Where to mount VHF aerial?

[Castaway]

I have a tiller steer 4.2 open tinnie and want to mount a VHF aerial. Aerial is able to be folded down and also unscrewed (for mangrove country).

Where is the best position to mount the aerial for fishability and practicality?

I initially thought of the rear starboard side corner but concerned I would be off balance (no rear cast deck) if passing the rod around the aerial whilst standing on the rear thwart. I then thought of mounting the aerial on the front thwart on the port side as generally I would be standing on the front thwart/casting deck and better balanced. I know on the thwart I might loose a bit of range but I don't venture out too far anyway.

I mainly fish (not real successful though) local creeks and estuary around Townsville.

Mike

[struktcha_man]

I would mount it on the front mate, do your fishing out the side and back like most do.
Get a spring mounted one too if you worried about a fish pulling you line over it or it hittimg as tree, spring mounts will bend then spring back.

just read you post, better if you casting on the front put it on the back, or and make a mount so you can change between front and back (some kind of clamp), it only a bit of wire you could do it if you wanted to.

cheers

[Fishbait]

For the type of distance your covering - instead the larger white whippy aerials, why not the smaller wire one (sorry I don't know the technical names for these). This may be suitable for oyu - that way, when in your mangrove country, the aerial can stay on, and you can stay in touch. Cheers, Darren.

[BrewGuru]

stick in a mast in about midship with a hinge for folding and mount on the top, next to the anchor light, works for me......

[TheRealAndy]

Get a pacific aerials mount as you can screw the antenna off. When you are up the esturies, take your aerial down. Thats what I do. Does not matter where you mount them on a small boat they always get in the way.

[spears]

First mount it in a solid position so when it folds down it runs along the boat so nothing is hanging out to disrupt your fishing.

Now leave it down and stand it up for urgent calls only.
If you need to talk to a mate vessel to vessel it will probably work still folded down.

Problem solved

[kitty_cat]

mate gme now make a arial just for tinnies , it is only just over a foot long
most off your local dealers can get them for you

[Pete62]

Yep, got one recently from e**y, 40cm long, reception is just as good as my full one. About $35.00, it is the screw on type so if it is ever in the road, just unscrew.

Cheer's Pete