WOW…
2022 has flown by… last year around this time we were 1 month into fixing up a $100 boat shaking our heads thinking what on earth did we get ourselves into. To now know that we turned that $100 boat into a proven Pacific coast cruiser is honestly mind blowing to me!
Anyhoo, every year I try to share a little gift guide for you all and that time as come around again already!
The items below are things we have found our selves using often and loving. They are items we find useful, enjoyable, and fun as we enjoy our crazy life out on the high seas. They could be great gifts for anyone that lives and/or travels on a boat (any kind of boat for that matter).
Some of the links below are to Amazon, we earn a small commission for sending you over, however, we HIGHLY encourage you shopping at local businesses whenever possible first! Shopping local small businesses is better for the planet, the economy, and the owner of the shop probably does a little happy dance inside every time an order comes in (I know we do every-time we get an order in the Tula Shop🕺🪩) so just keep that in mind:)
Gifts under $50
Dinghy Bags
These are relatively new to us but we have been LOVING THEM!! They help keep items like sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, and so much more off the floor of the dinghy and safe from getting stepped on and drenched with water. These bags could also be great for kayaks!
Cruising Guides:
You can never go wrong with a cruising guide to the area your gift receiver is planning on traveling to. Youtube, Navionics, and forums all have great info but a cruising guide can help you find some secret spots and its nice to have all the info in one place.
Our favorite guides for:
The Eastern Caribbean:
Games:
Nothing is better than inviting the neighbors in the anchorage or marina over for a game night!
A few of our favorites are
set of waterproof playing cards for Rummy
Fishing Lures:
Okay I may have just said nothing is better than game night… but nothing is more rewarding than catching your own food!
A good selection of lures for the area they are in would be a very welcomed addition to any time of boat! – Shop at your small local fishing store if possible! Anyone in the shop can help you find the best options for the area. We love Grand Slam here in the Palm Beach County area!
We have had some of our best luck ever with this flying fish lure.
Candles:
Living on a boat comes with its own share of.. unique.. scents (bilge water, exhaust fumes, mildew, and holding tank just to name a few 🤣). Most nights onboard we have a yummy candle burning in attempt to mask the previously mentioned smells as we wind down from the day and relax for the night.
My favorite place to find candles are at farmers markets! You can usually find handmade candles with unique scents and a support local artist all at the same time.
Don’t tell our fam but we are gifting them the scent of the Salish Sea for Christmas
Day at Sea Mask:
This one is for my boating ladies! Many typical luxuries lack when living on a boat and if your like me you don’t have enough power to blow dry your hair and there is not enough room in the bathroom for things like nail-polish or a variety of makeup. If there is one thing I will always make sure I have it is this Day at sea Mask!
This makes your face feel instantly refreshed, tighter, brighter and who doesn’t love a little self care time?! It is from a small family owned business in North Carolina and all Blue Water Beauty products are handcrafted right in the U.S.A.:)
Youtube Swag:
Shameless plug to support your favorite youtube channel❤️
Shop the Tula Shop here 🙂
Gifts under $100
Toadfish Gear!
We love this company because with every purchase made they plant new oyster beds! A single oyster filters up to 50 gallons of coastal water per day, removing the nutrients from run off and creating a habitat where hundreds of species like fish, crabs, and shrimp can thrive.
Our favorite items are
And any of their non tipping drink ware
Lobster snare
Lobster is without a doubt one of the tastiest things in the sea. When is comes to catching them on your own, regulations differ in every country and even state by state.
Some countries allow you to use a spear while others only allow a tickle stick. Most places in the U.S. and the Caribbean do however allow the use of a Lobster snare. We find this much easier than having to swim around with a net and a tickle stick!
We have one very similar to this.
-Make sure to double check the regulations for the area in which you plan to fish
Xtratuff boots:
I LOVE MY xtratuffs (going on three years with them!). They are easy to slide on, keep your feet completely dry, and have non marking soles perfect for the boat.
I personally prefer the ankle boot for all day wear on the boat.
Hooded UPF shirts:
The sun is harsh!!! Long sleeve UPF hooded shirts are one of our favorite ways to stay protected for the harmful rays!
Waterlust is another small business doing awesome things!! Their new UPF shirts are not only hooded but they have a hidden pony tail hole, thumbholes, are made from recycled plastic and look RAD. Oh wait, there’s more…a portion of the profits from every item sold goes back into research and education for the animal or ecosystem it represents!
Rails and Sails board game:
We mentioned games and specifically ticket to ride above in the under $50 section but I am going to put this one here too because it is so much fun. The rails and sails version of ticket to ride is a little more expensive but it has two board options for playing and it involves shipping routes so definitely fitting for any time of boater!
Around $500
Inflatable SUP:
I LOVE the board I got this past year. (25%off on Amazon) It has proven to be durable and has been the perfect board to paddle Jetty around.
You always have to remember you get what you pay for and that saying rings especially true in the Inflatable paddleboard world.
This one is reasonably priced and I have personally rammed oysters (accidentally), barnacles (whoops), and thrown it around the boat and it is still holding strong. Obviously nothing I just mentioned is recommended but things are going to happen and its nice knowing the strength of the board has held up to boat life.
IPAD:
We have been using ours for navigation for the past eight years and also as a way to stream shows at night. Everything on a boat has to have at least two purposes and an iPad can definitely check the multiple uses box. To be able to use an iPad or tablet as a means of navigation it needs to have cellular capability (you do not however need to pay for a plan!)
Projector:
Our iPad is great for watching movies and shows at night when it is just the two of us but we also love to have movie nights with family/friends. A projector is a great way to have the ultimate movie night. We have loved using ours to watch movies out on the trampoline on Adrenaline and in the salon on Mountain Myst. Our projector is a little older but I have been hearing GREAT things about this little one. It is Bluetooth and it has apps such as Netflix and Amazon video built into the device so you don’t have to worry about running a projector connected to a computer and all the power draw and cables everywhere that come with using an older projector.
Starlink:
This has been a game changer for us! We used to juggle between many different sim cards just trying to get enough data to be able to work. Streaming movies also used to be out of the question. Now with Starlink we have unlimited internet wherever we go. Videos can get uploaded, emails sent, and watching Netflix to fall asleep is now an option!
We personally have the standard version ($599 for the unit) and pay $110 + $25 for the portability add on/month.
We have heard of many boaters using the RV version and having great success with it, it just was not an option when we bought ours. I highly recommend reading the fine print and knowing where/how you can and can’t use it but I can say we have been absolutely loving it.
It might be a great gift to help purchase the unit if you have an extra special cruiser in your life.
Want to really splurge on someone??
Wing Foil Setup
Winging is the new thing! It is easier to set up and launch from the boat than kiteboarding and so many beautiful anchorages around the world are the perfect places to enjoy the sport!
Billy is ALL about it and I personally like it better than kiting because you don’t have a harness or lines to worry about, if you get over powered you can just drop the wing whereas with kiteboarding you can only sheet out so far, and the board is more similar to a surfboard than the twin tip I typically ride kiting so if the wind completely dies I can easily paddle back to where I started.
Billy did an awesome write up of the best beginner set up here.
Charter:
Is that someone you are shopping for really interested in Boatlife but is not quite there yet? A charter is the PERFECT way to test the waters.
We personally cannot say enough good things about San Juan Sailing and the charter we went on sailing through the San Juan Islands.
If you missed those videos you can check them out here!!
I truly wish I could gift every person I know the experience sailing in the San Juans so if you have the means, I can promise you it will be the best gift ever!
Another great option would be Sailing lessons! I am going to be taking my own this coming year to help get myself where I want to be during a worst case scenario situation lets say if Billy got hurt and I had to manage solo. Sailing lessons are a great idea and I wish I took them sooner!
I hope this was helpful finding a gift for the boater in your life and if you are a boater make sure to send this to whoever may be shopping for you this year!
Happy Holidays friends ❤️
Congratulations on your “RE, purchase ” of Tula, I was also impressed by your support of our Vets.
I made a small donation, in Tulas name.
When you come through the canal and into the Sea of Cortez, come visit us in Choya Bay, Google JJs Cantina,
you two are the best.
Merry Christmas
Jim