For a year now, I’ve been working 100% remotely from our boat. Some days we’re at the dock, sailing Puget Sound, or anchored out in a small harbor, but my work schedule hasn’t changed. So many others also found themselves suddenly working from home during this pandemic, but I’ve realized that working from a boat takes a particularly unique approach and mindset.
Are you dreaming of working from your boat but aren’t sure if it will work well for you? Here’s how I keep things running smoothly.
Getting reliable signal
Before we moved aboard Constellation, one of my unknowns was how exactly we would have WiFi for working, streaming movies, browsing, etc. As expected, the answer is a bit more complex than calling up Comcast – though that was part of it!
I use three sources of WiFi when working on the boat, depending on where we are and the level of signal strength I need:
WIFI FROM OUR DOCK BOX
This is by far the most reliable signal, and an upgrade we deemed worth it once I was working from the boat full-time. The dock box at our marina slip here in Seattle has an output for internet, so we can pay for our own internet plan with XFINITY like you would for an apartment. It took some extra explanation to the internet company (you live where?) but it was relatively painless. The one quirk is we needed an extra-long coax cable to plug into the dock box, run through our anchor locker, then into the boat to plug into the router in the v-berth.
WIFI BOOSTER
For our first year of living aboard, we used a MikroTik antenna and router as our primary WiFi source. The antenna picks up signal from other existing WiFi sources, amplifies the signal, then re-broadcasts it for our boat for us to connect to. This worked great when we were anywhere with open hotspots or other WiFi accounts where we had the password (i.e. marinas and waterfront restaurants).
PERSONAL HOTSPOTS
When I’m working while sailing or if we’re anchored in a more isolated harbor, I have two hotspot options. I use the hotspot from one of our phones with Google Fi, which has some great data plan options. I also use a Verizon MiFi unit, but I’ve found Verizon often has weaker signal in the Puget Sound area.
Making a home office in a small space
Our navigation station is our at-sea communications hub, charts and sailing instruments center, and my primary work space. We have a nice, big monitor that connects to either my laptop for extra screen space or to our boat laptop for our navigation charts.
If I need a change of scenery or a little more space to spread out, I set up shop at the settee table and get to lounge a little while I work. Other days, I’ll work outside with some comfy pillows and the flip-up table in the cockpit. It looks idyllic – and it often is – but working from such a small space can also take a toll on productivity.
Tips for staying productive when working from a boat or other small space:
- When you really need to focus, seek out time to have the boat to yourself or pop in your headphones to tune out background projects or people. Honestly, I don’t think I could sustain this work-from-boat live all the time if Chris was always here, too. Our 45-foot boat sure starts to feel like only 45-feet if there’s no quiet place to get work done. Make sure you’re creating a space with enough zen to get through the work day.
- Set up your main workspace for the day, but then put everything away when work is done. It doesn’t take much for the boat to feel cluttered. Tucking away my work laptop, cables, and paperwork at the end of the day goes a long way.
- Get out of the boat for a break! Taking a mid-day walk, paddle, or crab pot check goes a long way for my productivity (and my sanity) when I’m by myself in a small space all day.
- Don’t forget about ergonomics. For the first several months, I couldn’t touch the floorboards with my toes while sitting in my “work chair” at the navigation desk. I would prop my feet up on the nearby cushion, but the body twist eventually gave me some serious back pain. I now have a padded shelf under the desk for my feet, and what a difference! Ergonomics are so important, so you might have to make a few changes to your work area.
What kind of work do I do from the boat?
I’m working full-time as a project manager and public involvement consultant for environmental projects with a company here in Seattle. Pre-pandemic I was already working 50/50 from the office and from the boat, so it wasn’t a harsh transition for me when we switched to fully remote until it’s safe to go back to the office. Most of my work can be done via phone or computer, just like any other remote job, so I’m a happy camper. I also occasionally take a quick freelancing job doing writing, editing, or proofreading for a variety of businesses. Then of course there’s this blog!
There are a ton of remote-friendly jobs out there that you could easily do from a boat, but see more below if you’re thinking about really traveling and working – that’s another ball game.
Planning work around sailing, and planning sailing around work
It’s so important to have some separation between work and personal life, just like it is if you’re working from home or the office. Most days, I work from the boat while at our home marina, so I can work my typical 9-5 hours and sign off at the end of the day. Keeping the balance gets trickier on work days when we’re under sail or have plans to change anchorages that day.
I’ve learned to only schedule calls and video meetings on days when we’re at our home marina or a dock and know for certain the WiFi is strong. I once had a meeting cut out early because my hotspot lost signal as we sailed between two islands. We’re all human and have technology woes, but it’s important to communicate when you’re reliably available or are working with spotty conditions.
Sailing is the absolute best way to travel, and half the experience is enjoying the journey without rushing things. It turns out the journey is much less enjoyable (for both of us!) if I’m on a time crunch and have to get to our next landing spot at a certain time to make an afternoon meeting. Planning to arrive at your next destination well ahead of any important work commitments sounds like a no-brainer, but it often means having a plan B if the winds aren’t in our favor that day.
The digital nomad life
I recently read a great blog post cautioning would-be digital nomads or sailors who want to “work along the way” with the realities of working while also cruising full-time. Check it out if that’s the lifestyle you’re contemplating. This article is about how I work from my boat while living aboard here in Seattle and sailing our local waters. I have yet to experience the challenges or successes of working from other parts of the world, and those who are currently living that lifestyle report that it’s not quite as easy as you might think.
Have any questions about how we’re set up for working aboard? Drop a note in the comments!