While we all like a high-quality sophisticated radio, and of course the make we have chosen is always the best, I think that there is a lot to be said for the very cheap budget sets.
A major difference between expensive and cheap sets used to be range and interference rejection - very important for aircraft, but far less important for boats wifh their limited operational space. Sophisticated features, again, are of use to helicopters and aeroplanes - less so for boats. Build quality and support are important for all modellers - the early cheap sets were poor in this regard, but seem to have improved. In many cases the price can be so low that simple replacement is often the best option.
I went over to 2.4Ghz when the Radiolink sets started to be sold for £25 - so far I have had no electrical failures, though I have needed to replace an aerial after I dropped the transmitter down a flight of concrete stairs. That was £5 off ebay....