Upon returning home I thought I'd give an equipment report / lessons learned summary:
1) SPOT: I started with one. It failed to recognize that I had left home. On day 2, I purchased (2) more SPOTs. One of these died just short of Key Largo when I capsized. The other one failed to operate and could not be turned off. So, I was 0 for 3. Most distressing was how my operating SPOT failed when I capsized and it went 12" under water. For the folks back home watching the event I guess the SPOT is OK, but for a safety device it seems hopeless. I was able to return all (3) spots for refunds as well as getting my $495 worth of subscriptions refunded as well.
2) Garmin GPS 76 CX: I started with two, complete with the full map chips installed. One screen developed some moisture spots but was still readable. Both battery chambers were bleading rust by the finish. One stopped operating. Both were close to dead. Garmin wasn't much help. They basically took no responsibility for their 'floating' GPS that isn't waterproof and certainly did not care that their leaky units ruined my expensive map chips. However, I did get them replaced by my supplier including new map chips.
3) Verizon Commando Smart Phone: This one is shock proof, dust proof and water resistant. Note the key word water 'resistant'. Actually it appears to be waterproof (no water in battery compartment) except that I couldn't hear anyone I called (although they could hear me fine). With the speaker phone turned on I could hear just fine. I've since deactivated this phone and have gone back to my 5 year old Casio GZone filp phone that is Military spec waterPROOF. In addition this phone lasts much longer on it's battery. Another Watertriber in Key Largo had the same Commando phone with exaclty the same problem trying to hear. Since there was no water in the battery compartment, Verizon will (after much discussion) warranty this phone. However they do not have any phones that are waterPROOF. My old Casio is my only option. Does anyone have any suggestions for a waterproof smart phone???
4) Uniden Submersable VHF: Not only did it work well, the battery indicator is still at fully charged. I can say that the NOA weather forcast sure ruined my run to check point 2 at Chokoloskee. When I left checkpoint 1 they forcasted winds to deminish to 5 to 10 knots and were planning to remove the small craft warning at 7 am. So, I went on a rhumbline course that left me 9 miles off Naples. At about 4 am the wind and waves started building. By 7 am I had 14 ft. breaking seas and about 40 knot winds. To avoid damage I ended up going straight downwind with mast alone. When the winds finally abated, I was about 20 miles past Chokoloskee, but still in one piece.