Guide: Gifts for sailors
What to buy for the sailor in your life
Oh shit! Is it already Christmas, Father’s Day, your fave sailor’s birthday, or some other reason to buy a gift? Sailors have everything they need. Except for a bigger boat. But if your budget is less than 5 (or 6 or 7) digits, I got you covered for gifts that are more fun, useful, and original than YAPNS (yet another pair of novelty socks).
Contents
For the reading sailor
Nautical Trivia
Finally a novelty gift for sailors that isn't a T-shirt.
$7 - $20
I wrote this book and now I’m plugging it here. I wanted something fun that both you and your sailor can enjoy alone or together. It’s great for playing trivia with sundowners. It even has recipes for sundowners, which I tested and tested.
For the artsy sailor
Half-hull print from Dogwatch Art
A half-hull illustration of your fave sailor’s boat.
$150 - $295
Half-hull illustrations are a traditional way to show a boat. Back in the day, ship builders made half-hull models for their clients before building them. They were beautiful pieces of work in their own right. Today, you can get a lovely, framed half-hull picture of your sailor’s boat in the same spirit. Just make sure you have a suitable photo or two. Dogwatch Art will guide you on this.
Original painting from Inna Nagaytseva
Original watercolour of your fave sailor’s boat.
This is about as unique as it gets. Inna Nagaytseva is a watercolour landscape artist. For the past couple of years she’s been taking commissions for boats. All it takes is a couple of photos and a consultation with her. From there she’ll paint an original piece for your sailor.
Personalized gifts and home decor from Screencraft Gifts
Home decor with images of nautical charts.
$13 - $170
Remind your fave sailor of their fave places with nautical charts on coasters, clocks, trays, and other practical gifts. They also make custom items with images that you choose.
For the safe sailor
Eco Blast rechargeable air horn from Taylor Made
Makes 120 dB of sound, rechargeable with a regular bicycle tire pump, included.
$74
I’ve had one for years and it still works great. 120 dB is loud, loud enough to remind me that I shouldn’t have tried it out inside the store.
For the galley
Enamelware from Falcon
Durable, light, elegant enamelware for cooking, eating, drinking and serving.
$7 - $390
I like enamelware on a boat. It’s mostly corrosion-proof, lighter than porcelain, easily takes heat and cold, and looks nicer than bare metal. And enamelware is tougher than plastic or glass. Like family heirloom tough. My wife still proudly makes strawberry rhubarb pies from an enamel pie plate she inherited from her grandmother.
Falcon has been in the enamelware business for almost a century. There’s probably an item that fits your budget. You can bake, serve, and drink from their enamelware. Most pieces come in several colours to match your sailor’s boat.
Last resort
West Marine eGift card
When you should have bought a gift sooner.
$10 - $250
A last-minute gift, the desperate last resort if it’s too late to get anything shipped to your fave sailor on time. Thankfully, online gift cards are instant. The 21st century is good for at least one thing.
At your service
Humbly yours,
Marc, Supreme Purser