11 Boating Gift Ideas
So, it's that time of year again when you find yourself trying to figure out what to give that boater in your life. The good news is there are plenty of options available at a wide range of prices, and let's look at some of them.
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Many of the items listed below can be found on our Amazon Storefront.
First, we have a great stocking stuffer that every boater will appreciate. The Davis Snap Tool Multi-Key. This handy device made of solid stainless steel has all kinds of tools in a conveniently small and flat package. It has deck plate keys to access fuel, water, and waste fill. There is also a helpful zipper pull and snap tool to help snap and unsnap those tight and challenging canvas snaps. There are screwdrivers and wrenches of various types, a shackle key, a cutting blade, a scraper, and, of course, a bottle opener.
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For those who enjoy the water but suffer motion sickness, the Relief Band Sport might be the answer. These electronic wrist-worn devices emit an electrical pulse that travels through your nerves and safely eliminates nausea with no side effects. This FDA-cleared and clinically proven device help eliminate motion sickness and nausea caused by chemotherapy, pregnancy, and even hangovers. Reliefband has several models of wrist-worn devices, with the Sport model being IPX7 waterproof rated. Available in black or grey and with an optional Apple Watch-compatible band, these devices can save your day on the water and allow those suffering from motion sickness to enjoy time aboard. They even offer a 30-day return policy, so you can try it risk-free.
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Steiner makes some of the best binoculars on the market, and they have an updated line, the Navigator series, that are perfect for the boater and yachtsman alike. With excellent optics and infinite focus with autofocus, you can grab them and look at your targets without making any adjustments. They are lightweight and textured for a positive grip, even in the wettest environments. Completely waterproof and dry nitrogen filled, these binoculars will never fog up. They are compact enough to take with you anywhere. Available with or without a built-in compass, these binoculars will quickly become your favorite.
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Communication is vital on board, and cellular coverage is never guaranteed. Why not gift one of the best offerings in fixed-mount VHF radios, the Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix? Considered the Swiss army knife of VHF radios, this VHF has all the features you want. Apart from being an excellent commercial-grade VHF, this radio has a long list of added features. These include a built-in AIS receiver that will display AIS vessels near you and allow instant DSC calling to any of those vessels. It can even alert you if one of those AIS vessels appears too close to your boat. With a nice large clear screen, it can also display its built-in GPS information and be used for navigation if necessary. This VHF also has a built-in hailer and an integrated voice scrambler for when you want to keep your conversations private. It can easily be networked into your onboard system with NMEA 2000 and has remote mike compatibility.
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Communication at sea can sometimes be challenging, even with a VJF onboard. That's where the ACR Bivy comes into play. A tiny device a little bigger than a pack of chewing gum, the Bivy is a capable two-way satellite communicator. Used in conjunction with the Bivy App, this tiny device allows for two-way texting pretty much anywhere in the world via the Inmarsat satellite system. With different usage plans, you can send and receive texts via satellite just as you do with your cell phone. With a dedicated cell phone number and email assigned to each Bivy, texting is as simple as pulling up the app and typing away. It also has a button on the unit that can call for rescue should you be in a life-threatening situation. It can be programmed for one-button check-in, allowing others peace of mind while on your adventure. With no set-up fees and different plans to choose from, the Bivy is an excellent choice for satellite communication.
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Another excellent communication device is the all-new Apple iPhone 14 Pro. While it has every feature you could want or expect from a high-tech cell phone, the 14 Pro now has emergency satellite hailing capability that will summon help in a life-threatening situation. By clicking on the icon and following the on-screen instructions, help can be on its way from the nearest search and Rescue crews. The true advantage is that if you are like my daughters, you always have your cell phone with you, so you will always have this safety feature available. Along with the capability of adding various boating and navigation features to this phone, it can end up being a helpful tool aboard and not just an annoyance, and who doesn't like having the latest and greatest cell phone?
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Looking for a full-featured chart plotter and fish finder with everything you need and nothing you don't? The Simrad NSX is an advanced multi-function display with all the features you want, is easy to use and simple to set up. Available in 7", 9", and 12" displays, with or without a transducer, this incredibly bright and sharp touchscreen display will reveal the latest technology in fish finding with down and side-scanning built-in and with live sight and active target capability. Along with some of the best charting available, this display will make your boater's day on the water much more enjoyable. Easy to set up and use, this intuitive display is sophisticated but simple and can expand its features by adding modules, charts, radar, and transducers. Your boater or fisherman will be ready to go right out of the box with an NSX and transducer.
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Why not make the boater (and others) in your life super comfortable onboard with an E-Sea Rider bean bag chair? These high-quality bean bag chairs come in various colors, color combinations, and shapes. There are teardrop shapes as well as armchair styles and slimmer chairs. No matter which you choose, these chairs are incredibly comfortable. You sink into them, and they absorb a lot of the shock and pounding that can occur while underway. They also make an excellent place to enjoy a sundowner on the boat or the sandbar. They are made of high-quality marine-grade vinyl and will quickly become the fought-over favorite spot on board. With a lifetime no-fault guarantee, what have you got to lose?
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Some days aboard can be hot, and cooling off can be challenging. That's why the Frogg Togg Chilly Pad cooling towel makes an excellent gift for any boater. Simply wet this chammy-style towel and feel it cool you as the water evaporates from the towel. Available in various colors and now in a mini towel format ideal for compact travel, these towels will help everyone on board stay cool, even on the hottest days.
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For those wanting to give the ultimate gift to any freshwater fisherman, you may want to consider the Lowrance Ghost trolling motor. Any angler with this trolling motor will be the envy of the lake. Utilizing a technologically advanced brushless motor and electronics, this silent trolling motor allows for very efficient all-day use. All this new technology translates into more hours of fishing on a single battery charge. Designed by fishermen for fishermen, this trolling motor has features such as fly-by-wire steering and a programable foot pedal that can be customized for a wide array of features other than just power and steering. Well-designed with no wires to get in the way or wrapped up, there are remote control options and an excellent virtual anchor feature that will hold you in position. When interfaced with a compatible Lowrance or Simrad display, it can steer a course set on the display and save waypoints with a click of the pedal. It also has a nosecone that is an interchangeable transducer. You can go with the standard HDI transducer or opt for the active imaging transducer nosecone with CHIRP, side scan, and down scan capability. Easy to stow and adaptable to 24- or 26-volt systems, this trolling motor is one of the most advanced on the market and would make a great gift.
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Fin-Nor, a manufacturer with a reputation for producing top-quality fishing equipment, recently introduced a line of technologically advanced sunglasses that are sure to please the fisherman or boater in your life. Utilizing Lateral Line Technology (with the name taken from a fish's lateral line that gives them the heightened ability to seek out prey), this new line of sunglasses is made with optical quality lenses. These lenses are made of seven layers in glass or polymer versions. The outer layer has a special hydrophobic topcoat that prevents scratches and smudges, fingerprints, dirt, and water from accumulating on the lenses. Then there is the first layer of optical distortion-free mineral glass. Then comes the 100% UVB and UVA blocking layer. It is backed by a mirror, a PVA-polarized film, and a color-enhancing layer. All this is sandwiched between the second layer of mineral glass and seven layers of a reflective blocking coating. The last layer is another hydrophobic topcoat. While the list of components that go into their lenses is impressive, they are even more impressive when you wear them. Simply put, they can compete and outperform many high-end sunglasses and truly help anglers and boaters see clearer in typical conditions. Lenses are available in copper, blue mirror, grey, silver mirror, and green mirror. With a wide array of quality frames to choose from that are built for all-day comfort and built to be durable, there is sure to be a style that suits the boater or fisherman in your life. Frames are available in bio-based Grilamid (plastic style) or corrosion-resistant alloy (metal) frames. So, if comfort, style, and effective sunglasses are a possible gift, consider a pair of advanced Fin-Nor sunglasses.
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