There's no doubt about it, Starlink has been a revolutionary change for those seeking dependable internet on the water. It's opened doors for onboard entertainment and communication, allows for better remote monitoring of the vessel, and enables a whole new realm of possibilities when it comes to earning money while sailing.
One of the keys to maximizing the dish's performance lies in choosing the right mount for your boat. I'm going to run you through some of the current options, starting with what Starlink can provide and then looking at some aftermarket solutions.
Starlink recently launched a referral program so if you use this link to sign up for a Residential or Roam plan, you get 1 month free and so do we!
Why mounting matters
The Starlink dish needs an unobstructed view of the sky to maintain a high-speed, low-latency connection. On a boat, where space is at a premium and the environment is continuously changing, the choice of mount and mounting location can significantly affect your internet experience.
Within the Starlink app you can check the current obstructions impacting your dish. Taking a look at this image from our account, can you guess where the mast is!
Where to buy a Starlink mount
In general you have two options when buying a Starlink mount; get it from Starlink itself or buy an aftermarket mount from a 3rd party supplier. There's also the option to DIY something, but most cruisers tend to use a commercial Starlink mounting solution.
Mounts offered by Starlink
Each Starlink dish comes with a mount or stand as standard. Depending on which dish you ordered it may be shipped in the same box, as with the Starlink Mini, or in a separate package, for example the Flat High Performance dish and mount. This is the current lineup on offer from Starlink, with a full outline of what comes in each kit being available on their website.
Dish | Stand or Mount |
Standard Actuated Dish | Base stand |
Standard Starlink Dish | Detachable kickstand, |
High Performance Dish | Base stand |
Flat High Performance | Wedge mount |
Starlink Mini | Kick stand, pipe adapter |
The best supplied Starlink mount
My opinion; for marine applications the best option from Starlink that comes with a dish is the Flat High Performance wedge mount. It was designed for easier installation on flat surfaces like the boat's roof or deck and provides an easy way to integrate Starlink into your existing setup, especially if you have an area clear of obstructions. Personally it's what we use on our catamaran and to date we've had no issues.
Starlink pipe adapter
The most marine friendly accessory in Starlink's shop, the pipe adapter allows you to mount the Starlink dish on a pole by simply sliding the adapter over the top, fastening the screws to secure it and attaching the dish to the top. The design does vary slightly between different dishes, for example the pipe adaptor for the Flat High Performance Dish attaches to the supplied wedge mount, while the Starlink Mini adapter attaches directly to the dish.
Starlink standard wall mount
Depending on the layout of your vessel a wall mount might work for the Starlink Standard dish. Designed to be installed on an exterior wall near the top of a gable or fascia, it accommodates a 4" overhang and is made of weather resistant materials.
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Aftermarket Starlink dish mounting solutions
The market for Starlink accessories and mounts continues to develop as new dishes come out and a greater number of people adopt the technology. Some are designed specifically for RV's or trucks, while others are targeted at the marine industry.
Here's a run down of six companies making Starlink mounts for boats.
1. Scanstrut
An outdoor and marine equipment manufacturer based in the US and UK, Scanstrut have a range of mounts for the Starlink Flat High Performance Dish. They're made of marine grade aluminum with a Scanstrut Cable Seal and pre-drilled mounting holes.
Some of their mounts are radar compatible, making them well suited to motor yachts, fishing boats and power cats. Others are more suited to sailboats, such as the Scanstrut Wedge Mount (left) and the Scanstrut Starlnk PowerTower (right).
A unique feature of the PowerTower is the ability to seamlessly add one of the Scanstrut lighting options to the back, for greater deck level visibility at night.
2. Seaview Global
Focused purely on designing and manufacturing marine electronic mounting solutions, Seaview Global have mounts for most dishes, including Starlink Mini, Starlink Standard (Gen 3) and Starlink Flat High Performance. Their designs include;
Wedge mounts
Mobile cases
Mast mounts
Pole kits
Antenna mounts
Surface mounts
Removable base kits
They also sell horizonal and vertical cable entries, that allow the Starlink cable to go through the deck inside a marine grade waterproof cable pass, as well as pipe adapters.
3. Axia Alloys
An American machining company, Axia Alloys design and manufacture vehicle components using tools like CAD design and a 4 axis CNC machine.
They have developed a range of tubing mounts that could be used to mount a Standard Starlink Dish to a rail or pole, as well as a stand mount that makes the Flat High Performance Dish more transportable.
Their designs are made of aluminum and are generally available in two finishes; Black E-Coat and Silver Anodized. The company recommendation is to choose the silver anodized for marine applications.
4. TRIO Flatmount
The TRIO Flatmounts were created by a husband and wife team with a passion for converting vans into fully customized luxury campers and a need to find appropriate Starlink mounting solutions for their customers. Today they make mounts for various dish types, including the Starlink Mini, Starlink Standard (Gen 2 and 3) and Starlink Flat High Performance.
Made of UV resistant thermoplastic, the mounts can be ordered with your choice of mounting system including magnets, suction cups and through-bolting. The fixings are stainless steel and they all allow for low profile mounting.
5. DarkStar Marine Hardware
Located in the United States with American manufacturing partners, DarkStar offer marine mounts for the Starlink High Performance and Starlink Mini dishes.
Some, like the rail clamps, rail mounts and antenna mount are designed to work with the OEM mounting system, while others are independent, including the Starlink Mini Rail Mount. Each design is made of corrosion resistant materials such as plastic and stainless steel fixings, and installation is generally quite simple.
6. Star Mount Systems
The core business of American based Star Mount Systems is vehicle Starlink mounts, producing products for boats, vans, cars, RV's and offroad vehicles. As a result the majority of mounts are flat, with options for suction feet, magnetic fee and through bolt mounting.
Star Mount also sell 12V DC Conversion kits for various Starlink dishes and offer bundles which include the mount and conversion kit.
Key features to look for in a Starlink marine mount
When evaluating the various Starlink mounting solutions available for boats, here are some things to keep in mind.
Look for marine-grade materials that are resist to corrosion and wear
Review the installation process to ensure you have the tools and skills to complete the job
Consider cable management and the cable run, as well as obstructions, when deciding where to mount your dish
Think about whether you really need a permanent mount, or if something portable suits your lifestyle and cruising plans better
Ensure the mount can handle movement and wind without loosening; there's been more than one Starlink dish lost over the back during swell and storms!
If aluminum construction is used with stainless steel fastenings, consider the potential for galvanic corrosion.
Final thoughts
Selecting the right Starlink mount for your vessel isn't just about fitting it on; it's about ensuring the system works efficiently under dynamic sea conditions. Consider the specific needs of your liveaboard lifestyle, and don't shy away from having a chat with other cruisers who've already done the install, especially if they have a similar boat.
To learn more about the plans and cost of having Starlink on a boat, check out our breakdown.
What Starlink mount do you use and do you have any advice for people working out their own install? Be sure to share in the comments and help the wider sailing community!
