Need for VHF Radio?

[tnscout]

We boat on the TN River on a 240 Sundeck. I have read about folks who have VHF radios. I absolutely see the need on big open water but am wondering about the potential need on smaller lakes like ours. Was considering a Cobra HH 475 handheld that also has bluetooth and Weatherband. Bluetooth would allow me to stow the cell phone in the dry and use the waterproof handheld for cell and/or VHF. Any opinions whether this would be a worthwhile investment for my needs???

 

[Turtlesboat]

I think a waterproof floatable handheld is always a good thing to have. Cell phones don't work too well in water. You may never need it, but if the time comes when you do, it may save your life.

 

[chuck1]

Do you plan to go through the locks? Do you visit marina on the river? Do you plan to stop at Riverfront in downtown Chattanooga? Do you want to be able to tell the big tow/barge that you are dead in the water in front of them?
IMHO - If you answer yes to any of the above then you need a VHF (Grin)

 

[chuck1]

By the way which marina are you at?

 

[tnscout]

We keep the boat at Chickamauga Marina(Erwin Marine). Great folks there.

We have yet to use locks but hope to someday. There was a fishing boat vs. barge event a couple of weeks ago here and lost the two guys in the boat, one survivor. Survivor said they never saw it coming!

 

[Summer Fun II]

Its a MUST have on every boat !!
Kmart has them for $89 bucks. . :thumbsup:

I have one like this. :smt001

 

[Turtlesboat]

We keep the boat at Chickamauga Marina(Erwin Marine). Great folks there.

We have yet to use locks but hope to someday. There was a fishing boat vs. barge event a couple of weeks ago here and lost the two guys in the boat, one survivor. Survivor said they never saw it coming!

That's why you need a radio. Barge won't know your cell number to tell you they are going to hit you.

 

[tnscout]

OK....I am convinced it is a prudent investment.

Thanks guys...I always appreciate the experienced and mostly wise advice!

:thumbsup:

 

[Mustangous]

Are you going with the hh475? I am torn between the hh475 and the hh425LI. I like the 475 for float ability, but i like the 425 for the gmrs capabilities. Both are submersible too. I will never use the bluetooth, but i like the rewind-say again feature on both.
tossup...:huh:

 

[tobnpr]

How small is your lake?

I'm all about safety, but on a "small" enough lake I really couldn't see the use for it.

It's use would be calling for assistance (obviously), so- how common are VHF's on other boats on your lake?

If you're calling for help on your VHF- and no one else on the lake has one...

I'm an offshore boater, but was boating on a pretty large lake in western MD with my Bro on his deck boat recently. Didn't see a single VHF antenna out there.

 

[rcknecht]

works well for contacting friends for a raft up... don't have to dial a number, an you can talk to more than one person at a time...

 

[tnscout]

We boat on the Tennessee River, mostly on Chickamauga Reservoir. Fairly large with lots of boat traffic. I imagine VHF radios on maybe 50% of boats which would most likely be cruisers.

Leaning to HH475 for now. I like the idea of the compactness and blue tooth capability. The blue tooth is handy for using the cell phone and has noise cancelling feature too.