VHF Radio advice

[ravekiss]

I'm looking to purchase a VHF radio and since I know nothing about them, I'm looking for some suggestions.

We were on the water yesterday and had to get towed in due to some steering issues with the boat. We dont have a VHF, we used cell phones to contact TowBoat US. We were advised to get a VHF radio.

I could use some advice. thanks

 

[Stevenarita]

i recently bought the handheld ICOM M34 as West Marine had them on sale. The selling point is that it floats (I can see myself dropping it in the water). The downside is that its all black so I added a floating yellow key fob so that I can see it easier if it goes overboard.

The downside with floating radios are that the batteries are smaller so they don't last multiple days as a full sized would.

I didn't want to bother with an installed radio.....

 

[davo]

I've got a white hand held. I cut a piece of rubber which goes in the cup holder then the radio slots into that. Very neat and secure.