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2024 Father’s Day Gift Guide

Our Father’s Day Gift Guide is the best way to find great boating gifts for Dad.

We’ve curated this list of unique and special Father’s Day gifts for boating dads. Whether the mariner you seek a gift for is your mate or your parent (or even your child) this list is intended to help you select a Father’s Day gift that will truly be appreciated. Some of these are inexpensive Father’s Day gifts and others are more expensive gifts for boating dads. To further help you make the best choice, we’ve broken this list into categories: DIY, Apparel, Electronics, Fishing, Safety and we even created a category for Last-Minute gifts. Use our 2024 Father’s Day Gift Guide to select the perfect gift for Dad!

Jump to: DIY, Apparel, Electronics, Fishing, Safety, Last-Minute

DIY

MISSION TITAN Inflatable Dock Bumper
MISSION TITAN Inflatable Dock Bumper Courtesy MISSION

MISSION TITAN Inflatable Dock Bumper

Here’s a unique Father’s Day gift for boaters! It’s the MISSION TITAN Inflatable Dock Bumper. Easy to deploy, Dad inflates it and puts it at his dock. Now, he gets a full-length fender to protect against dock rash (Making this is a sort of preventive DIY gift). Available in 10-, 18-, 26- and 34-foot lengths. Starting at $399.

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Moeller Marine Flanging Tool
Moeller Marine Flanging Tool Courtesy Moeller Marine

Moeller Marine Flanging Tool

It can be easy to buy a gift for Dad’s who have everything. For instance, if your dad is a DIY boater, he needs a Moeller Marine Flanging Tool. This tool allows him to custom fit drain tubes, which need replacing with age, on his boat. In fact, he’ll likely be the only one of his boating buddies to own this tool, so if you get it for him, you’re giving him the gift of being an even cooler guy than he already is. Available in 1-inch and 1-¼ inch sizes. Get him both! Dad is worth it! $43.96 ea.

Star brite Caulk Rite
Star brite Caulk Rite Courtesy Star brite

Star brite Caulk Rite 

Caulking and boat ownership have long been intertwined. That’s why the Star brite Caulk Rite makes a good Father’s Day gift for boating dads. With it, you are giving dad the gift of easier maintenance and good-looking caulk lines he can be proud of. Available for $12.13.

Shurhold Wooden Handle Brush
Shurhold Wooden Handle Brush Courtesy Shurhold

Shurhold Wooden Handle Brush

While it’s not a personalized gift for dad, the Shurhold Wooden Handle Brush gives dad the gift of excellent performance with a retro vibe, many boaters grew-up boating using wooden-handled deck brushes dad will beam with pride as he stores this under his boat’s gunwale. The 48-inch handle fits most boat storage racks and comes with your choice of a soft, medium or stiff brush. Available for $29.68.

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The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction
The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction Courtesy Gougeon Brothers

The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction

A great gift idea for boaters, especially for Father’s Day, is The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction. It is a bible of fiberglass construction loaded with information and repair and maintenance tips. Whether dad is a DIY fiberglass repair man, or simply yearns to know how it’s done right, buy him this book as a Father’s Day gift. Hardcover, 406 pages. Purchase for $42.32.

A free pdf of the book is also available, here.

Victorinox Skipper Pro Knife
Victorinox Skipper Pro Knife Courtesy Victorinox

Victorinox Skipper Pro Knife

Here’s a unique, luxury gift for dads who boat: the Victorinox Skipper Pro Knife. It’s practical and will give dad pride in use. This 12-function knife comes with a nautical marlin spike–which allows dad to easily untangle knots in ropes and lines. A sturdy wrist lanyard protects against dad dropping it overboard. Available for $120.00.

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Zeus Pro Jump Starter
Zeus Pro Jump Starter Courtesy Uncharted Supply Co.

Zeus Pro Jump Starter

As powerful as the old man is, he still may need a jump start from time to time. Here’s a great gift for dad with more power: Enough to start an 8-cylinder motor with reverse polarity protection. Enough to charge three cell phones. Enough to provide hours of high intensity light from the built-in flashlight. It comes with jumper cables, recharge cable, a 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter and compact carrying case to keep it safe in dry storage on board or in the back of dad’s tow vehicle. Available at unchartedsupply.com; $159.

Pettit EZ-Poxy Aerosol
Pettit EZ-Poxy Aerosol Courtesy Pettit

Pettit EZ-Poxy Aerosol

Boating dad’s love to make sure their boat looks great. Sometimes that requires paint. Most marine coatings require complex mixing and special brushing techniques to achieve a good job. Pettit EZ-Poxy Aerosol allows dad to keep his pride and joy gleaming with the ease of spray cans and Pettit’s EZ-Poxy durability, color and shine. Available for $28.09.

Apparel

The Custom Captain
The Custom Captain Courtesy The Custom Captain

The Custom Captain

Getting your boat turned into a piece of custom digital artwork is easy with The Custom Captain. Simply upload a snapshot of your boat, its name and port of call and let their team of professional artists turn it into a work of art! With unlimited revisions and a 100% happiness guarantee they’ll bring your boat to life and put it in a seafaring setting. With your custom artwork you can add your boat to custom clothing, dock mats, tote bags, hats, thermal cups and more. Their top seller is the Dri-fit long sleeve tee made from fast drying, stain resistant ultra-comfortable fabric. Dad can proclaim he’s Captain of his ship and, if you choose, outfit the whole crew with sport shirts, hoodies and more. The process is cool! After you’ve uploaded your images, The Custom Captain will convert it to art and submit several versions to you for approval. The art work cost is a one-time cost of $69. The Dri Fit shirt is $42.

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AFTCO UVX With Repreve Performance Fishing Shirts
AFTCO UVX With Repreve Performance Fishing Shirts Courtesy AFTCO

AFTCO UVX With Repreve Performance Fishing Shirts

Long sleeve hoodies can be scratchy, sweaty and confining. Not the UVX models from AFTCO with Repreve fabric. First, to the recycled polyester–each shirt containing 11 plastic bottles–soft and supple alone, they added TENCEL Modal fibers from sustainably sourced wood fibers. Tencel’s incredible softness plus a twitch of Spandex give the UVX series completely unconfining mobile flexibility. The hoodies are comfortable to wear in any weather, providing cooling protection to the face and near blackout UV protection to the torso and arms. The UVX line includes short and long-sleeve T-shirts and plenty of graphic options including Red Sunset, depicting flats anglers after tailing reds, Shoreline water camo and OG (blue woodland) camo. Be more comfortable on the water and help clean up the world. From $39.

Huk Icon Performance Hoodie
Huk Icon Performance Hoodie Courtesy Huk

Huk Icon Performance Hoodie

A gift for your dad who owns a boat: a technical shirt by the same brand Boating editors wear while testing boats! Still offered in the short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and hoodie, the Icon now features full back panel wicking mesh that elevates the breathability and improves dry time as well as boasting a 50+ UPF rating. Available in sizes ranging from S to XXXL, and in six fishing and boating colors, shop now for $60.

Costa King Tide Sunglasses
Costa King Tide Sunglasses Courtesy Costa

Costa King Tide Sunglasses

With its award-winning frame design, reminiscent of a shark’s anatomy, the Costa King Tide will make dad happy, enable him to boat and fish more effectively. He’ll also be safer on the water because he will see through the glare and his eyes will be better-protected from damaging UV and infrared rays of the sun. Available in a wide range of polarized lens colors. Available for $341.

Bajio Clink
Bajio Clink Courtesy Bajio

Bajio Clink

Bajio’s Clink are metal rimmed aviator sunglasses in a variety of lens colors, all polarized, each color designed for optimum visibility in inshore, inland, offshore, lowlight conditions. That may make them a “best gift” for boaters. And they make them with readers built in. The readers are invisible from the outside, preserving your pop’s vanity, and the aviator style puts the top of the reader bifocal below the normal line of sight when driving, biking, fishing or lounging. The six base, polarized lenses give a perfect view of the outworld, until you look down at your knot or GPS or book and the bifocal mag is in exactly the right spot to make everything up close crystal clear. Gold, black, green or silver frames give fashion options. $209; bajiosunglasses.com.

Grundens Deck Boss Sandals
Grundens Deck Boss Sandals Courtesy Grundéns

Grundens Deck Boss Sandals

The foot bed of these fishing sandals is made of SeaDek EVA foam, making them a unique gift for dad. The gum rubber soles are siped to stick to decks and the foot friction provided by the SeaDek insole gives secure footing. Molded EVA midsoles proved arch support and comfort. The sandals are treated with anti-microbial compounds to keep them smelling fresh and looking good. They are available in six colors. Whole sizes 8-14. $39.99-$64.99; grundens.com.

melin x MasterCraft hat
MasterCraft is the official towboat of melin and melin is the official headwear of MasterCraft. Courtesy MasterCraft

melin x MasterCraft Hat

A unique gift for Dad, especially if he is a wakeboarder or wakesurfer, is the exclusive MasterCraft hat by melin. This elevated HYDRO Collection of collaborative headwear is available exclusively at MasterCraft boat dealers along with an ultra-limited hat for MasterCraft boat owners only. $69; melin.com, mastercraft.com

Costa Del Mar Keramas
Costa Del Mar Keramas Courtesy Costa

Costa Del Mar Keramas

These stylish wide-framed shades are part of Costa’s new spring collection and feature the legendary 580 polarized lenses that cut through glare on the water while also providing 100 percent UV protection. Just another way to look cool while enjoying a day on the water. $270; costadelmar.com

Helly Hansen Salt Strip Windbreaker
Helly Hansen Salt Strip Windbreaker Courtesy Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen Salt Strip Windbreaker

A lightweight windbreaker shell designed for a day on the water. It’s water-resistant if you get caught in a shower and has a hood and adjustable bottom hem should you want to snug it tight in inclement situations. $100; hellyhansen.com

Huk A1A Shorts
Huk A1A Shorts Courtesy Huk

Huk A1A Shorts

The Huk A1A shorts are tactically constructed for fishing yet still stylish enough to wear to the dockside restaurant after a day on the water. Their made of 85 percent polyester so they’re stretchable and dry quickly plus are easy to clean. The have a 30 UPF rating for sun protection. $75; hukgear.com

Pelagic AquaTel Gyotaku Hoodie Shirt
Pelagic AquaTel Gyotaku Hoodie Shirt Courtesy Pelagic

Pelagic AquaTel Gyotaku Hoodie Shirt

This hooded performance shirt has a UPF 50 rating for sun protection, is water and stain resistant and has vented armpits for ventilation on hot days. The comfortable non-stretch fabric is lightweight so it works well on hot, sunny days. $65; pelagicgear.com

Simms Pursuit Shoe
Simms Pursuit Shoe Courtesy Simms

Simms Pursuit Shoe

Designed to combine the comfort and durability of a cross trainer with a wet wading shoe for fishing, the Simms Pursuit doubles as an able boat shoe, providing excellent traction with a non-marking siped outsole. The breathable mesh dries quickly and the quick lace system makes them easy to take on and off. $139.95; simmsfishing.com

WileyX WX Founder
WileyX WX Founder Courtesy WileyX

WileyX WX Founder

WileyX has always been known for building rugged shades with scratch-resistant lenses and hearty frames to hold up during outdoor adventures. The WX Founder frames are an ode to the original frames from one of the company’s founders. They’re bold and the polycarbonate lenses offer 100 percent UV protection while providing a protective shield for your eyes. $206; wileyx.com

Kuhl Resistor Lite Chino
Kuhl Resistor Lite Chino Courtesy Kuhl

Kuhl Resistor Lite Chino

It’s so hard to find a good pair of pants that hold up to a day on the water that can double as business casual pants for the office or at a restaurant. These lightweight pants are made from blend of cotton, nylon and spandex to offer durability and flexibility. They have UPF50 rating and have a bungee cord in the inside hem for an expandable fit. The two hidden cell phone pockets will definitely come in handy. $119; kuhl.com

Salt Life Momentum Long Sleeve Performance Woven Shirt
Salt Life Momentum Long Sleeve Performance Woven Shirt Courtesy Salt Life

Salt Life Momentum Long Sleeve Performance Woven Shirt

Technical fishing shirts are great to wear anytime you’re on the water. The Momentum Long Sleeve Performance shirt features twin chest pockets and a stash pocket with an invisible zipper on the right seem. Its lightweight stretch fabric is moisture wicking an antimicrobial and has a 30 UPF rating. $78; saltlife.com

Rocky NOWAKE Outdoor Shoe
Rocky NOWAKE Outdoor Shoe Courtesy Rocky Boots

Rocky NOWAKE Outdoor Shoe

Rocky Boots typically makes rugged outdoor workboots for hiking, hunting and many other activities that bring you into contact with mud and water. The NOWAKE shoes are designed specifically for watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding so they’re effective in the water, not just on deck. The quick-drying meshing is made from recycled fishing nets, so standing up to water activities is in the NOWAKE DNA. The shoes are super breathable and great for wearing on hot days. The rugged sole can take a lot of abuse and drains quickly as well. My favorite feature is how the bungee cord lace snugs tight with a toggle closure so there’s no worry about tying or untying, and the sock fit on the ankle keeps the shoe tight at all times. $99; rockyboots.com

Electronics

Siren Marine 3 Pro Main Device
Siren Marine 3 Pro Main Device Courtesy Siren Marine

Siren Marine 3 Pro Main Device

A high-tech Father’s Day gift for your boating dad is to give the gift of the connected boat. That’s right, Siren Marine offers dad the ability to fit his boat with a range of sensors that will allow him to check on it remotely using an app. Siren marine provides bilge pump sensing, battery levels, even geofencing, so dad can know if his boat has moved. The 3 Pro Main Device is the most advanced unit and gives dad 24/7 remote monitoring capability. Available for $796.86.

Garmin Quatix 7 Pro
Garmin Quatix 7 Pro Courtesy Garmin

Garmin Quatix 7 Pro

There’s no reason to buy your dad a Rolex. The Quatix 7 Pro does more than tell time, making it a good and unique gift for boating dads. This smart watch links to Android or iOS devices to display text messages, emails and other notifications. Apps tell the tides, offer navigation with topo or marine charts. And it will run a boat with Garmin electronics linked to an autopilot while offering DJ controls to the Fusion Audio system. Then, I discovered a double tap of the top button at 10 o’clock activates a Dick Tracy wrist watch with switchable lamp coloring from white to red, blue to purple and more. Red is perfect for navigating the house at night without waking the family. garmin.com; $999.99.

Garmin InReach Messenger
Garmin InReach Messenger Courtesy Garmin

Garmin InReach Messenger

The InReach Messenger links to dad’s smartphone to send and receive text messages via communications satellites so he can stay in touch, even if offshore. So, it’s more than just a luxury gift for dad. The device can trigger an interactive SOS, communicating with Garmin’s exclusive 24/7/365 emergency response desk and they will, in turn, communicate with search and rescue authorities.  Safety plans with unlimited SO begin at $14.95. Recreational communications plans range from $19.95 – $34.95 and up. garmin.com; $299.99.

Raymarine Element HV Sonar/Chartplotters
Raymarine Element HV Sonar/Chartplotters Courtesy Raymarine

Raymarine Element HV Sonar/Chartplotters

The Raymarine HV series make a great gift for fishing dads and boating dads.  With an HV-100 transducer, these give clear HyperVision sonar and Raymarine’s proprietary sidescan and downscan sonar. Available in 7-, 9-, 12-inch screens, the system includes CHIRP sonar for deep water. The display gives incredible clarity for bottom reading or navigation helping keep father on course and over fish. With a 1-year subscription to Lighthouse Charts complete with marine data including marinas, points of interest and more. raymarine.com; from $699.99.

Standard Horizon HX891BT
Standard Horizon HX891BT Courtesy Standard Horizon

Standard Horizon HX891BT

With a pair of Standard Horizon HX891 BT VHF radios, dad can make private calls over his marine radio.  This 6-watt, DSC (digital select calling) radio has an integral 66 channel WAAS GPS receiver for linking dad’s position with your calls whether they be SOS or a friendly hail. It transmits all NOAA weather channels and interrupts with a weather alert if things turn snotty. Drop it in the water and it floats! What a good gift for dad. Available for $250.

Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller Courtesy Thermacell

Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller

Here’s a unique gift for dad, especially if he boats or fishes in a backwater creek surrounded by quiet wilderness. That is–in mosquito and no-see-um territory. It puts out a 20-foot dome of get-the-hell-out-of-here to the insects, letting dad soak up the quiet sunset in peace. Its active ingredient is metofluthrin and a single charge of the Li-on batts give it 5.5 hours of no bug zone. The repellent cartridges are replaceable at $18 for a 36-hour cartridge and $55 for a 120-hour cartridge. It’s about the size and shape of an apple and comes with a micro USB charge cord. Available for $30.

Lowrance Elite FS
Lowrance Elite FS Courtesy Lowrance

Lowrance Elite FS

The new Elite Fishing System (FS) gives dad access to the full line-up of Lowrance fish finding tools – including ActiveTarget™ Live Sonar, Active Imaging™, Fish Reveal and preloaded C-MAP® Contour™+ charts – to help you make the most of your time on the water. Starting at $699.

Simrad NSX Ultrawide
Simrad NSX Ultrawide Courtesy Simrad

Simrad NSX Ultrawide

The NSX Ultrawide offers consumers enhanced visibility, control, and functionality.  Deliver a unique, premium aesthetic, and all the advantages of dual displays, with none of the hassle. NSX Ultrawide offers the same active area as two smaller displays. But, in terms of functionality, Ultrawide offers so much more. It condenses the same wealth of information from two screens into one, delivering a seamless and fully immersive user experience – all thanks to the new cutting-edge ultrawide aspect ratio and high-pixel density display. Available for $3,549.99.

Nebo PolarPak Hybrid Cooler & Warmer Bag
Nebo PolarPak Hybrid Cooler & Warmer Bag Courtesy Nebo

Nebo PolarPak Hybrid Cooler & Warmer Bag

Here is a truly cool gift for dad! Weighing in at 4.7 pounds, this lightweight cooler can carry 24 12-ounce beverage cans and chills them with 12-volt chill plates that can cool to 27 degrees. Or, flip a switch and it can warm to 140 degrees. Run it at home on a 110-volt outlet. The soft sided cooler needs no ice, though you can carry ice for drinks if you wish. Set to warm, a hot lunch is now possible far from the galley. Available for $129.99.

ICOM M94D VHF Radio
ICOM M94D VHF Radio Courtesy Icom

Icom M94D VHF Radio

Here’s a great gift for dad: the Icom M94D handheld VHF radio. Complete with AIS, DSC and GPS, this makes a great gift for boating dads as well as a great gift for fishing dads. Features a full 6-watts of power and it floats! Fishing dads can designate 50 fishing spots as waypoints. $349.99, westmarine.com.

Skyhawk Oversea Boat Monitor
Skyhawk Oversea Boat Monitor Courtesy Skyhawk

Skyhawk Oversea Boat Monitor

Here is a unique gift for dad! Especially if he is a boater. The wireless hub connects to dozens of sensors designed to simultaneously do such things as monitor hatch closures, battery voltage, bilge water, interior/exterior temperatures and more. Because it is designed to run on internal power, installation is as simple as locating the hub, turn it on and then, using the app, begin connecting sensors. The app gives dad  full information about your boat at a glance and allows you to arm, disarm or adjust the geo fence remotely. 

The Oversea wireless hub is about 4-inches square, runs on AA batteries $299, alone, $449 with three sensors and $599 with six sensors. Subscription Fees: Starting $15/month, oversea.boats.

Peak Design Phone Case
Peak Design Phone Case Courtesy Peak Design

Peak Design Phone Case

Whether your dad has an iPhone, Android, Samsung, Pixel or whatever, Peak Design makes a cool protective system for it. It begins with a custom fitting case with a slim mount socket on the back that mates securely to auto dashboard mounts, pipe mounts, UTV mounts, boat mounts and bike mounts, versatile Ram-style ball mounts and other accessories like tripods and chest mounts. Charging and non-charging systems are available. The beauty of Peak Design systems is they can secure your phone for the office, boat, plane, car or bicycle. My Peak Design case held my phone securely on the handlebars even after a wipeout. Phone cases and mounts begin at around $60 and charging mounts are slightly higher. peakdesign.com

Fishing

Fenwick Inshore Rod Series
Fenwick Inshore Rod Series Courtesy Fenwick

Fenwick Inshore Rod Series

Treat the Dad in your life to a new fishing rod from the Fenwick Elite Inshore series, specialized sticks that prioritize weight, balance, and sensitivity by using top-notch materials like high-modulus graphite and Fenwick’s special reinforcing resin. Fenwick has crafted these rods to be incredibly lightweight without sacrificing sensitivity or responsiveness, and handles are engineered with ergonomic principles supported by scientific research. The grip shape provides excellent rod control with minimal hand fatigue. Starting at $249.95; fenwickfishing.com.

Plano Edge 3700 Jerkbait Box
Plano Edge 3700 Jerkbait Box Courtesy Plano

Plano Edge 3700 Jerkbait Box

Dad is going to love the new Edge 3700 Jerkbait Box from Plano. It holds 10 of his jerk baits of securely inside the watertight box, cradling them firmly to prevent abrasion from the motion of the boat and the jostling from locker to lap as you select the next great bait. A cam-lock latch secures a silicone O-ring keeping moisture out and Plano’s Rustrictor technology inside prevents corrosion in any environment. Dad’s worth more than $33 bucks, but he’ll thank you a million times for this. $32.99; basspro.com.

Shimano BeastMaster 9000B Electric Reel
Shimano BeastMaster 9000B Electric Reel Courtesy Shimano

Shimano BeastMaster 9000B Electric Reel

This might qualify as a luxury fishing gift for dad! If Dad is into saltwater deep-drop fishing, treat him to the redesigned Shimano BeastMaster 9000B electric reel this Father’s Day. This fully redesigned reel offers angler-friendly features like the all-new color LCD screen for enhanced functionality and easier viewing. Shimano engineers incorporated 55 pounds of thermo-adjustable drag power and a GigaMax motor packing extreme winding power, perfectly suited deep-dropping for snapper, grouper, swordfish and more. A rugged HAGANE Body limits flex during load while Cross Carbon Drag offers anglers the smoothest drag performance Shimano has to offer. Available for $1,499.

Berkley Krej Hard Bait
Berkley Krej Hard Bait Courtesy Berkley

Berkley Krej Hard Bait

Dad might raise an eyebrow when opens up this gift, but he will soon learn that it catches freshwater fish. That makes it a great gift for fishermen. This odd name is actually jerk spelled backwards, which is fitting since the Krej sports an upside-down bill and works its way upwards and backslides towards fish chasing this hard bait. This not only entices fish to bite, but also keeps lure in a live-sonar beam strike zone for extended periods of time, providing Dad with more chances to see how fish are responding and tease them into biting. The 100 mm bait sinks at a foot per second and is available in 10 color patterns. Available for $14.99.

Daiwa Lexa HD 500 Low-Profile Reel
Daiwa Lexa HD 500 Low-Profile Reel Courtesy Daiwa

Daiwa Lexa HD 500 Low-Profile Reel

If Dad fishes for saltwater species or big freshwater fish like musky, the Daiwa Lexa HD 500 is the gift for him. With a precision level wind, this reel that combines power and durability, thanks to an aluminum frame and side cover. With a maximum drag pressure of 30 pounds, it can smoothly stop the most formidable quarry. The Magforce cast control system ensures backlash-free casting, and a stainless-steel drive gear guarantees long-lasting performance. It can hold 250 yards of 65-pound braid. Available for $449.99.

Z-Man Mulleton LT Weedless Swimbait
Z-Man Mulleton LT Weedless Swimbait Courtesy Z-Man

Z-Man Mulletron LT Weedless Swimbait

Once the mullet runs starts along the East Coast, Dad will thank you profusely for this unique gift. Voted the Best Saltwater Soft Lure at ICAST 2023, the new Z-Man Mulleton LT line-through swimbait dances with a lazy, tail-kicking cadence to entice redfish, snook, tarpon and more. It features a specialized hook pocket and harness that stations the hook topside. Once Dad hooks a fish, the bait itself slides up the line and out of harm’s way, ensuring no gamefish can leverage lure weight or go airborne and come unbuttoned. Available for $8.49.

Okuma ITX CB 3000 Spinning Reel
Okuma ITX CB 3000 Spinning Reel Courtesy Okuma

Okuma ITX CB 3000 Spinning Reel

Dad’s eyes will light up when he sees the Okuma ITX CB 3000 this Father’s Day. It sports a 6.0-to-1 gear ratio, and its lightweight construction ensures a durable-yet-precise, strike-sensitive reel. The carbonite drag washer system guarantees a smooth drag experience as you battle the hardiest freshwater fish. It’s designed to sweep water away from the anodized-aluminum spool with its Cyclonic Flow Rotator Technology, protecting the reel from corrosion. The reel also comes in 1000, 2500 and 4000 versions. Available for $159.99.

Abu Garcia Zenon LTX BFS Low-Profile Reel
Abu Garcia Zenon LTX BFS Low-Profile Reel Courtesy Abu Garcia

Abu Garcia Zenon LTX BFS Low-Profile Reel

Abu Garcia’s Zenon LTX BFS makes a great gift for Dad this Father’s Day. The lightweight reel is designed for precision casting, flipping and pitching control so Dad can place his lure or bait in exactly the right spot. Its Carbon Matrix drag system is super-smooth ­throughout its range, allowing Dad to pressure the fish without creating herky-jerky stops and starts. $549.99; abugarcia.com.

St. Croix Seviin GF Series
St. Croix Seviin GF Series Courtesy St. Croix

St. Croix Seviin GF Series

The new Seviin GF baitcaster from St. Croix is guaranteed to be a big hit with Dad. It features a one-piece graphite frame and side covers, 11 stainless-­steel ball bearings, and a 32 mm forged-­aluminum spool that will hold 110 yards of 12-pound-test mono. A carbon-fiber handle, a multistack carbon-fiber and stainless-steel drag system, micro adjustable magnetic cast control, a precision-hobbed hard brass pinion and a drive gear help make sure Dad can land the biggest bass. Purchase for $120.

KVD Deep Jerkbait
KVD Deep Jerkbait Courtesy KVD

KVD Deep Jerkbait

Legendary bass pro Kevin Van Dam may be retired now, but the new Strike King’s KVD Jerkbait will enjoy career of glory at the end of Dad’s fishing line. This lure’s realistic baitfish patterns and stainless-steel hardware and nickel-­plated hooks last. Unique weighting means it casts well and retrieves straight. Or twitch, crank or troll it. The 4 1/2-inch, 3 1/2-ounce bait is available in 12 colors. $9.99; basspro.com.

Safety

ACR RescueLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon
ACR RescueLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon Courtesy ACR

ACR RescueLink AIS Personal Locator Beacon

This PLB fits inside dad’s inflatable lifejacket, providing him with the ability to signal for help, and direct authorities to his location. What a great gift for fishing dads, boating dads, or even for dads who hike or hunt in the wilderness. In addition, its NFC capability provides users with the world’s first smartphone connected Personal Locator Beacon, the new Return Link Service feature provides users with the peace of mind knowing that their distress message has been received and their location detected by Coast Guard. Available for $519.95.

Mustang Elite Automatic Inflatable Lifejacket
Mustang Elite Automatic Inflatable Lifejacket Courtesy Mustang Survival

Mustang Elite Automatic Inflatable Lifejacket

Mustang Survival engineered the Elite Inflatable Life Jacket for serious boaters with a design that stays put at high speeds. Built with a revolutionary 3-D chassis design, the Elite is aerodynamic and reduces drag at high speeds. With a comfortable fit, this inflatable life jacket turns unconscious wearer’s face up and effectively keeps your head above water. Designed with Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT™), the Elite only inflates when submerged in water. This feature minimizes the risk of accidental inflation and avoids premature inflation due to rain or ocean spray. You will want to visually inspect your life jacket for leaks or tears every few months and service the automatic inflator yearly. Rearm your life jacket with Mustang Survival’s Elite Rearming Kit (sold separately). Available for $274.99.

Sirius Signal C-1003 Electronic Flare
Sirius Signal C-1003 Electronic Flare Courtesy Sirius

Sirius Signal C-1003 Electronic Flare

The gift of boating safety always makes a great gift for dad. This Sirius Signal C-1003 Electronic Flare allows dad to signal for help and not have to deal with old-style flammable flares. It comes with a distress flag and whistle and the combination is therefore approved for Day and Night Use by the US Coast Guard. Available for $89.95.

Acme Thunderer
Acme Thunderer Courtesy Acme

Acme Thunderer

Give dad the best whistle for emergency use! The Acme Thunderer. High volume, it is easy to blow and be heard. It is a heavy nickel-plated brass whistle with cork ball in the whistle chamber and has a lanyard ring already attached. Purchase for $15.47.

Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts for Boating Dads

West Marine Gift Card
West Marine Gift Card Courtesy West Marine

West Marine Gift Card

It may not be a unique gift for dad, but it’s always in stock and can be delivered by email almost immediately. With it, Dad can choose from more items than we can list. Sure to be appreciated.

Choose from six pre-set amounts: $10, $25, $50, $100, $150, $250.

Sea Tow Towing Membership
Sea Tow Towing Membership Courtesy Sea Tow

Sea Tow Towing Membership

Give your boating dad the assurance of a tow home or the convenience of a battery jump or fuel delivery, should his boat break down on the water. Available in most places. Various plans available from Sea Tow, consider the popular Gold plan. $249/year; seatow.com.

BoatUS Towing Membership
BoatUS Towing Membership Courtesy BoatUS

BoatUS Towing Membership

Give the boating dad on your list the confidence to know that he will get a tow home, or the convenience of a battery jump or fuel delivery, should his boat break down on the water. Available in most places. Various plans can be purchased from BoatUS. Gold membership is one example. $215/year; boatus.com.

Marine fuel card
Gas/Fuel Gift Card Courtesy Chevron/Texaco

Gas/Fuel Gift Card

The perfect last-minute gift for a dad with a powerboat might just be a gift card from his favorite fuel retailer. We ran a survey on our social media channels and the most popular on-the-water fuel docks came up as ValvTect and Texaco. Of course, you might know your dad’s favorite fuel stop–so buy him a gift card from there. $10 and up.

Boating Magazine subscription
Boating Magazine Subscription Boating Magazine

Boating Magazine Subscription

Give dad the gift of the best and biggest boating magazine on the planet! With a subscription to Boating, your father will keep up with the latest boats and marine accessories and nautical gear. In addition, a gift of a Boating Magazine subscription provides dad with great DIY and How-To content. $19/ year digital; $29/year print and digital (Prices vary for Canadian and International orders).

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