The 8 Best VHF antennae For small boat (2023 reviews)

We are personally inclined towards shakespeare good antenna, it is not so pricy, but it overachieves its purpose and outstanding in important aspects. This is a great antenna that is working well for civilian maritime radio. It is basically the same as the Shakespeare 8' antenna just shorter. It is made for use on marine frequencies only. It's removable to an extent, folds down when the mount is loosened, but the antenna is hard wired to the cable which goes into the boat and connects to the VHF radio.

The cable is plenty long to go from your hardtop through the cable pipe down behind the console. It is good for a small boat staying inside of 20 miles. This antenna does the job and comes in clear.

Why We Like This:

Good reception for a compact antenna
Soldered connections a must to ensure proper connections
Good brand reputation

Best With ship: Tram plastic Mount

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This antenna works great with a beautiful long range for reception. It comes with a plastic mount that has a rectangular, flat bottom with a screw hole at each corner. It can drill a smaller hole to feed the cable in. The antenna is semi flexible but not flexible enough to leave up if you’re going under a low overhang or bridge.

This antenna is tuned for vhf ( marine band ) and not hf ( cb band ), so if used for cb it would have high swrs and not be very efficient. The antenna itself is very stout and heavy. The antenna is a good looking, good performing unit for its size.

Why We Like This:

Good quality, good reception for smaller lakes, looks nice on a smaller boat
Great replacement antenna for inshore boats
Compact and easily locked in place
Works great and hides away when folded down

Best small flexible Antenna: Antennamastsrus VHF Antenna For small boat

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The antennamastsrus vhf antenna for small boat's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It is a "brand new" very high end 15" marine black rubber am/fm antenna. It is easy to install on a pontoon console with a drill, bit and supplied allen wrench. It is made out of rubber so it is flexible yet it is stiff enough so it will not wobble around in rough seas. It works very well as an antenna on AM, FM and some short wave. It is easy to replace and very good quality.

The antenna is installed in a 22 foot deck boat and the fiberglass surface is approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. It has a high end black mount that is adjustable to set at any angle. This one is short enough and flexible enough to not be damaged by the boat cover and not be in the way when using the boat.

Why We Like This:

Good reception while not being very tall, it pivots and is flexiable
One of the new comers and featured product

Best moderatly price Marine Antenna: Shakespeare VHF Antenna For small boat

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Compared with other antenna in this category, the shakespeare vhf antenna for small boat has a convenient design. It comes with it's own coax cable. It is made from plastic on the 5206 on the 5101 and it is stainless steel. It is used for a 25 watt marine vhf. The antenna will read " open circuit " when checked with an ohm meter or continuity tester. It is easy to replace, obviously the nylon bottom is not as strong as a stainless, but should last.

It’s the usual Shakespeare quality. The cable end kit does come with the antenna. This is easy to hook up, and works really well in this area.

Why We Like This:

Nylon ferrule with standard 1"-14 thread
Solid craftsmanship, great looks and very easy to install
Improved radio communications with other boats on the rivers & lakes

Best For many outdoor applications: HYS VHF Antenna For small boat

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Next on the list, we've got yet another antenna that manages to win our hearts. It's the hys vhf antenna for small boat and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient antenna you can buy. The 163 Mhz VHF Marine Antenna is ideal for many outdoor applications, including atv, boat, camper, go kart, motorhome, pontoon, rv, sailboat, tractor, trailer, utv, yacht etc. It comes with a mast pole mount. It comes with mount and screws, easy to carry and install, and the body of the vhf marine antenna makes it highly resilient to your boat, yacht etc.

The Hys VHF marine antenna made of high quality rubber with cable and clip, it will help you get longer communication range. It comes with two u-bolt which can be used with the attached plate for pole mounting.

Why We Like This:

163 mhz vhf antenna, 2 dbi signal with up to 50w of power
Delivers what they promise

Best For VHF Antenna: Tram VHF Antenna For small boat

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There is no GPS receiver capabilities in this antenna. It uses a standard marine antenna base either plastic or stainless. The VHF signal is about 1/2 the db strength of an 8' antenna. This is easy to install and run the wiring for your AIS transceiver. The single antenna design is much nicer than installing the two antennae required. It’s an adjustable angle mount.

Why We Like This:

Works really well and you will love the low profile
Good for local waterways and short range communication
Good investment for long term

Best For installation: TWAYRDIO VHF Antenna For small boat

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Twayrdio offers a variety of antenna for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. It covers all VHF marine band frequencies. It is complete with 180 degree adjustable nylon ratchet mount for easy lay down, which allows you to install the antenna in the most convenient locations. It is suitable for installation on boat, pontoon, sailboat or yacht.

Why We Like This:

Waterproof & corrosion resistant for the marine environment
Excellent for working with marine radios on boat, pontoon, sailboat or yacht
Excellent for working with uniden, standard horizon, cobra and other vhf marine radios

Best For sturdiness: Antennamastsrus Good Antenna

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The antennamastsrus good antenna's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. If you are on the fringe of a radio station broadcast area it will improve the reception and it will bring in stations the radio’s internal antenna can’t receive. It is easy to install on a pontoon console with a drill, bit and supplied allen wrench. It is a marine quality am/fm white mast and chrome base antenna. It has a high end black mount that is adjustable to set at any angle, and comes with its own wrench to adjust it.

This one is short enough and flexible enough to not be damaged by the boat cover and not be in the way when using the boat. It works very well as an antenna on AM, FM and some short wave.

Why We Like This: