Stocking Stuffers for Your Salty Sailors and Boaters
While your boater probably already has most of what they need; here is a chance to present them with a few things they didn’t know they needed, but will love! I’ve never had any trouble picking out presents for friends, especially sailing friends! Even the “person who has everything” doesn’t really have some of the really fun items they might enjoy and appreciate.
Quick Reference Guides for Nav and Rules
From the reputable Weems & Plath – this device has nav aids, rules of the road, light characteristics. Weems & Plath Marine Navigation ROADrule Marine Navigation Aids, Rules of The Road and Light Characteristics (USATONS, U.S. Waters), above, is one of the best, most user-friendly devices like that that I have seen.
There’s also the Weems & Plath Marine Navigation LIGHTrule Lights, Shapes and Maneuvering Signals Key (COLREGS, U.S. Waters) available, to the right.
Weather Quick Reference Guides
Another company with a long stable reputation for solid marine supplies is Davis Instruments.
Their Davis Instruments Weather Forecasting Quick Reference Card is weather proof and has holes for binder or bulkhead mounting, and is full color.
Davis also offer a Coastwise Piloting card, an International Nav Rules card, and several other quick reference cards.
Skinny Items
Something this size is probably going to stump the recipient. Especially if you include a nice new rubber eraser on top.
The Weems & Plath #176 Marine Navigation Ultralight Divider is seven inches long, made in Germany and has a lifetime warranty.
Long and Skinny; It’s Fun To Have Something Sticking Out of the Top of the Stocking!
Any sailor worth their salt – How I’ve longed to say that! – needs a pair of the longest parallel rules that will fit in their chart table.
Here’s a really nice touch – order these far enough in advance, then take them to your local personalization / engraver shop and have your sailor’s name or the name of their boat put on them.
They will know these weren’t a last-minute idea, and personalization adds such a … personal touch to gifts!
Weems & Plath Marine Navigation Parallel Ruler (Aluminum Arms, 15-Inch)
If you have access to a Navy base, inquire at the commissary. I’ve had items personalized there.
Something to Put in the Toe
These won’t make the boat go away, but they do a great job of removing marks and scuffs from fiberglass.
Premium Boat Scuff Erasers come in a pack of three, and work for RV’s as well.
I actually have used one of these before – a small pastel-colored one, and it worked great. Whether you call them pancakes or waffles, they are fun.
They’ll Never Guess This One!
A Davis Instruments Illuminated Hand Bearing Compass – to verify “constant bearing decreasing range” or for plotting LOP’s.
Or, you can use the compass on your cell phone; Sailing Apps For Your Phone, but if your sailor likes to stow their cell phone while sailing, this is a great alternative.
For the serious sailor, the Nautos Hand Bearing Compasses are the next step up.
Chart Weight
Weems & Plath have several versions of their chart weights with compass or magnifying glasses in the center.
These are a true luxury item, but oh-so-attractive. And… they could be engraved and personalized!
If you have access to a Navy base, inquire at the commissary. I’ve had items personalized there.
If you are decent with a needle and thread, you can make some “chart hands” from cotton gloves full of something weighty.
Reef Safe Sunscreen, Lip Balm, and More!
Stream2Sea Reef Safe SPF 20 or 30 mineral, regular or tinted sunscreen, mask defog, shampoo, conditioner, rash guards and more reef-safe supplies. Use my code “DeepWH” for 10% off. The packages are biodegradeable – not just recycled and recyclable.
You might also like: Unusual Gifts for the Pirates in Your Life.
