Around 4/19/2005 7:52 PM, JR_FXLR wrote:

My dealer is installing a 4ft stainless VHF antennae due to my bimini top.

Let me guess: Neither you nor the dealer wants to muss that pretty new
fiberglass by drilling mounting holes in it?

We both agree that an 8ft would get better range, but there isn't a place to
mount it and still use the bimini. My question... can I buy an 8ft, keep it
in one of the side rod holders, and screw it on for emergency calls?

You *could*, since it's your boat. I wouldn't, and I don't think you
should either, if for only this one reason: In the case of a *real*
emergency, are you really going to want to take the time to screw in
your antenna before calling for help?

That reminds me of my great uncle's mindset. He always kept a life
jacket on the swim step, but never actually wore one. He reasoned that
if he were ever thrown overboard that he could simply swim aft and put
it on, and no amount of reasoning could convince him that wasn't a very
good idea.

My suggestion would be to either go with the whip, or find a spot to
mount an 8' that won't be affected by the canvas.


--
~/Garth - 1966 Glastron V-142 Skiflite: "Blue-Boat"
"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing
as simply messing about in boats."
-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows