Marine Radio suggestions?

bmoney · Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 22

After dragging my feet for a few years (and after more than a few tax-payer funded courtesy lifts) its time to get a 'water-proof' marine radio to have on me while sailing. Does anyone have any thoughts on which are the best/most reliable?
Thanks

jse · Joined: 17 Apr 1995 Posts: 1460 Location: Maui

Go to West Marine, get a small one that is waterproof, rechargeable from your cigarette lighter in your car and get a waterproof bag to put it in. Depending on where you sail, you may want a GPS as well.

Steve

rigatoni · Joined: 25 Feb 1999 Posts: 498

I have gone through a bunch of radios and the Icon brand seems to hold up really well. Get a waterproof case from AquaPac and you are good to go. West Marine is a good place to go for radios. They typically have a 3 year warranty and those guys are great at honoring the warranty. I originally bought a Standard Horizon which died. They replaced it with a West Marine brand which was crap and lasted less than a season. The Icon has been going strong for 3 years and I am still on the original charge but I have been lucky and have not had to use it.

bmoney · Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 22

Fellas, thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Mr_Looper · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Icom is the way to go. But Worst Marine is not the best deal.

http://www.lrse.com/index.cfm

Much better prices! Wink

ringe · Joined: 26 Feb 1996 Posts: 55 Location: channel @ 3rd Ave

I've carried a radio and gps double shrink wrapped in a fanny pack for a few years now while sailing in the bay. It's changed my sailing in the sense that I feel alot safer going way out in search of wind and channel swell by myself. Shit happens and carrying a radio and gps (eliminates the search) is taking responsibility for yourself and others. I've used them 5 times in the last 3 or so years to call for others in trouble off Crissy, Treasure and Coyote.
I don't leave shore without my pack because I want to get a little crazy out there - might break something......might need some help. Wink

gsnell · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 13

I'm very happy with my Icom IC-M72. It is small, has the best waterproof rating, 6W power and really good sound. Battery life seems to be very long too. I carry it in a waterproof bag, which I highly recommend. I never had to use it but once when my mast broke and I had to swim back for an hour it was very comforting to have a radio with me.

otgmail · Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

Hi,

I have an icom M72 and have seen it with a few other people in crissy and 3rd. 6watts and insane mAh, also it seems small enough to tuck it in to the PFD. I use a waterproof pouch to house the car key and radio together although one has to be carefull not to land on the bag chest first otherwise I think you can pop it.

It did save me once, and I only had it for a few days !!.

Waterat Pat · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 192

Wow! You guys are so techno and I mean that in a good way. I guess I am just old school in that my method is never go so far from shore that I can't swim the distance. I have had multiple mile swims a few times over a twenty plus year sailing obsession. A radio would be bitchin' but how would it feel in the surf? I am a hardcore North coast of Santa Cruz sailor and a pfd is out of the question. Duck diving your rig in big surf is a survival skill. Anything that makes you bob like a cork is bad. Where do you put this waterproof bag with your radio? How do you secure it? Enquiring minds.

Mr_Looper · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 3