Sailboat Christmas Present?

[sj01]

Was trying to figure out what might be a good useful and or good sailboat gift for Christmas for a cruiser? Wonder the concensus on here- what's the best gift YOU have gotten? Or given? Any suggestions or stories would be great

[ozskipper]

I can tell you the worst one... one of those stupid captain hats.. argg and they person was serious when they gave it to me and wanted to see me wearing it at the marina. Embarrassing!!

The best was probably a subscription to a sailing mag.

Sensible gifts would be bulk sunscreen, Hull cleaner, spare winch handles etc.

[webejammin]

I agree a 3 year subscrition to a sailing magizine like Multi-Hull or Sail is cool.

I think the dumbest gift I got one time was a big empty tool box I returned it for a small set of tools and no box.

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by sj01

Was trying to figure out what might be a good useful and or good sailboat gift for Christmas for a cruiser? Wonder the concensus on here- what's the best gift YOU have gotten? Or given? Any suggestions or stories would be great

Well if they are going to be sailing along the northeast coast of the U.S. next year then an Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book makes a great stocking stuffer:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: GIFTS FOR BOATERS: Eldridge Tide & Pilot book

On the other hand an e-reader like an Amazon Kindle saves a lot of space and weight on a sailboat and allows a cruiser to have thousands of books to read at ones fingertips:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: GIFTS FOR BOATERS: Amazon Kindle

[Waterway Guide]

A 2012 edition of a cruising guide would make a great gift. I'd be happy to recommend certain ones, but that would be shameless.

[sj01]

Awesome, thanks for these great tips guys! And noted not to get a captains hat LOL*
Waterway- Noted!

[perchance]

A yachting jacket with tons of gold braid. Every boater secretly craves one in spite of what they say.

[Bash]

Wonderblond and I are giving each other Mezzo folding bikes this year for Christmas.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Antifouling paint works well for me (or other consumables).

Not a big one on the present buying (or receiving) thing - if I want something I will buy it myself.

[S/VSkylark]

Lets see, a pair of binoculars, a handheld GPS in case the other 2 go out, a handheld VHF to replace the one that went flying overboard last summer, a small tool set to replace the pieces I lost in the 5 foot deep bilge. I would be happy with anything as I am sure the one I have now, will probably go overboard at some point anyway.

[sailcruiser]

Hmm, a sport-a-seat or two, handheld VHF with DSC, a nice deck brush, nesting cookware, isolation transformer, a gift cert for a yard for a project (labor/parts etc), Frohli sleep system, lock and lock storage containers, rum, life jacket maintenance kit (inflatable), replace items that are long in the tooth but further down the list of priorities, an emergency kit of spare engine parts, a case of oil, updated charts either paper or plotter.

My first choice if they don't own some sort of e-reader or tablet like an iPad would be one of those. I'd go with a Nook because they support library books (ePub). ($75-275) I can check out and download books from my library from anywhere and they can be returned or just expire after X days.

My iPad $500-700) serves as a Nook, Kindle, course planning, could be a plotter in a pinch, email, web, games when stuck waiting weather, has a library of manuals, and so on.

My thoughts in no particular order that cover prices from $50-800. :-)
SC

[sj01]

These are great ideas! Heck, I could probably fill up birthday and next Christmas's list with these too

[simonmd]

A years berthing and insurance paid for?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Some more Sandpaper for next week would be useful.

Just sayin'

[capn_billl]

A Rockna anchor??Lots of "nautical" decorations for their boat, carved wooden anchors, clocks in the shape of life preservers, little box displays of knots,plastic hanging fish, a billy bob talking bass, etc...