Hi Andy,
I have a couple, but can recommend the waterproof 12v chargeable Uniden VHF. I think they cost around $150...but range is limited (as expected).
Note: I usually only use for ship to dingy or club / boats along the river. Tried using is a few ks out of Outer Harbour & again close to Pt Vincent and it really didn't work well, so as a backup it is limited to line of site without plugging into external aerial. Also, battery charge does not last longer than a few days if 'on' so make sure you have the 12v rechargeable cradle link.

cheers
rob

+1 icom. You can get the icom with gps in it forcthe same price as the normal icom handheld. They float and are waterproof

I own the 5 watt iCom IC-M23 which I purchased from Whirworths:

www.whitworths.com.au/

I purchased it as I needed a lightweight, waterproof VHF with decent range for long distance seakayaking.

Sailing in Moreton Bay I can pick up channel 16 from the VMR stations in Maloolabah right down Southport.

In my kayak, being a lot lower to the surface, the range wasn't so good but on the repeater channel 81 I could communicate with the Redcliffe Coastguard from Caloundra, Tangalooma and Peel Island.

Interestingly, my first iCom died as water made its way in during a rather unceremonial dumping in the surf at the top of Bribie Island and Whitworths were happy to replace it with a new one.

Happy shopping.

my icoms battery seems to never need charging. great battery life.

I should say the GME seems to get better reception low to the water and the speaker is loud.
but my icon,s have interchangeable batteries including a penlight battery adapter.
your call

AshleyM said..
I own the 5 watt iCom IC-M23 which I purchased from Whirworths:

www.whitworths.com.au/

I purchased it as I needed a lightweight, waterproof VHF with decent range for long distance seakayaking.

Sailing in Moreton Bay I can pick up channel 16 from the VMR stations in Maloolabah right down Southport.

In my kayak, being a lot lower to the surface, the range wasn't so good but on the repeater channel 81 I could communicate with the Redcliffe Coastguard from Caloundra, Tangalooma and Peel Island.

Interestingly, my first iCom died as water made its way in during a rather unceremonial dumping in the surf at the top of Bribie Island and Whitworths were happy to replace it with a new one.

Happy shopping.

The iCom is the same price as the voyager[Uniden] but the flashing light on the iCom is a great idea. I tend to leave mine on running scan so that might eat into the battery power, I certainly don't get the advertised 12 hours.

thanks for your thoughts. looks like I will spend that bit extra and get an Icom.