I use a Galaxy 5225- XT $160 at West Marine. The 8300 is $43, 8500 is $68 and 8700 extra tough is $88; the electrical are basically all the same i.e. 6 dB gain; the mechanicals are different quality. It really depends on the budget, will the more expensive one last longer, don’t know. Looked at Shakespeare-marine> and they don’t recognized that product. It could be an old product or something that is made for West Marine.
The Galaxy 5225-xl is $92 at Hodges Marine

Grey Ghost -- Eric again...Question on the twisted wire and VHF in general. After further review my mechanic is suggesting we not go with a dual motor + dual battery charging capability as my second battery (2 actually) are deep cycles that don't charge very effectively from outboards (or so I'm told). This results in my needing to wire the VHF to the main battery vs. the trolling batteries, a longer run, so I probably should think about the twisted wires. Is this as simple as it sounds, twisting the entire length of the + and - wires together between the battery and radio? I presume this helps reduce the net magnetic field / interference from the power cable during transmit?

Thanks again,

Eric

I have the shakespeare Galaxy, same as the ghost.

I'm about to install the same Galaxy. Grey Ghost, your boat size / layout is pretty similar to mine, so I presume you don't think the 8-ft. galaxy is overkill? I was going to mount it just forward of bimini hardware, port side. Where do you have yours?

Never have enough Tx power, by going to the 8” antenna, the ERP (effective radiated power is doubled. Antenna is mounted about 6” to the stern, port side of windshield.

To twist the power pair of wires; stick one end into a vise and the other in a drill chuck and twist to about 1 to 1 1/2 turns per inch, remembering that the total length of the wire pair is going to shortened when twisting. Fuse at the battery and determine wire size for 3% or less voltage drop.

Thanks again Gus. Good and practical advice.