Rico wrote:

I'm interested from a boating perspective. What's the best option with the
lowest initial cost?

SSB (single sideband) is simply a modulation technique. It does not 'differ'
from shortwave, it is simply a mode that is used on shortwave.

Here is a page that may be of interest to you:

http://www.onpassage.com/Communicati...uiser_Nets.htm

dxAce
Michigan
USA