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It obviously depends on what boat we're talking about and where you plan to use it but so far the best solution for me on my 17 Montauk is the rail / ratchet mount pictured above with a stainless whip antenna mounted on the crook of the console. It's not in the way of anything there and even with the Bimini up I can still use the antenna although I can only raise it to a 45 degree angle before it hits the canvas but it still works just fine.

A fixed mount VHF with DSC and connected to your chart plotter is probably the most important safety gear to have in a boat and the first thing I'd go to in an emergency, EPIRB is next.

Handhelds VHF's are a joke for reception but it's a good thing to have in a ditch bag if needed.