TV Reception On Boats

Captain Nemo · 07-04-2010, 08:10 AM

I got my 2006 280DA with the TV antenna mushroom broken off on delivery, and the dealer will soon replace it. I'm not expecting to get any good TV signal aroung Lake Winnipesaukee, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyways: what's the point of having it, and what's the current trend and future in getting TV reception (like CNN, movies etc) on boats? Isn't it true that it is very, very costly, just like sat phones?

XCR-700 · 07-04-2010, 10:54 AM

Never thought of watching TV on a boat,,,

But then given the size of my current ride, it could be a challenge even if I was interested,,,

KTO · 07-04-2010, 02:51 PM

That's so sad. Doesn't a television completely defeat the purpose of coming to the lake for the weekend? That's why I love living here when I used to live in a small city...it's so OUTDOORS and GREAT!

The heck with TV (Unless you get the Sox game)

brk-lnt · 07-04-2010, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Nemo

I got my 2006 280DA with the TV antenna mushroom broken off on delivery, and the dealer will soon replace it. I'm not expecting to get any good TV signal aroung Lake Winnipesaukee, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyways: what's the point of having it, and what's the current trend and future in getting TV reception (like CNN, movies etc) on boats? Isn't it true that it is very, very costly, just like sat phones?

You get get a directional antenna for over-the-air HDTV, or get a small satellite setup. The initial equipment might set you back several hundred dollars, but after that the monthly subscription costs for a satellite system are just like for a home setup, $40-$60/mo (or more, depending on what packages you get).

VtSteve · 07-05-2010, 07:35 AM

I have a small 7" set just to test it out. At my marina, I have pretty good reception from the single pole antenna, line of sight for digital TV. Some spots are no go. Once you get the antenna fixed, get a small tv set and try it out. You might get lucky and have good signals.

Here's a good BoatUS article on the subject.

http://www.boatus.com/husick/techno11_01.asp

Myself, a couple of local channels and an iPod will suffice. Every now and again, we'd want to see a show at night, movie, recorded TV series, whatever. If you have a DVD player on board, or an iPod or whatever, the possibilities are endless (almost).

ishoot308 · 07-05-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Nemo

I got my 2006 280DA with the TV antenna mushroom broken off on delivery, and the dealer will soon replace it. I'm not expecting to get any good TV signal aroung Lake Winnipesaukee, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyways: what's the point of having it, and what's the current trend and future in getting TV reception (like CNN, movies etc) on boats? Isn't it true that it is very, very costly, just like sat phones?

These aren't cheap but they work great! They are also extremely portable and can be used anywhere!

http://www.kingcontrols.com/vu_qube/vq1000.asp

Dan

NoRegrets · 07-05-2010, 08:45 PM

We have the same TV setup you have and could only get a very week signal from a Portland station. It was so poor that you could only hear the sound and see fuzz. We do not try anymore. I am sure if you were in Boston or near big cities it may work. When we get back to our slip we have a cable hookup so get a great set of channels. If you choose to get a satilite dish I think some of the equipment may require 120 volts so you would need a generator. If there is something important to watch we will record it and wait till we get back.

John A. Birdsall · 07-06-2010, 02:39 PM

Let see using a TV while cruising the lake, keeping up with Leave it to Beaver, or Gunsmoke, worse yet the young and the restless. Might seem cool, but what about watching where you are going. You have a TV I would therefore expect that you have GPS, and perhaps your GPS has it so you have cruise control. So you can go sit down and watch the price is right while gps steers the boat. Might as well have a coctail while your at it.

VtSteve · 07-06-2010, 03:25 PM

Since the vast majority of boat TV's, though not all, are located down in the cabin, I think the OP will be fine with it. I assumed he meant on the hook, at a marina, wherever.

TiltonBB · 07-06-2010, 08:01 PM

Most marinas on the lake have cable TV hookups at each dock. It works great when you use your boat like a small summer home. I know Mountain View Yacht Club (284 Slips) has cable TV available at every dock.

A while ago when I used my slip there a guest asked how the cable worked when we went out on the lake......................I explained how we reeled out the cable as we departed and cruised across the lake.

Hmmmmmm............... time to get new passengers!

jrc · 07-06-2010, 08:49 PM

We have cable at the dock, which is great at night for ball games. We tried our mushroom antenna at the sand bar once or twice during football season, could not get anything worth watching. Got channel 9 once in a while and 6 from Maine a few times. So we turn on a radio for sports.

If you get a sat dish and you have satelite at home you can use the same reciever and account. I've thought about it to avoid cable fees but never tried it. You would have to solve the 120 volt issue if your 280 dosen't have a generator, or only use it at the dock.

Every time I pull the mushroom off, for the shrink wrap and put it back on in the spring, I wonder why I just don't throw it away. Too much work to patch the hole in the arch.

XCR-700 · 07-06-2010, 09:03 PM

You guys are killing me with all this talk of watching TV on boats,,,

I’m tempted to haul my plasma TV off the wall in my family room and see if I can stand it up inside my CVX

Any thoughts on where I should mount it ???

I may need to string a dingy along side, do you think there are any rules about running cables between them,,, LOL

Sorry, but having never had anything bigger than 23' the idea of having a TV and satellite antenna just is something I cannot relate to,,,

I'm sure on a bigger boat and one with more amenities its a whole different boating experience.

In my CVX I can reach down and touch water from the drivers seat, and though my 23' Carlson is a few inches deeper, its only a few inches and as I once read stated, "it has a cuddy cabin, but its not meant for human adults,,," so the thought of having a TV in the cabin is just not something I have ever considered.

Ok, I concede to the bigger ships and their creature comforts and will stop heckling from the cheep seats,,,

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-06-2010, 10:24 PM

Plenty of room.

XCR-700 · 07-06-2010, 10:33 PM

Ya, but do I now have to follow sailboat rules, or is it sailboat rules while under power, or maybe powerboat rules while under sail,,,

Oh sorry, guess thats another post,,, LOL

Hummm, now where can I mount the popcorn maker,,,, Damn, running out of boat,,,

07-04-2010, 08:10 AM	#1
Captain Nemo Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Thanks: 18 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	TV Reception On Boats I got my 2006 280DA with the TV antenna mushroom broken off on delivery, and the dealer will soon replace it. I'm not expecting to get any good TV signal aroung Lake Winnipesaukee, but I thought I'd ask you guys anyways: what's the point of having it, and what's the current trend and future in getting TV reception (like CNN, movies etc) on boats? Isn't it true that it is very, very costly, just like sat phones?

07-06-2010, 02:39 PM	#8
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	TV and Boating Let see using a TV while cruising the lake, keeping up with Leave it to Beaver, or Gunsmoke, worse yet the young and the restless. Might seem cool, but what about watching where you are going. You have a TV I would therefore expect that you have GPS, and perhaps your GPS has it so you have cruise control. So you can go sit down and watch the price is right while gps steers the boat. Might as well have a coctail while your at it.

07-06-2010, 08:01 PM	#10
TiltonBB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gilford, NH and Florida Posts: 3,004 Thanks: 699 Thanked 2,202 Times in 936 Posts	Marina TV Most marinas on the lake have cable TV hookups at each dock. It works great when you use your boat like a small summer home. I know Mountain View Yacht Club (284 Slips) has cable TV available at every dock. A while ago when I used my slip there a guest asked how the cable worked when we went out on the lake......................I explained how we reeled out the cable as we departed and cruised across the lake. Hmmmmmm............... time to get new passengers!

07-06-2010, 10:24 PM	#13
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Plenty of room. Attached Images

07-04-2010, 10:54 AM	#2
XCR-700 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 757 Thanked 538 Times in 313 Posts	Never thought of watching TV on a boat,,, But then given the size of my current ride, it could be a challenge even if I was interested,,,

07-04-2010, 02:51 PM	#3
KTO Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Meredith, NH Posts: 391 Thanks: 30 Thanked 117 Times in 26 Posts	That's so sad. Doesn't a television completely defeat the purpose of coming to the lake for the weekend? That's why I love living here when I used to live in a small city...it's so OUTDOORS and GREAT! The heck with TV (Unless you get the Sox game)

The Following User Says Thank You to brk-lnt For This Useful Post:
Captain Nemo (07-05-2010)

07-05-2010, 07:35 AM	#5
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	I have a small 7" set just to test it out. At my marina, I have pretty good reception from the single pole antenna, line of sight for digital TV. Some spots are no go. Once you get the antenna fixed, get a small tv set and try it out. You might get lucky and have good signals. Here's a good BoatUS article on the subject. http://www.boatus.com/husick/techno11_01.asp Myself, a couple of local channels and an iPod will suffice. Every now and again, we'd want to see a show at night, movie, recorded TV series, whatever. If you have a DVD player on board, or an iPod or whatever, the possibilities are endless (almost).

The Following User Says Thank You to VtSteve For This Useful Post:
Captain Nemo (07-05-2010)

The Following User Says Thank You to ishoot308 For This Useful Post:
Captain Nemo (07-06-2010)

07-05-2010, 08:45 PM	#7
NoRegrets Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hudson - NH Posts: 408 Thanks: 233 Thanked 212 Times in 88 Posts	We have the same TV setup you have and could only get a very week signal from a Portland station. It was so poor that you could only hear the sound and see fuzz. We do not try anymore. I am sure if you were in Boston or near big cities it may work. When we get back to our slip we have a cable hookup so get a great set of channels. If you choose to get a satilite dish I think some of the equipment may require 120 volts so you would need a generator. If there is something important to watch we will record it and wait till we get back.

The Following User Says Thank You to NoRegrets For This Useful Post:
Captain Nemo (07-06-2010)

07-06-2010, 03:25 PM	#9
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Since the vast majority of boat TV's, though not all, are located down in the cabin, I think the OP will be fine with it. I assumed he meant on the hook, at a marina, wherever.

07-06-2010, 08:49 PM	#11
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	We have cable at the dock, which is great at night for ball games. We tried our mushroom antenna at the sand bar once or twice during football season, could not get anything worth watching. Got channel 9 once in a while and 6 from Maine a few times. So we turn on a radio for sports. If you get a sat dish and you have satelite at home you can use the same reciever and account. I've thought about it to avoid cable fees but never tried it. You would have to solve the 120 volt issue if your 280 dosen't have a generator, or only use it at the dock. Every time I pull the mushroom off, for the shrink wrap and put it back on in the spring, I wonder why I just don't throw it away. Too much work to patch the hole in the arch.

07-06-2010, 09:03 PM	#12
XCR-700 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 757 Thanked 538 Times in 313 Posts	You guys are killing me with all this talk of watching TV on boats,,, I’m tempted to haul my plasma TV off the wall in my family room and see if I can stand it up inside my CVX Any thoughts on where I should mount it ??? I may need to string a dingy along side, do you think there are any rules about running cables between them,,, LOL Sorry, but having never had anything bigger than 23' the idea of having a TV and satellite antenna just is something I cannot relate to,,, I'm sure on a bigger boat and one with more amenities its a whole different boating experience. In my CVX I can reach down and touch water from the drivers seat, and though my 23' Carlson is a few inches deeper, its only a few inches and as I once read stated, "it has a cuddy cabin, but its not meant for human adults,,," so the thought of having a TV in the cabin is just not something I have ever considered. Ok, I concede to the bigger ships and their creature comforts and will stop heckling from the cheep seats,,,

07-06-2010, 10:33 PM	#14
XCR-700 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 757 Thanked 538 Times in 313 Posts	Ya, but do I now have to follow sailboat rules, or is it sailboat rules while under power, or maybe powerboat rules while under sail,,, Oh sorry, guess thats another post,,, LOL Hummm, now where can I mount the popcorn maker,,,, Damn, running out of boat,,,