10 Great Gifts For Boaters

You think it might be easy, but boaters can be a tough lot to buy for in the holiday season. Short of buying them an all-new boat, it can be hard to find just the right thing – or something they don’t already have.

From major gifts to fun stocking stuffers, we scoured the aisles and found some great ideas for the boater on your list. See if you agree!

Fusion Active

Who doesn’t like a bit of music on the water? There are a ton of portable stereos for boaters, so what makes the Fusion Active so cool? How about if we told you it’s the only stereo in the world designed to be controlled with a paddle?

No, we’re not kidding.

The fully waterproof Active sounds amazing, and can be securely mounted to boats, kayaks, canoes and even stand-up paddleboards with two-piece, twist-lock pucks. The waterproof control knobs are oversized and recessed so they can be controlled with the tip of a paddle, so you don’t need to lean or stretch to turn up the volume. Add the optional ActiveSafe base and you have a water-tight, secure spot to store your wallet, car keys and phone – while streaming music to the stereo via Bluetooth. About $300; optional Active Safe about $100.

Garmin Nautix

How would the boater in your family like a pair of sunglasses that give you a head-up display of all your boat’s key instruments, fighter pilot style, and do it wirelessly from anywhere on board? The Garmin Nautix clamps to the temple arm of your sunglasses and displays key information like water temperature or depth, boat speed and RPM right on the sunglass lens. In fact, you can monitor just about anything that uses the NMEA2000 protocol. Small enough and light enough you don’t really notice it, the Nautix works tremendously well, even with polarized or prescription lenses. But you’ll want to stick with sunglasses that have plastic frames, since wire ones can interfere with its signal. About $400.

Gator Patch

Gator Patch

It may not be the most romantic gift on your list, but the remarkable Gator Patch from Gator Guards may well be the one they talk about for years. The fiberglass-reinforced, flexible patch is self adhesive and can be used to instantly repair just about anything, including boat hulls, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and more. Available in sizes from 3×4 inches up to 9×12 inches, you simply peel off the backing tape and stick the patch to any hard surface for an instant, permanent, water-tight, impenetrable seal that can be drilled, tapped, sanded or painted within an hour. Easily moldable around flat or curved areas, dents, joints or angles, it’s makes the ultimate kayak drag pad, protecting their thin shells from damage when hauled over paved launch ramps. From $20 to $70.

Ocean Scout Handheld Thermal Camera

The trouble with those romantic sunset cruises is that you come back to the dock in pitch darkness, which can be more than a little concerning if you need to navigate past overhanging trees or other possible hazards. FLIR’s Ocean Scout uses a thermal sensor to let you see clearly in all lighting conditions, from total darkness to blinding solar glare. It even has a built-in camera that shoots both still photos and videos in any lighting, so that gang back at the dock will believe your tale of being held up because of a swimming moose. About $2,500.

Rockford Fosgate PM100XK

Rockford Fosgate PM1000XK

The PM100XK amplifier from Rockford Fosgate mounts behind the speaker to dramatically improve its sound quality. Installation couldn’t be easier – simply plug the speaker wire into the PM100XK then plug the device into the speaker. Then pump up the volume and you’ll be astounded by the amazing difference in sound quality, with thumping bass, deep mid-range and shimmering highs. About $325 per pair.

Roswell Triton Board Rack

Roswell Triton

Roswell’s new Triton board rack holds just about any type of wake board or surf board securely in a gravity-assisted, vertical position outside of the boat. Each board is clamped into place using a patent-pending telescopic arm system, avoiding the need for bungee cords or elastic straps. Because the boards are held vertically, overall boat width is reduced, making it easier to enter a boat lift or a boat house. Holding the boards outside of the boat keeps them from dripping all over the seats and their occupants. Starting at about $1,350.

Sea-Tags

Sea Tags

Sea-Tags is a simple, affordable and reliable man overboard alarm system that can be used to keep track of passengers and pets alike. The Sea-Tag device looks like a wrist watch, and connects wirelessly to a free smartphone app for iOS and Android. If the Sea Tag becomes immersed in water, the connection is broken and the app signals an alarm while instantly recording the exact GPS coordinates. The App will then display the boat position, heading and distance as you spin around to pick up your unscheduled swimmer. About $90.

Simrad GO9 XSE

Simrad GO9 XSE

The Simrad GO9 XSE is a powerful, full-featured, standalone marine chart plotter/fish finder combined with a compact, easy-to-use multi-touch display. An internal 10 Hz GPS receiver allows StructureScan HD and CHIRP sonar capability, along with autopilot integration/control, engine data monitoring, full audio entertainment connectivity with SonicHub2, built-in wireless connectivity. It even connects to any NMEA 2000-compatible equipment aboard a boat including the engines, so it can display fuel flow, fluid levels, speed, heading, temperature and an enormous range of GPS options. Bottom line – it just replaced your entire dashboard in one simple, great looking unit. About $1,200.

WeBoost

WeBoost

The WeBoost Drive Sleek cell phone booster kit was designed for use in cars, but it works even better in a boat where cell phones can often use all the help they can get. A magnetic antenna can be used with a suction cup to mount anywhere on the boat, transmitting its signal to the sleek booster station that doubles as a non-slip cradle for the phone. Plug it into a 12-volt outlet and signal strength is boosted by up to 32x for better call quality and faster data rates in areas with weak signals. About $200.

Weego 22

Weego 22

Never worry about a dead battery again with the compact Weego 22 portable battery booster. About the size of a small tablet or a really large cell phone, the little Weego 22 actually has enough power to jump start gas engines to 5L, and diesel of up to 2.5L in displacement. It also rapidly recharges cell phones and tablets, and includes a built-in 150-lumen flashlight that lasts for an amazing 14 hours per charge. Water resistant and built for long life, the Weego 22 comes with patented Smarty Clamps for foolproof operation. IP65 certified for water, dust and dirt resistance, it will hold a charge for over a year on standby. About $80-100.