Body Glove Cruiser 10 iSUP
Body Glove inflatable SUP are great for boating dads. They stow easily, yet when inflated, deliver top performance. The Body Glove Cruiser 10 comes as a complete package, with a paddle, the board, a waterproof cellphone bag, a leash and even a backpack to stow and carry it in. Lightweight, it weighs just 20 pounds and is ideal for flat water or light surfing. $799, bodyglove.com
More Gifts: We’ve got a large collection of the top boating gifts! Check out more of our gift guides, here.
Garmin Quatix 5 Watch
Not just a watch. Not just a fitness watch. Not just a navigation tool or an autopilot control either. The stainless-steel bracelet secures the good-looking sapphire quartz crystal watch to the wrist with style. With it, you can find your car and your phone, control your Garmin autopilot from anywhere in the vessel, and, yes, it tracks your fitness activities, heart rate and calories burned. Oh, text messages, social media notifications and many more will pop up on the screen if you choose, and tap the watch to answer your calls. Tired of the watch face? Change it. There are hundreds of options and apps at the Connect IQ Store. Its applications are as numerous as the stars — you can track them on the watch too. $849.99; garmin.com
Learn More About Garmin’s Quatix 5 Watch
West Marine Albatross Sit-Inside Tandem Kayak
Dad will love visiting other boats—with you along, too!– at the anchorage with his new West Marine Albatross Tandem Kayak. It’s a, “sit in,” model, so dad’s butt need not get wet. Roominess is in the large open cockpit where two comfortable, padded, adjustable seats can be positioned for the perfect trim, for either tandem or solo paddling. $909, westmarine.com
KAYAK AND SUP RACKS FOR DAD’S BOAT
Furuno GP 1870 F
This all-in-one GPS-Plotter-Fishfinder does it all and well. Sporting a waterproof, high-resolution color display that’s easy to see in direct sunlight, the Furuno GP 1870 F can find fish, help dad navigate safely and delivers ease of installation with its built-in GPS antenna. A variety of optional transducers are available to suit dad’s particular boating needs. $999, furunousa.com
Fujinon TS1440 14×40 Techno-Stabi Binoculars
Dad’s eyes probably aren’t what they used to be, so he will really appreciate a new pair of binoculars. But these aren’t just any binos – the Fujinon 14×40 Techno Stabi features gyro stabilization that eliminates the jittery view you experience with ordinary binos in rough seas. The image is stable, once you power up the microprocessor that smooths out the view. Use them once, and you will never want to go back regular binos on the boat again. Power comes from four AA batteries. $999.95, bhphotovideo.com
Trying to find the best boating or fishing gift for dad? Use our guide of great boating gifts under $500 to find that perfect present for your favorite boating dad.
Shimano Stella SW 14000 Spinning Reel
If Pops takes his big-game fishing seriously, then this is the spinning reel for him. The Stella SW 14000 exerts 55 pounds of drag pressure – more than Dad will ever need. It holds 315 yards of 65-pound-test braid line and retrieve 53 inches of line with each turn of the power handle, thanks to a 6.2:1 gear ratio. Match it with a Shimano Terez 78H spinning rod ($289.99, tackledirect.com) for popper fishing and power to defeat tuna and marlin up to 200 pounds. $1,159.99, tackledirect.com
BOTE 12′ HD Native SUP
The Bote HD is a hybrid between a recreational surf style hull and a displacement touring hull with a “V” nose entry. The design paddles effortlessly while maintaining excellent stability. Throw in a Stashpod, Tackle Rac receivers, and nose / tail bungees and dad will have a versatile board. If dad is looking for a “one board for everything”, then consider gifting him the Bote HD. $1,749, westmarine.com
KAYAK AND SUP RACKS FOR DAD’S BOAT
Torqeedo’s 1-Horsepower Ultra-Light Motor
Electric motors are coming into their own and you already know how much your dad likes to kayak. Make his sport a little more fun with Torqeedo’s 1-horsepower Ultra-Light Motor. We’ve run these little dudes on a kayak and made five or six knots. Its remote throttle and power monitor reports speed and range, updating it up to the second so you know when you might just have to paddle — an unlikely event since we saw reported ranges of over 20 miles at our spritely speeds. The ruddered motor connects to the standard rudder pedal of any sea kayak. It’s a complete package aside the ‘yak and dad. $1,799, torqeedo.com
Hook and Gaff Fleetmaster Watch
Its Swiss movement is mechanical, the mark of sophisticated time keeping and a standard for men’s luxury watches. Its rugged good looks don’t come cheap, but its precision is just one of its charms. Another band option is the black or brown alligator hide. You can bling it up with a stainless-steel bracelet, waterproof to go with its 200-meter water-resistant 316L stainless watch case. The face is sapphire crystal, of course. Don’t buy batteries. And don’t put this one in a drawer like last year’s Luminox. $1,995; hookandgaff.com
Lowrance 4G Radar and HDS Carbon 12 MFD
Few navigational situations are more unnerving than getting socked in by fog. Ease Dad’s anxiety with the Lowrance 4G radar system complemented by a Lowrance HDS Carbon 12 multifunction display. The 4G will reach out to 36 miles, but also offers an exceptional close-in view of echo returns. Easily paired with an HDS Carbon 12 display, the system provides superb target for safety when visibility if limited. 4G radar, $1,899; HDS Carbon 12, $3,149; lowrance.com
West Marine Rib 310
Dad will e styling as he launches his brand new dinghy at his next harbor or anchorage. With 17″ tubes and a deep-V design on the aluminum hull, the boat planes quickly. It’s rated for up to 20hp, which should push the 128-lb. RIB to impressive speeds and give it the power to carry lots of gear. $3,999.99, westmarine.com
