Handheld VHF as Primary

[Sheriff]

standard horizon works great and are cheap.go wit a fixed as primary and a handheld as back up

[osirissail]

If you are in a day-sailor or really small sailboat/dinghy with no electrical system, then a handheld (waterproof) is the way to go. But for larger boats - a fixed system (they can be made to be removable so if you are off the boat you can store it away from salt air or thieves) is needed. The main reason is the power output of 25 watts for the fixed versus 5 watts for the handheld. That make a major difference in range of the radio for distress calling.

[perchance]

It doesn't pay to cheap out when it comes to safety equipment.