[Fr. Frank]

I would consider radar a luxury item on a 23' boat in south florida, while I would say a gps is a necessity. I just got a garmin gpsmap 441s for my 18, which should suit my needs.

There is one more benefit of having radar no one has mentioned.
While conducting SAR and Drug Interdiction training with the Civil Air Patrol a couple of years ago, I got to spend a day on a US Navy patrol vessel. Here's what I learned.

Most newer commercial radar systems use a broad spectrum receiver; that is, while they recognize and process their own transmitted signal on bounce/reflection, they are also designed to recognize and plot other radar emitters and their time codes. So if you're emitting x-band or s-band with your little sport radar, it's like having a bright beacon show up on other commercial vessel's radars - they definitely know you're there. It's like hanging a 50 foot diameter radar reflector over your boat.

Please note, however, that most small vessel radar systems do NOT have this capability, nor do any commercial systems over 12 years old. But to most commercial shipping, having radar on your boat turned on at night or in the fog is a "Keep Away" sign.