cellular option available with longest range and highest speeds. And just one small ethernet cable to run to the roof or masthead for the LTE antenna instead of expensive, thick, and inflexible coax cable.
Narwhal Advanced systems also support a variety of satellite solutions to meet any need, including options for two satellite systems where required. Examples may include combining high-speed unlimited satellite that does not have coverage in every part of the world with a slower global satellite for backup in those uncovered areas.
Narwhal Advanced Extreme Performance is an optional upgrade for any of the Narwhal Advanced versions. This upgrades the LTE hardware to dual-modem with bonding for even higher performance and extreme reliability. Multiple SIM cards (even from different providers) can be used simultaneously to create one single higher performance and reliable connection.
What About 5G?
Narwhal Advanced packages support sub-6Ghz 5G networks, or you can opt for dual-active 4G LTE-Advanced. >6Ghz/mmWave 5G is not generally a technology of concern for boaters.
Read our FAQ about 5G on boats
Can You Fix Wi-Fi Sprawl?
Question: When on the boat we have to switch to wi-fi for B&G through ‘Link Connect Your Boat’ app to pull up the display on our iPad, but then to use the wi-fi in the marina, off our Badboy extender, we have to change to the marina wi-fi, so we can’t have the B&G repeated display on our iPad and have wi-fi from the marina at the same time. We also have a Redport Wi-Fi router to connect the Iridium for data, weather and email. Will this system work around having to switch between all the different wi-fi networks?”
Absolutely! All of our Narwhal systems are designed to merge various wi-fi devices into a single network. This “Wi-Fi Sprawl” problem is a key component in our cruising communications seminars and a problem Sea-Tech is very focused on solving. AIS, Navigation, Shore Wi-Fi, Cellular, Satellite, etc. So you have one single wi-fi network, no switching. For the Redport.. If you install a Narwhal System which includes Satellite as most do, you wouldn’t need to use the Redport/Iridium solution anymore, but yes, you can connect the Redport to the Narwhal network and access the same Iridium connection as before from the combined Wi-Fi network.
What about Installation?
Narwhal Is DIY and Boat Yard Friendly
All of the hardware and software needed to completely install the system
Preconfigured system that is ready to use out of the box
Power and Data cables, and custom adapters to make the installation easy
Exterior marine antenna mounts for the Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Satellite antennas
Quick Start Guide Included plus access to Sea-Tech Support during and after install
Sea-Tech also partners with installers in the most popular boating regions of the US and can help you find an installer if needed.
Narwhal Advanced | Wi-Fi and 5G Cellular System
Next Level Coastal Cellular Data! (Satellite Ready)
Like to cruise offshore? Connect to marina and harbor wi-fi networks when available while getting the most out of coastal cellular with Narwhal Advanced Ultra Performance LTE. The longest range and highest performance LTE option available!Includes:
- Below-Decks Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router with multi-WAN failover and access control rules
- Dual-Band Long-Range Wi-Fi Extender for Shore Wi-Fi Connections
- Ultra Performance and Range Global 5G/4G Cellular
- PredictWind Datahub for Vessel Tracking, Boat Polar Generation, AIS position sharing and more
- NMEA to Wi-Fi Integration to support your favorite Navigation Apps
- Included Satellite Capabilities: None
- Add any one of our Narwhal Satellite Add-On Packages when you need it. Compatible with Any Satellite service including Iridium, Inmarsat, KVH, Viasat, Aura, and Starlink
- Supports Narwhal Voice service and Narwhal VPN/WAN Bonding Service
Narwhal Advanced 5G | Cruising Boat
The Best Cell Data plus Global Sat!- Dual-Band Long-Range Wi-Fi Extender For Shore Wi-Fi Connections
- Ultra Performance Global 5G/4G Cellular
- NMEA to Wi-Fi Integration
- Vessel Tracking with AIS and/or Predictwind
- Included Satellite Capabilities
- Coastal Americas Voice, Data
- 100% Global Voice, SMS, Data
- Whatsapp, FB Messenger, iMessage
- Web Capable Broadband
- Unlimited Data Plan
- Satellite Compressed Email
- Gmail, Outlook, and Other Email Services
- Support for PredictWind Offshore and other GRIB Requestors
- Support for any navigation and weather app
- Fast download of Emails, weather GRIB Files, and other data
- Make calls from a fixed analog phone or your Smartphone.
- The best coastal cellular performance and just what you need for small email, sms, weather forecasting, and casual phone calls from anywhere on the planet
- (Satellite Communications Powered by Iridium)
Narwhal Advanced 5G | Social at Sea
Whatsapp, FB Messenger, iMessage Support- Dual-Band Long-Range Wi-Fi Extender For Shore Wi-Fi Connections
- Ultra Performance Global 5G/4G Cellular
- NMEA to Wi-Fi Integration
- Vessel Tracking with AIS and/or Predictwind
- Included Satellite Capabilities
- Coastal Americas Voice, Data
- 100% Global Voice, SMS, Data
- Whatsapp, FB Messenger, iMessage
- Web Capable Broadband
- Unlimited Data Plan
- Satellite Compressed Email
- Gmail, Outlook, and Other Email Services
- Support for PredictWind Offshore and other GRIB Requestors
- Support for any navigation and weather app
- Fast download of Emails, weather GRIB Files, and other data
- Make calls from a fixed analog phone or your Smartphone.
- The best coastal cellular performance plus low cost satellite that is perfect for those that are staying near the Americas with a desire to communicate via Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple iMessage while outside of cellular range.
- (Satellite Communications Powered by Inmarsat)
Narwhal Advanced 5G | Anywhere Web
Internet Access Anywhere!- Dual-Band Long-Range Wi-Fi Extender For Shore Wi-Fi Connections
- Ultra Performance Global 5G/4G Cellular
- NMEA to Wi-Fi Integration
- Vessel Tracking with AIS and/or Predictwind
- Included Satellite Capabilities
- Coastal Americas Voice, Data
- 100% Global Voice, SMS, Data
- Whatsapp, FB Messenger, iMessage
- Web Capable Broadband
- Unlimited Data Plan
- Satellite Compressed Email
- Gmail, Outlook, and Other Email Services
- Support for PredictWind Offshore and other GRIB Requestors
- Support for any navigation and weather app
- Fast download of Emails, weather GRIB Files, and other data
- Make calls from a fixed analog phone or your Smartphone.
- The ONLY option for those who need high speed data while cruising in challenging terrain and/or high latitudes. (Including: Alaska, Inside Passage, NW Passage, Southern Ocean Circumnav, S. Pacific Crossing, etc.)
- (Satellite Communications Powered by Iridium)
- Narwhal Shore Wi-Fi Features
- Narwhal LTE Features
- Narwhal Satellite Features
- Optional Value Add Services
Dual Band, Supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz Networks for the best performance and compatibility
WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support for any Wi-Fi network configuration you will find
Connect to new Shore Wi-Fi networks with just 2 clicks/taps
Automatically reconnects to known favorite Wi-Fi networks
Automatically adjusts power to provide the best performance
Built-in support for logging into wi-fi network popup pages (aka Captive Portals)
Long-Range Coastal 4G LTE and 5G Data connections are possible 10-30nm off the coast
Supports SIMs and 4G LTE and 5G Cellular Networks around the globe
Automatically configures itself when a new SIM is installed (Narwhal Advanced)
Multi-SIM automatic failover (switch between two SIMs when you cross International borders) (Narwhal Advanced)
Satellite hardware and services are included with most Narwhal systems and Narwhal Connect.
Each Narwhal Edition is designed around specific user needs and matches the satellite system capabilities with those needs.
Learn more about specific capabilities in the details of each Narwhal Edition.
Narwhal Connect Service Plan Features:
- Free +1 USA domestic phone numbers so your friends and family or business can call you for free (on most plans)
- Suspendable service plans for seasonal users
- Unlimited data for some Narwhal versions
- Advanced Internet usage filtering and reporting for broadband satellite services (managed by Sea-Tech)
- Compressed Email and Web Services Included
Benefits of Narwhal Connect Service Plans:
Narwhal Connect Services combine LTE, Satellite, Compressed Email, Satellite Usage Filtering/Reporting, and other services into a single service plan, providing unique benefits you won’t find elsewhere. And you don’t need to know how to set up our advanced data services because we do that for you!
Narwhal Business – Follow-Me Voice Call Routing, Voicemail to Email, and more
Narwhal Navigation – Nobeltec TimeZero Navigator v4 for Windows
Preconfiguration on your laptop of choice including integration with your Narwhal system is available
Narwhal Multi-Satellite – Combine the best of unlimited global email and weather with metered high-speed data to meet tighter budgets with moderate data needs
