Seas the Season: last minute Christmas Gifts for the sailor in your life
Am I the only one who hasn’t even started her Christmas shopping just yet? 😅 If you’re a Patron, you know why that is, and in any case, here are a few suggestions for last-minute goodies to put under the tree that are guaranteed to delight all the sailors in your life on all budgets.
UNDER $50
TO ENJOY PLASTIC-FREE SUNDOWNERS: Tempered glass wine glasses
When we moved on board Polar Seal , like most new sailors, we bought plastic cups and dishes because we were worried they’d break while we’re underway. But drinking wine from a plastic cup is just not the same! In fact, it’s considered a crime in France. These stackable tempered-glass wine glasses are as close as you can get to the real thing. Believe me - it’s a whole different experience. If you suspect your sailor friend drinks wine from plastic cups, you should totally get them a set of these.
TO KEEP THEIR FOOD LONGER AT SEA: A Vacuum sealer
No matter the size of boat your cruiser friend lives on, they likely struggle with fridge/freezer space and rubbish. This vacuum sealer allows us to preserve food for longer, save space in our fridge/freezer and ditch a lot of packaging before leaving the dock. I’d say it’s a must for anyone who goes on long-ish passages or doesn’t like going shopping more than once a week.
TO PROTECT THEM FROM BOILING SPILLS: A Leather apron
Talking about sexy gifts… You’ve probably seen Ryan wearing a leather apron in our videos. Well, it’s not just because it’s sexy. This apron has saved the skin on our legs and belly infinite times. In fact, the one time I forgot to wear it during a passage I got burned real bad. Remember when I had to go to the hospital in Almerimar (in Spain)? That’s because I wasn’t wearing our beloved leather apron. It’s a great thoughtful present most cruisers don’t own yet.
TO BRIGHTEN THEIR BOAT’S DARK CORNERS: Wireless, USB RECHARGEABLE LED lights
Most boats can do with some extra lighting, especially inside those dark cabinets below decks. These wireless USB-rechargeable LED lights have a motion sensor, so they turn on when you open a cabinet. They’re super useful after dark, but they also make you feel like you live in a luxurious new boat. They’re a great little investment, I promise.
TO MAKE EXCELLENT COFFEE ONBOARD: A Portable USB rechargeable coffee grinder
If your friend likes good coffee, you can’t go wrong with this portable coffee grinder. It grinds from ultra-fine to extra-coarse, so they will be able to use the grounds with whatever coffeemaker they have on board.
The sound of this little guy makes Ryan happy (and willing to get up!) in the morning.
You can get it on Amazon.
UNDER $100
FOR THEIR SAFETY ON ANCHOR: A Range finder
This is our go-to present. Whenever we need to thank fellow cruisers for helping us out, we get them a range finder. Heck, we should probably just keep some of these on board Polar Seal, ready to go. Of course, this range finder helps us judge distances accurately when we anchor, but its true power shines when we’re already on the hook… If we see a boat preparing to anchor getting a little too close to us, we pop on deck and look through the range finder in their direction. This is when the magic happens: this bad boy usually intimidates them! Most boats decide to move further away before dropping the anchor. Having a range finder on board for Christmas will help a sailor or cruiser relax over the holidays.
Check it out here. You can buy it from Amazon, so you should receive it on time.
TO CLEAN UP THE BOAT: A HANDHELD Wet/dry vac
OK, this might not be the sexiest of presents, but hear me out. Every sailor, even racers, needs to do some boat work regularly. It’s non-negotiable. And when there’s something to do down below on your to-do list, things will be a lot tidier if you have a wet/dry vac on board. Most jobs end up making a huge mess with dust and debris going everywhere and making you wish you had procrastinated for longer. This guy is cordless, so it can reach any spot on your boat, and comes with a 1/2 gallon tank. We can vouch for the battery life, too; it lasts ages.
You can order this wet/dry vac from Amazon, so you can get it with next-day delivery.
TO KEEP THEM SAFE AT NIGHT IN THE DINGHY: DINGHY NAVIGATION LIGHTS KIT
Dinghying back to your boat in the dark makes most cruisers nervous, and for a very good reason. Every year, a number of people get injured as a result of dinghy accidents at night. The best way to avoid getting into trouble is to improve your visibility on the water. Ryan and I got this kit because it has a light mounted on a pole with 360° visibility; it even has a tricolour setting. If your friends go out for dinner and stay on shore after dark often, they will really benefit from this gift.
TO SAVE POWER OR GAS WHEN THEY COOK: A Pressure cooker
Have you noticed your sailor friend doesn’t own a pressure cooker yet? That’s insane. How on Earth do they make pulled pork or bœuf bourguignon? I don’t get it. Do them a favor and gift them one. They need to know what life is like when you can cook anything, even on a boat.
TO INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL IN CASE OF MAN OVERBOARD: PERSONAL MOB BEACONS
Got one of those friends who already owns everything and are impossible to buy for? An MOB, even if they already have one on board, will be much appreciated. You can never have too much safety gear on board a sailboat; trust me. If you fall overboard, the MOB sends multiple AIS and VHF position alerts back to your boat. That’s pretty useful for people who go on night passages and take different shifts, like us. If the worst was to happen (knock on wood!) when the off-watch gets up on deck, they know your position and can make their way to you.
You can get the MOB from West Marine; they offer same-day delivery in some areas.
to MONITOR WHAT HAPPENS UNDER THE HULL (and RECORD MEMORIES): A GoPro + long selfie stick pole
Not everyone likes to take pictures and videos - I get it. But having a GoPro with a long selfie stick on board is super useful, especially for cruisers who spend time in cold places. You can use it to check on the rudder and prop or take a good look at the growth on your hull. It’s also a handy extra insurance policy for any accidents. Say a boat is dragging towards you in an anchorage. If there are two of you on board, one can get the boat hook and fenders while the other can grab the GoPro and start filming. I can’t think of a sailor who wouldn’t like having a GoPro on board their boat.
SANTA SPLURGE
These are my favorite gifts for sailors, but you know your friend better than I do, of course. If none of these ideas work, check out our gear guide. You’ll find dozens more handy items that make for great Christmas presents.
