If you have a sailor among your family or friends, you know how crazy can these people be about their hobbies. I know, ’cause I’m a sailor too. And what kind of gifts for boaties can be better than sailing gifts themselves?
But now you might be wondering which sailor gift should you choose. This task might be hard if you’re not into sailing that much. I wrote this article to help you save time and make the best decision.
I present to you an inspirational list of ideas for the best gifts for sailors. It doesn’t matter if the person you want to endow is a beginner sailor or an experienced sea wolf.
You’ll find here fantastic ideas for gifts for boat lovers with any kind of sailing skills. I found some nautical ideas for sailing gifts for him, for her, and even sailing gifts for your dad. Personalized, practical, or simply funny. And for any budget. At the end of the post, I even show my own top picks for beginners and advanced sailors and even gifts for boat owners.
Any product from this list will cause a smile on a sailor’s face. And you’ll be sure you found the right gifts for boaters.
Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links. That means that if you click on them or make any purchase via them, I receive a small commission. But don’t worry, this will not cost you anything and in a few cases, you can even receive a special discount! And I will still be able to chase my dreams. So thank you!
Best sailing gifts ideas – quick answer
Here’s a quick overview of the sailing gifts that I think might be a good fit for any sailor. If you’re in rush, choose something from this list. If you want to make a conscious decision and you’re looking for some more in-depth recommendations, read the rest of the article.
Boat accessories gifts:
- Power bank
- Waterproof marine binoculars
- Waterproof phone case
- Mobile hot spot
- Headlamp
- Solar charger
- Garmin Inreach satellite communicator
- Floating sunglasses strap
- Sailor’s knife
- Thermos bottle
- Travel coffee press
- Hammock
- Charts
Clothing & packing:
Sailing gifts for him:
Sailing gifts for her:
Personalized boat gifts:
Cool and funny boating gifts:
Sailing adventure:
How to choose the right sailing gift?
But first, here’s a quick tip about choosing the right sailing gifts. First of all, consider what kind of a sailor is a person you’d like to endow.
If he/she sails only in a warm climate, maybe woolen socks or thermal underwear won’t be the best idea.
Also, if this person likes to sail, but doesn’t feel comfortable in a role of an active crew member, then maybe funny gifts will be better than practical ones, like a sailor’s knife for instance.
In any other situation, simply trust your intuition. In the end, you know this person better. And she’ll definitely appreciate your effort.
Read more: 40+ Well-Tried Beach Gifts for Beach Lovers of Any Personality
Best gifts for sailors ideas:
Boat accessories gifts for sailors
Power bank
Similar to the charger,
Tip: the power bank with a capacity of ~20’000 mAh is capable to charge a standard smartphone even up to 4 times.
Waterproof marine binoculars
The second reason: no one wants to miss the dolphins or whales playing somewhere in the distance, right?
Waterproof phone case
Here’s a great gift idea for boaters who sail even only occasionally and aren’t too advanced in this sport.
Mobile hot spot
In many places in the world, marinas are still not equipped with WiFi. For this situation, having your own SIM card and a wireless hotspot is a great life hack. The hot spot from the higher shelf allows access to a 4G/LTE network, high speed of data, and long battery work.
Headlamp
Unexpected bosun’s works on a deck during the night are much easier with
Solar charger
Stable electricity is a problem, especially on small boats. That’s why
Garmin Inreach satellite communicator
Safety is the most important thing in the sea. And stable communication is one of its pillar conditions. One of the best gifts for boaties is probably a tested satellite communicator. Many sailors recommend Garmin Inreach. This clever device allows the crew to send and receive text messages via a satellite system. This way they can stay in connection with their families and friends. With the right subscription, it also allows access to weather predictions and navigational maps.
Floating sunglasses strap
If you’re looking for the most basic and foolproof best gifts for sailors then a floating sunglasses strap might be a great choice. Especially for beginner sailors who just started to collect their sailing accessories. Sunglasses overboard are a common”accident” onboard.
But if they’re attached to the floating protection strap, there is a bigger chance to rescue them from sinking into the oceans.
Sailor’s knife
Thermos bottle
Nothing tastes better than black tea with sugar brought to a cold steersman by another crew member. And ideally, this tea could stay warm for a long time. Here is the moment when
Travel coffee press
For coffee lovers, there is no better sailor gift than
Hammock
After a tough cruise, among the waves and tons of water, finding a calm bay is a beautiful moment for a sailor.
Charts
Charts are friends of any advanced sailor. If the person you want to endow plans a trip to some distant waters,
Clothing & packing
Waterproof backpack
One of the most essential parts of the sailor’s equipment is the right backpack. Due to an often lack of space on yachts, it should be flexible enough to store it in a tiny cabin.
While choosing a backpack as a sailing gift, pay attention to a specificity of a sailing cruise. A backpack should be waterproof, without a fixed rack, and filled with practical pockets to easily organize the items inside.
Dry bag
A big dry bag might be a cheaper alternative for a professional sailing backpack. But it’ll be more suitable for shorter cruises.
Although,
Sailing Gloves
Sailing gloves are a perfect kind of gifts for boaties who love to be active crew members and do any kind of deck work. While steering the wheel, hoisting the sails, or keeping deck maintenance, right sailing gloves help keep the hands warm even in rough weather conditions.
Rubber sailing boots
High sailing rubber boots are a life-saver during the heavy, cold rains on the sea. They help keep the sailor’s feet dry during watchkeeping on the deck. And every sailor knows there is nothing worst for the body’s comfort than wet and cold socks.
While purchasing rubber boots as a sailing gift, pay attention to the sole – it should be well adhesive to ensure a confident walk on a wet deck.
Warm socks
In a pair with rubber boots there always go
If you wish to buy a pair as a gift for a sailor, pay attention to materials. Sometimes socks might look warm but if they’re made mostly of synthetic materials like polyester or acrylic, they’ll only cause sweating of the foot. So look for naturally warm materials, like merino wool for instance. It guarantees warm comfort.
Classy sailing shoes
When the weather starts to coddle a crew, sailors love to present a classy and stylish look, just like on the old ocean postcards. One of the best fashion item, which is also extremely practical, are traditional leather sailing boots.
Personally, I love to wear my blue navy Sperry Top-Sider shoes. Not only while sailing but also on land trips. They’re super comfortable, flexible, and durable. I can honestly say, I’ve never been soo devoted to any other pair of shoes. I recommend them even for non-sailors!
Sailing jacket
Another essential wardrobe element for sailors is a high-quality sailing jacket. Often, it’s the first bigger investment in this hobby.
In general, we can differentiate sailing jackets by their resistance to water:
- water-resistant: keep the sailor’s body dry in light rain and occasional sea splashes for a shorter amount of time;
- waterproof: keep the body dry in rough weather conditions such as constants rain and regular water splashes
For daily occasional cruises, the light water-resistant jacket will be perfect. But if you’re planning to give this helpful sailing gift to a person aiming to join long unpredictable cruises, the waterproof version will be a better choice.
Thermal underwear
You shouldn’t underestimate
Again, look for durable materials with proven efficiency. Merino wool is perfect for keeping a body warm. Cozy, practical underwear is a must-have of every sailor.
Waterproof watch
Another classy item to wear on a boat is
If a watch is waterproof, the sailor doesn’t need to look after not to soak it. So this small item will be a sailing companion helping to count the hours to the watchkeeping’s end.
Sunglasses
We can assume that sunglasses is another must-have on a boat. It keeps eyes safe from the blinding sun rays reflecting from the ocean water. But it also helps the sailor keep his eyes open when the sea drops are splashing through the boards.
One of the most important tips for you when you’ll be
Compression packing cubes
Packing a bag for a sailing cruise is a challenging task requiring pretty high organization skills. You can help your sailor in doing it by presenting his
After filling such a cube with clothes, you zip it once to close it. Then you zip it the second time to remove all the unnecessary air and keep the package as thin as possible. This simple trick helps to pack all the needed clothing layers in any size of a bag.
Laundry wash bag
After a few-days long cruise, there’s nothing better than… the smell and touch of freshly washed clothes. During the long hauls, sailors have limited opportunities to wash their clothes. Especially when they sail in less popular areas where the marina infrastructure isn’t that developed.
In this case,
Hot water bottle
This item might not be so obvious when you think of great gifts for sailors, but trust me – a person who loves sailing but also loves comfort will definitely appreciate it. Night on a boat might be chilly even in some warmer destinations. And in such cases, a simple but cozy hot water bottle inside a sleeping bag can become a wonderful thing after a cold night watch.
Entertainment & education
Ukulele
It’s surprising how many sailors can play instruments. But it’s totally understandable when you’ll imagine the peaceful ocean around you and the warm sun above your head. The songs come to your mouth without asking.
Waterproof Bluetooth speaker
But if you’re not convinced about buying real instruments,
Kindle and Audible Books
For peaceful moments on a boat, when the sea conditions allow, reading or listening to a book is wonderful entertainment.
Mini-movie projector
And for movie maniacs,
Board games
Besides port docking, nothing integrates a crew better than
Sailor’s journal
Some people, on the other hand, prefer to spend time on their own. Contemplating the surroundings on a small boat among the waters is a very intimate moment. Many people love to write down their thought in a situation like this. And here, an ocean-inspired journal might be a great help.
Action cam
For people loving to keep lively memories from their adventures,
Drone
If you want to give your sailor even more fun,
Udemy courses on sailing
If the person that you’re looking for a gift for aims to grow as a sailor, education might be a perfect sailing gift idea. On Udemy you’ll find a few interesting sailing courses online which might be very helpful for learning new skills. You’ll find there courses on navigating, electronic systems onboard, and some others.
Sailing gifts for him
Sailor’s tie
Here’s a sailor gift for people loving to feel a connection with sailing even in official situations. A silk tie with subtle sailing patterns will for sure be appreciated by classy sailors. I also recommend choosing silk instead of synthetic materials to build a high-quality wardrobe.
Nautical cufflinks
Here are other sailing gifts for him that will be a subtle reminder of his sailing passion. Classy cufflinks with marine motifs are original boat gifts for dad or boyfriend. I presented a pair with a sailing quote for my own boyfriend and he was delighted!
Sailing bracelet
The sailing bracelet is a perfect example of sailing gifts for him if your sailor prefers more casual jewelry. This simple kind of decoration will assign him to the elite club of engaged hobbyists.
Sailing gifts for her
Sailing-themed jewelry
Many women love pretty jewelry. And many sailorwomen love even more sailing-themed jewelry! On Etsy, you’ll find various sailing jewelry masterpieces from local artists. These kinds of trinkets are wonderful sailing gifts for her.
Sailing scarf
A scarf is a useful piece of wardrobe, and a sailing scarf is a wonderful item reminding the sailor about her passion. Silk, cotton, or alternatively viscose scarfs are great sailing gifts.
Waterproof toiletries bag
Even though I’m a minimalist when it comes to toiletries and makeup (click here to read my post about zero-waste travel toiletries), I know how the right toiletry bag is essential on a boat. A waterproof toiletry bag might be a perfect gift for your sailing girlfriend. Here are some tips from me: choose a waterproof version (for ex. with a vinyl layer inside) and remember that a toiletry bag with a grasp is perfect in a marina bathroom where there is no place to leave a pouch in the shower except the towel hanger.
Personalized boat gifts
Custom engraved compass
One of the personalized nautical gifts, and also a very symbolic one, can be a custom engraved compass. Not only it’s a nice decoration, but the engraved text will remind the sailor about home and people waiting for him to come back to them. It’s a kind of a sailor’s gift that can melt a heart.
Personalized captain’s hat
Here we’ve got one of the most popular funny gifts for sailors. A personalized captain’s hat is a great boat gift for dad (dads love to be called captains) or any other strong leader among your sailing friends. For sure, it helps to keep the right hierarchy and discipline on a boat (blink!).
Cool and funny boating gifts
4 Ocean’s bracelet
This kind of bracelet maybe isn’t too spectacular but it definitely has a huge meaning. 4Ocean is a company that cleans the ocean out of plastic pollution. The trash they drag up from the water is processed to produce the bracelets. All the money from the sale of these bracelets covers the costs of company operations. Here you can learn more about them.
Purchasing bracelets from 4Ocean as marine gifts will be a perfect solution for sailors who care about the planet and the oceans.
Sailing-themed T-shirt
T-shirts with funny quotes are also very cool gifts for boaters. Sailors usually like to show their devotion to this hobby, so a t-shirt with the text “I need vitamin sea”, “But did we sink?” or “Sorry for what I said while docking a boat” is a great idea.
Sailor’s cup
Just like t-shirts, funny mugs are a popular gift for everyone. On Etsy or Amazon, you’ll find plenty of ridiculously funny cups that you can choose from.
Wooden toy boat
If you’re looking for really cool gifts for boaters, wooden toy boats might be a surprising idea. But I’m pretty sure it’ll melt the heart of any sailing hobbyist and it’ll stand proudly above a fireplace or on the working desk.
Boat adventure saving jar
Another cool and personal gift for a sailor is a sailing adventure saving jar. You can one on your own or browse Etsy and find a beautiful and ready jar there. This kind of gift will for sure motivate a sailor to save some money for his next adventures. And who knows, maybe even a boat?
Yachting keychain
This is a cool thing that I personally receive from my boyfriend and that I love. At first, I was surprised because
Sailing adventure
What could be a better sailors’ gift than a sailing adventure itself? If you wish to give to a sailor a free hand with choosing the kind of this adventure, I propose you purchase a gift card from Get Your Guide. This international company offers various interesting tours everywhere in the world, including sailing trips.
This printable gift card is valid up to 18 months from purchasing and there is no set amount that you should buy. So you can decide how much money you want to load on a card. And in fact, this card is valid for any kind of experience from Get Your Guide, not only sailing. So it gives your beloved ones a whole bunch of adventure possibilities, where ever they go.
My top picks of sailing gifts
To make your decision even easier, I share with you my personal top picks. I divided them into three categories so you can easily adjust them to your situation. All of them are in a low or middle price range and are pretty safe choices.
Beginner sailor’s gifts:
Waterproof phone case – since everyone has smartphones nowadays, a waterproof phone case one of the first must-haves of a sailor. It’ll be also useful for doing any other water sports.- Sailing-themed t-shirt – if someone just started to discover his passion for sailing, a funny t-shirt will be a cool gift.
Board game – beginner sailors on a boat are often responsible… for a fun way of spending time. Plus, board games are great to have even at home.
Advanced sailor’s gifts:
Compression packing cubes – it’s a super useful tool in the backpack of any traveler. And advanced sailors will appreciate it for sure while packing the clothes for the next trip.Thermos bottle – it feels so good to have an own mug on a boat filled with other people. And if it’s thermal, it also helps to keep a body warm during night watches.Solar charger – this advanced device will be surely appreciated during the long cruises under the sails when the access to electricity is limited.
Sailboat gifts for sailboat owners:
Laundry wash bag – boat owners often spent a long time on their boats, also in distant, solitary places. Making laundry in such a bag is definitely easier than making it in a bowl.Waterproof Bluetooth speaker – what can be better than an evening on a boat with favorite music?Hammock – after cleaning up a boat and maintaining everything on a deck, chilling in a hammock is a perfect prize.
Wanna read more about my adventures?
- Sailing in Montenegro and Croatia: full itinerary + useful tips
- Daily life in the Caribbean – how I became a digital nomad
- What to Wear Sailing? Basic Clothes for Sailing for All Kinds of Weather
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Dominika is a founder of Sunday In Wonderland and she recently switched her life to be local independent. She aims to travel the world and admire all of its wonders. She is much focused on sustainable life, self-development and making this world a better place.
