Remember that hand-helds are pretty much line of sight communication, if you are going offshore you should consider a bigger radio with at least a half wave antenna
I've got a Uniden Atlantis 250 BK. Bought it at Boaters World 3 years ago and don't remember what it cost. I charge it up every spring and it's good to go all summer.
I have the small Standard Horizons. Works fine since I boat in the bay but ... I got it because I didn't want to cut a hole in the console for a perminant mount, but it's a PITA to find a play to carry the portable all the time since it bounces onto the floor if I try to just "put" it somewhere. Best I've found is to clip it to my life jacket, but I still don't like the weight/bulk of having to have it on "me".
DK, I have the ICOM IC-M34...the one that floats. Lithium-Ion rechargable battery, works great so far..
I looked at that one also and decided on the 72 instead.
It wasnt that much more and it has 6 watts and it real small compared to the others.I made West marine match internet price of 179 and had a 15.00 of coupon
Uniden MHS350 was my pick after looking at them all.( BTW, Unidens were sorta like Bayliners till a year or so ago whe some of the Standard Horizon guys left and got on with Uniden.)
Very good quality,good batteries and a good radio.
Icom is top shelf. I have a fixed mount in my fishing boat that has been abused.
Best buy is the Uniden. But the boat shows are soon so you may want to see what is new.