The Best Christmas Gifts for Boat Owners

Here at Rightboat.com we’re passionate about all things boating, and so when it comes time to making our Christmas wish lists there are always plenty of nautical options on there! So we’ve put together some great ideas to help you buy the perfect gifts for boat owners in your life which will put a smile on their face. Whatever budget you’ve got, this list will give you some inspiration

1. The Boat Cookbook by Fiona Sims

Cooking in a small galley can be a challenge, especially if you want to make tasty, fresh dishes. This fabulous book by Fiona Sims offers boaters easy, quick and delicious recipes made with minimum fuss and maximum flavour, as well as tips on setting up the galley. With recipes from world class sailors such as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and renowned chefs such as Angela Hartnett it’s a must-have boating gift for him or her.

2. Boating Magazine Subscription

Get someone a boat gift that they can enjoy for an entire year with a subscription to a boating magazine. There are so many excellent publications to choose from depending on your geographical location, with magazines specialising in classic boats, racing boats, boat ownership, travel inspiration and so much more. 

3. Nautical Gifts from the RNLI

Give back whilst doing your Christmas shopping and choose one of the lovely gifts on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) website. With lots to choose from, including nautical-themed clocks and thermometers, gadgets, wall art, books and stocking fillers you’ll have plenty to choose from of all price ranges. The RNLI is a world-leading modern emergency service, separate from the coastguard and government, and so relies on donations and funding. Give back this Christmas knowing your purchases go towards helping save lives at sea.

4. Foldable Travel Kettle

This great little gadget is the perfect thing for small boats and is bound to be well-received by your boat owning loved one. Compact and lightweight, it folds down to save precious cupboard space when not in use. Manufactured by Gobesty, it comes in white, blue or pink and is made from food safe silicone. Perfect for making a quick cuppa when on board.

5. Personalised Painting of a Boat

If you’re searching for personalized gifts for boat owners consider a beautiful painting of their boat that they can keep forever. Talented artists can create artwork from photographs and deliver it you on canvas or ready to be framed. Discover artists on Etsy.com who can create the perfect gift, and personalise it with a name, date or inscription. Be sure to get your Christmas boat painting order in soon though, as unique gifts like this will need some time to create.

6. Support Local Businesses

At Christmas it’s always important to spread our spending, and ensure that independent businesses benefit too. Support your local chandleries and buy a gift card for your loved one to spend as they choose. They could treat themselves to some new sailing apparel, a much-coveted bit of equipment or spruce up their boat with some new instruments or interior furnishings. 

7. Starfinder

Give the gift of the whole galaxy with these nifty starfinder gadgets. Resembling a small telescope, the starfinder has rotating dials which can be set to the hour and date required and will show stars and constellations visible at the time by way of a computer-generated disc within. Use the star map with one eye and compare it to the real night sky with the naked eye. This gift is bound to ignite a newfound passion for stargazing from a boat and create magical moments.

8. Waterproof Speaker

Portable, waterproof speakers are gaining in popularity, and what better luxury gift for boaters than the chance to listen to music anywhere they are cruising. These hardy little gadgets stand up to moisture and water extremely well, and will cope with rain showers and the spray from the ocean. They have long battery lives (up to 12 hours of play time), are compact and lightweight and offer high quality sound perfect for a pumping boat party or some chill tunes. Most operate as Bluetooth, so music can be played from devices such as phones or tablets.  

9. Dry Bag

Practical and pretty cool too, a good dry bag is an invaluable piece of kit for a boater and makes for a thoughtful gift. There are endless sizes and styles to choose from, so you’ll need to decide whether to get a nifty little 5L bag for your loved one to keep their wallet, keys and phone in, or go for a 25L or more bag which will hold laptop, clothes and anything else dry. There are options with straps so they can be worn on the bag, keeping hands free when in the marina, or ones with clips to put on watersports crafts such as kayaks. 

10. Personalised Compass

Bring tears to the eyes of your loved one with a personalised compass. Beautifully crafted compasses are true keepsakes, and you can make it even more special with a carefully chosen quote or inscription. There are lots of options out there to choose from, but we particularly like this one from Not on The High Street for how much space there is for your inscription. 

Whether you decide to gift something practical or sentimental, a stocking filler or a luxury boat gift there is something out there to make all boaters happy on Christmas Day. Wrap your gift in this novel Christmas sailing paper from the RNLI and your gift will be the first one they notice under the tree!

Rightboat.com are the world’s largest marketplace for chartering, buying and selling new and used boats and we are passionate about all things boating. From classic sailing yachts to compact skiffs or incredible superyachts we know our stuff and are here to help you every step of the way.