In today's digital age, remote work has become more commonplace than ever before. Advancements in technology, changes in workplace culture and the rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has given people the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world, including from a sailboat.
To help maximise productivity and efficiency, it's essential to have the right equipment and setup for you. In this article, we'll explore 8 tools and gadgets you can use to help create a functional sailing office.
1. Reliable Computer or Laptop
Having a reliable computer is the backbone of remote or freelance work. For most digital nomads living aboard a sailboat, a laptop is the best way to go since desktop setups can be cumbersome in the confined space. That being said, there are cruisers including us who have a desktop computer set up in a dedicated office cabin.
When choosing a computer think about what you need to do to earn money from the boat. The kinds of tasks you'll be engaging in will influence which specifications are most suitable, including processing, graphics, memory and battery.
My work involves a combination of word processing, video editing and photo editing, so I prefer the Asus ROG Series Laptops; I currently have an ASUS ROG Strix G16. Since they're designed primarily for gaming these laptops usually have the graphics card, processing power and memory capacity to cope with the demands of video editing. The high system specifications also means it takes a while for these laptops to be superseded.
2. High-Speed Internet Connection
A stable and high-speed internet connection is non-negotiable for remote work. It's the lifeline that connects you to your colleagues, clients, and work-related resources. Currently there are 3 main ways to get internet on a sailboat.
Public Wi-Fi
Cellular data
Satellite internet
We delve into all three in more detail in this article, but in our opinion the BEST solution right now for sailing digital nomads is Starlink. Starlink is a satellite internet solution offered by SpaceX that's revolutionised how the internet is accessed at sea. We've done a complete breakdown of Starlink, including how it works, what the different plans are and the cost.
3. Comfortable Desk and Chair
Creating a comfortable and ergonomic workspace is crucial for long-term health and productivity, but it can be a little tricky to achieve this on a boat. Most of us end up working on the saloon table or out on the deck, but there are still ergonomic chair cushions, foot rests and standing desk solutions, which can support proper posture and reduce strain on your body.
For us, we converted one of the cabins on our catamaran to an office and storage room, complete with an adjustable chair and footrest.
4. External Monitor
Depending on what type of working you're doing to earn money as you sail the world, having an external monitor can be useful. It provides extra screen real estate which allows you to multitask more efficiently, whether you're comparing documents, analyzing data, or attending virtual meetings.
For our boat office we have an ASUS ROG Strix 4K monitor that's mounted to the wall on an adjustable arm. It's pulled out when we're using it or are at anchor, and pushed to the wall and tied down when we're underway.
5. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Working on a boat comes with its share of distractions so having a pair of noise-canceling headphones can help create a focused and distraction-free environment by blocking out the ambient noise. They're especially useful for video calls and video editing.
Personally I use a pair of Sony WH-1000XM series headphones and they've been brilliant. I find the noise cancelling feature works well and the sound quality is good. My WH-1000XM4 headphones are 4 years now and I've never had an issue so if something were to happen to them I'd likely upgrade to the newer WH-1000XM5 model.
6. Webcam and Microphone
If your work involves remote meetings and virtual collaboration then a high-quality webcam and microphone are indispensable tools. You want to ensure that your webcam provides crisp and clear video, while your microphone delivers excellent sound quality without background noise or distortion.
While most modern laptops come with these features built-in, you may want to consider investing in separate peripheral devices if the built-in options don't meet your standards.
7. Cloud Storage and Backup Solutions
Protecting your work and data is paramount when working remotely, especially in the harsh marine environment. There are two main ways to do this; on the Cloud and with physical hard drives.
Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive allow you to store and sync your files across devices securely via the internet.
Physical hard drives and USB sticks allow you to store the data externally from your computer without relying on the internet.
For our external hard drives we use the Samsung T-Series Portable SSD and Samsung T-Series Rugged SSD. Our oldest are now 5 years old and at the time of writing none have failed.
8. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Having a wireless keyboard and mouse offers flexibility and freedom of movement, allowing you to work comfortably from various positions. This is great on a boat as it means you can work in the cabin, up on deck or at the saloon able.
Personally I always use a wireless mouse with my laptop. Without it my productivity slows down and I find myself getting uncomfortable faster, especially in my shoulders. My go-to mouse for years has been the Logitech MX Anywhere series due to the long lasting battery and fact I can use it on just about any surface, including wood, gel coat and fabric.
Conclusion
Working while sailing the world is made easier if you have a setup that promotes focus and productivity. To learn more about what you can do to financially support your international sailing dreams, check out our full resources on earning money from a sailboat.
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