Bored of socks and scented candles? Up the ante this Christmas with a gift you would be thrilled to receive from our guide to the best Christmas gifts for boaters...
Buying Christmas gifts for boaters can be very tricky – after all, what can you buy someone who’s lucky enough to spend a decent chunk of their time larking about on the water?
Luckily, MBY is here to help. There’s something for everyone, from affordable to big budget and super stylish, in our gift guide, all guaranteed to put a big smile on your festive faces…
If you’re on a budget, check out our pick of the best Christmas gifts for boaters under $50, or the best boatie Christmas gifts under $100.
Best Christmas gift cards for boaters
Stuck for ideas? Running out of time? A gift card ensures your loved one can get exactly what they want (even if it’s not exactly the most thoughtful present!) Here’s where you can currently buy Christmas gift cards for boaters
Buy West Marine gift cards
Buy Gael Force Marine gift vouchers
Buy Bass Pro Shops gift cards
Buy Cabela’s gift cards
Buy Amazon gift cards
Buy Walmart gift cards
Buy Decathlon gift cards
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Best Christmas gifts for boaters: New for 2023
Musto Evolution Loft Hybrid Vest 2.0
There’s no garment better suited to year-round use than a slimline insulating midlayer – and there are few examples better suited to marine use than Musto’s Evolution Loft Hybrid Vest 2.0. This low-profile three-layer softshell is built from 100% recycled polyester, with a Pertex Quantum face fabric that is designed to improve insulation efficiency.
The PFC-free DWR coating provides extra waterproofing and the lower hand pockets are sleekly integrated into the seam. Designed with a more athletic cut than a lot of comparable marine garments, this is all about contemporary style, warmth without bulk, easy layering and unconstrained freedom of movement.
Helly Hansen HP Ocean Sweatpants
Perfect for relaxing on Boxing Day with a slightly expanded waistline, these sweatpants (or joggers to us Brits) are made with layered spacer fabric. Designed to be sporty and cool, the comfortable, high-tech fabric is made from 66% recycled polyester.
Buy it now from HellyHansen.com
Ocean Signal RescueMe PLB3
This clever PLB uses two separate systems at the same time to maximise your chances of rapid rescue in an emergency. It uses a 406 MHz distress signal to relay your position to a worldwide network of Cospas-Sarsat search and rescue satellites, so the most suitable rescue service can be alerted.
It also transmits an AIS man overboard signal for AIS-equipped vessels within VHF range, which means that, when you’re in serious trouble, nearby boats will also be alerted to your plight. And it even emits visible and infrared strobe lights to help guide your rescuer to your location.
Read Yachting World’s full review of the PLB3
Subscription to Motor Boat & Yachting
Best Christmas gift for boaters everywhere!
If you spend £21.99 on a six-month subscription to MBY magazine (saving £11.01 on the shelf price), you will receive a free Packaway 20-litre waterproof backpack worth £27, and it doesn’t take a maths whizz to see the value in that!
To secure your subscription, visit the website address below or call 0330 333 1113. Quote code X501 for RED, X502 for BLUE or X503 for GREY. You can also upgrade your subscription to include access to the MBY digital magazine for an additional £7.50.
Buy it now on magazines-direct.com
Yeti Tundra Haul
If Yeti is the A-list brand of the coolbox world, its Tundra Haul is the model to seek out. Described as “the toughest cooler on two wheels”, this bear-proof box is built from the same roto-moulded polyethylene process you might have seen on sea kayaks.
It’s highly specced too, with puncture-resistant tyres, a welded aluminium tow arm, non-slip feet and tie-down slots to connect it to your boat. Industry-leading ice (or heat) retention is guaranteed by thick walls, pressure-injected Permafrost insulation and a freezer-quality gasket.
For maximum usability, you would do well to invest in a divider, a cage, some ice packs and a cushion but frankly anything from Yeti will be very well received.
Check out our guide to the best boat coolers on the market
Tahe 9’10” Inflatable Kayak Package
Lightweight, easy to assemble and use, this kayak package includes everything needed for a day of paddling. The perfect gift for the adventurous boater in your life, it could even provide an alternative to their knackered old tender.
ICOM IC-M510BB
If you want your VHF handsets to communicate directly in the same way as a fixed intercom system, ICOM is the place to look. There are two models you can choose from – the M410BB, which gives you the option of a second station and the more expensive M510BB, which enables you to plug in two extra units.
That means you could put one at the helm, one on the aft deck and another in the crew cabin, providing VHF in all the key zones, alongside direct onboard comms for you and your crew.
These models also include integrated GPS for independent Class D Digital Selective Calling, as well as Icom’s AquaQuake draining function to help clear water from the speaker grill.
Victorinox Skipper Pro
The Skipper Pro does away with several of the Skipper model’s less vital functions and it’s all the better for it. It provides basic DIY necessities (a wire stripper and a pair of screwdrivers); basic everyday devices (a bottle opener, can opener and tweezers); and basic boating tools (a serrated blade, reamer punch and lockable marlin spike).
It also comes with a hi-vis orange lanyard (which is handy because it will sink like a stone if dropped overboard), as well as the option of a nylon pouch and personalised engraving.
Check out Yachting Monthly’s guide to the best multitools for boating
Garmin Quatix 7
This flagship GPS smartwatch from the King of wearable tech can provide chartplotter and autopilot control, as well as integration with your Fusion-Link entertainment system. For most people, the traditional button controls will prove more useful than the touchscreen interface but there’s no questioning the depth of functionality.
In addition to a built-in LED flashlight, you get tide data, activity profiles for land and water, performance metrics, smart notifications, health monitoring and optional BlueChart g3 coastal charts and inland maps.
It also comes with a 47 or 51mm case, as well as the option of a bright AMOLED display and solar technology for extended battery life.
Read Yachting World’s full review of the Garmin Quatix 7
Hawke Endurance ED 7×42 Monocular with Compass
Waterproof, fog-proof and nitrogen-purged, this marine-specific monocular comes with seven-times magnification, which is about as much as you can profitably handle on a moving platform. It combines that with a 42mm objective lens, which means you get masses of light for excellent detail and colour rendition in dim conditions.
The use of posh BAK-4 Roof Prisms and coated low-dispersion glass enables more of that light to make its way to your eye instead of bouncing around inside the monocular. And the built-in compass and rangefinder enable you to check landmarks and buoyage with extra confidence.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator
Give the gift of peace of mind on the water with this compact satellite communicator that sends and receives messages, tracks and logs location points, and uses simple navigation globally.
Four Seas Salcombe gin
Salcombe Gin has partnered with the RNLI to conjure up a Christmas tipple with serious nautical appeal. Taking its inspiration from the four seas that surround the UK, it delivers a fistful of classical Juniper, alongside hints of whisky-smoked lemon, Cornish sea buckthorn, briny Irish sugar kelp and floral Welsh elderberries.
Rich and full-flavoured, there’s a lovely balance between sweetness, soft citrus and subtle salinity that might even earn it a place as your new go-to gin. And for the next two years, 10% of every bottle you buy will go directly toward saving lives at sea.
SipaBoard Drive Tourer
A motorised SUP board might seem like an odd idea but if you’ve ever been caught out by wind, tide or fatigue, a board with built-in propulsion is likely to have enormous appeal. If, like the SipaBoard, it also features a self-inflating mechanism and a built-in compressor, that’s also a major plus.
But this premium SUP board is not just about a safer and easier experience. It’s also about enabling you to go further and to do more. To that end, this highly efficient Drive Tourer model uses the new modular Dual+ Battery System to provide up to six hours of jet power, alongside integrated LED lights for a bottom-lit night cruise.
Zhik Seaboot 700
Designed to feel like a “superlight running shoe”, the Seaboot 700s weigh just 500g apiece. This is still a proper offshore model though, with flexible construction for easy movement plus outstanding grip on both wet and dry decks thanks to a mid and outer sole designed in collaboration with Michelin.
Constructed with a waterproof eVent outer and a breathable inner membrane, it’s also easy to adjust thanks to a rapid lacing system, external stretch gaiters and an elastic hem. It’s certainly not cheap but Zhik watersports gear is famously desirable and this lovely antidote to the industry’s traditional leather boot is no exception.
Buy it now on watersportsoutlet.com
Temo 450 Carbon
French company, Temo, has launched a carbon version of its 450 portable electric engine. Designed for reduced weight, increased performance and uprated strength, it retains the portability, eco-responsibility and quietness of the base model, while adding a bigger 12.8 Ah battery for up to an hour’s operation at full power.
Weighing just 4.6kg, it comes with a 5-year warranty as well as the promise of rapid response from Temo’s Brittany-based service centre. In short, if you need a portable, easy-to-install electric motor for a compact dinghy, tender or rowing boat, this is a supremely attractive way to achieve it.
Buy it now from temofrance.com
Tag Heuer Skipper
If you want something more laid back and classical, the latest version of Tag Heuer’s Skipper watch is just the thing. First introduced in 1968, this reborn model will apparently serve as the ‘flagship’ for a new series of TAG Heuer maritime models and it lays down quite a marker.
In the absence of a bezel, it takes the same approach as the recent ‘glassbox’ Carrera with a face that extends almost to the perimeter for excellent legibility. It also gets the Carrera’s 39mm diameter case as well as the latest TH20-06 movement with bi-directional winding and an 80-hour power reserve.
Riva Mambo Backgammon Board
Riva’s boutique of curiosities is full of kit to covet but this backgammon board is among the very best. Designed with all the style that has made Riva such an icon, the box is built from mahogany and maple and trimmed with Riva’s classical aquamarine mambo fabric.
The dice and counters are crafted from white and aquamarine acrylic glass with mahogany inlays, and even the container used for throwing the dice is an objet d’art in its own right. It’s unashamedly premium – but if you can afford it, there’s an even more decadent leather version available for £4,400!
Buy it now from rivaboutique.it
EzRaft
By using lightweight high-tensile fabrics based on kite surfing technology and a patented 3-tube design that requires no heavy structural parts, the EzRaft 250 packs down into an easy-carry backpack and weighs just 11kg.
Available at 2.5, 2.8 or 3.1m (for four, five or six people), the centre tube of its trimaran design makes it feel more like a raft than a regular inflatable dinghy. You sit quite high and since the floor is above the waterline, it self drains.
It’s easy to row but you can also fit an outboard engine of up to 4hp, so for smaller boats that can’t carry a conventional tender, it makes plenty of sense.
POP Fenders
Fenders can swallow up a huge amount of your storage space when not in use, so how about investing in a set of these telescopic models? POP Fenders are able to collapse from 620mm to just 250mm for much more efficient on board storage.
Built from tough vulcanised rubber that can be recycled by the manufacturer at the end of life, they don’t squeak or streak and they can be washed in a domestic dishwasher. They also come in a whole variety of RAL colours so you can tailor them to the style of your boat.
Fortis Finseeker sunglasses
Fortis’s research into fishing-specific sunglasses has created a line of shades that do a great job for family boaters. Available with a range of lens options in both polymer and glass, the flagship Finseekers use an anti-reflective inner coating to eradicate reflections of your face.
They also feature integrated vents to minimise fogging and sweat chambers to wick away moisture, plus spring-loaded hinges on the arms to protect against damage through over-extension.
The green/blue FS003 lenses are likely to be popular but for the ultimate upgrade, the photocromic polarised glass lenses will adapt to brightness for penetrating vision in everything from midday sun to dusky half light.
Buy it now from fortiseyewear.co.uk
Best Christmas gifts for boaters under $50
Seawater & Sawdust
MBY contributors Tom and Lorraine Owen don’t like to make things easy for themselves; rather than buying a second-hand motor boat, they built their own new one from scratch.
Now they’ve written a book about the experience, recounting every painstaking step on the journey from stack of raw timber to 30-foot wheelhouse cruiser in such detail that you can smell the sawdust on every page.
Muggi drinks carrier
Back in the days when we were actually allowed to work in an office together, our Muggi was a key member of the MBY team. Perfect for ferrying the team’s piping hot brews in one hand and a fistful of custard creams in the other, it really took the sting out of the logistical nightmare that was the office tea run.
It also works rather well on boats, where its deep drinks holders and grippy feet ensure the risk of a spillage is kept to a minimum. Even better, all Muggis are now made out of 100% recycled material, including recovered marine plastic.
Wonderbag slow cooker
This simple device uses insulation rather than power to create wonderfully rich slow-cooked stews. You just bring the pot to the boil, pop it in the bag and let it simmer for up to 12 hours, saving energy and reducing emissions. The company also provides subsidised Wonderbags to African communities.
AnySharp knife sharpener
Is it just us or do knives lose their edge faster onboard? The AnySharp Pro is a very effective knife sharpener that will work on anything from a serrated sailing knife to the finest Sabatier carving blade.
A sturdy metal body with a powerful built-in suction cup means you can attach it to any flat surface and keep your hands well away from the cutting edge while sharpening. Perfect for the galley or tool box!
Lifeventure thermal travel mug
Every boat owner needs one of these to keep their cuppa warm at the helm when the rest of the crew are sheltering from the cold in the saloon.
The stainless steel casing has a matt finish for better grip with cold, wet hands, plus a flip-top lid to prevent accidental spills. The vacuum-insulated walls will keep your drink piping hot for up to three hours.
Nauticalia floating keyring
It doesn’t matter whether the boat is a £5,000 Fletcher or a £5million Sunseeker, if you drop the keys in the water, they’re going down.
Unless they’re attached to a large piece of buoyant cork, of course. And if you’re going to have a cork keyring, why not make it champagne cork shaped?
Helly Hansen HP half-zip pullover
This mid-layer top is made from double-knit polyester for light protection from the cold. The lightweight material makes it quick to dry if you do get a soaking and it’s easy to pack into a small bag for short trips away.
The high zip collar will help to keep your neck warm and it’s available in a good variety of colours.
GoXtreme Rebel
It may not have the big name appeal of better known brands but the GoXtreme Rebel looks cracking value for money.
It shoots in 720p HD with a 140 degree wide-angle view and can take up to 16mp still images, too.
Built-in Wi-Fi syncs to a free app allowing a smartphone to be used as a viewfinder and is waterproof to 30 metres.
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best GoPros for boating
Best Christmas gifts for boaters $50-$100
Overboard waterproof duffel bag
We’re massive fans of this versatile dry bag. The 40-litre version is small enough to carry one-handed and stuff into most boat lockers but big enough to swallow cameras, binoculars, handheld VHFs and more.
It’s also a very robust bag, totally waterproof, easy to find things in and peppered with useful pockets, straps and carry handles.
Helly Hansen W Copenhagen
Not everybody is into the look of traditional deck shoes so these low profile sneakers from Helly Hansen are a good compromise.
The rubber outsole should prove grippy enough for work on deck but, available in pink, navy and off white with a signal flag motif on the heel, they’re more stylish than your average deckie.
The tumbled leather uppers with suede trim won’t enjoy a sloshing from a rogue wave but these trendy trainers won’t look out of place away from the boat.
For more options, from deck trainers to leather moccasins, check out our guide to the best boat shoes available right now.
Gill Polar Jacket
There are fleeces and there is Gill’s Polar Jacket. Lined with a kind of soft faux fur on the inside but with a tougher, more densely knitted exterior, it is windproof and incredibly warm, but lighter and more comfortable to wear than a conventional boating jacket.
It’s not waterproof, but as a mid-layer under a thin waterproof jacket or on its own in cold, dry weather it’s a great bit of kit.
Chatham Glen slippers
Best Christmas gift for cosy boaters
These sheepskin mules from Chatham really are the Rolls-Royce of slip-on indoor footwear.
Granted, this is quite a few quid for shoes that you don’t wear outside of your home/cabin but when you recline by the fire with your feet up, what a fine sight these will be at the end of your legs.
The single review of these slippers on the Chatham website simply reads: “unbelievable”. We rest our case, your honour…
West Marine Canvas Bag with Two Dock Lines
These premium-quality dock lines will keep your boat secure at the dock and they come in a convenient carry bag.
Scanstrut Rokk Wireless Nest
Best Christmas gift for mobile-obsessed boaters
This is the world’s first waterproof wireless charge system created specifically for use on board.
The unique technology is housed in an IPX6-rated, fully encapsulated and sealed unit and is ideally suited for installation within helm consoles, seating and cabinetry.
The grippy mat stops phones from sliding around inside, with a prominent front lip ensuring the device can’t slip out onto the deck.
Christmas gifts for boaters over $100
Nauticalia Submariner
This Submariner from Nauticalia is sure to keep you warm and cosy during winter nights on board.
Available in ecru or navy, it’s made from Merino wool with interlinked seams for added strength.
JBL Charge 5
This all-action bluetooth speaker from portable hi-fi specialist JBL delivers a quality of sound way out of proportion to its size and price. In spite of its compact wine bottle proportions and its modest 1kg weight, it’s practical too.
It delivers 20 hours of non-stop playback, it has a charging port for your phone and if you drop it in the water, its IP67 rating means you have at least half an hour before any damage is done. It’s resistant to sand, dust and dirt and you can link as many of these speakers together as you like.
In short, if you want a single music solution for the house, the garden, the boat and the beach, this is a great bit of kit.
Looking for marine speakers? Check out our buyers’ guide
Myerchin Captain Pro Rigging Knife
A great marine knife needs to be small, corrosion-resistant, powerfully built and comfortable to carry. It needs to be easy to open one-handed and be able to cut fast without flex or breakage. A serrated edge with a flat, knurled surface on the back works best and is exactly what this beautiful knife delivers.
It features a fold-out marlinspike (for undoing knots), a shackle key and a springless locking mechanism. It’s an absolute beauty.
Looking for more boat knives? Check out our sister title Yachting Monthly’s buying guide.
Rudy Project 57 Spinair Sunglasses
The best remedy for low-level sun bouncing off the water’s surface is the clean, glare-free contrast of a good pair of polarised marine sunglasses. But have you ever noticed how a polarised lens makes your LCD screens illegible?
Not so here, thanks to Rudy Project’s award-winning range of Polar 3FX HDR glasses. These shades enable you to see more clearly, reducing the impact of reflected light, as well as providing much greater clarity when refracted light is filtered through wind-whipped moisture, rain or fog.
Adjustable temple tips and rubber nose pads keep them comfortably in place during 50-knot winds.
Check out our selection of the best boating sunglasses
Kumma Stow N’ Go 180 BBQ
If you don’t have the room or the budget for a cockpit grill, this is a very effective solution. As the name suggests, this portable barbecue comes with a rail-mount for use with square or round rails so you can fix it to pretty much any boat.
It also comes with handy fold-out legs and an optional canvas cover with carry handle so it’s a simple job if you want to shift the party to the beach or the tabletop.
Built from stainless steel with a protective lid liner and drip tray, it features a cool-touch handle and a generous cooking surface of 1,032cm². Traditionalists will love the charcoal model but if you prefer the quickfire simplicity of gas, there’s an option for that too.
Looking for a boat grill? Check out our essential buyer’s guide
Red Originals Revolution 3-in-1 Change Parka
This seriously cool-looking parka is designed to do the job of a waterproof coat, a warm jacket and a watersports change robe all in one. When the mercury drops, you wear the fleece.
When the rain comes, you wear the parka. And when the British winter gets truly brutal, you combine both layers to create an insulated waterproof coat long enough to keep you properly protected.
A modern oversized fit, determined solely by gender and height, makes it easy to find the right parka for you. Two-way YKK zips, plus 11 pockets and a drawstring waist, add valuable flexibility.
And it’s sustainable too, with recycled materials, breathable Thinsulate featherless down and a PFC-free waterproof coating.
Buy it now on red-equipment.co.uk
Dubarry Crosshaven Sailing Boots
There are a thousand options in the boating footwear market, from classic deck shoes to grotesque amphibians. But one thing that never seems to change is Dubarry’s superb range of sailing boots.
All the high-end features are there – a warm, waterproof, breathable mix of Cordura and Dubarry leathers, plus a Gore-Tex Duratherm-insulated membrane. Youget award-winning soles for reliable grip on wet surfaces.
There are heel and toe reinforcements and sealable high-abrasion gaiters to prevent water ingress at the top. They may be expensive but they’re also a genuine treat.
Read Yachting Monthly’s group test of sailing boots
Scubajet Pro Scooter
We’ve seen plenty of underwater scooters over the years but thanks to the modular approach of the new Scubajet Pro, its versatility is on another level.
You can double the motor power for faster speeds. You can increase the tube length and ramp up the battery capacity for longer run times. You can even add a nose cone with a 1,500 lumen torch.
Originally designed as a diving scooter, you can also use the jet unit as an electric motor for above-water toys such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Light, fast and beautifully designed, the entry-level model is also airline compliant – which means you can take it on holiday too.
Steiner Commander 7×50 Marine Binoculars With Compass
Unless they use active stabilisation, a really good set of marine binoculars should combine a maximum of eight times magnification (for ease of use on a moving platform) with a wide-diameter objective lens (for optimum brightness).
In the case of these rigorously proven Steiners, a 7×50 formula produces a sparkling image with clear vibrant colours, even in low dusky light, when reds, greens and yellows threaten to blur into one.
The Diamond lens coating with ErgoFlex eyecups does a great job of cleaning up any diffused light, and internal Nitrogen helps keep fogging at bay. Both the sports autofocus and the integrated compass are a delight to use. With impact-resistant construction and a 30-year guarantee, the quality of build is every bit as impressive as the image.
Yachting World has tried and tested these 3 sets of premium marine binoculars
Garmin MARQ Captain Gen 2 Watch
Ignoring the modern digital smartwatch in favour of the mechanical timepiece is like ditching your Macbook for a quill and parchment. So leave the Omegas to wannabe spies and invest in this instead.
Built from titanium with an AMOLED touchscreen display, it has speed, distance, virtual starting line and man overboard functions.
Preloaded with TopoActive maps, it pairs with your Garmin plotter for vital nav data and it also connects with your inReach satellite communicator for two-way communication and SOS functionality.
Looking for a boating watch? Read our essential buyer’s guide
American Tourister Airconic
In the ongoing battle with airlines and their war on cabin luggage the Airconic is a secret weapon. Not only are its dimensions compact enough to keep your mind at ease if you’re unlucky enough to be the last on board but the 55cm version weighs just 2kg. Two kilograms!
It comes in a range of colours and thanks to that lightweight frame and four wheels, it’s a dream to whizz through the airport.
Lotus Grill Portable BBQ
Best Christmas gift for boaters who cook
These clever little portable BBQs are perfect for boat owners. They’re surprisingly compact, reach cooking temperature in four minutes, create very little smoke and don’t get hot on the outside.
The secret is a built-in battery powered fan that fast tracks the usual 20 minutes of hanging around while the charcoal gets going and ensures a nice even spread of heat with all the great smoky flavour but none of the faff.
You can even control the cooking temperature by adjusting the fan speed to suit.
Read our guide to the best portable barbecues
Helly Hansen Power Salt
Best Christmas gift for all-weather boaters
It can be tricky to find a boating jacket that is seriously windproof and waterproof but doesn’t make you look like you’ve just been spat out by the Vendée Globe.
Helly Hansen hopes to get this balance just right with the Salt Power, which has been created to celebrate 35 years of the iconic H/H marine stripe design.
Its two-layer construction is windproof, waterproof and breathable, and the fleece-lined collar should make it comfortable to wear for extended periods. It even has a built in D ring to attach the boat’s kill cord to.
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best sailing jackets
G-Shock Gulfmaster
Casio’s G-Shock range has been producing tough timepieces for years and the Gulfmaster is one designed specifically for maritime activity.
Suitable for professional diving with water resistance rated at 200m, it features a thermometer, tide graph, digital compass, and moon phase graph. For the money it’s an impressively capable bit of kit.
Standard Horizon HX40E
This waterproof marine radio, which is about the size of a pack of playing cards, is compact but packs a punch. It boasts 6W of transmitting power, an FM radio and a bright dot matrix screen that remains clear even in direct sunlight.
Chunky buttons on the simple fascia make it easy to use with gloves.
Looking for more options? Check out Yachting World’s guide to the best fixed marine radios and best handheld VHFs.
OLAS Guardian
The OLAS Guardian works by wirelessly logging up to 15 crew members via small wearable transmitters that are worn on the wrist. If the transmitter is submerged or strays too far from the boat the engine is cut.
Being wireless, the skipper can move around the boat freely to attach lines and fenders, safe in the knowledge that the virtual kill cord is safely in place. Clever stuff!
Buy ACR OLAS Guardian now on Amazon
Buy ACR OLAS man overboard tag deals now on Amazon
Itiwit 10ft inflatable paddle board
Best Christmas gift for active boaters
No boat is complete without an inflatable paddleboard to splash about on, but if you still haven’t joined the SUP brigade or need an extra one for guests, this beginner’s board could be a good place to start.
Costing less than £300, it’s Decathlon’s entry-level touring board and has been designed with ease of use and stability in mind.
It’s also about as cheap as you’ll get for a decent quality board that won’t flex like a banana the minute you stand on it. This 10ft version can cope with riders from 60-80kg but larger and smaller versions are available.
It weighs 9kg and comes in an easy-to-carry backpack but you will need to add the paddle and pump bundle if you haven’t already got them.
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best paddleboards
ACR ResQLink View
Best Christmas gift for adventurous boaters
The View is the only personal locator beacon that uses Galileo GNSS Return Link technology to provide those in need of rescue with a clear message on a digital display verifying that help is on the way, which would be rather comforting.
There is no subscription required for this service and the unit features both a strobe and an infrared red light, five-year battery life and a 28-hour operational period once activated.
Reading Yachting World’s guide to the best personal locator beacons
Meaco Arete Dehumidifier 20L
Best Christmas gift for boaters doing DIY
OK, we know not everyone is going to be excited by the idea of unwrapping a dehumidifier, but if you’re as boat-obsessed as we are, then it could really make your year, especially if it’s a MeacoDry Arete One, which we recently tested.
The reason this model is so special, apart from being one of the smartest, quietest, most efficient dehumidifiers around, is because you can upgrade it with an optional water pump that will automatically empty its water tank when full.
This means you can place it anywhere you like onboard the boat, pop the end of the long hose in a sink or through a window and leave it running permanently.
Read Yachting World’s guide to the best boat dehumidifiers
Icom IC-M94DE
This is the first handheld VHF to offer users “receive” information that is being broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels.
This means you can actively avoid traffic rather than sitting and hoping they see you. Traffic is displayed clearly on the VHF’s well-proportioned LCD screen plus this unit has an integrated GPS receiver and is IPX7 rated to be submerged in water at 1m depth for up to 30 minutes.
Read our Icom IC-M94DE review
Check out Yachting World’s guide to the best handheld marine radios
Spinnaker Dumas watch
Named after the diving pioneer Frédéric Dumas, this handsome vintage timepiece is inspired by dive watch designs of the 1970s. It features an adjustable mesh bracelet and chunky octagonal chassis with sapphire crystal lens and clear, unfussy dial with an oversized minute hand and date window.
It’s not just designed to look like a dive watch; water resistant to 984ft (300m) it will serve the serious scuba enthusiast as well as those who just fancy the odd dip off the bathing platform. It comes in a variety of colours and, considering the quality, is impressive value for money.
Read our full Spinnaker Dumas review
PowerVision PowerDolphin
The PowerDolphin’s rotating HD camera is able to shoot 4K video and high quality stills across a 215° arc above and below water level.
Whether filming surfing, sailing, diving, or scouring the best fishing spots, the drone relays its footage to a smartphone via the Vision+ app. It’s capable of 8 knots flat out with a battery life of up to 2.5 hours.
Fusion Apollo RA 670
This neat little stereo system packs all the power and connectivity of the award-winning Fusion Apollo series into a more compact, waterproof unit that takes up less space on today’s increasingly cluttered helm stations.
It links to your phone via the Fusion-link app so you can control it by remote and fine tune the sound as well as stream your favourite music via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or the built-in AM/FM radio.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.
