Nothing like a day of calm clear paddling to exercise your body while relaxing your soul.

Kayakers and canoers are a very different type of boater — they’re probably not going to be in to a lot of the old-time nautical gift stuff that you find on a lot of the rest of this site. Paddlers are more likely to be outdoors enthusiasts who see the kayak and canoe, as a light displacement craft capable of going anywhere), as an excellent way to explore parts of nature that others cannot: rivers, creeks, lakes, rocky shorelines and the like.

So what about gifts for the paddler? Some of these ideas are better suited as gifts for kayakers, while some are gifts for canoeists, and some gift ideas are suited for any type of paddler. You might also find it helpful to browse our list of canoe gifts.

Great Gifts for Paddlers, Kayakers, and Canoeists

• Stand-up Paddleboard
  Stand-up paddleboarding is not canoeing or kayaking, but it is a paddle sport, and one that’s extremely hot right now at that. Many surf kayakers (and surfers) are taking to paddleboarding as a more adventurous way to paddle than traditional kayaking. I can’t imagine a better gift for someone who always likes to try the latest adventure sports!
• Kayaking Santa
  Ever wondered what Santa does in the off-season? Yep, I always knew he was a paddler. Look no further for a cute Christmas gift for boaters of all types.
• Neoprene Water Gloves
  Good paddling gloves, like a good gift for paddlers, should be comfortable, good in and out of water, and long-lasting: these fit the bill on all accounts!
• Clear Dry Bags
  For the more practically minded, a gift idea that any kayaker, canoer, or paddler will definitely use: dry bags that actually let you find your stuff! I can’t believe nobody thought of this earlier…
• Outside Inside Kayak Santa Ornament
  It doesn’t get much cuter than this Christmas ornament from Outside Inside. If you still need a few stocking stuffers for the kayaker on your list, consider this the ultimate Christmas gift for paddlers.
• Pro Paddle
  Eventually the standard aluminum paddle doesn’t quite cut it, and the avid kayaker will begin to pine after a lighter weight composite paddle with a more aggressive blade — one like this actually! Think of it this way: with this gift for kayakers, you’re giving the gift of speed!
• Composite Multi-part Paddle
  If you’re looking to choose a gift for paddlers that really impresses, consider this lightweight composite paddle– great gift for kayakers who transport their boats by car and can’t easily fit a conventional paddle.
• Kayak Worktable
  If you’re looking for a gift for a kayaker who also enjoys fishing (or the other way around), then this “kayak worktable” may be just the ticket! One of the major problems of fishing from a kayak is where to keep all of your stuff. This gift turns any kayak into a fishing kayak by giving you a stable safe and convenient workspace to manage your fishing gear.
• Inflatable Kayak
  If kayaking is just something you like to do say on family vacations, or as an escape from your main boat, then an inflatable kayak might be the right gift choice for you. Doesn’t have the speed or durability of a hard shell kayak, but you can take it pretty much anywhere!
• Advanced Frame Expedition Inflatable Kayak
  Here’s my review of this kayak: awesome, awesome, awesome!!! The Advanced Frame Expedition Inflatable Kayak combines the strength and agility of hard-shell kayaks with the portability of an inflatable. People have been taking these boats deep into the wilderness and then exploring remote lakes and rivers with them. This combo kayak really can do anything, and this is a great price for it, making it an excellent gift for boaters of all types.
• Fishing Kayak
  Many people have discovered how great it can be to use a kayak for fishing. For the solo fisherman, it’s a lot simpler and cheaper to use a kayak rather than a large boat, there’s no engine noise to scare away the fish, you can go faster than a rowboat, and you can go just about anywhere without worrying about hitting bottom. The Angler Kayak was designed to target this growing niche of kayak fisherman, and it makes a great gift for fishermen who paddle!
• Pelican Dry Case
  If you’re like me, half the reason you’re out in a kayak is to capture on film some of the amazing scenery that you can only see from the water. And you also spend the whole time worried about a roll destroying your expensive camera gear. Well, no longer! If someone gives you this great kayaking gift, you can keep cameras, cell phones, wallets, etc. safe regardless of how wet it gets!
• Touring Kayak
  If you’re giving a kayak as a gift, consider this model from Wilderness Systems. This is a touring kayak– built to strike the perfect balance between comfort and performance, it will treat you well for many years to come!
• Mini Anchor
  What do you do when you’re in a canoe/ kayak and you need to stop? Canoes and kayaks are so light even the slightest wind or current can send them scooting away. With this lightweight portable anchor you can stop mid-paddle at just the right fishing hole, or to watch wildlife, take a picture, etc. — a million uses for this gift!
• Paddle Grips
• Waterproof MP3 Player
  Now you can listen to your music no matter how wet it gets in the kayak or canoe!
• Old Town Guide Canoe
  The Old Town Guide is one of the classic canoe designs, and I’ve never seen it at such a low price. If you’ve been considering getting a canoe for a while, I definitely recommend taking advantage of this sale. You won’t be disappointed in this rock-solid canoe, and whoever is the lucky recipient of the canoe gift is bound to be thrilled!
• Canoe and Kayak Sail
  A unique and super fun gift idea for kayakers or canoers.
• Loose Fit Rashguard (Men’s)
  Paddling involves a lot of upper body movement, and also the likelihood of getting wet. This kayaking gift for men is quick-drying, smooth on the skin, and super comfortable even after a lot of miles!
• Women’s Paddling Rashguard
  A great gift for women paddlers!

Paddling with these is so comfortable you don’t even need gloves anymore! Makes a great gift for the recreational paddler or someone who likes to put in a lot of miles exploring with a kayak.

Your Gift Ideas for Paddlers?

Are you a passionate paddler? I could use your help! I know this list of gifts isn’t as complete as it could be. Have I forgotten some creative and unique gift idea that every paddler will absolutely love? Let me know what you think in the comment box below!

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• The Best Gifts for Boaters
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• Essential Gear for Learning to Sail Fast!

6 Gifts That Divers Will Love

To get the perfect gift for a diver you need to look beyond the typical gear. I have searched through the hundreds of potential gifts and found the perfect six. Whether you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift idea, or other holiday gifts like Valentine’s Day or Hanukkah or even a birthday, the scuba diver in your life is sure to appreciate these fun and practical ideas!

Underwater Slate

This handy 4” x 4” slate attaches to your wrist with a wrist strap and comes in a “book” design. It has 5 writing surfaces and a pencil that is attached to a leash. The slate is smartly designed and works great as a communication device between two divers. It is especially good for new divers.

U.S. Divers Titanium 5-Inch Diving Knife

This highly rated knife is made of titanium which is a very strong and lightweight metal. It doesn’t rust in the water, which is a big plus for scuba divers who are in water all the time. It is a great safety device to add to a scuba divers gear bag, and will help get them out of nets or anything else they may get caught in.

Scuba Diving Equipment Package Set

This set is perfect for a new diver. It comes with a VEO 100 computer, an Alpha 8 DVT regulator, and Alpha 8 octopus, and an OceanPro BCD. This kit contains many of the items that a new diver needs and is high quality as well.

Diving Flashlight

Every scuba diver needs a good flashlight in their gear kit, and this highly rated flashlight will perform under pressure. This light is specifically meant for diving and other outdoor uses where it will take a beating. It is completely water proof to 400 feet, and can be used on deep sea dives. It has a wrist cuff and strap so that it doesn’t float away under water. This is a gift that will be appreciated by any diver.

Go Pro HD Helmet HERO Camera

This waterproof camera takes amazingly clear video and still shots of your diver’s experience. It mounts to nearly any helmet with the included mounts for a hands free recording. It lets your diver review the magic of the underwater world.

Electronics Dry Case

Your diver may not need to take their smart phone with them on the actual dive, but they may want it while they are getting there. This vacuum seal case will keep a divers electronics dry and safe from moisture. It has a neoprene armband and a neck lanyard included and features a crystal clear pouch so you can still see and use your electronics. It also has an integrated headphone jack so you can listen to tunes while keeping your electronics dry.

More Scuba Diving Gifts from Around the Web:

• Inexpensive holiday gift ideas
• More holiday gift ideas
• Scuba Diving Mag has about a dozen high-end scuba gift ideas in their annual Christmas gift guide
• Trinkets and knick-knacks from Divers Direct make for good stocking stuffers
• LeisurePro also has their annual holiday gift guide up
• Have you checked out our other Christmas gift ideas for boaters?

Have you given a scuba diver a gift they have absolutely loved?

If you have given an amazing gift or if you know of something that your scuba diver loves, then let us know. Simply, put your suggestions in the comment box below. I would love to hear from you!

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• The Best Gifts for Boaters
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• Essential Gear for Learning to Sail Fast!
• 12 Ideas for Nautical Home Decorating

Your boat has a name and a personality-- shouldn't your boating gifts be personalized as well?

Fortunately, boating provides plenty of opportunities for thoughtful personalized gifts for boaters. For example, you can offer towels, linens, polo shirts, jackets, or sailing bags embroidered with the ship’s name. If you’re looking for great gifts for the crew, consider ordering official crew shirts embroidered not only with the ship’s logo, but also with the crew name and position.

If you’re looking for personalized nautical gifts for the home, you can choose among many nautical home decor items which can be personalized. Nearly any metal can be engraved, and wood can be carved or affixed with a plaque to add that personal touch and increase pride in ownership.

Our Best Personalized Nautical Gifts

• Teak Logbook Cover Engraved with the Name of their Boat
  A very unique and elegant gift idea for boaters. For the non-mariners, a logbook is where you record all the details of your voyage– weather, location, sea conditions, any issues with the boat, etc. It is therefore a central item for a boat. This beautiful teak logbook can be personalized with the name of your boat, sure to make the skipper truly proud every time he makes an entry.
• Personalized Surfing Santa Ornament
  A fun idea for a Christmas gift for boaters, this ornament is sure to appeal to the nautical family who wishes their Christmas season was just a tad more tropical!
• Personalized Embroidered Crew Shirts
  Personalized crew shirts are a must for any sailor who wants to look professional– plus, their crew will love it too!
• Traditional Weather Station
  This classy vintage style weather station can be personalized with a plaque or engraving to make a gift that any boater will love!
• Nautical Chart Marble Clock
  This clock is just one example of a series items that you can’t printed with a nautical chart of your favorite sailing grounds. Truly a unique gift for boaters! In addition to the clock, you can also get nautical chart marble coaters.
• Model Schooner
  A model ship is of course a classic nautical gift, but how is it a personalized nautical gift? Well, that’s where you come in, and a little bit of creativity. Suppose your special someone has a favorite type of boat that they’ve been pining over (or the boat that they own): customize the rigging and the sail cut to match their boat. Add their sail number to the sail, and the boat’s name to the stern. Paint the hull to match the colors of their boat. Finally, get a local trophy shop to add a plaque with the ship’s name, make, and year. Voila! Instant personalized boating gift that any boat owner will love!

More Ideas for Personalized Boating Gifts?

Have you seen any cool personalized boating gift ideas out there on the internet? I’d like to add to this list and provide boaters with even more great gift ideas! If you can help, please just make a comment in the box below. Thank you!

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• Gifts for Paddlers

Give the gift of tranquility by helping fishermen do what they love.

Like others passionate about their sport, fisherman are usually going to love pretty much any gift that has something to do with fishing. But if you want to give a really great fishing gift, here’s my advice for narrowing down the list of potential fishing gift ideas:

• First, you don’t want to get something they already have — that’s why I’ve chosen items that are new or unusual. Every fisherman is already going to have a rod and a reel, for example.
• Second, look for the latest and greatest. Especially if you’re buying gifts for a man, guys love gadgets! If there’s something new that will impress their fishing buddies, that can be a great gift for guys
• Third, look for quality: good quality items from trusted brands are always appreciated. That’s why I’ve only put things on this gift ideas list if they are from a brand that fishermen know and trust!

The Best Gifts for Fisherman:

• Fishing Kayak
  A kayak for fishing? Yep, it’s true — the avid fisherman knows a quiet lightweight boat that can go anywhere is a great way to find the fish! Another recommended gift for fishermen!
• Combination Fishfinder/ GPS Chartplotter
  Fishing made easy!
• Kayak Worktable
  If you’re looking for a gift for a kayaker who also enjoys fishing (or the other way around), then this “kayak worktable” is perfect! Turns any kayak into a fishing kayak by giving you a stable safe and convenient workspace to manage your fishing gear.
• Mini Anchor
  Wish I had one of these in my canoe — gift list anyone?
• The Perfect Christmas Cards for a Boater
  Christmas gifts for boaters by boaters!
• 
  Small Craft Safety Bag
  Safety makes a great gift!
• 
  FastFind 210 GPS Personal Location BeaconA great gift for the boater who appreciates safety and likes cool gadgets!
• 
  Clamp-On Rod Holder
  This gift idea keeps your rod at the ready for anytime a fishing opportunity should arise!
• Fishing for Cruisers
  Fun book will teach you how to fish from your boat, whether you’re cruising the Caribbean, the San Juan Islands, or anywhere in between!
• Fishing Christmas Tree Ornaments
  Cute and fun Christmas Gift for Fisherman.
• 
  The West Marine Gift Card
  West Marine is like a Mecca for boaters; they have literally everything you could imagine for boating, fishing, sailing, etc. If you can’t choose a boater gift, give ‘em a gift card to West Marine and you can’t go wrong!

• Digital Fish Scale
  Another one for our gifts for fishermen list — for the fisherman who actually wants to tell the truth about how big it really was!
• Ultimate Tacklebox
  This may just be the perfect tacklebox, and therefore makes a great gift for any fisherman in need of a little organization, but also finds its way on to our list of the best gifts for boaters– since all boaters could benefit from this kind of organization!
• Gear Vest
  Keep all of your boating gear right at hand.
• Nervous Waters DVD
  THE classic of fishing cinema makes it on to our list of recommended gifts for fisherman.
• Saltwater Fishing Lures
  Lures for fishermen are like shoes for women: you can never have too many, because each one has a unique purpose!
• 
  Fisherman’s Vest & PFD
  Is this the perfect gift for a fisherman?
  

  
  
  
  

More Fishing Gifts?

Have a suggestion for a great gift idea for fisherman? Are you into fishing and want to make sure you get what’s on your list this year? Help us make this page better and you’ll make fisherman everywhere happier!

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• The Best Gifts for Boaters
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• Gifts for Paddlers
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Nautical home decor makes a great gift for boaters, sailors, or anyone who loves the ocean!

One important thing to keep in mind with nautical home decor is that there are a lot of items out there that are better described as kitsch than home decor. Unless you’re genuinely going for that seafood restaurant look, think twice about pirate statues, plastic bullion treasure, fake coral, and the like. Instead, create a cozy yet elegant marine look by choosing decorations that evoke the elegance of classic vintage sailing yachts, or a 19th century lighthouse. Think back to a captain’s home by the harbor in a place like Nantucket or Gloucester. That’s the look that you’re going for!

Some excellent nautical home decorating gifts to look for include brass instruments, antique globes, salvaged parts from sailing vessels, and paintings of the sea. Look for high quality materials like brass and fine woods such as teak or mahogany. The details of high quality woodworking and other workmanship can make all the difference between a true work of art and a chinsy piece of kitsch.

My Favorite Nautical Home Decorating Ideas:

Scoured from nautical gifts stores across the interwebs, here are some of my favorite items for completing your nautical home decorating:

• Weems & Plath Gimballed Barometer and Clock
  Excellent for people who appreciate quality. Definitely a gift to impress!
• Nautical Chart Marble Clock
  For the person who enjoys nautical decor in the boater’s home or office, these clocks display a piece of the nautical chart from your favorite boating grounds.
• Traditional Weather Station
  Combines the beauty of traditional brass instruments with the practicality of always knowing when the weather is right for boating!
• Model Schooner
  A perfect gift for the lover of model ships.
• Brass Harbormaster Telescope
  As beautiful to look at as to look through!
• Ship’s Wheel
  A ship’s wheel makes the perfect gift for a pirate (or pirate at heart!)
• Nautical Bookends
  Fun nautical decor!
• Sailing Knots Wall Hanging
  What a fun way to learn sailing knots! Best gift for new sailors learning to sail, or anyone who likes nautical home decor.
• Antique style Desk Globe
  Sail the world, or give it as a gift!
• Galileo Thermometer and Barometer
  This is how they told the weather hundreds of years ago– and it was probably a lot more accurate than all that rubbish on the interwebs, too!
• Sea Witch Model Ship
  Who knew model ship gifts could be so cool?
• Ship’s Bell Clock
  Classy clock makes a great gift for boaters or anyone who appreciates nautical gifts or nautical home decor!
• Barometer and Comfortmeter
  For the boater who appreciates fine nautical instruments, there’s no better gift than the Weems & Plath Endurance Series.
• Handheld Brass Telescope
  A classy gift for the traditional mariner and nautical decor gift!
• Brass Sextant
  This beautiful brass sextant is equal parts work of art and nautical instrument.
• Antique Floor Globe
  A Globe that’s destined to sit in a library, a wood-paneled study, or a nautically-decorated home.
• Ship in a Bottle
  The classic nautical gift!
• Decorative Life Ring
  Nautical home decor makes a great gift idea for anyone who loves the sea!
• Fishing Net Decor
  Try draping this around your home and –voila– instant pirate’s booty!
• Model Square Rigger Wooden Ship
  Another great gift for a model ship builder.
• Personalized Message in a Bottle
  Personalized gifts for boaters make every occasion special!
• Pirate Kids’ Bed-in-a-Box
  Here’s a gift for kids who love pirates!
• Navigation Sextant
  Sextants are sexy!

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The thrill of sailing isn't as inaccessible as it might seem at first.

Looking to take the express lane to learning how to sail?

In the end, learning to sail is all about practice: just get out on the water and enjoy yourself, and eventually the technicalities of handling a sail under a variety of conditions will become second-nature, and you won’t have to think about the theory.

One of the enjoyable aspects of sailing is the incredible variety of skills and knowledge required: a master seaman must simultaneously be a skilled navigator, weather-forecaster, people manager, mechanic, electrician, plumber, and — last but certainly not least — sailor.

In order to accelerate and smooth out the often bumpy process of learning to sail fast and safely, there are a few goodies that I’ve found to be extremely helpful, both in my own learning process and that of friends who are also learning to sail. I wish I’d had all this learning to sail gear at the beginning; it would have made the process of learning sailing a whole lot easier!

Gift Ideas for Learning to Sail:

• Sailing Trim Book
  The most important thing for a sailor to master if they ever hope to be able to sail fast is the art of sail trim. And I say art because the science behind sail trim is so complex that even the experts can’t agree on what makes a boat go fastest. Authored by the editor of Sail magazine, Peter Nielsen really knows his stuff, and unlike similar books aimed primarily at racers, Nielsen’s book is applicable even for the cruiser or casual racer who doesn’t necessarily have a crew of 10 professionals on board. Great gift for sailing racers and cruisers alike.
• The Annapolis Book of Seamanship
  Interested in learning how to sail? Lesson #1: Buy this book! The Annapolis Book of Seamanship has been the standard learn how to sail book for over 25 years, thanks to clear concise explanations of just about everything you need to know in order to safely go to sea under wind power. Makes a great gift for a new boat owner or someone learning to sail!
• Mariner’s Weather Book
  Understanding the weather is the key to sailing safely, as well as making it to your destination in a timely manner. With weather becoming less and less predictable, you just can’t rely on a forecast obtained before you leave home. The only way to be safe is to be able to recognize when the weather is changine and be able to react accordingly. A great gift for any boaters hoping to do cruising or longer passages.
• Adlard Coles’ Heavy Weather Sailing
  This books is THE classic on sailing in heavy weather (storms and high winds) — going out to sea without having read a copy would just be irresponsible. Think of it this way: if you’re ever a guest on someone’s boat and get caught in a storm, you’re going to be wishing they had read this book. Give it to them now as a gift and you can rest easy!
• Storm Tactics
  Why two books on learning to survive storms? Because it’s what every sailor — new or experienced– worries about most, and one area where you really can’t learn too much. Larry and Lynne Pardey, authors of this book, have practiced what they preach on voyages through the Southern Ocean, some of the stormiest waters on the planet, and they’ve devised a system for comfortably and safely surviving even the worst of storms. Differs from the Adlard Coles book in its focus on the traditionalist method of heaving to in heavy weather.
• Sailing Knots Wall Hanging
  If you’re looking for a way to make learning to sail a bit more fun, maybe for kids or a “reluctant First Mate”, consider this fun Sailing Knots Wall Hanging as a sailing gift idea. Helpful for learning, but also just a cool decorative item — sure beats learning knots from a book!
• Boatowner’s Manual
  One of the most underlooked aspects of learning to be a safe and competent sailor is boat maintenance. The truth is, you’re going to be spending a lot of time making sure your boat is working smoothly, optimizing systems, and making repairs– sometimes even out at sea where you have only your own ingenuity and knowledge to rely upon. That’s where the Boatowner’s Manual comes in — as Sailing Magazine puts it, “This book should come standard issue with every new boat purchase.”
• 
  
  Explorer Motion Sickness Relief BandMany people have trouble with sea sickness when they’re starting out, and that can completely spoil the fun of learning to sail! Unfortunately, most sea sickness drugs are strong sedatives– meaning they put you to sleep! Finally, there’s a solution that’s FDA approved for preventing seasickness without drugs!
• 
  FastFind 210 GPS Personal Location BeaconSafety always makes for a great gift idea, and you can feel good about having made your loved ones safer. Personal Locator Beacons, or PLBs, connect with satellites anywhere in the world to pinpoint the location of a lost sailor or man overboard.
• Sailing Lessons in your Local Area
  A great place to start is by finding a certified sailing school that offers lessons in your local sailing area. There are two main organizations that provide standards for learning to sail in the US: the American Sailing Association (ASA), and US Sailing. The curricula are quite similar and you’ll do fine to choose sailing lessons from an ASA Sailing School or a US Sailing School. For most people the best place to start would be ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing Class with the American Sailing Association, or US Sailing Basic Keelboat class with one of the US Sailing’s certified schools.
• 
  Small Craft Safety Bag
  Again, this gift idea is about making the new sailor safe! Putting together your emergency kit can take a considerable time and expense, and the new sailor might not know everything that should be included. Buy this kit and you have all of the safety essentials for a small boat in one convenient package!
• Navigation Sextant
  A Sextant is used for celestial navigation, finding your way by the sun, moon, and stars. Celestial navigation probably isn’t something you’re going to learn your first day on a boat, but it is an essential skill which every sailor must learn before attempting a longer voyage. Even in the era of GPS navigation, electronic systems can and do break, but the stars are always there to guide you!
• 
  The West Marine Gift Card
  Can’t think of what essential gear to get for learning to sail? Get them a West Marine gift card, and you’re pretty much guaranteed they’ll find the gear they’re looking for. West Marine is the sailor’s Mecca; they carry literally everything a boater might want or need, including all the essentials for learning to sail fast!

• 
  Men’s Billfish Boat Shoes
  A proper pair of boat shoes isn’t just about impressing your new-found Yachtie friends with your impeccable fashion sense. Rather, a good pair of boat shoes are an essential for all new sailors as they provide great traction on slippery wet fiberglass decks, all without marking the boat like normal shoes do!
• 
  Men’s Full Finger Sailing Glove
  
  Sailing gloves are probably one of the first purchases you’ll make when you’re learning to sail– they’re an essential for protecting your hands against the ropes and winches you’ll be cranking on all day long. A good pair of sailing gloves has plenty of padding where it counts (the palm and under-fingers), while still allowing dexterity for knot-tying and operating instruments. This pair from West Marine is a great place to start, and would make an excellent gift for anyone learning to sail.
  
  
  
  
  

More Essential Learning to Sail Gear?

What purchases would you recommend for beginning sailors or others looking to learn how to sail? Please share in the comment box below!

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• The Best Gifts for Boaters
• 12 Ideas for Nautical Home Decorating
• Gifts for Paddlers
• Gifts for Fishermen

Since there are so many gift ideas for boaters listed here, I’ve included only a picture, brief description, and a link to the online store where you can currently purchase the gift at the best price. That means no fun descriptions of why each of these items makes such a good gift!

If you’re interested in learning more about each of the gifts and reading my reviews of the items, please use the menu to select other categories where you can find a lot more helpful information on the best gifts for boaters!

The Complete List of Gifts for Boaters

Note: My “Gifts for Boaters” list is getting quite large. You might find it more convenient to use the navigation to select a specific category that you’re interested in, like “Gifts for New Boat Owners”, “Gifts for Kayakers”, or “Nautical Gifts”, or browse by price range. Also, the sub-pages contain a lot more detail about each of the gift items, why I recommend it, and who it would be a good gift for, information that you won’t find on this page due to lack of space!

• Brass Sextant
  This beautiful brass sextant is equal parts work of art and nautical instrument.
• Recycled Sailcloth Bag
  A perfect gift idea for boaters.
• Weems & Plath Gimballed Barometer and Clock
  Excellent for people who appreciate quality. Definitely a gift to impress!
• Nautical Chart Marble Clock
  For the person who enjoys nautical decor in the boater’s home or office, these clocks display a piece of the nautical chart from your favorite boating grounds.
• Boatowner’s Manual
  Every boat owner needs this!
• Clear Dry Bags
  Clever and extremely practical!
• 
  
  Explorer Motion Sickness Relief BandCure seasickness without drugs!
• GlobalFix iPRO Category I GPS-Enabled EPIRB
  The safety device that no boater should be without! This is the best EPIRB out there right now IMO, and perfect for any Boater on your Gift List whom you’d like to keep safe!
• Sailing World’s Best of Dr. Crash Calendar
  A fun and economical gift idea from Sailing World!
• Traditional Weather Station
  Combines the beauty of traditional brass instruments with the practicality of always knowing when the weather is right for boating!
• Model Schooner
  A perfect gift for the lover of model ships.
• Brass Harbormaster Telescope
  As beautiful to look at as to look through!
• Old Town Guide Canoe
  I wish I had a canoe like this to explore the Adirondacks with!
• Canoe and Kayak Sail
  Finally, canoeing and sailing are brought together– a gift for kayakers or canoeists.
• Loose Fit Rashguard (Men’s)
  Comfort makes boating more fun!
• Women’s Paddling Rashguard
  No more scratchy itchy rashes after a long day of paddling!
• Mini Anchor
  Wish I had one of these in my canoe — gift list anyone?
• Neoprene Water Gloves
  Cozy warm gloves are one of the best gifts for boaters.
• Pelican Dry Case
  A great gift idea from a company who really knows boaters!
• Neoprene Water Gloves
  Trust me, they’ll appreciate these!
• Ship’s Wheel
  A ship’s wheel makes the perfect gift for a pirate (or pirate at heart!)
• Nautical Bookends
  Fun nautical decor!
• Antique style Desk Globe
  Sail the world, or give it as a gift!
• The Perfect Christmas Cards for a Boater
  Christmas gifts for boaters by boaters!
• Galileo Thermometer and Barometer
  This is how they told the weather hundreds of years ago– and it was probably a lot more accurate than all that rubbish on the interwebs, too!
• Outside Inside Kayak Santa Ornament
  Perfect Christmas Gift for Kayakers
• Personalized Surfing Santa Ornament
  Everyone appreciates a personalized gift for boaters!
• The New Boat Owner’s Kit
  Step #1 gift for the new boat owner is right here all in one beautiful package!
• Teak Logbook Cover Engraved with the Name of their Boat
  Perhaps my favorite gift for boaters of all types!
• 
  Small Craft Safety Bag
  Safety makes a great gift!
• Navigation Sextant
  Sextants are sexy!
• Combination Fishfinder/ GPS Chartplotter
  Fishing made easy!
• Personalized Embroidered Crew Shirts
  Just because you don’t sail like a professional doesn’t mean you can’t look like one! Magically transforms the crew of even a dilapidated dinghy into a well-oiled racing machine (at least that’s that they’ll look like around the bar in the evening!)
• 
  FastFind 210 GPS Personal Location BeaconA great gift for the boater who appreciates safety and likes cool gadgets!
• 
  Clamp-On Rod Holder
  This gift idea keeps your rod at the ready for anytime a fishing opportunity should arise!
• 
  The West Marine Gift Card
  West Marine is like a Mecca for boaters; they have literally everything you could imagine for boating, fishing, sailing, etc. If you can’t choose a boater gift, give ‘em a gift card to West Marine and you can’t go wrong!

• Clear Start Sailing Watch
  OK, it won’t make your boat go faster, but it just might help you be the first over the line– and as we all know, sometimes that’s all it takes!
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  Men’s Billfish Boat Shoes
  The perfect pair of boat shoes makes for a perfect gift for boaters.
• 
  Handheld Floating VHF Radio
  Sure, all boaters use VHF radios, but how many have one this cool?
  

  
  
  
  

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  Fisherman’s Vest & PFD
  Is this the perfect gift for a fisherman?
  

  
  
  
  

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  Men’s Full Finger Sailing Glove
  
  Sailing gloves are a great gift for boaters that make boating more fun. Play the video to learn about why this makes a perfect gift idea!
  
  
  
  
  
• Fishing for Cruisers
  Fun book will teach you how to fish from your boat, whether you’re cruising the Caribbean, the San Juan Islands, or anywhere in between!
• Fishing Christmas Tree Ornaments
  Cute and fun Christmas Gift for Fisherman.
• Stand-up Paddleboard
  Born in Hawaii of a marriage between surfing and traditional hawaiian canoes, Stand-up Paddleboarding is one of the hottest water sports right now, so a Paddleboard would make a great gift idea for someone who loves water sports!
• Pro Paddle
  This pro paddle is a gift idea for serious kayakers– or those who would like to become one!
• Composite Multi-part Paddle
  This strong, lightweight composite paddle makes a great gift for all your kayaking friends, and it comes apart for easy storage and transport!
• Fishing Kayak
  A kayak for fishing? Yep, it’s true — the avid fisherman knows a quiet lightweight boat that can go anywhere is a great way to find the fish! Another recommended gift for fishermen!
• Touring Kayak
  When choosing a kayak gift, look for one that is light, fast, and comfortable — this model from Wilderness Systems provides all three and is currently on sale at Amazon.com!
• Waterproof MP3 Player
  What does a boater or watersports-lover do when they want to listen to music? Give them the gift of tunes even underwater with this super-cool waterproof MP3 Player!
• Inflatable Kayak
  This isn’t just a gift for kayakers– deflated, this kayak gift can fit anywhere, tuck it away in the corner of your boat or car, and it’s ready for shallow-water explorations!
• Advanced Frame Expedition Inflatable Kayak
  Here’s my review of this kayak: awesome, awesome, awesome!!! The Advanced Frame Expedition Inflatable Kayak combines the strength and agility of hard-shell kayaks with the portability of an inflatable. Perfect gifts for boaters!
• Digital Fish Scale
  Another one for our gifts for fishermen list — for the fisherman who actually wants to tell the truth about how big it really was!
• Ultimate Tacklebox
  This may just be the perfect tacklebox, and therefore makes a great gift for any fisherman in need of a little organization, but also finds its way on to our list of the best gifts for boaters– since all boaters could benefit from this kind of organization!
• Gear Vest
  Keep all of your boating gear right at hand.
• Nervous Waters DVD
  THE classic of fishing cinema makes it on to our list of recommended gifts for fisherman.
• Saltwater Fishing Lures
  Lures for fishermen are like shoes for women: you can never have too many, because each one has a unique purpose!
• Oversized Sailing Calendar
  GIANT wall calendar with big beautiful pictures of sailboats — is it the best gift for sailors?
• Storm Tactics
  Another great gift for sailors, this is a classic of the sailing literature– one of the best to get you through the storms!
• Ship’s Bell Clock
  Classy clock makes a great gift for boaters or anyone who appreciates nautical gifts or nautical home decor!
• Barometer and Comfortmeter
  For the boater who appreciates fine nautical instruments, there’s no better gift than the Weems & Plath Endurance Series.
• Handheld Brass Telescope
  A classy gift for the traditional mariner and nautical decor gift!
• Personalized Message in a Bottle
  Personalized gifts for boaters make every occasion special!
• Pirate Kids’ Bed-in-a-Box
  Here’s a gift for kids who love pirates!
• Navigation Sextant
  Sextants are sexy!
• Brass Gimballed Compass in a Box
  This is a compass like they used to make ‘em! It’s not the kind of compass you get as a gift for a boy scout, but a real boater will know and appreciate this nautical gift item.
• Antique Floor Globe
  A Globe that’s destined to sit in a library, a wood-paneled study, or a nautically-decorated home.
• Ship in a Bottle
  The classic nautical gift!
• Decorative Life Ring
  Nautical home decor makes a great gift idea for anyone who loves the sea!
• Fishing Net Decor
  Try draping this around your home and –voila– instant pirate’s booty!
• Model Square Rigger Wooden Ship
  Another great gift for a model ship builder.
• Kayak Worktable
  If you’re looking for a gift for a kayaker who also enjoys fishing (or the other way around), then this “kayak worktable” is perfect! Turns any kayak into a fishing kayak by giving you a stable safe and convenient workspace to manage your fishing gear.
• Nautical Flashcards
  Here’s a fun gift idea for a new boat owner: flashcards that will help them quickly and painlessly learn everything they need to know.
• Kayaking Santa
  Christmas gift for kayakers.
• Sea Witch Model Ship
  Who knew model ship gifts could be so cool?
• Sailing Trim
  Great gift for the racing sailor, or the cruiser who cares about going fast!
• Mariner’s Weather Book
  Weather is everything for a sailor– this book will help them learn how to know what’s coming, even without a weather report!
• Adlard Coles’ Heavy Weather Sailing
  This books is THE classic on sailing in heavy weather (storms and high winds), and a must for any sailor who’s going to spend some time out at sea.
• Sailing Knots Wall Hanging
  What a fun way to learn sailing knots! Best gift for new sailors learning to sail, or anyone who likes nautical home decor.

So, what do you think? Do you prefer this format, of the individual pages format? I’ve spent a lot of time putting this site together, so I’d like to make the information as useful as possible… If you leave me a comment with your suggestions, I would really appreciate it!

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• The Best Gifts for Boaters
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For each gift idea, I’ve included a link to the online store where you can currently buy it for the best price. Here you’ll find wooden model sailboats, r/c sailboats, sailboat gifts, sailboat accessories, gear for sailboats, and gift ideas for new sailboat owners. I’ve also included links to other great lists of sailboat gifts found around the internet. All in all, a great place to start when shopping for a gift for the sailor on your list!

Please make sure to look around at some of the other gift ideas you’ll find in other articles on this site, and please leave a comment to tell me what you think so that I can make the site better.

Sailboat Gifts:

• Model Schooner
  Model ships just may be the perfect sailboat gift– they capture all the beauty and lines of a sailboat in a convenient form that can be displayed in your living room, office, or in the captain’s cabin!
• Ship in a Bottle
  What could be a more classic sailboat gift than a ship in a bottle? You’ll never guess how they get the ships in there!
• Model Square Rigger Wooden Ship
  The old square riggers are arguably among the most beautiful of sailboats. Now you can capture that same look right in your living room with this exquisite model of a classic square rigger.
• Ship’s Wheel
  Nothing evokes the spirit of old fashioned sailboats like a carved wooden captain’s wheel. For the true aficionado of old sailboats, this reasonably-priced ship’s wheel makes a great gift!
• Teak Logbook Cover Engraved with the Name of their Boat
  Looking for a gift to add character to your new sailboat? This one fits the bill — a personalized logbook cover made of beautiful teak which can be engraved with the name of your boat.
• Clear Start Sailing Watch
  Here’s a Sailboat Gift for the truly passionate sailor– the racer! An oversized face lets you see the countdown to race start with just a quick glance, so you can concentrate on keeping boatspeed up while you make sure that you cross the line at exactly the right moment. Trust me, this gift is what sailboat racing is all about!
• Sailing World’s Best of Dr. Crash Calendar
  Admit it, we all secretly like capsizing a sailboat from time to time– it’s how you discover your (and the boats’) limit, and nothing makes you feel more alive than watching the leeward rail bury itself in the water. Now you can capture that excitement without even getting wet thanks to this fun new calendar from Sailing World!
• Recycled Sailcloth Bag
  A How about a sailboat gift that women will enjoy as well? I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on my Recycled Sailcloth Bag, even from non-sailors. It’s very unique, carries a subtle nautical charm, and best of all, it’s eco-friendly!.
• Sea Witch Model Ship
  For the truly passionate about sailboats, model ships have a special place as one of the most treasured gifts. These models range from low-cost, pre-assembled versions to incredibly-detailed works of art that have taken nautical historians dozens of hours to accurately replicate details of one of history’s great sailboats. The Sea Witch model is one of my favorites!
• Sailing Trim
  How about a gift that helps a sailor make his or her sailboat go faster? This bunk does an excellent job of breaking down the complicated topic of sail trim into easy-to-understand explanations and advice that any type of sailor can put to immediate use to help their boat go faster!
• Oversized Sailing Calendar
  It’s no secret that calendars are all about the pictures. So when you’ve got something as beautiful as a sailboat bashing through waves and wind in the open sea, why only show a small picture? This sailboat gift idea feature a new HUGE photo of a sailboat every month of the year, guaranteed to make the sailor in your life happy!

Still looking for Sailboat Gifts?

Here are a few other places that you might want to look:

• FindGift has a section on sailboat gifts.
• PotteryBarn also has a handful of nautical gift ideas.

Contribute a Sailboat Gift Idea:

Do you have your own ideas for the very best sailboat gifts? For everything related to sailboats– decor, sailing instruments, model sailboats, etc– anything that would make a great gift for someone passionate about sailing or sailboats. If so, I would love to hear your suggestions! Please leave the comment box below to add your ideas and I will make sure they are shared with the community of boaters that frequents this site. Thanks!

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• The Best Gifts for Boaters
• 12 Ideas for Nautical Home Decorating
• Essential Gear for Learning to Sail Fast!
• Gifts for Paddlers
• Gifts for Fishermen

For each gift idea, I’ve included a link to the online store currently offering the item at the lowest price. I hope you find this gift list useful!

• Old Town Guide Canoe
  A classic design that’s strong, light, and fast like a canoe should be. Probably the best canoe gift (or gift canoe?) this year, if you’re wondering which canoe to get as a gift.
• Canoe and Kayak Sail
  Looking to get there just a little bit faster? Need to give the arms a rest from time to time? This is the latest and greatest in canoe gifts: a canoe sail. Once you git the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without!
• Loose Fit Rashguard (Men’s)
  Surfers have long known that a good quality rashguard is your best friend when you’re going to be making a lot of potentially-chafing movement in a wet marine environment. But a traditional surfer’s rashguard is tight to fit under a wetsuit. Now, finally, there’s a rashguard that’s built for canoers and kayakers: loose enough to be comfortable and allow full range of paddle movement, with SPF 50+ sun protection and O’Neill quality.
• Loose Fit Rashguard (Women’s)
  As above this is the women’s version of the loose fit rashguard — the perfect canoe gift for women.
• Mini Anchor
  Need to stop your boat for a while? Everyone knows that you use a good anchor. But in a canoe, a traditional anchor will disturb the boat’s hydrodynamics– it just weighs too much. This mini anchor is a neat solution to the problem.
• Neoprene Water Gloves
  Spending hours plying the water with a paddle can be really rough on your hands– especially when the water is icy cold. That’s why a great gift for any canoer or kayaker is a high quality pair of neoprene gloves. These will keep your hands warm while also preventing blisters.
• Pelican Dry Case
  This Dry Case from pelican is a great gift for the canoeist who likes to take pictures, or bring a wallet or other goodies along in the canoe on a trip where things might be getting a little bit wet!

http://GiftsforBoaters.com/paddle-grips

• Neoprene Water Gloves
  Paddle Grips are one of those simple, inexpensive items where, once you get them, you wonder how you ever lived without them. These puppies make your paddling so much more comfortable I can’t even begin to tell you how much I appreciate them. And if you buy them as a canoe gift, the same will be said of you!



Foggy Runabout CardsThese are super cute boater’s Christmas Cards that are bound to be a welcome gift for any boater, whether their boat is a canoe or an aircraft carrier.

Looking for more canoe gifts?

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Being a boater myself, and having many friends on my own gift list who are boaters, I’ve spent a LOT of time scouring the interwebs to find this year’s very best gift ideas for boaters. And that, my friends, is exactly what you will find in this list:

• Recycled Sailcloth Bag
  The perfect gift should be something unique, functional, well-made, and ideally also environmentally friendly. This bag fits the bill perfectly! Made from old sails, it definitely has some green cred, but most importantly it lets sailors show off their passion for their hobby in a way that is classy and uber-creative. I got one of these bags a year ago and can’t tell you how many great comments I’ve received. In fact, two friends liked it so much they’ve bought one for themselves! This is truly a perfect gift idea for boaters.
• Weems & Plath Gimballed Barometer and Clock
  For the perfect elegant gift idea, consider this high quality brass barometer/ clock combination. Weems & Plath has been making high quality marine instruments for decades, and it shows in the high quality workmanship that goes into a piece like this. Equal parts work of art and functional tool, I imagine it displayed in a sailor’s office so s/he can be reminded of the sea even while working the “day job”! This is definitely a gift to impress!
• Nautical Chart Marble Clock
  Another great piece of nautical decor to display in the boater’s home or office, these clocks display a piece of the nautical chart from your favorite boating grounds.
• Boatowner’s Manual
  As the name implies, the Boatowner’s Manual is a book that no boat owner should be without! Sail magazine said “This book should come as standard equipment with every boat. If the boater on your shopping list doesn’t have one yet, get it as a gift!
• Clear Dry Bags
  Boaters have long used dry bags to keep sensitive items safe in the constantly-wet marine environment, but anyone who’s used a dry bag knows that they’re not exactly user-friendly. Basically just one long tube, there are no pockets for organization, and you can spend hours digging through your dry bags trying to remember which one has the chap stick. Now there’s a better way. Clear dry bags let you immediately see what is in each bag, and where it is, so you don’t have to waste time digging. I haven’t seen many boaters who have these yet, so it definitely should make a good gift for any boater!

• 
  
  Explorer Motion Sickness Relief BandIf you’ve ever spent time on a boat in less than ideal conditions, you know how quickly motion sickness can spoil the fun. Of course there are pills you can take, but they have side effects that are often worse than the disease (they put you to sleep). Finally, there’s a sea sickness cure that doesn’t require drugs: the Explorer Motion Sickness Relief Band from Abbot Labs. This is FDA-approved so you know it’s legit, and it works by providing electronic stimulation that blocks the signals that cause nausea. A great gift for any boater that gets seasickness (and really, who doesn’t?!).

GlobalFix iPRO Category I GPS-Enabled EPIRB
If you’ve ever read the book Black Wave (or nearly any other modern sea survival story, for that matter), then you know that the family’s lives were ultimately saved thanks to a mysterious little device called an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). In interviews, the father of the family has said that they had hesitated about buying an EPIRB because of the cost. Little did he know that little “splurge” would ultimately be responsible for saving their lives. Nothing makes a better gift than safety, and an EPIRB is the ultimate in boating safety, automatically transmitting your location and a distress signal if it detects that the boat is sinking (it can also be manually activated). The GlobalFix iPRO Category I EPIRB shown here is the latest generation, and the top-rated EPIRB at West Marine– you can be proud giving this to any Boater on your Gift List!

• Sailing World’s Best of Dr. Crash Calendar
  Looking for a gift that’s economical, but still unique and enjoyable? Consider this one-of-a-kind calendar from the venerable Sailing World. Hundreds of calendare have pictures of boats, but this one’s different: it features high-powered racing yachts captured at the moment of capsizing, and the result is a dozen stunning images that are sure to take the breath away of any sailor or boater. The best gift for boaters that costs less than $20!
• Traditional Brass Weather Station
  Boaters who are fans of traditional nautical instruments will especially appreciate this gift idea. Mounted on a slab of polished Mahogany are three high quality weather instruments from the venerable Weems & Plath: a barometer, quartz clock, and a comfortmeter (a combination hygrometer for measuring humidity and thermometer). Give this to your favorite boater, and he or she will always know what the weather is like outside (also makes a great display item!).
• Model Ship Schooner
  Every boater enjoys model ships, and this lovely schooner model is one of the best I’ve seen!

http://GiftsforBoaters.com/telescope

• Brass Harbormaster Telescope
  Back in the day the harbormaster would sit in his perch and use a telescope like this one to observe the ships coming and going, in order to keep track of what was happening in his harbor. Now the traditional wood and brass telescope is likely to be looked at as much as looked through — it makes a great nautical decor piece in any boater’s home!

Please try some of the other articles on this site to discover more great ideas for gifts for boaters!

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