The range on the 5w handheld is no where near as good as the 20w fixed with aerial.

We we have both. The lack of range is quite frustrating some times. I was even considering a thread on how to improve.

It is useful for race starts, but not offshore emergencies.

Ed

I would fit a fixed radio regardless.
Mine is a GME GX 700 which I have not used yet but I have a lot of faith in GME products. It is IPX7 waterproof rated and was the bonus pack coming with a really neat emergency torch.
This radio is easy to dismount and take home if you wish. Pretty good buying at $289.
www.gme.net.au/catalogue/fixed-mount-radios/vhf-marine-radio/gx700w.aspx

For $20 less you can get the GX800 hand held which floats. I don't know how they managed that.
www.gme.net.au/catalogue/hand-held-radios/gx800w.aspx

I also have a Uniden Atlantis 250 hand held which I paid $250 for and I am quite happy with though it is a discontinued model.

Uniden and GME seem to be fairly well par with their latest offerings.

If you can afford it I believe it is worth having a fixed and a handheld. Handheld is handy when going exploring in the dinghy.

No, I haven't sprayed the back of mine which must be 20 years old or more.

Concur with Cisco, a fixed installation with the aerial on the mast is the way to go. As you know I was in Pittwater for many years and I have a very good Uniden hand held I use for Lord Howe. It was pretty useless after you have rounded West Head. There might be other boats around but they aren't going to have their radios on normally and if they are they won't be listening for you so they can relay for you.
I have used my VHF up in there a few times for various reasons that you could argue were necessary calls. I called Marine Rescue for a bloke who had run out of petrol in his stink boat and another time to check on the passage of a front coming through.
You don't need anything more than a basic VHF without DSC for your sailing environment. If the cabling and aerial are Ok it will cost a couple of hundred $$ and an hour of your'e time to install it

Cav30 said..
The range on the 5w handheld is no where near as good as the 20w fixed with aerial.

We we have both. The lack of range is quite frustrating some times. I was even considering a thread on how to improve.

It is useful for race starts, but not offshore emergencies.

Ed

We have both and I do find the hand held a bit more convenient. My controls are downstairs.
In an emergency there is also a chance the hand held will end up in the water.
I carry flares which are my back up offshore.

I have an old GME, the one we used to make phone calls on! Works perfect and with a SS masthead aerial has exceptional range. I also have a waterproof handheld Uniden on a lanyard that clips on to the cockpit coaming. The lanyard is to go around my neck and my lifejacket has a tag I sewed on so that the handheld can be clipped to it. I rarely use the handheld but it is very handy in close quarters and I think would be very handy in places like Sydney Harbour.
With my basic flow through ventilation there is no humidity to worry about and I think ensuring there is a decent flow of air through your boat while on the mooring might be the first step.

Sam have you ever tried damprid from the supermarket in your cabin.
Seems to work well for me this time of year although in Summer up here it fills in a couple of days

Bananabender said..
Sam have you ever tried damprid from the supermarket in your cabin.
Seems to work well for me this time of year although in Summer up here it fills in a couple of days

Yes BB. We use Damprid all the time, I also have a solar vent on the front hatch and a breather gap where
the rear hatch overhangs the storm boards. So the boat is by no means airtight.

samsturdy said..

Yes BB. We use Damprid all the time, I also have a solar vent on the front hatch and a breather gap where
the rear hatch overhangs the storm boards. So the boat is by no means airtight.

Ideally should have a scoop forward and an exhaust vent right near the stern and hatch way vents.