Make the special boaters in your life feel special with a gift that’s on the money and from the heart.
Still searching the high seas for something special to give that special someone in your life?
To make the quest easier, we've searched far and wide — is that still the appropriate expression, given that we didn’t actually have to leave our desk? — for products, gear and equipment that fit into every aspect of a boater’s life.
These 28 suggestions are sure to trigger many other ideas and trains of thought (and trips down the rabbit hole known as the internet).
From the highly practical to the purely “just because it's cool,” our 2020 Boaters Gift Guide has something for everyone.
YACHT TOYS
Personal Propulsion
Seabob.com, $9,415 ($12,950, $17,480)
Sometimes the action is off the yacht, and Seabob from Cayago delivers speed, maneuverability and wow factor. With four power levels, riders can feel comfortable as they work their way toward the unit’s 8 mph top speed (the F5 SR reaches 12.4 mph). Cameras record the action, both on and under the water.
Underwater Drone
Store.US.PowerVision.me, $1,399
Drones have become the rage for the views they offer from above, but the PowerRay from PowerVision goes the other way. It dives and uses its camera to feed 4K video to a phone or tablet. Operators can see the reef before they dive or see if fish are in the area before they drop bait. A 12 megapixel camera facilitates still shots too.
Underwater Scooter
YamahaSeaScooters.com, $1,595
Snorkelers and divers can always use a hand getting to the good stuff . Yamahas 500Li Seascooter features 500 watts of power and reaches a top speed of 4.35 mph, giving divers an extra push.
ACCESSORIZE
Sailing Watch
Ronstan.com, $79.95
Available in red, black and blue, and featuring a glass-reinforced case, the Ronstan RF4054 40mm ClearStart Sailing Watch, includes functions such as multiple start sequence options, countdown and start sound signals, 150-foot water resistance, luminescent backlight and more.
Tide Watch
HookAndGaff.com, $500 w/dive strap
Watertight to 660 feet, equipped with tritium tubes that deliver a permanent glow to the hour markers and hands, and featuring a left-side crown for wrist comfort, the King Tide watch from Hook+Gaff is also analog, so boaters can set the indicator for the tide cycle in any location. Three face colors and numerous strap options give buyers a bit of customization.
Dive Watch
Ulysse-Nardin.com, $13,500
Ulysse Nardin has an affinity for the water, and its latest limited edition watch in the Diver series furthers that trend. In partnership with nonprofit One More Wave, which uses surfing as therapy for wounded and disabled veterans, the watchmaker created a Diver model that is water resistant to 3,330 feet and features the One More Wave logo engraved on the back. If you dont get to it in time, Ulysse Nardin has plenty of other choices.
WEARABLES
Fishing Sunglasses
PelagicGear.com, $249
Pelagic Gear gives anglers what they want and need to be comfortable on the water, and that includes anglers eyes. Shark Bite sunglasses feature lightweight polarized polycarbonate or mineral glass lenses, nonslip temple pads and a five-layer polarization system that enhances ones ability to see into the water.
Sunglasses
CostaDelMar.com, $269
Costa Spearo sunglasses feature polarized lenses, the companys signature bio-resin frames, vented nosepads and more, so they stay comfortable during a day on the boat. A variety of lens and frame colors lets gift givers create a look that fits the recipient.
Womens Jacket
FroggToggs.com, $69.99
Keep the adventurous lady on your list dry and warm even on inclement days on the water with a Stormwatch Jacket from Frogg Toggs. It features an attached hood, an adjustable waist, zippered internal and external pockets, fully taped seams and more. Its 420-denier nylon is tough and waterproof.
Mens Shoes
OluKai.com, $95
An all-weather rubber outsole provides grip on wet surfaces and a mesh upper breathes and dries quickly, making OluKai Nohea Moku shoes a good fi t for life on a boat. A Drop-In Heel feature allows the heels to fold down and create a slip-on shoe.
Waterproof Socks
GillMarine.com, $40
Extending the season is a top priority for many boaters. Give them the necessary gear for staying warm, starting with their feet, because if their feet get cold, the rest of them gets cold. Gill Waterproof Socks, made of nylon, polyester and elastane, are breathable and durable and thin enough to fit inside most footwear.
Womens Shoes
Columbia.com, $70
Columbia has something for the female angler on your list. Dorado PFG shoes feature an open mesh and synthetic upper thats stain and water resistant, a cushioned midsole and a gripping nonmarking outsole with razor siping that delivers wet traction.
FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Canine Life Jacket
OutwardHound.com, $44.99
Dogs can swim, yes, but extra buoyancy is never a bad thing, especially when they dont recognize how tired they are. The Standley Sport Life Jacket from Outward Hound comes in a variety of sizes and will keep Fido afloat all day.
Canine Life Jacket
ruffwear.com, $79.95
Make sure your boat dog stays safe all day with a life jacket, such as a Float Coat from Ruff wear. Available in three colors and multiple sizes, the Float Coat features reflective trim, a lifting handle and easy-to-clip buckles.
Dog Collar
TheArtfulCanine.com, $14.99-$19.99
Give your furry first mate that salty dog look even when its not on the boat, with a nautical collar. The Artful Canine offers the Nautical Martingale collar with anchors and ship wheels (and many others) in many sizes.
FOR THE BOAT
Personalized Bar Sign
NorthwestGifts.com, $150
For the person on your list who has a bar area on the boat and likes to entertain, a personalized Vintage Wine Bar Quarter Barrel Sign is sure to please. The solid oak sign includes a barrel head, stave ends and a steel hoop and measures 21 inches across and three and a half inches deep. The recipients name is painted across the top.
Logbook and More
ProStarPublications.com, $14.95
Every boat owner knows the importance of a logbook, but give someone on your list more with the Nautical Book of Days from ProStar Publications. In addition to a logbook, it includes trivia, historical facts, maritime lore and more.
Hull Cleaning Kit
DavisInstruments.com, $149.99
A 12-foot reach gives the Scrubbis Underwater Hull Cleaning Kit the kind of reach that boat owners can use to keep their boats hull cleaner between visits from the diver. The telescoping pole is curved, the buoyant foam head includes cleaning fins and the kit is designed for fresh- and saltwater use.
Stainless Steel Wine Tumblers
Yeti.com, $24.99
When glass is a no-no on a boat but happy hour is a go, stainless steel wine tumblers are one solution. Yeti Rambler 10-ounce wine tumblers wont break, wont let the wine get warm and wont tip or at least will resist tipping better and they come in 11 colors.
FOR THE DINGHY
Launching Wheels
DavisInstruments.com, $169.99, (Standard); $259.99 (Extra Duty)
If a boat owner on your list has a dinghy he struggles to pull up the beach or otherwise maneuver, Wheel-a-Weigh from Davis Instruments could be a big help. Meant to install on the hard transom of a dinghy, the retractable launching wheels make it easy to move a dinghy over hard or soft ground. The Standard model handles loads to 220 pounds, while the Extra Duty model handles 330 pounds.
Propane Powered Outboard
MercuryMarine.com, $1,699.99/20-in. shaft
Know anyone who complains about having to carry gas for the dinghy outboard? Solve that problem with a gift of a Mercury Marine 5 hp FourStroke Propane outboard, which connects to a 20-pound propane tank and can last 10 hours at full throttle. Its only 60 pounds, so its portable.
Electric Outboard
orqeedo.com, $2,699
Give someone the gift of stealth with a Torqeedo Travel 1103 C electric outboard motor. It comes with a 1,100-watt motor, a high-capacity 915-watt-hour battery and a charger. Recommended for boats up to one and a half tons, it comes with an onboard computer that supplies GPS-calculated range and runtime data.
Compact SUP
RedPaddleCo.com, $1,899
When room aboard is limited it always is small things that become big things are important. Red Paddle Co.s 96 Compact inflatable standup paddleboard folds down to half the size of a conventional inflatable SUP and fi ts into a specially designed backpack, along with a five-piece paddle, a pump, a leash and more.
PADDLE TIME
See-Through SUP
Loeva.me, price TBD
Know someone who boats in a place with crystal clear water and likes to paddleboard? The StandUp by Loeva is constructed of a polymethyl methacrylate that is colorless and transparent. Paddlers can see through it into the water. How cool would that be if a whale or dolphin came along? Loeva isnt revealing a price, but expect this boards price to run into five figures.
Wood SUP
ThreeBrothersBoards.com, $1,499
Space is at a premium on most boats, but man does a wooden standup paddleboard look great, even if it doesnt fold or deflate. The One Wood SUP from Three Brothers looks great, measures 12 feet, 6 inches, has a 400-pound weight capacity and weighs only 33 pounds. Definitely for someone on the Nice List.
FOR THE DÉCOR
Model Boats
SDModelMakers.com, Price varies
Nautical Book
Taschen.com, $150
The history buff on your list might appreciate the new book Nautical Works, which is a compilation of 31 folios from Jacques Devaulx in 1583. At the time, the collection was a reference for sailors; now, its a maritime showpiece for a salon coffee table.
Boat Model
NewportBoatModels.com, Price varies
With a photo and blueprints/plans/drawings, SD Model Makers and Newport Boat Models can create perhaps the ultimate custom gift for the most-deserving person on your list. Whether a full model or a half model on a backboard, the lead time is too long to have a model to a loved one this holiday season, but knowing one is coming should hold him over.
We hope our 2020 Boaters Gift Guide assisted you in finding that someone special, something special.
Another great gift idea would be to schedule an appointment here at Affordable Marine Service. Be it a post/pre Season checkout, a bit of regular service or maintenance, any number of possibilities to help the Fishermen in the family start off the New Year in the right direction.
If you have any questions or concerns, please be sure to contact the team here at Affordable Marine Service.
We are committed to providing you with the utmost in professional boat service and repair. Click on the Affordable Marine Service logo below and schedule an appointment today!