Best Christmas gifts for boaters: 68 ideas for the person who’s got it all
Bored of socks and scented candles? Up the ante this Christmas with a gift you would be thrilled to receive from our guide to the best Christmas gifts for boaters.
Buying Christmas gifts for boaters can be very tricky – after all, what can you buy someone who’s lucky enough to spend a decent chunk of their time larking about on the water?
Luckily, MBY is here to help. There’s something for everyone, from affordable to big budget and super stylish, in our gift guide, all guaranteed to put a big smile on your festive faces…
If you’re on a budget, check out our pick of the best Christmas gifts for boaters under £50, or the best boatie Christmas gifts under £100.
Best Christmas gifts for boaters: Most popular options
JBL CHARGE 5
This all-action bluetooth speaker from portable hi-fi specialist JBL delivers a quality of sound way out of proportion to its size and price. In spite of its compact wine bottle proportions and its modest 1kg weight, it’s practical too.
It delivers 20 hours of non-stop playback, it has a charging port for your phone and if you drop it in the water, its IP67 rating means you have at least half an hour before any damage is done. It’s resistant to sand, dust and dirt and you can link as many of these speakers together as you like.
In short, if you want a single music solution for the house, the garden, the boat and the beach, this is a great bit of kit.
RRP: £159.99, now £129 at Amazon
Buy it now on Amazon (including 19% Black Friday discount)
STEINER COMMANDER 7×50 WITH COMPASS
Unless they use active stabilisation, a really good set of marine binoculars should combine a maximum of eight times magnification (for ease of use on a moving platform) with a wide-diameter objective lens (for optimum brightness).
In the case of these rigorously proven Steiners, a 7×50 formula produces a sparkling image with clear vibrant colours, even in low dusky light, when reds, greens and yellows threaten to blur into one.
The Diamond lens coating with ErgoFlex eyecups does a great job of cleaning up any diffused light, and internal Nitrogen helps keep fogging at bay. Both the sports autofocus and the integrated compass are a delight to use. With impact-resistant construction and a 30-year guarantee, the quality of build is every bit as impressive as the image.
RRP: €1,489
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Subscription to Motor Boat & Yachting
Best Christmas gift for boaters everywhere!
If you spend £21.99 on a six-month subscription to MBY magazine (saving £11.01 on the shelf price), you will receive a free Packaway 20-litre waterproof backpack worth £27, and it doesn’t take a maths whizz to see the value in that!
To secure your subscription, visit the website address below or call 0330 333 1113. Quote code X501 for RED, X502 for BLUE or X503 for GREY. You can also upgrade your subscription to include access to the MBY digital magazine for an additional £7.50.
RRP: £21.99
Buy it now on magazines-direct.com
SCUBAJET PRO SCOOTER
We’ve seen plenty of underwater scooters over the years but thanks to the modular approach of the new Scubajet Pro, its versatility is on another level.
You can double the motor power for faster speeds. You can increase the tube length and ramp up the battery capacity for longer run times. You can even add a nose cone with a 1,500 lumen torch.
Originally designed as a diving scooter, you can also use the jet unit as an electric motor for above-water toys such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Light, fast and beautifully designed, the entry-level model is also airline compliant – which means you can take it on holiday too.
RRP: €1,290
GARMIN MARQ CAPTAIN GEN 2 WATCH
Ignoring the modern digital smartwatch in favour of the mechanical timepiece is like ditching your Macbook for a quill and parchment. So leave the Omegas to wannabe spies and invest in this instead.
Built from titanium with an AMOLED touchscreen display, it has speed, distance, virtual starting line and man overboard functions.
Preloaded with TopoActive maps, it pairs with your Garmin plotter for vital nav data and it also connects with your inReach® satellite communicator for two-way communication and SOS functionality.
RRP: £1,999
Looking for a boating watch? Read our essential buyer’s guide
KUUMA STOW ‘N’ GO 160 BBQ
If you don’t have the room or the budget for a cockpit grill, this is a very effective solution. As the name suggests, this portable barbecue comes with a rail-mount for use with square or round rails so you can fix it to pretty much any boat.
It also comes with handy fold-out legs and an optional canvas cover with carry handle so it’s a simple job if you want to shift the party to the beach or the tabletop.
Built from stainless steel with a protective lid liner and drip tray, it features a cool-touch handle and a generous cooking surface of 1,032cm². Traditionalists will love the charcoal model but if you prefer the quickfire simplicity of gas, there’s an option for that too.
RRP: £232
Looking for a boat grill? Check out our essential buyer’s guide
RED ORIGINALS REVOLUTION 3-IN-1 CHANGE PARKA
This seriously cool-looking parka is designed to do the job of a waterproof coat, a warm jacket and a watersports change robe all in one. When the mercury drops, you wear the fleece.
When the rain comes, you wear the parka. And when the British winter gets truly brutal, you combine both layers to create an insulated waterproof coat long enough to keep you properly protected.
A modern oversized fit, determined solely by gender and height, makes it easy to find the right parka for you. Two-way YKK zips, plus 11 pockets and a drawstring waist, add valuable flexibility.
And it’s sustainable too, with recycled materials, breathable Thinsulate featherless down and a PFC-free waterproof coating.
RRP: £349.95
Buy it now on red-equipment.co.uk
AQUA MARINA INFLATABLE ISLAND
Decathlon does a great range of SUP boards and inflatable kayaks but if you want to spice up your boat life with a cut-price beach club, this inflatable island makes a really good investment.
It provides more than 40sqft of easy-rig deck space and, with dimensions of 8ft 2in by 5ft 3in, you can still retain access to your swim platform’s integrated ladder.
Capable of carrying up to 265kg (3-4 people), it comes with a set of heavy-duty D-rings and connection straps so you can even raft several of them together.
Easy to pack, carry and stow, with high-tensile rail bands for extra stiffness and a choice of UV-resistant finishes, it’s also available as a premium ISLAND+ version with a full-deck EVA pad.
RRP: £449
RUDY PROJECT SPINAIR 57 SUNGLASSES
The best remedy for low-level sun bouncing off the water’s surface is the clean, glare-free contrast of a good pair of polarised marine sunglasses. But have you ever noticed how a polarised lens makes your LCD screens illegible?
Not so here, thanks to Rudy Project’s award-winning range of Polar 3FX HDR glasses. These shades enable you to see more clearly, reducing the impact of reflected light, as well as providing much greater clarity when refracted light is filtered through wind-whipped moisture, rain or fog.
Adjustable temple tips and rubber nose pads keep them comfortably in place during 50-knot winds.
RRP: £97.99 / $169.99
YETI TUNDRA 125 COOL BOX
With models from 35 to 350 litres, a Yeti Tundra coolbox is a brilliant boating investment. You can keep your food cold for days at a time without the use of battery power. You can use it as an additional prep or casting surface. You can lash it to your deck and top it with a cushion for use as an extra bench seat. And you can carry it off the boat in the height of summer for an impromptu beach party.
Built using the same roto-moulded production techniques you often find on sea kayaks, this superb coolbox features 3in Permafrost walls and an interlocking lid system with a freezer-grade gasket for performance that will cope with way more than just a weekend away.
RRP: £550 / $600
MYERCHIN CAPTAIN PRO RIGGING KNIFE
A great marine knife needs to be small, corrosion-resistant, powerfully built and comfortable to carry. It needs to be easy to open one-handed and be able to cut fast without flex or breakage. A serrated edge with a flat, knurled surface on the back works best and is exactly what this beautiful knife delivers.
It features a fold-out marlinspike (for undoing knots), a shackle key and a springless locking mechanism. It’s an absolute beauty.
RRP: £116.56 / $67.95
DUBARRY CROSSHAVEN SAILING BOOTS
There are a thousand options in the boating footwear market, from classic deck shoes to grotesque amphibians. But one thing that never seems to change is Dubarry’s superb range of sailing boots.
All the high-end features are there – a warm, waterproof, breathable mix of Cordura and Dubarry leathers, plus a Gore-Tex Duratherm-insulated membrane. Youget award-winning soles for reliable grip on wet surfaces.
There are heel and toe reinforcements and sealable high-abrasion gaiters to prevent water ingress at the top. They may be expensive but they’re also a genuine treat.
RRP: £399
YACHT SENTINEL CAM 2
If you want to see what’s happening on board your boat without spending a fortune, Yacht Sentinel’s Cam 2 does a solid job. Waterproof, wireless, simple to fit and easily managed through the HUB App, it features a high-definition (1080p) motion sensor, enabling it to send a 30-second video to your phone if unexpected movement is detected.
Infra-red night vision with a 10m range and a 100-degree field of view makes it ideal even for large cockpits and saloons. If you want to go further, Sentinel’s ‘Big Data’ SY6 system is a great supplement to the Cam 2, with all kinds of useful monitoring parameters, including loss of shore power, temperature fluctuations, battery condition, impact detection and intruder alarms.
RRP: £209 + £50 annual subscription
Buy it now on yacht-sentinel.com
RIVA iPHONE CASE
You don’t need a Riva budget to enjoy your own little slice of La Dolce Vita. The Riva Boutique sells a range of beautiful branded accessories, from books and crockery to clothes and furniture, but few of its products are as lovely to behold (or as easy to flaunt) as this.
Built from mahogany with elegant maple inlays and a natural beeswax finish, it looks and feels like it’s been lifted directly from the foredeck of a Riva Aquarama. Equipped with a satin metal Riva logo and the option of classical aquamarine edging, it also comes with a very slick Riva presentation box.
This particular one’s for your iPhone X, XS, XR or XS MAX but there are plenty of other shapes and sizes to pick from.
RRP: £65
ARTHUR BEALE BEERENBERG PULLOVER
It might not look that technical but in spite of its classical looks, this woolly pully is actually much more practical than you might think. Named after the world’s most northerly volcano, it is made from Welsh wool, which retains the original lanolin oils of the fleece.
Unprocessed, bleach-free and fully biodegradable, it features thumb loops for colder days, as well as heavily reinforced internal canvas shoulder sections for durability and shape retention. It is also shower-proof, breathable and fire-resistant, with excellent insulating properties.
And to make it feel extra special, each of these beautifully built year-round garments even comes with its own unique serial number.
RRP: £145
Buy it now on arthurbeale.co.uk
Red Originals Pro Change Robe Evo
Best Christmas gift for boaters who love watersports
Changing robes seem to be the garment of the moment. Surfers, paddleboarders and wild swimmers swear by them and now they’re sweeping through the boat market too.
Water and windproof on the outside but soft and absorbent on the inside, you can chuck them on after a dip and use them to dry off and warm up simultaneously.
The cut is deliberately long and baggy so you can slip out of your soggy swimmers and into your dry clothes without mooning your guests, but thanks to a zip and poppered wind flap it works just as well as a full-length wet weather coat.
It comes in men’s and women’s cuts with short or long sleeves and a wide range of colours.
RRP: £149
Garmin Quatix 6
Best Christmas gift for high-tech boaters
The latest generation of Garmin smart watches aren’t just smart in the technological sense, they are smart in the style stakes too.
Even this entry-level model, with its stainless steel bezel and blue silicone strap, looks the business but you can also upgrade to titanium and solar-powered versions.
However, it’s the features that really blow your mind. As well as the expected GPS navigation and fitness monitor functions, you can display Navionics charts, control the autopilot system, mirror your boat’s depth and engine displays, link to its Fusion sound system and dozens of other indispensable features.
RRP: £569.99
Read our Garmin Quatix 6 review
Itiwit 10ft inflatable paddle board
Best Christmas gift for active boaters
No boat is complete without an inflatable paddleboard to splash about on, but if you still haven’t joined the SUP brigade or need an extra one for guests, this beginner’s board could be a good place to start.
Costing less than £300, it’s Decathlon’s entry-level touring board and has been designed with ease of use and stability in mind.
It’s also about as cheap as you’ll get for a decent quality board that won’t flex like a banana the minute you stand on it. This 10ft version can cope with riders from 60-80kg but larger and smaller versions are available.
It weighs 9kg and comes in an easy-to-carry backpack but you will need to add the paddle and pump bundle if you haven’t already got them.
RRP: £299
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best paddleboards
Meaco Arete Dehumidifier 20L
Best Christmas gift for boaters doing DIY
OK, we know not everyone is going to be excited by the idea of unwrapping a dehumidifier, but if you’re as boat-obsessed as we are, then it could really make your year, especially if it’s a MeacoDry Arete One.
The reason this model is so special, apart from being one of the smartest, quietest, most efficient dehumidifiers around, is because you can upgrade it with an optional water pump that will automatically empty its water tank when full.
This means you can place it anywhere you like onboard the boat, pop the end of the long hose in a sink or through a window and leave it running permanently.
RRP: £300
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best boat dehumidifiers
Lotus Grill Portable BBQ
Best Christmas gift for boaters who cook
These clever little portable BBQs are perfect for boat owners. They’re surprisingly compact, reach cooking temperature in four minutes, create very little smoke and don’t get hot on the outside.
The secret is a built-in battery powered fan that fast tracks the usual 20 minutes of hanging around while the charcoal gets going and ensures a nice even spread of heat with all the great smoky flavour but none of the faff.
You can even control the cooking temperature by adjusting the fan speed to suit.
RRP: £139.99
Read our guide to the best portable barbecues
ACR ResQLink View
Best Christmas gift for adventurous boaters
The View is the only personal locator beacon that uses Galileo GNSS Return Link technology to provide those in need of rescue with a clear message on a digital display verifying that help is on the way, which would be rather comforting.
There is no subscription required for this service and the unit features both a strobe and an infrared red light, five-year battery life and a 28-hour operational period once activated.
RRP: £300
Reading Yachting World’s guide to the best personal locator beacons
Icom IC-M94DE
This is the first handheld VHF to offer users “receive” information that is being broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels.
This means you can actively avoid traffic rather than sitting and hoping they see you. Traffic is displayed clearly on the VHF’s well-proportioned LCD screen plus this unit has an integrated GPS receiver and is IPX7 rated to be submerged in water at 1m depth for up to 30 minutes.
RRP: £350
Read our Icom IC-M94DE review
Check out Yachting World’s guide to the best handheld marine radios
Scanstrut Rokk Wireless Nest
Best Christmas gift for mobile-obsessed boaters
This is the world’s first waterproof wireless charge system created specifically for use on board.
The unique technology is housed in an IPX6-rated, fully encapsulated and sealed unit and is ideally suited for installation within helm consoles, seating and cabinetry.
The grippy mat stops phones from sliding around inside, with a prominent front lip ensuring the device can’t slip out onto the deck.
RRP: £99.95
Helly Hansen Power Salt
Best Christmas gift for all-weather boaters
It can be tricky to find a boating jacket that is seriously windproof and waterproof but doesn’t make you look like you’ve just been spat out by the Vendée Globe.
Helly Hansen hopes to get this balance just right with the Salt Power, which has been created to celebrate 35 years of the iconic H/H marine stripe design.
Its two-layer construction is windproof, waterproof and breathable, and the fleece-lined collar should make it comfortable to wear for extended periods. It even has a built in D ring to attach the boat’s kill cord to.
RRP: £210
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best sailing jackets
Chatham Glen slippers
Best Christmas gift for cosy boaters
These sheepskin mules from Chatham really are the Rolls-Royce of slip-on indoor footwear.
Granted, this is quite a few quid for shoes that you don’t wear outside of your home/cabin but when you recline by the fire with your feet up, what a fine sight these will be at the end of your legs.
The single review of these slippers on the Chatham website simply reads: “unbelievable”. We rest our case, your honour…
RRP: £79
Best Christmas gifts for boaters under £50
Seawater & Sawdust
MBY contributors Tom and Lorraine Owen don’t like to make things easy for themselves; rather than buying a second-hand motor boat, they built their own new one from scratch.
Now they’ve written a book about the experience, recounting every painstaking step on the journey from stack of raw timber to 30-foot wheelhouse cruiser in such detail that you can smell the sawdust on every page.
RRP: £24.99 / $34
Muggi drinks carrier
Back in the days when we were actually allowed to work in an office together, our Muggi was a key member of the MBY team. Perfect for ferrying the team’s piping hot brews in one hand and a fistful of custard creams in the other, it really took the sting out of the logistical nightmare that was the office tea run.
It also works rather well on boats, where its deep drinks holders and grippy feet ensure the risk of a spillage is kept to a minimum. Even better, all Muggis are now made out of 100% recycled material, including recovered marine plastic.
RRP: £14.95 / $29
Wonderbag cooker
This simple device uses insulation rather than power to create wonderfully rich slow-cooked stews. You just bring the pot to the boil, pop it in the bag and let it simmer for up to 12 hours, saving energy and reducing emissions. The company also provides subsidised Wonderbags to African communities.
RRP: £50
AnySharp knife sharpener
Is it just us or do knives lose their edge faster onboard? The AnySharp Pro is a very effective knife sharpener that will work on anything from a serrated sailing knife to the finest Sabatier carving blade.
A sturdy metal body with a powerful built-in suction cup means you can attach it to any flat surface and keep your hands well away from the cutting edge while sharpening. Perfect for the galley or tool box!
RRP: £8 / $14.99
Lifeventure thermal travel mug
Every boat owner needs one of these to keep their cuppa warm at the helm when the rest of the crew are sheltering from the cold in the saloon.
The stainless steel casing has a matt finish for better grip with cold, wet hands, plus a flip-top lid to prevent accidental spills. The vacuum-insulated walls will keep your drink piping hot for up to three hours.
RRP: £13.99 / $15
Nauticalia floating keyring
It doesn’t matter whether the boat is a £5,000 Fletcher or a £5 million Sunseeker, if you drop the keys in the water, they’re going down.
Unless they’re attached to a large piece of buoyant cork, of course. And if you’re going to have a cork keyring, why not make it champagne cork shaped?
RRP: £7.99
Helly Hansen HP half-zip pullover
This mid-layer top is made from double-knit polyester for light protection from the cold. The lightweight material makes it quick to dry if you do get a soaking and it’s easy to pack into a small bag for short trips away.
The high zip collar will help to keep your neck warm and it’s available in a good variety of colours.
RRP: £50 / $65
GoXtreme Rebel
It may not have the big name appeal of better known brands but the GoXtreme Rebel looks cracking value for money.
It shoots in 720p HD with a 140 degree wide-angle view and can take up to 16mp still images, too.
Built-in Wi-Fi syncs to a free app allowing a smartphone to be used as a viewfinder and is waterproof to 30 metres.
RRP: £49
Read YBW’s guide to the best GoPros for boating
Harbour Hounds Drying Robe
Dog-loving boat enthusiast Sarah Engerran set up Harbour Hounds specifically to cater for our nautical four-legged friends and this cosy looking drying robe would make the perfect Christmas gift for any pampered pooch.
Not only will it keep your mutt warm and dry after a dip in the briny but it will save your boat’s upholstery from a salty soaking. Other canine Christmas gifts include nautical themed collars, leads, toys and even bandanas!
RRP: £34.50
Buy it now on harbourhounds.com
A Small Boat Around Britain
Philip Davies and Nigel Boutwood, the two plucky MBY readers who motored round the whole of the British mainland in a 28ft Rhea 850 and whose story we serialised in the magazine, have published a hardback book about their adventures.
All profits from the book will go to the two charities they supported on their circumnavigation – Brain Tumour Research and Prostate Cancer UK.
RRP: £25
Buy it now at boataroundbritain.co.uk
Nauticalia Royal Navy Glasses
Keep track of your festive tipple and make sure no one’s drinking the captain’s gin with these attractive engraved tumblers, inspired by the emblems used on the sleeves of Royal Navy uniforms. Choose from ‘Captain’, ‘First mate’, ‘Skipper’ and ‘Crew’. Cheers!
RRP: £7.99
Best Christmas gifts for boaters £50-£100
Helly Hansen W Copenhagen
Not everybody is into the look of traditional deck shoes so these low profile sneakers from Helly Hansen are a good compromise.
The rubber outsole should prove grippy enough for work on deck but, available in pink, navy and off white with a signal flag motif on the heel, they’re more stylish than your average deckie.
The tumbled leather uppers with suede trim won’t enjoy a sloshing from a rogue wave but these trendy trainers won’t look out of place away from the boat.
RRP: £75
For more options, from deck trainers to leather moccasins, check out our guide to the best boat shoes available right now.
Nauticalia Submariner
This Submariner from Nauticalia is sure to keep you warm and cosy during winter nights on board.
Available in ecru or navy, it’s made from Merino wool with interlinked seams for added strength.
RRP: £99.99
Gill Polar Jacket
There are fleeces and there is Gill’s Polar Jacket. Lined with a kind of soft faux fur on the inside but with a tougher, more densely knitted exterior, it is windproof and incredibly warm, but lighter and more comfortable to wear than a conventional boating jacket.
It’s not waterproof, but as a mid-layer under a thin waterproof jacket or on its own in cold, dry weather it’s a great bit of kit.
RRP: £90 / $119
Overboard waterproof duffel bag
We’re massive fans of this versatile dry bag. The 40-litre version is small enough to carry one-handed and stuff into most boat lockers but big enough to swallow cameras, binoculars, handheld VHFs and more.
It’s also a very robust bag, totally waterproof, easy to find things in and peppered with useful pockets, straps and carry handles.
RRP: £59.99 / $49
Riz Recycled Board Shorts
These hand-tailored swim shorts are made from a light but comfortable fabric created from recycled plastic bottles.
In a further effort to combat plastics in our oceans, the company also donates £1 from every pair sold to the Marine Conservation Society.
Available in three different lengths and a wide variety of prints, they make exactly the right kind of fashion statement.
RRP: £98
Baltic Slim Pro
If you’re carrying a little holiday weight, this light and slender buoyancy aid could be of use.
It has a slim fit thanks to the careful distribution of the buoyancy material with a back plate that is ergonomically designed and adjustable sides made of soft neoprene.
The entire vest is lined with mesh for extra breathability and it’s available in small (30-50kg) to XL (90kg +) sizes in black or white.
RRP: £60
Read YBW’s guide to the best lifejackets
English Logbook Co. logbook
The brainchild of sailor and former Yachting Monthly staff member Will Bruton, these premium logbooks are made to order by a master bookbinder here in the UK.
There are two versions: the Victura and the Endurance (the latter designed by none other than Tom Cunliffe), and they are both section-sewn for added strength with a spine that allows them to lie flat on a chart table.
Hand-marbled endpapers ensure that no two books look the same, and the outer, which can be personalised with a boat name, is water-resistant, so there’s no danger of those precious cruising notes being spoiled by the odd splash.
RRP: £95
Buy it now on englishlogbook.co
Papa’s Pilar rum
Because every seafarer enjoys a drop of rum, right?! Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s adventures between Florida and Cuba on his boat, Pilar, this rum brand was created in collaboration with Hemingway’s estate, and the family remains involved and donates a majority of its proceeds to charity.
RRP: £89
Christmas gifts for boaters over £100
Riva Sailing Knife
Best Christmas gift for wealthy boaters
Here at MBY we look forward to Riva’s Christmas gift offerings almost as much as we do its boat launches. They are always absurdly expensive yet somehow all the more desirable because of it.
This year the Italian yard has excelled itself with two new sailing knives styled in the shape of its iconic Aquarama and Rivamare sportsboats.
The former features a wood and stainless steel body to reflect the Aquarama’s classic lines, while the latter uses coloured alloy and brushed steel in keeping with the Rivamare’s looks.
Manufactured by master knife makers Saladini, these miniature works of art are far too nice to use as sailing knives but would make quite a statement when passed around the dinner table on the cheese board.
RRP: £542
Buy it now from rivaboutique.it
Read YBW’s guide to the best sailing knives
Kooduu Synergy Lamp/Wine Cooler/Speaker
Best Christmas gift for party-loving boaters
Nothing lights up a beach party like this stylish 3-in-1 LED lamp, wine cooler and Bluetooth speaker.
Simply charge it up before you leave the boat, sync it to your phone and it will deliver the three core ingredients every party needs: good tunes, soft lighting and chilled alcohol.
Admittedly, you might need more than the one bottle of wine which the ice bucket holds but you can always buy a couple more in different sizes and sync them altogether for the ultimate party vibe.
They come in a variety of heights and prices, from 41cm to 72cm tall.
RRP: £110
Buy it now on twilight-trees.com
Read YBW’s guide to the best boating Bluetooth speakers
E-Foiling Experience
Best Christmas gift for adrenaline-junkie boaters
These electric foiling Fliteboards are the must-have gadget of the moment. Quieter, cleaner and more challenging to ride than a jetski but much more satisfying once you get the hang of it, they are the ultimate big boy’s toy.
But if you can’t quite run to the £12,000 cost of buying one, you can still get a taste of it with an e-foiling lesson at the Official Test Centre in Portland.
Editor Hugo had a go last summer and has barely stopped talking about it since, even if he seemed to spend rather more time in the water than on the board.
RRP: £149
Buy it now on otc-watersports.com
Typhoon Ventnor 3.2 wetsuits
Like rats and Manchester United fans, you are never more than 20m away from someone who’s taken up cold water swimming these days.
So if you’re feeling generous and want to indulge a loved one in this hobby, this new range of cold water wetsuits could be just the ticket.
Using 3.2mm REACH compliant neoprene the super soft, ultra-stretch fabric has been engineered to ensure maximum flexibility and manoeuvrability, while the hollow fibre furness thermal liner is positioned to ensure warmth and comfort.
The suits are available for men and women in a range of sizes with front and rear zip options.
RRP: £249.95
Buy it now on typhoon-int.co.uk
Spinnaker Dumas watch
Named after the diving pioneer Frédéric Dumas, this handsome vintage timepiece is inspired by dive watch designs of the 1970s. It features an adjustable mesh bracelet and chunky octagonal chassis with sapphire crystal lens and clear, unfussy dial with an oversized minute hand and date window.
It’s not just designed to look like a dive watch; water resistant to 984ft (300m) it will serve the serious scuba enthusiast as well as those who just fancy the odd dip off the bathing platform. It comes in a variety of colours and, considering the quality, is impressive value for money.
RRP: £399 / $399
Read our full Spinnaker Dumas review
Kraken 10ft 6in All Rounder stand-up paddleboard
This inflatable paddleboard packs away into a wheelie backpack style bag and weighs just 12kg with a maximum user weight of 130kg.
In the box you get the board, an aluminium paddle, double action pump, fin, leash and repair kit. We like the turquoise colour scheme but there is a grey version if you’re after something more subtle.
RRP: £549
OLAS Guardian
The OLAS Guardian works by wirelessly logging up to 15 crew members via small wearable transmitters that are worn on the wrist. If the transmitter is submerged or strays too far from the boat the engine is cut.
Being wireless, the skipper can move around the boat freely to attach lines and fenders, safe in the knowledge that the virtual kill cord is safely in place. Clever stuff!
RRP: £210
ACR OLAS Guardian deals
ACR OLAS man overboard tag deals
MiRider One
One of the best all-round folding electric bikes we’ve tested, the MiRider One is a great companion for the commute or dashing from the marina into town to grab provisions.
Its 36v battery teamed with a geared brushless motor delivers a top speed of 15mph and a range of 35 miles on a charge. There are five assistance levels that can be dialled in either through the pedals or via a thumb throttle on the handlebars.
Designed and built here in the UK, it’s available in grey, orange and white.
RRP: £1,300
American Tourister Airconic
In the ongoing battle with airlines and their war on cabin luggage the Airconic is a secret weapon. Not only are its dimensions compact enough to keep your mind at ease if you’re unlucky enough to be the last on board but the 55cm version weighs just 2kg. Two kilograms!
It comes in a range of colours and thanks to that lightweight frame and four wheels, it’s a dream to whizz through the airport.
RRP: £115
PowerVision PowerDolphin
The PowerDolphin’s rotating HD camera is able to shoot 4K video and high quality stills across a 215° arc above and below water level.
Whether filming surfing, sailing, diving, or scouring the best fishing spots, the drone relays its footage to a smartphone via the Vision+ app. It’s capable of 8 knots flat out with a battery life of up to 2.5 hours.
RRP: £763 / €799
G-Shock Gulfmaster
Casio’s G-Shock range has been producing tough timepieces for years and the Gulfmaster is one designed specifically for maritime activity.
Suitable for professional diving with water resistance rated at 200m, it features a thermometer, tide graph, digital compass, and moon phase graph. For the money it’s an impressively capable bit of kit.
RRP: £260 / $199
Helly Hansen Lifaloft Hybrid Insulator
This lightweight jacket is designed for winter sports, but as long as you’re not heading out in harsh conditions, it’s a warm, stylish option.
It’s water resistant and windproof plus the stretchy fabric on the arms aids movement. It scrunches down for packing and comes in a range of colours.
RRP: £160 / $140
Fusion Apollo RA 670
This neat little stereo system packs all the power and connectivity of the award-winning Fusion Apollo series into a more compact, waterproof unit that takes up less space on today’s increasingly cluttered helm stations.
It links to your phone via the Fusion-link app so you can control it by remote and fine tune the sound as well as stream your favourite music via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the built-in AM/FM radio.
RRP: £440 / $449
Red Paddle Co Compact SUP
This Compact SUP from the Red Paddle Co folds down into a neat backpack that weighs only 12.7kg. A patented construction process means once inflated it’s a rigid, full-sized 9ft 6in board, suitable for riders of up to 95kg.
RRP: £1,299
PowerVision PowerRay Explorer Underwater Drone
The idea of exploring the subaqua world beneath your boat can be very enticing, the reality of cold water and fogged up diving masks less so.
Now you can explore it from the comfort of your cockpit via this underwater drone. It streams high res video as it dives at up to 4 knots to a depth of almost 100ft.
RRP: £1,699 / $999
Standard Horizon HX40E
This waterproof marine radio, which is about the size of a pack of playing cards, is compact but packs a punch. It boasts 6W of transmitting power, an FM radio and a bright dot matrix screen that remains clear even in direct sunlight.
Chunky buttons on the simple fascia make it easy to use with gloves.
RRP: £129.95 / $119
Looking for more options? Check out YBW’s guide to the best fixed marine radios and best handheld VHFs.
Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Moon Navigator
Limited to just 1,000 units this handsome looking watch combines premium quality and style with genuine usability for mariners.
It has an illuminated moon phase display and hour and minute hands powered by micro gas tubes so no light source is needed to read the face in the dark.
It also displays high and low tide over a two-week period and is water resistant to 330ft (100m). Available with a black or blue face.
RRP: £2,120
Lumishore underwater lights
Why do you need underwater lights? Because they’re cool and they turn your bathing platform into an aquarium at night.
Lumishore offer a huge range of super bright LED lights suitable for RIBs through to superyachts, either through hull or surface mount and either single colour or colour changing.
RRP: £139
JL Audio M Series speakers
M Series are JL Audio’s top-end speakers. Available in a variety of sizes and styles, they start at 6.5 inch (165mm) making them a straight swap for many existing pre-installed speakers.
However, while they might be the same size, they certainly don’t make the same noise. Expect crystal clear sound quality that doesn’t deteriorate as the volume rises.
RRP: £399
Opticron Explorer WA-ED Oasis-C binoculars
A good pair of binoculars are essential on board ship. These Opticron Explorer bins are ideal for boating as they are fully waterproof and have a rubberised coating meaning that they’re easy to grip with wet hands, are less inclined to slide about when it’s rough and won’t scratch your precious woodwork.
RRP: £229
For more options, check out YBW’s guide to the best marine binoculars available right now.
Riva Backgammon Set
The Italian yard has outdone itself with this beautifully crafted mahogany, maple, stainless steel and leather or fabric backgammon set.
It’s the kind of set you expect to see being played between 007 and a Bond villain to decide the fate of the western world on a throw of its turquoise dice.
RRP: £2,545
Boat portrait
Artist Suzanne Chisnell is a boat enthusiast with an eye for detail and a dab hand with a brush. She will paint a portrait of your boat in oil or pastel at a size to suit your intended hanging space and pocket!
All you need to do is send her a suitable photograph of your boat and discuss your preferred dimensions and style – perfect for reminding you of sunny days on the water when you’re stuck at home in the depths of winter.
Contact: yachtportraitco.com
Marloe Coniston Speed Edition boating watch
Editor Hugo is obsessed with the Campbell clan of record breakers so this limited edition timepiece from British watchmaker Marloe is right up his street.
It celebrates the world waterspeed record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in Blue Bird K3 on Lake Maggiore (not Coniston as the name suggests) in 1937.
Each of the 500 limited edition watches comes in a beautifully presented box complete with a booklet celebrating his achievements. The watch has a high-quality mechanical movement visible through the glass window on the rear.
RRP: £299
Buy it now on marloewatchcompany.com
Gill OS2 Offcut Edition boating jacket
We’re big fans of Gill’s range of wet weather gear and this new limited edition Offcut version of its best-selling OS2 jacket is a case in point.
Made from off-cuts of material that would normally be discarded, it not only reduces waste and its impact on the environment but the patchwork of different colours also results in a rather striking design.
Featuring the same waterproof, windproof and breathable material as the regular OS2 jacket, just 50 of these Offcut Editions are being made with 20% of the sale price going to Plastic Oceans to help the fight against plastic entering our seas.
RRP: £299
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.
This article Best Christmas gifts for boaters: 68 ideas for the person who's got it all appeared first on Motor Boat & Yachting.
Source: https://www.mby.com/gear/christmas-gift-ideas-boater-108106
