Updated on October 29th, 2024
Finding gifts for sailors can be a tricky thing, and over the years we have found other “gifts for sailors” lists to be a little ridiculous. You will regularly find ideas for $1000-$2000. What?!? I even once saw one that had a boat on their list? The holidays should be about being thoughtful not about spending a lot of money! That’s why we have put together a list of more than 60 gift ideas for sailors that are all under $400, and the majority of these ideas are under $200. We hope you find this guide helpful when buying gifts for the sailor in your life this holiday season!
We would also like to preface this post by saying, before you buy gifts for sailors, ask them what they want. Boats are small spaces and people who live in or love small spaces don’t want a lot of extra “stuff”. So if they have a list stick to it. If not, we think the list below contains some pretty great ideas.
Disclaimer: In the interest of transparency, please be aware that this post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links may result in a small commission for us at no cost to you. We appreciate you shopping from these links!
Table of Contents
- Tech Gear
- Clothes and Accessories
- Galley Gear
- “Home” Goods
- Health and Beauty
- Safety and Sailing Gear
- DIY Gear
- Just for Fun
- Great Gift Cards
Tech Gear Gifts for Sailors
Nebo Link
We use Nebo link to share our location with friends and family, but it also doubles as a digital boat log. It automatically tracks our travel time, speeds, and distances. It also monitors our batteries so we can view them remotely! We love our Nebo link!
Ugo
Waterproof and floating phone and tablet cases, and new this year they have a messenger bag option that fits up to a 17″ laptop! These cases use drysuit zippers to keep out the water and are waterproof to IP68. You can use your phone or tablet while it is inside the case, and the best part is that if it goes overboard it floats. No more diving for phones at the bottom of the anchorage. The messenger bag makes a great gift for someone who sometimes takes “work from home” to the sea!
Waterproof Speaker
Waterproof, portable speakers are great in the cockpit and on the beach! We made the swtich to a JBL speaker a year or so ago and we love the sound! The battery lasts a really long time and if you want to set up a whole boat system you can connect multiple speakers together with out having to cut holes for a speaker system!
Paperwhite Kindle
If you’ve ever tried to read off a phone or tablet in sunlight, you know it is impossible. Space for books can be hard to come by on a boat so as much as we love paperbacks, we pretty much stick to e-readers now. The newest version of the kindle paperwhite not only doesn’t have the glare issues of other e-readers and tablets but it’s also waterproof!
AirTag for Wandering Dinghys
Sometimes dinghies like to go for solo trips, whether it be because they slipped their painter during a storm or for more nefarious reasons. Hiding an AirTag in the dinghy or outboard (or both!) can be a great way to find it! We use these stick-on holders to hide them in inconspicuous places! We’ve also used AirTags in luggage/backpacks, in our cars that sit in storage while we are boating, and even for our dog Aiden! While we’ve yet to have to use one, they help us feel better knowing if things go missing we have a way of tracking them down.
Clothing and Accessory Gifts for Sailors
Waterlust Swimwear
Waterlust makes swimwear for both men and women. Their swim leggings are beautiful, and comfortable, and also provide UV protection. Gwen basically lives in them during warmer weather. Waterlust is an eco-responsible company, and its products are made from recycled materials! They also give 10% of their profits from each pattern goes to a specific charity. And for all the ladies out there…the leggings have pockets!!
Lemon and Line Bracelets
Known for their nautical bracelets, Lemon and Line have all sorts of great useful nautical gifts. Gwen has one of their bracelets and we both have been eyeing their sunglass straps! They also have belts, hats, and stuff for the sailor dog in your life too!
UPF Shirts
Did you know that owning a boat is considered a risk for skin cancer? And that one study found that 14% of sailors will experience some type of skin cancer? UV Protection is so important on the water, but it can sometimes be hard to remember to reapply sunscreen. And UPF clothing also cuts down on the sunscreen needed when swimming near reefs. We’ve tried many brands over the years and we have a new favorite: Free Fly Apparel! Their shirts are made of bamboo which is super soft, lightweight, and cool. We particularly love their sun hoodies because it keeps the sun off our necks and ears. Brimmed sun hats are just one more way to reduce sun exposure.
Silicone Rings
A few years ago, Andy snagged his wedding band in our anchor windlass. It scared us both enough to switch to silicone rings for the rest of the summer and now we both love them so much we both wear them as our full time rings! Andy has been wearing these ones for the last few years and Gwen has been wearing these enso stackables.
Sea Bags
Sea Bags are one of Gwen’s favorite accessories. The zip-top tote has been her weekend bag for the last 6 or so years. The toiletry bag is also fantastic and holds so much stuff. Zippers are important! When you are trying to get on and off the boat with a bag, knowing your stuff isn’t going to fall out is definitely a priority!
*Another great note about Sea Bags, if you send them your old sails they will send you a free bag, and will even make one from your own sail if you want!
LLBean Canvas Tote with Boat Name
We were gifted with an LLBean canvas tote with our boat name on it years ago and it is still one of our favorite weekend bags. If you are planning this as a gift, we recommend the zipper top style because you can just throw it in the dock cart or dinghy without worrying. We also love this lightweight tote because it’s easier to stow and keep clean! Large or XL is the way to go. Bonus points for matching the bag to their boat canvas. It shows you care.
Wool Socks
There is a saying: if your feet are cold, you will be cold. It is true, and especially true on a cold and damp boat! They also make great stocking stuffers, no pun intended. This year we switched to Darn Tough wool socks and we both love them. They are comfy and are great for both hiking and just going in our winter/foul weather boots!
Flowfold Wallets
Flowfold Wallets are made from recycled sailcloth and they are durable. Prior to his flowfold, Andy would go through a wallet every 1-2 years. He has had his flowfold cardholder for 3 years now. They are also super small and thin which makes them great for traveling because they easily fit in a front pocket without creating a bulge. They even fit in the tiny things that the fashion industry tries calling pockets for women.
Neoprene Snorkel Mask Cover
If the sailor in your life likes to snorkel or dive, a fun new mask strap makes for a great stocking stuffer! It keeps hair from getting tangled in the rubber straps of the mask and also helps use tell our masks apart!
Galley Gear Gifts for Sailors
Yeti Can Colster
Aluminum cans are our beverage containers of choice on Ecola. Glass breaks and we try to avoid plastic whenever possible. Yeti makes these great can colster or koozies. They keep your can cold for a very long time. We gifted a set to Andy’s dad a few years ago and he claims they are one of his favorite items on his boat.
Owala Water Bottle
This water bottle is hands down the best we’ve ever used. It keeps things cold for a super long time, has both a straw and swig option, and never leaks! The little handle at the top is really useful taking it to the beach or to just grab it when moving around the boat. We have been using these for three years and they have put up with some serious abuse around the cockpit, in the van, and out hiking.
Galleyware Regional Platters
These serving platters from Galleyware make great gifts for sailors. Grab one picturing the sailor in your life’s favorite sailing grounds. Some of our favorites are the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Newport and Martha’s Vineyard but they have many more options! The trays are melamine so great for serving snacks during sundowners!
Magma Nesting Cookware
Magma nesting cookware is our absolute favorite piece of galley gear. The pots nest so perfectly and the handles are easy to use. We’ve used them on an alcohol stove, a propane stove, and now an induction cooktop and they work fabulously with all three. The distribute the heat evenly and are easy to clean!
Aeropress Coffee Maker
An Aero Press Coffee Maker makes a great gift for the coffee-loving sailor! It is super compact, easy to use, makes strong coffee that is easily turned into ice coffee, and there are several different ways to brew! Andy has been using ours for 4 years and loves it!
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
Keeping food fresh on a boat is a constant struggle, and vacuum sealing is a great way to combat provisions from going stale. We have this tiny little FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer that works with their bags and mason jar sealer. It is battery operated and rechargeable and takes up less than 2 square inches in the galley!
Gneiss Spice Magnetic Spice Rack
We originally shied away from magnetic spice racks and knife holders because we were worried about compass issues. But our compasses are so far from our galley that it did not make a difference! Gwen is so in love with her Gneiss Spice Magnetic Spice Rack. It keeps spices super fresh, looks beautiful, and is super high quality. Bonus it is made by a small business in Maine!
Great Galley Stocking Stuffers
- Compact Measuring Spoons
- Compact Measuring Cups
- Stainless Clips (Great for Food Storage and Laundry!)
- Leak Free Ice Tray
“Home Good” Gifts for Sailors
Mantus Clip on Lights
Mantus Marine’s clip-on lights are awesome in the cockpit, and they easily clip to bimini, dodger, or stanchions. One of the best features is the red option which we use all the time during night passages. They last for so long on one charge but they are rechargeable so no need to mess with batteries!
Turkish Towels
Sport-a-Seats
Our Sport-a-Seats are the single most used item on our boat. We use them as cockpit cushions, deck chairs, beach chairs, and we have even started using them in the van too. They are comfortable and they are really good quality. We had a knock-off chair at one point that only lasted a season. Our current set is on season 12!
Luci Lights *Great Stocking Stuffer*
Luci lights are inflatable solar-powered lanterns. They take a few hours in the sun to charge up and then will work all night long if you want them to. They come in just white light, or in multi-color which could be used as red lights on a night passage. These make great gifts for sailors.
Collapsible Dock Wagon
This wagon has been a lifesaver for us recently. The wheels are nice and wide for getting up and down grassy slopes and handling bumpy docks. It can hold so much stuff. At one point we had 2 sails, and a duffle bag loaded in it!
Nautical Art
Our friend Hannah on SV Phoenix has some really beautiful linocut prints that she makes right on her boat! My personal favorite is her Jolly Roger which is modeled after her boat cat, but she has many other beautiful prints!
Health and Beauty Gifts for Sailors
Leave-In Conditioner
Unless you have a mega yacht, washing your hair on a boat is hard. And sun and wind damage to your hair can be even harder. Leave-in conditioner cuts down on water usage and protects hair. We recently switched to Stream2Seas reef-friendly products and their leave-in conditioner is Gwen’s favorite of their products!
O’Keefe’s Working Hands *Great Stocking Stuffer*
Between DIY projects and the wear and tear sailing does to your hands, Andy swears by O’Keefe’s Working Hands. It’s not super greasy so you can get back to work!
Hanging Shower Caddy
Having all your toiletries in one easy-to-carry place is fantastic for on-deck showers or marina showers is essential. LLBean makes great hanging toiletry bags that are rugged and can be hung from a lifeline, bimini, or hoo
Safety and Sailing Gear Gifts
PFD Light
A lot of PFDs come standard with lights but a nice PFD light is a great gift. Also, spinlock makes these cool patch style PFD lights that turn your whole inflatable into a glowing light!
Serrated Knife
In sticky situations on the boat, you want to be able to cut free lines or yourself from the boat if necessary. This serrated knife from Spyderco would do just the trick in such a pinch and it’s tiny enough to fit basically anywhere.
Head Lamp
When it’s dark and you need to adjust sails, or bring the dog ashore, or any number of other things you want to keep your hands free. A good headlight is always appreciated and a great gift for sailors. We’ve loved these Black Diamond rechargable headlamps for years!
Rope Organizers
Having loose lines in the cockpit or on the deck can be a safety issue! These clip-on rope organizers from Mantus Marine are durable and clip and unclip quickly!
Riggers Knife
A rigger’s knife is a great tool to have onboard. It can be used to cut through ropes, loosen knots, and adjust and check rigging! A nice compact one is a must-have on any sailboat!
Dinghy Steps
Rescue steps makes a super compact emergency step system that also makes a great set of dinghy steps. We are jumping into and out of the dinghy several times a day when we are in the Bahamas and these steps make it easy to get out of the water!
MyMedic First Aid Kit
Help can take a long time getting to you when you are on a boat so being prepared with more than just a few band-aids can save lives. The MyMedic waterproof first aid kit is so comprehensive! We were gifted with one in 2022 and I have refilled with their refill packs since then. It has everything you need to manage injuries from minor cuts and scraps to massive trauma. There is a mini version of the waterproof kits as well if you think the pro version is a little more than you need.
Gifts for the DIY Sailor
Mechanics Tool Set
They don’t call it “wrenching” for nothing. Most everything on a boat can be fixed with a screwdriver or a wrench. A good set of wrenches is important to have around. It’s a gift that your loved one will have for years and years!
Rechargeable Flash Light
You can never have enough flashlights when you are working in cramped quarters. This rechargeable flashlight gives you up to 20 hours of work!
Multi-Tool
This Gerber Multi-Tool is on Andy’s wishlist this year. The variety of tools and the center-axis bit driver are really appealing! Multi-tools are just useful and having a few around it always a great idea.
Cordless Drill
Andy uses this drill more than any other tool. It is great for so many things and has stood up to the beatings we have put it through. We used it on almost every project of our van build.
Oscillating Tool
Cutting, grinding, sanding, this oscillating tool does it all and it does it in a compact size. The angle of the head is also great for getting into all those hard-to-reach spots on the boat!
Ziptie Gun *Great Stocking Stuffer*
Andy is obsessed with this ziptie gun. It is super simple but both tightens and cuts your zipties to the perfect length!
Multibit Screwdriver
This tiny ratchet and screwdriver bit set has been Andys favorite new tool. It stores super small and it incredible useful when you need to reach into small spaces to screw or unscrew something! It also has a 1/4″ socket adaptor so you can do some tiny wrenching in places hard to reach!
Hose Removal Picks
This was the tool Andy didn’t know he was missing! These hose removal picks make those dirty jobs like engine or holding tank hose removal so much easier! It has saved him a lot of bruised knuckles!
Just for Fun Gifts
Cruising Guides
We really like the Waterway Guide Cruising Guides. They give great information about marinas, anchorages, and amenities.
Sailing Books
If the sailor in your life loves to read there are a lot of great fiction and non-fiction books out there! Also if they are gearing up for cruising or living aboard there are a ton of resources there too! Gwen’s favorites have been:
- Escape from Ordinary
- Self Sufficient Sailor
- Storm Tactics
- Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die
- Sailing to the Edge of Time
Travel Size Card and Board Games
It is always a good idea to have a few games on board and they get stale after a while so new ones are almost always appreciated as long as they are compact. Some of our current favorites:
Galley Cookbooks
Cooking on a boat presents a different set of challenges than cooking on land. These books have some great ideas for simple yet delicious meals:
Great Gift Card Ideas
We want to finish our list with some great gift card ideas because sometimes sailors are saving for a big purchase and gift cards get them one step closer!
Landfall Navigation
Landfall navigation is one of our favorite places to buy sailing gear. Their selection of safety and navigation gear is huge and their customer service is excellent. A gift card to Landfall Navigation is a great idea if you are really concerned about the sailor in your life’s safety!
West Marine
Electronics, clothes, and even dinghies can all be found at West Marine. It is a nationwide store but if you know of a regional or local chandlery (boat store) that they prefer do that instead. We personally love Hamilton Marine in Maine, and locally-owned Ace Hardware stores are also another great source of boat parts!
Defender
Defender is an online and catalog company that has just about everything you could possibly need for a boat!
Dockwa Gift Cards
Dockwa is an app that allows you to make marina reservations at hundreds of locations from your phone. It makes booking a slip or mooring so easy, and if your sailing loved one is cheap like us, a dockwa gift card equals a hot shower, a chance to re-provision, and sometimes luxury amenities like a pool or restaurant!
Amazon
You would be shocked by all of the boat parts you can buy from Amazon, and they ship all over the world which is super helpful for those a little further abroad!
The Gift of Your Time
Most sailors have a project list a mile long! So a great gift can be offering your time to help with things like getting ready for a spring launch, varnishing, waxing the hull, or detailing the interior! For the last few years, Andy has gifted his Dad “10 hours of Boat Projects”. It’s been used on everything from troubleshooting a starter issue to rewiring his solar set-up! So if you are handy this might be a great option!
Did we miss anything? What is the best sailing-related gift you’ve received? Comment below!
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