Boating’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide delivers a list of boating gifts from the expensive to the affordable (cheap, even!) and in a variety of categories from DIY, to clothing, to marine electronics, accessories, and more. It is a gift list curated by the world’s foremost powerboating experts, the editors of Boating, to help you choose the best gift for the boat owner in your life. Even if that boater is you!
Whether you need a gift for a new boat owner or someone that seems to always have everything onboard, you’ll find something on this list. If you need more gift ideas, check out some of our previous gift guides. Happy Holidays!
Wearables
Quatix 6 Solar
Garmin’s Quatix 6 marine smartwatch will make a great gift for the boater on your list, thanks to a solar-charging face that extends time between charges even longer than previous-generation Quatix and Fenix watches. It still interfaces with Garmin navigation equipment and Fusion audio systems, all while tracking steps, heart rate, sleep quality and duration, and more. An internal GPS module makes it a legitimate navigation device with downloadable maps. The watch has a Bluetooth module to connect to smartphones, and a Wi-Fi module to connect to a smartphone or network. It can run weeks, not days, on a single charge with GPS and Wi-Fi turned off. $700 for standard model, $1,000 for Titanium; garmin.com
Zhik Face Mask
For a great stocking stuffer, check out this -weatherproof, washable face mask. It is -comfortable to wear when on the water. Made of polyurethane foam, it is not medical-grade, but helps boaters who need to practice social -distancing. It has a one-way valve to help with breathing. $34.95; zhik.com
Time Concepts Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Watch
Give the gift of time with one of these sporty-looking watches with stainless-steel housings. They are waterproof to 656 feet. The rubber straps are easy to buckle and can be changed for a different look. $250; timeconcepts.net
Grundens Men’s Gaff 11-Inch Shorts
These rugged nylon-spandex shorts have a rugged DWR (durable water repellent) finish to stand up to any offshore environment. They dry quickly and feature a zippered security pocket to keep your keys or cash from falling overboard. $74.99; grundens.com
Booe Hybrid 20 Waterproof Backpack
Any boater will love to get this waterproof and airtight backpack as a holiday gift. Its waterproof zippers prevent leaks into the bag. While it floats, it’s also submersible to a meter (3.2 feet) should you laden it down with tons of gear. $199.99; booe.com
Flylow Davis Jacket
Wrap up this breathable windbreaker for the boater on your list. It’s great for heading out on the water when there’s a chill in the air. It adds a layer of protection and water resistance, yet is lightweight and breathable enough to help prevent overheating. $93.75; flylowgear.com
Salty Crew Men’s Palomar Pinnacle Hooded Tech Shirt
Boaters everywhere will love this technical hoodie made of four-way-stretch poly fabric with a UPF 40 sun-protection rating. It also features a quick-dry fabric. The long sleeves have thumbholes to offer additional protection for your hands. $46; westmarine.com
Surf Monkey Gear Face Shields
A good face shield is one of the best stocking stuffers you can give to your boating and water-loving family members, and Surf Monkey Gear makes some of the coolest. Made 100 percent in America at its Florida factory, the Surf Monkey Gear shields are versatile, breathable and moisture-wicking, and feature SPF 50-plus protection. There are hundreds of designs to choose from for all your friends and family, including one that works perfectly for those ugly-sweater parties. $27.99 to $34.99; surfmonkeygear.com
Heybo Boca Grande Long-Sleeved Shirt
Make sure the boat captain on your list looks great whether on an office Zoom call or working the rods in the cockpit of a center-console. The UPF 30 fabric helps shield the wearer from the sun, and dries quickly should it get wet from a rain shower or spray. $54.99; heybooutdoors.com
Huk Kona Woven Short-Sleeved Shirt
With seven cool Hawaiian-esque styles to choose from, the Huk Kona short-sleeved shirt will keep the boater on your gift list cool and dry on the water while looking good. The lightweight, breathable fabric dries quickly, and is soft enough to clean sunglasses at the helm while being stylish enough to wear for dockside dining. $55; hukgear.com
Marine Electronics
Clarion Sport Grille RGB LED Speakers
Watch the ears perk up when the boater on your list sees these Clarion CMS-651RGB speakers. Built to last in the marine environment, they offer outstanding sound. They put on a light show too with the RGB version, and adjust the light to match any mood. The 6.5-inch speakers are waterproof, corrosion-resistant and UV-protected. A woofer cone gives thumping bass, and a polymer tweeter is high-pass-protected for a long life of providing clear, crisp notes. $149.99 per pair; clarion.com
Icom America M93D VHF Handheld
Give the boater on your list this fully equipped handheld VHF with all marine and weather channels. It’s equipped with GPS, can save 50 waypoints, and gives steerage information on the LED screen, including speed and course for accurate navigation. The radio floats for added safety and security, and comes with a battery pack, AC adapter/charger, 12-volt outlet cable, belt clip and a hand strap. Durable and protected by a three-year warranty, it is a coveted holiday gift. $249.99; icomamerica.com
GoPro Max
Any boater on your list will love this nifty video camera. GoPro’s new Max offers 360-degree mics and a crisp shotgun mic. It can capture 270 degrees of distortion-free footage with excellent stability control. It is also a 360-degree camera or an amazing VLOG cam with a front-facing screen. Using GoPro’s app, a boater can pan to any segment of the surrounding imagery and record video. It shoots 6K for standard or surround, and comes with a free 64 GB microSD card. $499; gopro.com
Ecoxgear SolJam Audio Player
Big sound from this little device comes from dual 10-watt speakers and a passive subwoofer. That makes it a great holiday gift for the boater on your shopping list. It plays for up to 12 hours on a charge, and it will play longer with solar support. It’s waterproof and dustproof, with an IP67 rating. A waterproof charging port connects to a charger, or plug in your smartphone to recharge it. It floats if dropped, and there’s also a threaded hole on the bottom for versatile mounting options. $150; westmarine com
Roswell R1 8-inch LED Stereo Speakers
With 200 watts of peak power and 100 watts of continuous power, these 90 dB speakers make a great boating holiday gift. The polymer woofer cone is illuminated by LEDs and the 1-inch silk tweeter in the center renders the high, clear notes. They are available with black or white frames and grilles, and a snap-on ring to conceal fasteners. $379 per pair; roswellmarine.com
Lowrance Hook With Fish Reveal
If the boater on your list also likes to fish, this might be the perfect gift. Genesis Live Time Charting enables a boating angler to create personalized, detailed sonar charts. Fish Reveal combines Lowrance CHIRP and DownScan sonar on one screen, giving incredible detail and contrast. SideScan sonar is also included. Sonar is auto-tuning, so there’s more time to fish. Split Shot allows four different sonar displays, or the sonar and chart to display side by side, and the entire system is available complete with transducer in 5-, 7- and 9-inch screens for $349, $399 and $799, respectively; lowrance.com.
Fusion StereoActive
This portable Bluetooth stereo features a 40-watt amp and dual 20-watt speakers, giving the boater on your holiday list big stereo sound. A single three-hour full recharge lets it play music for 20 hours from a Bluetooth-equipped device or a low-profile USB drive. It’s internal AM/FM/Weatherband radio plays music and reports weather independent of any other device. It comes with an adhesive mounting puck, or select the Active Safe mount ($100) to keep your keys, wallet and phone in watertight security in your firmly connected StereoActive. $220; fusionentertainment.com
Harbor Freight Battery/Alternator Tester
Boaters deal with many electrical problems. While it’s no replacement for a digital multimeter, this tool can help the boater on your gift list narrow down the cause of battery or battery-charging problems aboard the boat. Functional and inexpensive, it’s a great stocking stuffer. $3.99; harborfreight.com
Watersports
Liquid Force Launch Wake Foil
Looking for a unique gift for the adventure- loving boater in your life? Check out the Launch Wake Foil from Liquid Force. Wake foils can be ridden behind any kind of boat or even a PWC, and bring a whole new floating feeling to watersports. The Launch is designed for first-time riders, with a foil that offers more stability at slow speeds, and a wider board that’s easier to ride and features removable foot straps—great for those learning to get up. $1,299.99; liquidforce.com
HO Marlin iSUP
Give the gift of enjoying the water in a new, convenient way this year. A lot of inflatable stand-up paddleboards aren’t great in the performance department, but HO’s new Marlin series is designed to change that. Built to be more rigid and lighter weight, the Marlin features a longer, narrower shape for faster, more efficient cruising. Two bungee tie-downs make bringing extra gear easy, and the Marlin comes with a two-way hand pump, paddle and comfortable carrying case. $899.99 for 12-foot-6-inch model, $999.99 for 13-foot-6-inch model; hosports.com
Sharkbanz 2 Shark Deterrent
Keep the boater on your list safe from sharks with the Sharkbanz 2, which straps on a wrist or ankle. The deterrent uses powerful built-in magnets to keep sharks at bay—no batteries needed. $84; sharkbanz.com
Radar Session
A great gift for the water-skiing fan in your life is the new Session ski from Radar. Built with more surface area for added stability and ease of use, the Session is designed to be fun without feeling sluggish like other larger water skis. Getting up and arcing turns, even on open-water lakes, are easier than ever before thanks to the Session. $299.99; radarskis.com
Slingshot Boss Hoss
The Boss Hoss, the latest wakesurf board from Slingshot, is designed to take the frustration out of trying to ride the waves, and that makes it a great gift for boating enthusiasts. The Boss Hoss is designed to be ridden on even the smallest of waves, and still allows riders to drop the rope and experience what surfing behind the boat is all about. Think of the Boss Hoss as the gift that keeps on giving. $599; slingshotwake.com
YuJet
Want to give one of the coolest gifts of the year? Look no further than the YuJet, a jet-powered, all-electric surfboard that is guaranteed to deliver big fun. Featuring a high-powered, swappable battery and wireless remote throttle, the YuJet can reach speeds up to 24 mph and run for 40 minutes. The design features a stable platform and padded decking, making it easy for all skill levels. $9,999; yujetusa.com
Fishing Gear
Penn Fathom Low-Profile Reel Series
We used to call these reels baitcasters, but today’s versions do so much more. That’s why the angler on your list will love a new Penn Fathom Low-Profile reel. Available in 200, 300 and 400 sizes, these streamlined reels are easy to cast, and feature metal bodies, strong gears and smooth drags for battling powerful fish in fresh and salt waters. Starting at $249.99; pennfishing.com
Spro King Daddy Frog
If the boating angler on your list likes to fish lily pads for bass, then get one or two Spro King Daddy Bronze Eye 90 Frog lures as stocking stuffers. These lifelike topwater lures are snag-proof and come in new colors like Navy Seal, Yellow Sparkle, Outback and Albino. They are designed to be cast into heavy cover and twitched back, and generate explosive strikes from bass or even muskies. $16.22; spro.com
Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader Material
If you’ve priced fluorocarbon leader material, you know this will be a hit as a stocking stuffer. Seaguar’s Gold Label fluoro is tough and strong, but also supple, thin and virtually invisible underwater. The angler on your holiday list will hook and land more fish as a result. Available in 2- to 40-pound-test, all in 25-yard spools. Starting at $18.99; seaguar.com
Ocean Born Flying Popper Tuna Rocket
Saltwater lures don’t get any cuter or more effective than the 100 mm size of Ocean Born’s Flying Popper Tuna Rocket. The angler on your list will love the way it pops, spits, walks and creates a bubble trail. It comes with single hook in floating, sinking and super-long-distance models in four color patterns, and is great for tuna. $18.50; abandofanglers.com
Gamakatsu Stainless-Steel Pliers
You can’t go wrong by giving the boating angler on your holiday list these stainless-steel fishing pliers from Gamakatsu. With a PTFE coating, they ward off rust, and have jaws that serve as line cutters, crimpers, a split-ring tool and a hook remover. They include a nonslip grip, lanyard and sheath. $24.99 for 6-inch model, $26.99 for 7-inch; tacklewarehouse.com
PowerPro Depth-Hunter Offshore Braid
PowerPro Depth-Hunter Offshore braid features colors that repeat in a pattern of five—blue, yellow, red, green and orange— every 100 feet, so the angler on your list can gauge the amount of line let off the reel. It’s low-stretch to provide outstanding sensitivity and hook-setting performance, and available in 65-, 80- and 130-pound-test in spools of 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000 yards. Starting at $129.99; powerpro.com
Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor
Make room under the tree for this because it’s big, and the bass- or bay-boat owner on your list will love it. The Raptor hydraulic anchor pole from Minn Kota can hold boats securely in place in shallow water. It features hydraulic deployment and retrieve, Auto Anchoring, Auto Bottom mode and more, and is available in a range of colors. Starting at $1,499; minnkotamotors.com
Plano Z-Series Tackle Bag Series
With all the tackle you’re giving the boating angler on your list, you’d better include a way to keep it all organized. One of the two new Z-Series zipperless tackle bags from Plano will hit the mark. These durable bags feature a waterproof base and PVC fabric, with not a single zipper to corrode and stick. $64.99 for 3600 model, $79.99 for 3700; planomolding.com
Bubba Hook Extractor
Once an angler on your holiday list catches a fish, the hook needs to come out. That’s where the Bubba Hook Extractor comes in. The sturdy 6-inch tool makes it easy to remove hooks with one hand, even hooks that are deep. Give it a twist with the spring-loaded hook, and you can release or keep your catch. This makes a great stocking stuffer. $29.95; midwayusa.com
Morakniv Floating Knife
Boaters love knives, and this one with a polymer handle encased in cork will be a big hit. If dropped while cutting lines or limes on board, it will float. And the lime-green, plastic-handle core and sheath make it easy to spot if it goes overboard. $29.99; industrialrev.com
Boater’s Choice
Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS 1440 14×40 Binoculars
The boater on your holiday list needs powerful binoculars; the more powerful, the better—to a point. When they get too powerful, the motion of the boat and hands is amplified, making it difficult to get a clear view of the target. Fujinon eliminates that in these 14×40 highly magnified optics with electronically stabilized imaging. The subject remains steady in the eye pieces, and that means this holiday gift won’t tire the eyes. Pricey? Not when they add so much safety to your pilothouse. $1,300; westmarine.com
Mercury 3.5 hp Outboard
Powerboaters love power. And whether it’s to power the dink that gets the boater on your list to her boat, or the primary power for a small fishing boat, Mercury Marine’s 3.5 hp four-stroke outboard motor can get the job done. $1,089.89; westmarine.com
Forespar Sta-Plug
Here’s a gift you hope never gets used. Its soft-cone-shaped design allows it to fill the irregular shapes of hull-impact breaches, as well as any round hole leak from a hose or through-hull. Edge-gripping riblets help hold the plug in a hole, keeping water out, sealing a leak near the edge where a tight fit is crucial, and holding the plug more securely in place. $19.95; forespar.com
Load-A-Pup
We love boating with our dogs. (Who doesn’t?) If the boater on your gift list feels the same, then we suggest the gift of Load-A-Pup. This doggie-boarding platform easily attaches to a swim ladder, and allows cruising canines easy access to and from the water. Available in several versions, including saltwater and hunting editions. $180; greatdayinc.com
Sea Sense EZ In Garboard Plug
Forgot the drain plug? Doh! Now your boater has to travel all the way back home. However, with this high-visibility key fob, she’ll likely remember the plug in the first place. And if not, this one even works as a temporary garboard plug. $2.99; academy.com
Quicksilver Gear Lube and Pump Kit
If you are buying a gift for the handy boater, consider this gear lube and pump kit from Quicksilver. It contains a hand pump with a fitting made for 3/8-16 threads and a 32-ounce bottle of Mercury Quicksilver 90-weight gear lubricant. $26; amazon.com
Allied International Lifting Magnet
Whether used to retrieve a set of car keys dropped overboard, or simply for the fun of fishing for whatever ferrous metal objects might be lurking at the slip or anchorage, the boater on your list is sure to enjoy this PVC-coated, powerful magnet with 110 pounds of lifting strength. $24.99; westmarine.com
Attwood Bottle Opener
Attractive, functional and oh-so old-school, the boater on your list will love to mount this solid stainless-steel Attwood bottle opener in a key location of the galley or cockpit, perhaps right over a special cup to collect the bottle caps. That’s how boaters did it back in the day. $12.59; amazon.com
Motorguide Tiller Extension Handle
Got a boater who runs a dinghy or trolls from a small boat? That boater will appreciate this universal extension handle, which allows them to sit farther forward while operating the outboard motor. That allows for a better-balanced boat without a lot of bow rise. Adjusts up to 24 inches. $28.65; amazon.com