I was hoping for response from those who have actually used them. For clarification, since it seems to matter, I hold an operators certificate plus other boating certifications and I have both a licensed mast-mounted DSC VHF programmed with my MMSI and a handheld VHF -- and hold an Advanced Amateur licence as well and own all the tons of gear that implies. However, maybe people don't know, but using marine VHF to communicate with people on land or even on docks, other than specially authorized stations like marinas is illegal, at least where I live. So is idle chatter. Therefore I am asking about GMRS for use to communicate with crew in dinghies and on shore and for multiple crew who may be scattered on shore and needing a ride back to the mother ship. I also wonder if it could serve for chats between boats within sight of one another. The reason I ask is that I assume that imaginative list members with family on board may have investigated these 'toys' for such purposes and I wonder how well they work. I used FRS 'toys' in my business for yard and inter-vehicle communications a decade ago and they were quite useful. GMRS units are supposedly quite an improvement and I wonder how useful they might be for non-navigational casual use in a flotilla for which I am involved in organising communications outside of cell coverage areas. > Are you kidding? > Have you had any boating safety courses? > > > You might use some toy like this if your boat is too big to have a conversation with the mate as you are docking.