In all of our decades of boating, we’ve never heard a fellow boater look at his collection of gear, apparel and apparatuses, and say, “You know what, I’m good.” If you’re serious about finding things that help you get on the water and stay on, too much stuff is never enough. In this spirit, if you have a boater in the family, you’ll find the ultimate gift for him or her in these pages. And if you’re the boater, circle and earmark what you want like we all used to do with the Sears catalog. Either way, someone will wind up feeling jolly. Take a look through our electronics, watersports, DIY, fishing and apparel selections.
If you need more gift ideas, check out some of our previous gift guides. Happy Holidays!
AFTCO ATB36 Tackle Bag
Stressed over finding the right gift for the angler on your holiday list? Stress no more. Get the new Tackle Bag 35 from AFTCO. It has a main compartment that holds four 3500-size tackle boxes, plus a side pocket large enough to hold another, and compartments for pliers and scissors. A die-cut EVA lure nest holds hooks and lures to keep them ready to tie on. The front pocket features a clear panel to locate items easier. Made of a 600D recycled polyester with nylon zippers and a seam-sealed base, the 35 keeps water out if laid on a wet surface. There’s also an adjustable shoulder strap and two rod holders.
Penn Authority Series Spinning Reel
Searching for a really cool gift for the serious saltwater angler on your list? Then look at the new Penn Authority spinning reels. These reels boast IPX8-rated watertight bodies and spools that stand up to extreme saltwater exposure. A CNC-machined stainless-steel gear train and pinion gear provide long-term durability. Slow oscillation produces a tight line lay for long casts, and a 12+1 bearing system ensures smooth retrieves. The Dura-Drag offers smooth stopping power. Available in several sizes ranging from 2500 to 10500.
Z-Man Kicker CrabZ Soft-Plastic Lure
OK, inshore boating anglers love lures made just for their kind of fishing. That’s what makes the Z-Man Kicker CrabZ soft-plastic lure a great stocking stuffer for the coastal fisherman. This lure mimics the sideways swimming action of a crab. The ElaZtech material outlasts other soft-plastic baits, and the angler-friendly design allows for easy rigging with leadheads. The realistic crustacean profile features details such as segmented legs, claws, eyes and antennae. The claws produce enticing action at all retrieve speeds and on the fall. The keeled belly creates stability on straight retrieves, and there’s a dorsal hook pocket for weedless rigging. The 3.5-inch bait is available in 10 colors.
SpiderWire DuraBraid Hi-Viz Yellow Fishing Line
Thinking about some last-minute stocking stuffers to finish off your holiday shopping? If so, consider a spool of SpiderWire DuraBraid. One of the most abrasion-resistant braided lines on the market today is now available in Hi-Vis Yellow. The bright color helps anglers track their lines when trolling and detect the most subtle bite via line movement when fishing for bass and other species. Most anglers splice on a fluorocarbon leader to avoid spooking line-shy fish. Available from 8-pound to 80-pound-test to suit a wide range of angling styles and sizes of fish.
Bajio Palometa Sunglasses
Sunglasses make great holiday gifts for the boater on your list. The medium-frame Palometa from upscale upstart Bajio features a full wraparound shape with built-in side coverage. The ultra-clear, polarized, color-enhancing lenses with proprietary LAPIS technology block 95 percent of blue light to combat haze, glare and eyestrain. Available in 13 lens options, including seven in polycarbonate lenses and six in glass. Molded with proprietary bio-based lightweight nylon, Palometa sunglasses offer a high strength-to-weight ratio while providing comfort and durability.
Plano Edge Frog Box
Is there a bass fishing fanatic on your holiday gift list? If so, they’ll love the innovative design of Plano’s new Edge Frog Box, which neatly and conveniently organizes and stores up to 50 topwater frog baits on vertical hangers so they are always in pristine condition. Also, the WaterWick divider has a reusable moisture-wicking packet to protect the frogs from moisture damage and rust. A DuraView crystal-clear polycarbonate lid allows anglers to see what baits are in the box without opening it, and the EZ Label system allows for quickly identifying the contents. $54.99; planomolding.com
Bubba Saltwater Multi-Flex Fillet Knife Set
Any boater-angler worth his or her salt will love receiving the new Saltwater Multi-Flex Interchangeable Knife Set from Bubba as a holiday gift. A squeeze-and-slide mechanism allows those in charge of fish cleaning to switch between blades quickly. The Flex-Change locking system keeps the blade safe and secure. The Multi-Flex features two different full-tang blades: a 9-inch serrated flex blade and a 9-inch stiff blade. Bubba’s iconic nonslip handle helps ensure a solid grip, while a premium hard-sided carrying case keeps everything dry and secure until ready for the cutting board.
Daiwa Coastal 80 Low-Profile Reel
Boating anglers love getting reels as gifts, especially one like the new Coastal 80 from Daiwa. This compact, lightweight, low-profile reel is designed for inshore saltwater fishing. It’s built on a strong but light aluminum frame and feels natural in the palm of your hand. The deep spool can hold 160 yards of 20-pound-test braided line. The T-wing levelwind puts less pressure on the line for maximum casting distance. Available in right- or left-hand drive, both with a 7.1-to-1 gear ratio.
Shimano Stella Freshwater Spinning Reel
If the freshwater boating angler on your list is someone truly special, this gift will knock their holiday stockings off. Few spinning reels rival the new Stella FK series when it comes to leveraging premium technologies, including the new InfinityXross system to enhance reel performance and longevity, which uses a low-friction bushing to decrease frictional resistance and deliver smoother, more powerful winding. The new InfinityLoop line-management system extends spool oscillation to spool line as evenly as possible and enhance casting distance. Available in 1000 to 5000 sizes.
Frabill Witness Weigh Net
The boating angler on your list will beam with joy when they see the new Frabill Witness Weigh Net under the tree. Far from just a landing net, the Witness features a built-in scale to weigh fish up to 30 pounds. Anglers can also measure fish up to 30 inches in length with a ruler on the 48-inch-long handle that slides in for stowage and slides out and locks for boating fish. The micro-mesh netting with a flat bottom ensures safe fish handling when catch-and-release is the order of the day. The netting also reduces tangles with lures and hooks. $149.99; frabill.com
Papa’s Pilar Rum Trifecta
Papa’s Pilar brilliantly combined two of the boating communities favorite things: rum and Ernest Hemingway. Named after Hemingway’s beloved boat, Papa’s Pilar is some of the smoothest-drinking rum around. Can’t decide between Blonde, Dark or Sherry-Finished? Give the gift of all three with the Trifecta package. $119.99; papaspilar.com
Costa Jose Pro Sunglasses
You can honor the boater on your holiday gift list with a pair of Jose Pro sunglasses from Costa. Named in memory of the late Jose Wejebe, a legendary waterman and larger-than-life personality, this frame builds off of Costa’s sunglasses innovations to help anglers manage sweat, reduce fogging and keep frames locked in place, even when the water gets rough. The Jose Pro celebrates the legacy of the man who lived for the thrill of the bite, just like the boating angler on your list. Starting at $264; costadelmar.com
Men’s Salt Life Thunder Jacket
Keep your boater dry in the durable zip-front Salt Life Thunder jacket. Constructed with waterproof polyester fabric and sealed seams, it’s a gift to be appreciated for its reliable performance and comfort on and off the water. The underarm zip mesh vents and adjustable cinch hood and bottom band add functional style. With plenty of pockets to keep valuables secure and a poly mesh liner, this jacket is sure to become a favorite in cooler wet weather. $176; amazon.com
Arcade Belts “Save the Waves” Belt
Arcade Belts makes stretch belts that fasten with plastic clips, so they’re great for us on the water. Plus, Arcade collaborates with Save the Waves, making belts with ocean patterns and donating 10 percent of their sales to savethewave.org to help protect surf locations and communities. $31.95; arcadebelts.com
dryrobe
The dryrobe changing robe is made specifically to wear after a particularly chilly surf or watersports session. It’s a full-length robe with a waterproof exterior and a fleece-lined interior to keep the watersports enthusiast on your list comfy and warm. Read our full review at boatingmag.com/gear/beat-the-chill-with-a-dryrobe. $215; us.dryrobe.com
Sperry Water Strider Shoes
Boaters need footwear that stands up to a wet environment and provides traction. They also need shoes to stroll into town after the boat is docked. Sperry Water Striders, for men and women, fulfill these roles. Molded foam midsoles provide comfort, Adaptive-Wave siping provides traction, and they dry quickly. $54.95; sperry.com
Reef Phantom Cushion Sandal
Looking for a great pair of sandals for the boater on your list? The Phantom flip-flops by Reef is the pair to grab for one lucky boater in your family. They’re durable and have an ultra-squishy foot bed, and the fit supports the arch and foot too. These sandals are sure to provide all-day comfort on and off the boat. $49; reef.com
Kizik Lima Tidepool Sneakers
These comfortable slip-on shoes feature a reinforced heel design that allows the boater on your gift list to leave the laces tied and still slip in hands-free. Plus, they’re lightweight and breathable, and they dry quickly, so they’re a good fit for boaters. The rubber-traction sole works well on nonskid decks. $109; kizik.com
Blenders Sea Foam Floating Sunglasses
Tired of seeing the boater on your list lose sunglasses in the water? Well, look no further for the perfect gift because we found it for you. Check out the Blenders Floating Sunglasses lineup. They’re stylish, lightweight and, most importantly, they float, so lost shades are a thing of the past. Available in a variety of polarized colors and styles. $49; blenderseyewear.com
Ronix North Handle
Get ready to shred! The North Handle is perfect for those who love to shred behind the boat. It has a molded silicone BarLock and tacky hide grip. The Dyneema Rope and Dyneema BarLock are guaranteed to reduce handle rotation while you’re on the water. It’s constructed of a lightweight aircraft aluminum dowel with EVA flotation tech, so you won’t lose sight of it in the water. $84; ronixwake.com
Swell Creator H3X Wake Shaper
Wakesurfing boats are expensive, but Swell made a solution to make a killer wave on almost any inboard-propelled boat. The Swell Creator H3X Wake Shaper creates a cleaner surfable wave so the boater on your gift list can shred all day long for a fraction of the cost of high-end boats. The wedge suctions to the boat’s exterior and displaces water to create a surf wave. Note that the Wake Shaper will not work on pontoons, inboard/outboards, outboards, jet boats or PWC. $349; swellwake.com
Tidal Wake Seat Step
Torn boat upholstery is sure to ruin the day for the boater on your gift list. But the Tidal Wake Seat Step is here to help. Think of it as a doormat to protect the boat as people board the vessel. Instead of stepping on the seat directly, this seat step distributes the weight of guests’ feet. The mat is weighted so it won’t fall overboard, but in the event it does, don’t fret because it floats. Give the gift of boat protection with the Tidal Wake Seat Step. $89; tidalwake.com
RTIC 52 Lightweight
Looking for a gift that won’t break the bank or someone’s back? This 52-quart cooler is the perfect holiday gift for boaters. The injection-molded cooler is insulated and ultra-light, coming in 30 percent lighter than roto-molded coolers. Whether at the beach, camping, fishing, boating or while having a barbecue, it’s sure to keep drinks ice cold. $219; rticoutdoors.com
O’Brien Party Pit
Looks like the best spot on the water isn’t always the boat. The inflatable party pit by O’Brien is sure to be a hit for a day of fun on the water. The float is a 10-by-10-foot square with a heavy-duty mesh center section for lounging around. This area is partially submerged and creates the perfect play area for kids to splash around all day long. It even comes equipped with anchor points so you stay in place and won’t drift away. Splash, relax and chill on the party pit the next time you’re at the pool, lake or beach. It’s a great gift. $699.99; obrien.com
Airhead EZ Wake Trainer
Getting the kids into watersports at an early age just got way easier. The Airhead EZ Wake Trainer is the ultimate confidence builder, taking the tears, fear and frustration out of teaching young boarders. This trainer teaches basic wakeboarding, kneeboarding, wakesurfing and wakeskating fundamentals. Towrope included. $149; airhead.com
Extreme Like a Girl
Everyone loves a good read, so think about giving the boater on your list this book, Extreme Like a Girl. Its stories and spectacular photos will inspire and encourage anyone to achieve more than they ever imagined possible. These incredible female athletes show their skills and share their stories for all to enjoy. $40; penguinrandomhouse.com
West Marine Combination Spotlight Lantern
It puts out a 700-lumen spotlight beam or provides a 360-degree lantern light or a smaller-angle light down to 180 degrees. Opposing hanging hooks allow ideal beam direction. A USB charging output keeps phones alive in the wilderness. The lantern’s battery is rechargeable, the unit is made of rugged reinforced nylon, and it is water-resistant. $89.99; westmarine.com
Chicago 12-Volt Vacuum
This miniature vacuum will prove handy for DIY project cleanup, easily removing grit and debris from crevices and corners. Wet or dry, it can also handle spills. And it serves double duty as an inflater/deflater to put air into tow toys, fenders or boats. The vacuum comes with a 3-foot hose and a 9-foot power cord that plugs into a 12-volt outlet. It’s about a foot tall, so it stows easily aboard. $6.93; overtons.com
Revbalance 101 v2 Balance Board Sports Trainer
Balance is an important part of life, but also beneficial in taking watersports skills to the next level. Balance boards provide endless fun and are perfect for those rainy days to dial in balance. The balance board by Rev can help the boater on your list improve balance on land or water, and is sure to provide hours of fun. $149; revbalance.com
Booē Backpack
The Booē Backpack keeps all essential personal gear dry and protected from the elements. This boating backpack features an 8 mm TruZip zipper to provide an extreme watertight seal and is available in six exciting colors to match individual styles. Wherever adventure takes the boater on your list, he or she will want the Booē bag. $199; booe.com
Davis Snap Tool Multikey
This is the tool boaters should affix to their keychain, or keep handy at the helm station or electronics box. Whether opening a deck pipe to fuel up, prying open a deck plate to view the bilge pump, or using one of the various screwdrivers or wrenches to quickly tighten the odd loose fastener, the stainless-steel Davis Snap Tool Multikey is a great tool for the boater on your gift list. By the way, it should be noted that this tool is also a handy bottle opener. $14.99; davisinstruments.com
Handi-Man Marine Snap Fastener Kit
It happens: Snaps pull off canvas or pull out of boat, not to mention, tarps, boots and boat covers. This 101-piece kit from Handi-Man Marine allows boaters to make simple snap repairs. It includes a snap hand tool, plus 20 each of button caps, studs, sockets, eyelets and stud wood screws. $48.99, westmarine.com
Shurhold Snap-Stick
One thing is for sure: If boaters take care of their canvas fittings, their canvas fittings will take better care of them. Shurhold Snap-Stick allows boaters to lubricate snaps and zippers conveniently, without the mess of spray, liquid or gel lubricants. $8.48, shurhold.com
Allied Lifting Magnet
Drop your keys, glasses or other items overboard and you might be able to retrieve them with this powerful magnet from Allied. Also fun to use for magnet-fishing, where you never know what you will “catch,” it lifts up to 110 pounds of ferrous metals. It’s PVC-coated to resist chips and corrosion. The bright yellow color makes it easy to keep an eye on, even in murky water. The size is 3 inches long by 3 inches wide by 4 inches high. $26.99; westmarine.com
Irwin Vise Grips
Every boater should carry a pair of Vise Grip pliers aboard. The locking action can provide the third hand DIY boaters often require. A trigger action provides secure locking. The hex-key tightening screw allows drawing materials together in fine increments. The wire cutter will cut through tough marine cable. The 7-inch curved jaw model is shown. $17.99; irwin.com
Channellock 420 Pliers
Channellock tongue-and-groove pliers prove one of the handiest tools to keep aboard. Their adjustability allows for grabbing and holding things of various sizes. Available in different lengths and jaw shapes, the 420 9.5-inch straight-jaw model shown might be the most versatile. $19.99; channellock.com
West Marine Toolkit
A full set of tools in an easy-to-carry plastic case, this kit from West Marine can be termed an onboard essential. This 32-piece set includes a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, an electrical tester, a utility knife and more. It measures 5-by-13.5-by-10.6 inches in its waterproof storage case with a sealing gasket. $77.99; westmarine.com
DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone
We love capturing our daily activities to share our lives with friends, family and social media. This drone is lightweight and agile, and takes crisp photos and videos. In fact, it’s so portable, it can fit in a backpack to suit your adventurous life. If you like to fly a lot, we recommend picking up the Fly More Combo that includes extra batteries and more. Take your memories to new heights and experience flight with the DJI Mavic Air 2S drone. $999; dji.com
Weems and Plath Maintenance Log
When was the oil last changed? What size anodes do I need: 4- or 5-inch? Are the batteries from four years ago or five? Keeping track of maintenance and performing it on schedule are important to give your boat’s systems and engines the longest, most trouble-free lives. This spiralbound, embossed, waterproof logbook from Weems and Plath helps you do just that. It provides space to list vessel specifications, spare part numbers, repairs and maintenance, as well as for reference drawings. $40.99; weems-plath.com
West System Fiberglass Repair Book
Fiberglass Boat Repair and Maintenance is published by Gougeon Brothers, inventors and makers of West System epoxy and fiberglass products. These folks are indeed experts in FRP and composites repair, having developed the resins and systems used to build powerboats, sailboats, windmill blades and more. This 76-page book describes 20 projects in detail, from blister repair to cosmetics. Free or available in soft cover for about $6; westsystem.com
Simrad Cruise Line
Simrad’s new Cruise marine GPS combines navigation, free US coastal charts mapping, and sonar in a single combo unit that requires no black boxes and comes with a sonar transducer. It’s available in three screen sizes: 5, 7 and 9 inches. It even comes with C-Map Easy Routing. From $499 to $729; simrad-yachting.com
Sionyx Nightwave
Affordable night vision is now available with this ultra-low-light camera system built around Sionyx’s patented Black Silicon CMOS sensor. With it, we’ve detected small floating objects in the water. It allows all levels of mariners to easily spot obstacles and snags in near total darkness. Mount it on suction-cup mounts, stanchion brackets, or a tripod with a 1/4-by-20 threaded insert, or bolt it to a hardtop. Connect it to a smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi, or use the video-output cable to stream its 40-degree view to any MFD in color. IP67-rated water-resistant. $1,595; sionyx.com
Coastal 400C 7 x 50 Waterproof Binoculars
Rubber-armored and nitrogen-filled to stop internal fogging and designed with the ideal optical dimensions for marine use, these binocs should be on every helm. A lighted compass and range markings enable easy directions and distance to targets, like approaching boats or dangerous snags. Or just use them to see how the guy in the next boat is catching all those fish. $399.99; westmarine.com
inReach Mini Marine Bundle
With a subscription, this satellite communicator keeps you in touch with friends and family anywhere in the world using the global Iridium satellite network. Keep your boaters safe with its ability to send an SOS with location to international rescue authorities. If that’s not reason enough to gift it to someone important, it’s a GPS navigator too, with the capability to download and display maps worldwide. Lastly, it optionally downloads and reports regular weather updates with devices carrying the Earthmate app. $379.99; westmarine.com
JBL Partybox on the Go
This heavy-duty sound machine is splash-resistant and brings a woofer, two tweeters and a subwoofer, giving full-bodied sound with an LED light show. It is capable of handling karaoke or PA duties with the included wireless mic. Adjustments for a wired mic and guitar gain and volume are included. It’s LED system rocks to the beat but also serves to indicate volume level when adjusting from a smartphone. Carry the 16.5-pound beast with its shoulder strap, and stow it in its handy gear bag. It has a USB charging-port wired mic, wired guitar auxiliary and 120-volt charging inputs. $399; jbl.com
GoPro Hero10 Black Creator Edition
The Hero10 Black Creator Edition is an all-in-one content-capturing powerhouse with a built-in tripod and a remote control. This complete system features pro-quality 5.3K video, Emmy award-winning HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization, enhanced audio, powerful LED lighting, and four hours of 4K recording per charge. $581.95 with a new one-year $49 GoPro subscription. $834.94; gopro.com
Kicker KMXL Marine Horn-Loaded Coaxials
The high-output, compression-horn design of these new Kicker Marine coaxial speakers delivers longer throw and louder sound. Whether flush-, tower- or can-mounted, the powerful, sealed neodynium motor is weather-protected, with slimmer mounting than other horn-loaded coaxials. Available in 6-by-9-inch and 6- or 8-inch-round woofers with a 1.25-inch tweeter. $869.99; kicker.com
