how are antennas hooked up on boats, dew to there is no metal fender to ground to. And what would be the best way to get the most recpt.

?????????????????????????????? why would you put an antenna on a boat? that will look like crap

My 21' Formula has a VHF radio with an 8' antenna.

From what I've seen and read, a VHF antenna doesn't need to be grounded. An FM/AM antenna comes with a seperate ground wire. If the antenna you have doesn't have a ground you could rig one up easily enough.

If you're looking for FM reception, Sea Ray (and others) have connected to the bow rails below the deck at the through-bolts of the grab rails in run-abouts, or even the windshield supports - that way the windshield frame or grab rails act as the antenna. If you are installing a stereo and don't want it seen, simply hooking up to the std antenna jack and hiding the antenna under deck or in the gunwales will work in limited fashion. If you are talking VHF you will need to drill and mount it so you have good reach, and as said it doesn't need more than that - good luck. If all elese fails buy a fishing boat - there they usually look cool!

KRAKMEUP, thanks for the reply. I was asking about fm . I took a look at my fountain and saw the coax cable fastened to the radio , but could not see the other end and have no idea where it goes or what it fastens to. Just trying to get as many stations as possible, even thow I can only listen to one at a time. and did not and will not put a fm ant. on the outside .

I mounted my radio antenna horizontally under a seat in the cabin and it works great. I mounted the XM antenna up in the storage space in the nose of the bow.

mines under deck..works great..you could always try one of those antenna booster radioshack things too.. supposed to amplify the signal..as to how well they actually work??

Is your XM antenna visible to the sky or is it covered by a hatch?

It's covered by the deck of the boat.