19 Gift Ideas for a Boating Enthusiast

Whether you're planning for an upcoming holiday, a birthday, or some other cause for celebration, you may be struggling to find the perfect gift for the boating enthusiast in your life. What types of gifts would every boat lover appreciate?

The Best Gift Ideas for Boaters

We've compiled a list of interesting, unique, and practical gifts that should be valuable for most boat owners – and no, you don't have to tell the recipient that you got the idea from us.

1. A solar powered charger. Many people venture into the water because they want to get away from it all, but most of us still rely on electronics to stay safe and make the most of the experience. Nothing feels worse than being in the middle of open water with a dying cell phone battery – so why not fix the situation with a solar powered charger? As long as the sun is shining, your gift recipient will be able to charge their electronic devices no matter what other circumstances they face.
2. A drink bar caddy. Delicious cocktails can instantly heighten a weekend trip on the water, which is why a drink bar caddy could be an ideal gift. Stock it with a few of their favourite drinks and they'll be enormously grateful.
3. Personalised attire. Appropriate attire is necessary for safety and personal enjoyment on a boat, so why not gift some essential apparel with elements of personalisation? Water shoes, hats, and even lifejackets can be customised with a name or a personal message, making these items more unique to the individual receiving them.
4. A floating cooker or portable grill. Cooking and eating on the water can be fun, but it can also be a pain if you don't have the right equipment. If the boat lover in your life is also a culinary enthusiast, consider getting them a floating cooker or a portable grill with all the bells and whistles, so they can prepare meals on the fly.
5. An underwater camera drone. Ever wonder what cool things are lurking underwater? You'll be able to see them if you gift an underwater camera drone. These gadgets can be pricey, but even a simple model can allow you to see the water in a totally new way.
6. Boat cleaning supplies. Cleaner boats make for happier boat owners, and most boat owners go through cleaning supplies quickly. It's never a bad idea to help them stock up.
7. Multi-purpose tools. Simple, multi-purpose tools can help boat owners tackle minor repairs quickly without taking up much space.
8. A better fish finder. Fish finders have come a long way in recent years, so it might be time for an upgrade. Using a variety of metrics, these nifty electronic devices can help avid anglers find the best spots to settle in.
9. Navigational tools. Is this person passionate about aquatic navigation? Unique navigational tools, such as nautical maps, compasses, and sextants, could make for great gifts.
10. A seawater converter. If you’ve ever been thirsty on a saltwater body, you know how tempting it is to drink the water around you. But with a proper seawater converter, you can actually do it! In addition to being a fun novelty, this could also turn into a lifesaving device.
11. A monocular/binoculars. What’s that ahead? You’ll see it clearer than ever when you gift the boat enthusiast in your life a set of binoculars or a monocular. You could even gift a telescope to help them stargaze on the water.
12. Fishing equipment. Any dedicated fisherman will be happy to have more fishing gear and equipment. Even simple items, like lures, lines, and hooks make for great stocking stuffers.
13. Equipment for a new activity. Is the boat enthusiast in your life interested in exploring new activities? Consider getting them some equipment or support that can help them get started. A wakeboard, a snorkel, or even jet ski lessons may be appropriate.
14. Waterproof gear. Even if you love the water, you probably don't love getting wet. Waterproof gear, including bags and electronic accessories, are always a good gift choice.
15. A great speaker. Any maritime voyage can be improved with high quality music or the sounds of your favourite podcast. Bluetooth speakers are better and less expensive than ever, so consider getting one for that special someone.
16. A packed first aid kit (and other emergency supplies). Every boat captain should have a fully stocked, fresh first aid kit ready to go before every voyage. It also never hurts to have a backup.
17. An awesome cooler. Coolers range from simple to extravagant, but they all serve an important purpose: keeping beverages, food, and fish cold. Shop around to find the best one for your specific needs and preferences.
18. Concert/event tickets. Increasingly, consumers are preferring experiences to tangible goods. If your special someone doesn't need any of the items on this list, or if they practice minimalism, you could purchase them an experience as a gift. For example, you can get a set of concert tickets for an upcoming show on the water – or tickets to another aquatic event.
19. A trip. Similarly, you can plan a trip for someone as a gift. Send them to a majestic river or canal nearby or help them travel to an exotic location. Just be careful when surprising someone with this type of gift, since not everyone is comfortable with taking an unexpected trip at the behest of someone else.

Buying for the Individual

One important final note here: boat owners are extraordinarily diverse. People enjoy boating for different reasons, and they have very different aesthetic preferences. A gift that one boat owner loves could be repulsive to another, so it's important to get to know the individual you're buying for.

Does this person boat because they love to fish, or do they just like relaxing outside? Do they head out on the water every day, or is boating more of a “special occasion” activity? Use this personal assessment to purchase a better gift for this specific individual in your life.

Unless you're super wealthy, you're probably not going to buy a boat as a gift for someone else. But you can always shop for a new or used vessel for yourself. At TheYachtMarket, we have thousands of new and used boats for sale across Europe and the United States – so browse through our enormous selection if you're ready to start a boating hobby of your own!