[V ger]

When selecting a VHF radio you will probably be best served by selecting a model from a major manufacturer such as Icom or Standard Horizon. Avoid store brands as they often fall short on service and parts availability over time. I have seen handhelds that had to thrown away because the batteries or chargers were no longer available. Often store brands are private labeled products by less than stellar manufactures. For use on the lake a basic model should fill all your needs and will be easy to use by a newbie boater and his friends who are also likely to be neophytes.

Points to consider with a hand held radio
Cell phones typically have a .3 watt output yet there are health concerns.
Hand held VHF radios typically have 5 0r 6 watt outputs with a selector switch for 1 watt. Always use the lowest setting you need to achieve your desired communication except for emergencies. This will also minimize interference with others on the same channel.
VHF communication is line of sight so range is largely dependent on antenna height. A rough approximation of the distance to the horizon is the square root of the observers eye or antenna height in feet. Thus if your eye is 4 feet above the water your horizon is approximately 2 miles away. If you are using an antenna 4 feet above the water to speak to someone with an antenna 9 feet above the water you will have effective communications up to about 5 miles ( 2 miles for your antenna + 3 miles for the 9 foot antenna).
The short antennas on handhelds also tend to limit range as they have a toroidal radiation pattern ( picture a donut with antenna in the middle of the hole). The longer antennas of a fixed radio have a flatter radiation pattern which projects more energy horizontally.
You must make sure you keep the batteries charged
Handhelds can be dropped overboard. Get a floating model or use a tether.
Waterproof models are obviously desirable especially since they can be used to call for help if your boat sinks.
No installation required and you can take it with you to your next boat.

Fixed radios require installation but with 25 watts of power and better antennas they out perform handhelds in every way. They cannot be dropped overboard. Mount the antenna as high and as far away from people as possible bearing in mind that you may need to pass under bridges. A laydown mount will help with bridge clearance.