The hunt for the perfect present for the men in our lives heats up as Father's Day draws near. For those dads who have a love of the sea and great outdoors, traditional gifts could fall a little short. Enter the idea of finding boating gifts for Father's Day.
As live aboard cruisers we have a special insight into boating life, which we've used to curate a list of amazing presents for Dads who enjoy sailing and boating. The items in this carefully collated Father's Day gift guide are intended to enrich his maritime experience and honor his passion for the sea and the boating lifestyle, with gifts at multiple price points.
1. Leatherman Charge Plus TTI | $190
Around our boat the Leatherman is a staple, being used for everything from emergency repairs and engine work, to opening a beer bottle!
The Charge Plus TTI model has 19 tools making it a highly versatile, lightweight multi-tool to have aboard. It's made in Oregan USA, has replaceable cutting jaws and is backed by a 25 years warranty, so should still be around for many Father's Days to come.
2. Choose the perfect cookbook
For dads who like to take over the kitchen and cook up a storm, why not give him a bit of inspiration in the form of a cook book.
If he's into seafood, grilling or a certain style of food you could get one on that, or maybe something based around his favorite cuisine. You could also get a boat specific cook book, or even an electronic cookbook he can access from a tablet.
3. Victorinox Fibrox Pro Fillet Knife | $29 (w̶a̶s̶ $̶47)
Made in Switzerland, Victorinox have a trusted reputation as a premium knife manufacture which we think is well deserved based on our experiences.
Their 8-inch Fibrox filleting knife has a textured non-slip handle and precision made blade. Dad can use it to fillet up his latest catch as well as prepare his next BBQ feast.
4. Vacuum Insulated Cups | $20 - $30
Out on the water there's nothing better than a cold drink to keep you hydrated. To help maintain a steady temperature, the best option are vacuum insulated cups, which do a terrific job of keep warm drinks hot and cold drinks cool.
The styles we use the most around the boat are the wine tumblers, coffee cups and 22oz travel mugs with a handle, preferring Brumate because of the rubberized base and high quality.
5. Kong Coolers | $209 - $489
Whether its for fish, food or drinks, having a good quality cooler can help make a day out on the water better. Get your dad one for this Father's Day in the form of a Kong Cooler.
We have the Kong 50 along with the accessory bundle and it's been brilliant. It's rugged, rotomolded plastic and most models are rated for bears. Third party reviewers have had ice last 10+ days, which doesn't surprise us.
6. DJI Osmo Action 4 Camera | $299
Whether he's into fishing, watersports or boating, dads who like to capture the action as they live out their adventures will appreciate the DJI Osmo Action 4.
A great alternative to GoPro, the Osmo Action 4 is waterproof down to 18m (without a case!) and shoots in up to 4K resolution. You can read our detailed review on it here as we use one on our sailboat.
7. DJI Drone | $400 - $2200
For Dads who are a bit techy and like try out the latest gadgets, a drone can be a fun present!
You could start with a cheaper option to make sure they actually like flying drones, for example the DJI Mini 3. My sisters and I did it one year and our Dad loved it, eventually buying himself a better version after he "lost" the first one. If you know they'll like a drone you could look at something higher end like the DJI Air 3 or top of the range DJI Mavic 3 Pro.
8. Soundcore Anker Life P2 Mini | $35
When Dad's chilling out on the boat or doing a bit of work one way to instantly create a cool or relaxing atmosphere is by playing his favorite tunes.
The Soundcore Anker Life P2 Mini are wireless earbuds that perform well, especially given the price! The guys started using them around our boat after their JBL earphones died and have been very happy with the sound quality and battery life.
9. Penn Vented Performance Technical | $35.99
For long sunny days out on the water it's a good idea to have a comfortable, breathable fishing shirt, with long sleeves to protect from the sun.
Our go-to are the Penn Vented Performance Technical shirts. Both Trent and Tynan wear them around our boat and they've proven to be quite durable and nice to wear, in part due to the vents. As an added bonus, the shirts are also rated UPF 30. Another option they also frequently wear are the Columbia version, which don't have the vents but are SPF 50.
10. TradeMutt Workshirt | $69 - $79
Buy a meaningful gift and support a worthy cause by buying Dad a TradeMutt work wear shirt.
TradeMutt are an Australian brand that makes durable work wear in colorful prints, and use part of their profits to support the mental health of blue collar men in practical ways. You can learn more about them in this Tedx talk.
11. Sea to Summit Dry Bag | $23
A high quality dry bag is a good thing to have around a boat as it keeps your electronics and documents safe.
Our go-to is Sea to Summit. Their heavy duty drybags are constructed out of 420D nylon that's been coated, resulting in a high water proof rating. There's a huge range of sizes available meaning you can find the exact right one for your Dad's needs.
12. Hurley Straw Hat | $25
Keep the sun out of Dads eyes and off his face with one of the Hurley straw hats.
Better for his skin than a gimmicky captain's hat, the medium brim offers good sun protection and the adjustable chin strap keeps it secure, even if it's windy. Underneath the brim you'll find a funky summer print that you can match with his style and personality.
13. CamelBak M.U.L.E Hydration Pack | Down to $85
Whether he's heading out to explore an island or going up the mast to do some work, a CamelBak hydration pack can help your Dad stay hydrated. Personally I use the CamelBak M.U.L.E, which has a mesh back for maximum ventilation and can carry more than just water. I've had it for four years so far and expect it to last many more.
14. Re-Sails Custom Bag
If you're located in the US you might find the perfect gift for a sailing dad at Re-Sails in Rhode Island. They use old sails to create cool nautical products including messenger bags and wine sacks. If you want, it's also possible to customize the bag, perhaps adding something related to his boat or a special memory the two of you have.
15. Death Wish Coffee | $15
Growing up, I always knew our boat didn't start until Dad had finished his coffee! Similarly, our sailboat runs on three things; wind, diesel and you guessed it, coffee.
Give your Dad a true hit of caffeine this Father's Day with some pre-ground coffee from Death Wish Coffee Co. It's organic and fair trade, and promises to give a bold cup off coffee that tastes good and has a serious kick.
16. Estwing Sportsman's Axe | $50
For the outdoorsy man who likes camping as much as boating, consider getting them what we think is the best camping axe.
We have one and have found it to be a high quality piece of American made gear. This axe is forged using tool grade steel which is hand shaped and polished before being wrapped with a genuine leather grip that's sanded and lacquered for longevity.
17. Fluke 375 | Down to $420
A brilliant tool for handymen, the Fluke 375 FC has multiple uses around the boat, at the house, on the car and anything else electrical.
It can be connected to Dad's smartphone with the Fluke Correct Measurements app and used to safely measure AC and DC electrical systems. Trent has one aboard Liger and he gifted his Dad a Fluke multimeter one year, that he uses on his boat, car, motorbike and house.
18. Bosch Thermal Camera | Down to $880
Another very cool yet unique tool that your dad is unlikely to already have is a thermal imaging camera.
We have the Bosch one and the feedback from the guys was "Trust me, put it on the list". In their words its uses are only limited by your imagination, and its been invaluable for work around the boat, including mechanical.
19. Victorinox Swiss Army Champ | $108
As well as making high quality kitchen and filleting knives, Victorinox also make their iconic Swiss Army knives.
Their Swiss Champ multi tool has 33 functions packed into a sleek design with the same classic red styling that our grandfathers carried around for decades. It's backed by a lifetime guarantee and is a practical thing to have around the boat and to take with you on hikes and other adventures.
20. Penn International VI | $679
Last but certainly not least, the Penn International VI finishing reel. The Penn 30VISW is our go-to reel on the boat, using it to catch fish while we're sailing or motoring along.
It has the Quick-Shift II 2-speed system, Dura-Drag system, Double-Dog Ratchet Anti-Reverse as well as the Versa-Strike Adjustable Strike Stop, all of which means greater usability and cusomisation for Dad.
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