Gear

Editors’ Choice: Gifts for Sailors 2013

Is there a water lover on your holiday gift list? Take a look at this year's picks that are sure to please. Sponsored by Regatta Ginger Beer

By Cruising World Staff

Updated: November 23, 2013

Gifts for Sailors | Garmin VIRB HD video camera

Meant for outdoor shooting in challenging elements, Garmin VIRB features a rugged and waterproof (IPX-7 waterproof rating) housing and a 1.4-inch Chroma color display. The camera features digital image stabilization and lens distortion correction and can capture high-quality still photos while the video camera is recording. Learn more at Garmin.com .

Gifts for Sailors | Gill sunglasses

Sunglasses are a must to protect your eyes on the water, but if you’re routinely on boats, they’re likely to end up in the drink at some point. Fortunately, these Gill Squad sunglasses have integral floatation. matt oliver

Olukai sandals

Olukai’s ‘Ohana sandals are not your average flip flops. The non-marking soles are molded like a real shoe, so they have real arch support. For classy jaunts ashore there are leather options, and if you’re planning to be wet all the time, we recommend the synthetic version, available in a ton of colors. Olukai.com

Gifts for Sailors: Hydroview Inspector

For the sailor who has everything, check out the HydroView Inspector. It’s a remotely operated vehicle with two HD cameras that can record live video and take pictures. The internal camera is located in the front dome of the vehicle providing a forward look. The external camera is mounted to the body of the ROV and is manually positionable to change the pan/tilt of the camera. Use it to check out your hull, your anchor set, or even a reef.

Gifts for Sailors | Regatta Ginger Beer

A note from our gift guide sponsor: When you visit friends this holiday season, don’t bring along the usual bottle of wine. Bring something that will add a little more kick to the party. Grab the convenient new 8-pack, single serve cans of Regatta Ginger Beer and your favorite spirit. You will create some surprising cocktails that add bite (but not burn) to the holiday festivities. And don’t forget; the best gift is the one you give yourself. So pick up some extra. Regatta Ginger Beer. Mixing with the best. Special price for Cruising World readers: $15.00 + Shipping for 2 / 8 packs — Enter promo code CW1

Gifts for Sailors | Fishing Afloat

Fishing Afloat: The Cruising Boaters Complete Guide_
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of watching a buddy boat feast night after night on fresh tuna or mahi, yet you’re hook is bare and lines slack, then this book is for you. Author Dick McClary is an experienced offshore sailor and has been perfecting the art of fishing from aboard a sailboat for many years. _Fishing Afloat covers everything from detailing lures and bait to landing and preparing your catch all with descriptive illustrations and photos. McClary is an Englishman and his dry wit is peppered through his prose, making this book an enjoyable read as well. Learn more at rya.org.uk .

Gifts for Sailors: Lemon & Line Turks Head bracelet

Handmade in Rhode Island, this classic turks head bracelet from Lemon & Line is available with either a stainless-steel or gold clasp.

Gifts for Sailors | Sailcloth Stockings

Nothing says Christmas like a sailcloth stocking, right? Add a nautical touch to your holiday decor with a recycled sailcloth stocking from Boathouse Bags.

Gifts for Sailors: Sailing by Onne van der Wal

Onne van der Wal is one of the best-known names in yachting photography, and his photos have graced the covers of many sailing magazines. His new coffee-table book, _Sailing_, is a voyage around the world, capturing the joy, excitement, and serenity of the sea. The 11″x14″ book contains 200 glossy photos that are guaranteed to make any sailor smile.

Gifts for Sailors | Davis Vantage Vue Wireless Weather

There’s a good chance that if someone’s a serious sailor, they are also somewhat of a weather buff as well. The Davis Vantage Vue Wireless Weather Station provides accurate, reliable weather monitoring in a self-contained, easy-to-install system. It’s perfect for people who want to monitor weather conditions at their home, lake house, marina, yacht club or dock. Users can see current weather conditions, including indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, dew point and rainfall. Learn more at vantagevue.com .

Gifts for sailors: boat shoe sneakers from Sperry

Sperry Top-Sider’s H20 Escape Bungee sneaker is made of quick-drying mesh and internal drains to keep water from pooling around your feet. Ideal for a trip exploring ashore or in a kayak. $90, for women and men, with some seriously jazzy color choices. Find details at Sperrytopsider.com.

Gifts for Sailors: Online Learn-to-Sail Course

Give the gift of sailing this year with the Online Learn-to-Sail Course from Offshore Sailing School and BoatUS Foundation. This course is designed to give new sailors a leg up prior to taking an on-the-water course.

Gifts for Sailors | Ultra Bright Lantern

Perfect for weekend sailors, small boats, or as a cockpit light, the Mr. Beams Ultra Bright Lantern can provide up to 15 hours of light and charge a smartphone three times on four D batteries. Read more at mrbeams.com .

2014 Cruising World Calendar

The call of the sea sounds clearly in this calendar from the editors of Cruising World magazine. Escape on a relaxing sail to far-flung ports of call and exotic locales. The Cruising World calendar is ideal for weekend sailors and everyone who loves sailboats and the sea. This is the 27th edition of this popular calendar! $14.95. Click here to order.

Gifts for Sailors | Kanberra Wipes

While maybe not a glamorous gift, Kanberra Wipes will certainly be appreciated by anyone who spends lots of time aboard. Infused with the antiseptic and anti-fungal properties of tea tree oil, the unique wipes attack and degrade mold, fungus and bacteria at the source and help neutralize odors. All natural with no chemicals, fragrances or bleach, the wipes are safe around kids and pets.

Best gifts for sailors: Weems & Plath instruments

The Endurance II instruments are the latest offering from Weems & Plath. The series includes a clock, a barometer, a tide clock, and more; they come in a traditional porthole style and are available in a brass or chrome finish that’s guaranteed not to tarnish or scratch. $160 (clock), www.weems-plath.com

Simrad HH36

The waterproof Simrad HH36 is a full-featured handheld VHF. It has an integrated GPS that aids in DSC communication and even navigation. The large, backlit screen gives you a view of nearby waypoints and the bearings to them. $250, www.simrad-yachting.com

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The Navigator Foul Weather Jacket from West Marine might be the most useful item you buy on Black Friday. Designed for coastal use, this waterproof breathable jacket is unlined to keep dry times to a minimum. $259. Learn more at westmarine.com.

Constrictor textile rope clutch

The Constrictor textile rope clutch closes its sock evenly around the line, which can reduce line wear when compared with traditional clutches. The increased holding power also allows you to use a smaller diameter of line, potentially saving weight aloft. From $180, www.ronstan.us

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MW Coastal Goods has a new line of nautical barware including these wooden buoy bottle openers, made by hand in their Mystic, Connecticut studio. $40. Details at mwcoastalgoods.com.

Dragonfly sonar/GPS from Raymarine

Not just for anglers, sonar is useful for cruising sailors, too, for checking out bottom composition and detecting depths greater than those measured by most typical depth sounders. The Dragonfly sonar/GPS from Raymarine uses CHIRP technology to transmit across a wide spectrum of sonar signals, which results in photo-like high-resolution imagery. $720, www.raymarine.com

Mantus Bridle System

Using an anchor bridle on your all-chain rode can improve both your comfort and your anchor’s holding power. The new Mantus Bridle System is available in three sizes for boats from 30 to 70 feet and is constructed of three-strand nylon with chafe protection on all areas exposed to abrasion. The shackles and thimbles are heavy-duty 316L stainless steel.
From $176,

Ronstan Quick-Lock Winch Handle

Things can happen quickly when you’re sailing, so being able to use the winch in a hurry is helpful. The Ronstan Quick-Lock winch handle features an auto-locking mechanism that allows anyone to immediately place the drive head into the winch socket without rotating a knob or depressing a button, and the large release button offers one-handed operation.

Best Gifts for Sailors: Lighthouse Rum Cake

Let’s be serious about sailors and rum. We love it. Now add rum to a cake? Yes please. Lighthouse Rum Cakes come in the original rum cake flavor, chocoloate (pictured), and coconut. Too good for regifting. $18-$28 depending on size. Learn more at lighthouserumcakes.com.