"JR_FXLR" wrote in message
. com...
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.

Just checking.

JR
05 Key West 186CC (almost)


Thanks all for the prompt info. With that and even more google efforts I'm
going with the rail mounted 4ft. I may buy an 8ft and keep it at the house,
maybe hook it up on the days that I won't be using the bimini- which is ONLY
the days that the wife stays home (rarely). I agree that in a true emergency
I probably won't have time to be screwing around with antennas. That, and I
wonder how long that fiberglass antenna would last bouncing around that side
hold- even with the little bungees.

JR.