VHF Antenna lengths

[DonV]

After my third 8' antenna bit the dust within 2 years, two due to what must have been a very fast growing tree branch at the boat ramp and the third at the Gasparilla invasion where two young ladies standing on the bridge had obviously forgot to put on panties for the festivites, which as you can understand caused me to forget my antenna was vertical while navigating under the bridge....anyway I went with the 4' black Shakesphere Galaxy 5401-XT as the next victim. I really don't go that far away from other boats while fishing and I have had no issues with reception or transmission. Besides it looks nice with the black Sunbrella cover on the T-top.