On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 02:52:45 GMT, "JR_FXLR"
wrote:

Greetings to all that are here for boating posts, "bite me" to the rest...

I take delivery of a 2005 Key West 186CC, and I'm waaaay excited. This will
be my first "serious" boat, and I had a question that google isn't making
too clear...

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

I'd guess that 75 percent of the time I'll be within 10 miles of the harbor
and USCG station, but occasionally I run up the ICW.

There is no practical difference between a 4 foot base loaded
stainless whip and an 8 foot fiberglass whip in this circumstance.

Adding an 8 foot antenna would be a waste of money considering where
and how you are going to operate.

Later,

Tom