Finding Gifts for Boaters

Gifts Any Boater Will Love to Receive

© Alan Sorum

Sep 16, 2006

Having a boater in the family or as a close friend presents a number of unique opportunities (and yes, challenges) for gift giving. Whether it's a birthday, an anniversary, a pending retirement, or the Christmas holiday season, boaters will appreciate any of these boating gifts wrapped up with a bow!

• Tide Clock - The West & Company Porthole Tide Clock is a handsome and practical gift well suited for use at the office. Glancing at this clock will remind your boater of their most memorable boating event and let them anticipate the next chance to be on the water. Shaped as a porthole with a high-tech zirconium plated brass finish and mounted on polished hardwood, this tide clock accurately displays the current state of the tide. Try Boater's World to purchase this item. Visit the article titled Time, Tide, and Boaters for an explanation of ocean tides.
• Marine GPS - The Garmin GPSMap 76CSx brings a full-featured GPS chartplotter to your pocket for less than $400. The GPSMap 76CSx can store nautical charts, navaid information, and tide data for boating in the United States and the world. A great toy for your special boater! Try Amazon.com for purchasing a Garmin GPSMap CSx. See GPS and Principles of Navigation for more information on marine GPS navigation.
• Handheld VHF Radio - The Icom M72 handheld VHF radio would be a welcomed gift for any boater. Paddle, sail, and power boaters will appreciate the great design of this small, yet powerful radio. A portable VHF marine radio can be useful and a real lifesaver. Truly inexpensive insurance for those you love. Vist West Marine for this and other boater gifts. Read VHF Marine Channels for more information on how to use your new radio.
• PFD Float Coat - A favorite with professional boaters, Mustang Survival Systems manufactures a number of highly rated life jackets (PFDs) and immersion suits. Purchasing a float coat increases the odds that you will be wearing a PFD when you really need one. A perfect gift for the boater you love (and plan to keep around!). Visit Mustang Survival for more information on float coats and other great boating gear. mustang float coat. Learn more in the article on Personal Floatation Devices (PFD.
• Marine Publications - One example is written by Terry Johnson and edited by Kurt Byers, Ocean Treasure: Commercial Fishing in Alaska is a great book for the armchair fisher in the family. Color photos of various fishing boats, fish species, and gear types used here tell a story of a unique way of life in Alaska. Visit the Alaska Sea Grant Program website for a copy this book and browse their on-line bookstore. Read Books for Boaters for more book gift ideas.
• Weatherband Radio - Freeplay Energy has a hand powered radio receiver for AM, FM and weather radio broadcasts called the Eyemax. The EyeMax is water resistant and winding the radio's handcrank for 30 seconds will power the radio for about 35 minutes. No batteries to replace and a great way to receive marine weather broadcasts. Buy yours at Freeplay Energy. The National Weather Service offers a number of Marine Weather Services that can be heard on a weather radio.

Visit Boating and Sailing at Suite101 for more ideas for boating gifts and how to use them to boat safety. Suggest you own boating gift ideas to Boating and Sailing at Suite101.com.

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