I have a Shakespeare 3db stainless lift and lay antenna with a Raytheon fixed VHF on my 16 Lund Alaskan. The 25 watt fixed VHF will blow away
any 5 watt handheld for performance, regardless of your antenna (3, 6 or 9 db). I went with the 3db antenna as it radiates a 'fat small doughnut' signal...