Gifts for Boaters: Sailors, Skippers and Paddlers
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 21 hand-picked ideas
Boaters measure the year in seasons on the water. There's the spring scramble to get the boat ready, the summer of early launches and late sunsets, and the long winter of reading boating forums and planning next year's trips. Whether they sail a 30-footer, run a center console on the lake or paddle a kayak off the beach, they share one trait: they're always fixing, upgrading or replacing something.
This page starts with gear that's useful on any kind of boat, then explains why life jackets are best chosen by the boater. After that come gifts for sailors and powerboat skippers, for kayakers and paddleboarders, a list of cheap fixes for the boat bag, and a few things for the lake house and the off-season.
If they fish from the boat, gifts for anglers has more, and for someone who spends as much time in the waves as on top of them, see gifts for surfers.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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What every boat ends up needing
Whatever they float on, boaters deal with the same problems: wet gear, glare, distant buoys and warm drinks. These work on a sailboat, a pontoon or a canoe.
- 1
Waterproof Dry Bag Set
~$18
Roll-top bags in several sizes for phones, keys, spare clothes and lunch. Spray, rain and a wet floor will soak anything in a regular backpack, and these keep it dry as long as the top is rolled down three times before clipping. Cheap, light and used on every outing, so they suit any boater whose stash of plastic grocery bags is starting to fail.
- 2
Waterproof Marine Binoculars with Compass
~$65
Waterproof 7x50 binoculars, the standard marine size because the lower magnification stays steadier on a moving deck and the large lenses stay bright at dusk. The built-in compass and range scale help with taking bearings and judging distance to a buoy or another boat. They float, which matters more than it sounds.
- 3
UPF 50 Fishing Sun Hoodie
~$35
A light, quick-drying hooded shirt with sun protection. On the water, sunlight hits twice, from above and off the surface, and a hood covers the ears and neck that sunscreen always misses. Popular with anglers and sailors alike, and far more comfortable in heat than it looks. Sizing is forgiving.
- 4
Floating Soft Cooler Bag
~$45
A soft cooler that floats, made for raft-ups, tubing days and lazy afternoons anchored in a cove. It's lighter and easier to carry down a dock than a hard cooler, and it won't sink if it goes over the side. Best for the social, lake-day kind of boater rather than offshore crews.
Life jackets: help them choose, don't choose for them
A life jacket is the most important piece of gear on any boat, and that's exactly why it shouldn't be a surprise gift. It has to be Coast Guard approved (look for the approval on the label), suited to the kind of boating they do and sized correctly: adult jackets by chest size, children's by weight. Paddlers want a low-profile vest they can move their arms in; offshore sailors may want an inflatable, which needs regular checks and isn't approved for anyone under 16. The best life jacket is the one comfortable enough to actually be worn, and only the boater can judge that by trying it on.
So if their jacket is faded, torn or a size too small, offer to pay and go to the marine store together, or give a gift card for that purpose. Kids should always try theirs on before buying. A boating safety course is another excellent gift; many states require a boater education card for some operators, and the BoatUS Foundation offers free online courses accepted in many states.
For sailors and powerboat skippers
People who own and run a boat are responsible for the people aboard. Many of the best gifts for them are safety and seamanship gear they know they should have and keep putting off.
- Our favorite5
Floating Handheld VHF Marine Radio
~$120
A waterproof handheld VHF that floats if dropped and receives weather broadcasts. Cell coverage on the water is patchy, and VHF channel 16 is how boaters call for help and hear warnings. It's a smart backup even for a boat with a fixed radio. To make the emergency button work properly, they'll need to register for an MMSI number and enter it; BoatUS issues them for free to recreational boaters in US waters.
- 6
The Annapolis Book of Seamanship
~$45
John Rousmaniere's big illustrated reference covers sail trim, boat handling, navigation, weather and emergencies. Sailors at every level use it, and it lives aboard on plenty of cruising boats. A strong gift for a new boat owner, someone taking sailing lessons or the skipper who wants to tighten up their skills.
- 7
Sailor's Rigging Knife with Marlinspike
~$40
A stainless folding knife with a blade for cutting line, a shackle key and a spike for loosening tight knots and splicing. Sailors carry one every time they're aboard, and it's a classic gift that feels traditional without being decorative. Engraving the handle makes it a keepsake.
- 8
Waterproof Floating Ditch Bag
~$40
A bright orange, floating grab bag to hold emergency gear: a handheld VHF, flares, a first aid kit, water and copies of documents. Offshore and coastal boaters are advised to keep one packed by the companionway, and it's often on the to-do list for years. Fill it with a few essentials before wrapping to make it even more useful.
- 9
Telescoping Boat Hook
~$25
An extendable pole with a hook for grabbing dock lines, fending off pilings and fishing hats out of the water. Docking goes more smoothly when the crew can reach a cleat without leaning over the side. It collapses to stow in a locker, and it's an easy gift for any boat owner.
For kayakers and paddleboarders
Paddlers travel light and launch from beaches, ramps and riverbanks. These help with the fiddly parts.
- 10~$60
12V Electric Air Pump for Paddleboards
Inflatable paddleboards need high pressure, which is a real workout by hand. This plugs into a car outlet and does the job while they unload.
Boaters & PaddlersHikers & Camperspractical - 11~$25
Throw Rope Bag for Water Rescue
A bag of floating rope for throwing to a swimmer in trouble. Essential for river paddlers; encourage them to practice throwing it.
Boaters & PaddlersHikers & Camperspractical - 12~$250
Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard Kit
A board, paddle, pump and bag that pack into a closet. Remember a life jacket is still required on board outside swimming areas.
Boaters & PaddlersHikers & Campersexperience - 13~$230
Inflatable Two-Person Kayak
A tandem kayak for calm lakes and slow rivers. Fun for couples who agree on steering, and easy to store when deflated.
Boaters & PaddlersHikers & Campersexperience
Under $25 for the boat bag
Small fixes for problems every boater runs into eventually.
14.Floating Foam Keychain Set ~$8
Bright foam floats for boat, truck and trailer keys. Keys dropped off a dock usually sink in seconds without one.
15.Boat Engine Cut-Off Switch Lanyard ~$12
Kills the engine if the driver goes overboard. US rules require most small powerboat operators to use one at planing speed.
16.Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch ~$12
A clear, floating pouch for a phone on a lanyard. Test it with a paper towel inside before trusting it with the real thing.
17.Sailing Knots Practice Kit with Rope ~$16
Rope and cards for practicing the bowline, cleat hitch and more. Great for new crew members and kids heading out on the boat.
18.Captain's Sailing Cap ~$18
A classic captain's cap. Pure fun for the new boat owner, a retiree's first season or the friend who insists on being called skipper.
For the lake house and the off-season
When the boat is shrink-wrapped for winter, these keep the water close.
- 19
Custom Nautical Chart Print
~$45
A print of the real nautical chart for their harbor, lake or favorite stretch of coast, complete with depth soundings and channel markers. It means much more to a boater than a generic beach print, because it shows the water they know. Lovely for a lake house, a retirement or an anniversary for a couple who met on the water.
- 20
Brass Ship's Barometer
~$60
A brass-cased barometer for the wall, styled like a classic ship's instrument. Sailors have long watched the pressure for warning of weather; a fast fall usually means wind and rain on the way. It suits a cabin, a den or a boathouse, and it gives a boater something to tap and check all winter.
- 21
Leather Boat Shoes
~$60
Classic leather boat shoes with siped, non-marking soles that grip a wet deck. They're as much a summer staple ashore as on board. You'll need their shoe size, and if they actually crew on deck, they may prefer a specific brand they already trust.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
$50–$100
Before you buy for the boat
Find out what they float on. Sailboats, powerboats, pontoons, kayaks and paddleboards all need different gear.
Leave life jackets to them. Offer a gift card or a shopping trip so the jacket fits and suits their boating.
Safety gear makes a caring gift: a floating VHF, a ditch bag or a spare cut-off lanyard.
Lessons and courses count. A sailing class or a boating safety course is a gift many people would love.
Want something matched to their boat? Tell our gift finder how they spend their days on the water.
Boating gift FAQ
What's a good gift for a new boat owner?
A floating handheld VHF radio, a dry bag set, a telescoping boat hook, floating keychains and The Annapolis Book of Seamanship are all useful from the first season. A boating safety course is also a smart gift.
Can I buy a life jacket as a gift?
It's better to let the boater choose. Life jackets must be Coast Guard approved, suited to the activity and fitted to the wearer, by chest size for adults and weight for children. Offer a gift card or go shopping together.
What do you get a sailor who has everything?
A custom nautical chart print of their home waters, a classic rigging knife, a brass barometer, a ditch bag or a sailing course in a new place, such as a charter weekend with an instructor.
What are cheap gifts for boaters?
Floating keychains, a spare engine cut-off lanyard, a waterproof phone pouch, a knots practice kit, a dry bag set or a captain's cap all cost under $25.