It’s time again to select the perfect holiday gift for the boater in your life (and maybe get a little something for yourself— we don’t judge!). Finding the best gifts for boat owners can be a bit tricky, considering the vast choices we have in the marine industry. Fear not: we’ve assembled the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide to help you find your boat-lover’s favorite gift of the year.
To make things simple, we’ve created a guide for every type of boater.
For the Fashionable Boater
This year at PartsVu, we’ve partnered with several new brands to carry some of the top marine apparel products on the market.
AFTCO Fishing Apparel
Our ever-expanding AFTCO catalog includes the brand’s top selling gear. Two of our best products are the Reaper Wildproof 3L Jacket and their Original Fishing Shorts.
The Reaper Wildproof 3L Jacket is the ultimate way to keep warm and protected, ideal for cold-weather fishing and windy days on the water. With underarm ventilation, fleece lining, and integrated face mask and neck warmer, it's a beautifully designed and quality boating gift. Alternatively, their Original Fishing Shorts. are a great option for warmer days. They feature seven functional pockets, a pliers pocket, and strong but supple fabric. Both make excellent gifts for boat owners.
Vapor Apparel
In recent months, Vapor Apparel has come aboard as well. Featuring super light, comfortable microfiber fabric, their t-shirts, and neck gaiters offer a lot more. They have UPF 50+ solar protection, odor-resistant zinc technology, and are sustainability-focused to boot. Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, Vapor Apparel doesn’t just look and feel good; it’ll help keep your loved one safe and healthy.
Bajio Sunglasses
Bajío Sunglasses make the perfect gifts for boat owners, anglers, and anyone spending a lot of time out on the water. Bajio has a lot to brag about– they’re another sustainability-focused company, using renewable materials like bioplastics and glass while working tirelessly to help preserve saltwater flats. Their sustainable sunglasses come in a variety of styles reminiscent of the cool, classic silhouettes we know and love, such as the aviator-inspired Soldado and the wayfarer-esque Calda.
As if you need another reason to check them out, Bajio lenses are designed with fishing in mind. Each style is available in a variety of colored lenses, designed for maximum visibility in specific marine environments. Trevally Blue is perfect for fishing in the deep blue on the brightest days, while Permit Green is designed for spotting fish against sandy bottoms and coral reefs. Drum Pink is ideal for fishing in tree-covered rivers and lakes and on days when the sun peaks in and out. And, all Bajío sunglasses have LAPIS™ lens technology which blocks blue light when you’re in the sun, keeping your eyes fresh and your vision clear. So, if you're looking for sustainable gifts with a dash of cool and practicality, Bajio Sunglasses fit the bill.
Hook'd Fishing Gear Co.
Finally, Hook’d Fishing Gear Co. boasts a variety of shirts, hats, and accessories featuring fun colors and unique designs. We love the popular Women’s “Palm Island” Long Sleeve and Men’s “Logo” Long Sleeve— each comes in unique colors with UPF 50+ sun protective fabric and features the eye-catching Hook’d logo.
Top Apparel Gifts
For the Yamaha Owner
For the proud owner of a Yamaha engine, there are two obvious choices: Yamaha Pro Fishing Apparel to rep the brand, and a Yamaha cowling cover to protect their precious investment.
Yamaha Pro Fishing Apparel is a popular choice for a lot of reasons. First, the wide selection of boating and fishing apparel. They carry apparel and accessories for men, women, and youth, meaning there’s something for everyone in this line. Second, you can’t go wrong with apparel from the leading manufacturer in the marine world— they simply know their stuff. Yamaha Pro Fishing shirts are incredibly comfortable, moisture-wicking, and many styles protect against harmful UV rays.
We recommend the Yamaha Long Sleeve Pro Fishing Tee. This long sleeve is 100% cotton, breathable, and comfortable, making it perfect for a day of fishing. Alternatively, Yamaha has an assortment of crowd-favorite hats.
With a range of styles and designs, there’s something for every boater.
Top Yamaha Gifts
For the Clean Freak Boater
We all know somebody who is meticulous about keeping things shipshape. For the clean freak in your life, any of our soaps, waxes, and general cleaning supplies will come in handy. But the best gift? A comprehensive all-in-one cleaning kit.
The Boat Owner’s Cleaning Kit is perfect for the boater who’s just starting their cleaning collection. The kit includes a Star-Brite sponge, brush, boat wash, Buffalo microfiber towel and wax applicator pads, 3M boat wax, and the Absorber Mini. It has all the basic tools and fluids from top brands to get the job done.
Alternatively, the 303 Boat Wash Kit with UV Protectant is perfect. It comes with 100% biodegradable and marine safe soap, Aerospace protectant that protects your hull and other surfaces from harmful UV rays, and a protective sealant that lasts 2X longer than traditional wax!
Of all the possible boat accessories gifts, cleaning kits are some of the most practical and universally applicable gifts for boat owners.
Top Cleaning Gifts
For the Fishing Fanatic
AFTCO isn’t only a popular brand of fishing apparel— they make an assortment of high-quality fishing gear, as well.
Their catalog includes plenty of useful products, but their Gold Series Bait Nets are among the most popular. Available in four different handle/hoop size combinations, there’s a bait net for every boater. They are shaped for easy recapture from the livewell and are designed to capture even the liveliest of bait fish. Its durability makes it one of the best gifts for anglers, who can enjoy it for many fishing seasons to come.
A great gift option for jig fishers is a pair of JigPro Jigging Gloves. Jig fishing can result in a lot of strain on the hands and upper body. Developed in collaboration with AFTCO Pro Benny Ortiz, the JigPro Jigging Gloves are comfortable yet sturdy in all the right places for all-day jigging. They are currently available in two colors and multiple sizes.
Top Fishing Gear Gifts
For the Technophile
Boating technology has come a long way, with life-changing features and ever-improving quality. There are countless ways tech can be integrated into your boating experience, but when it comes to buying a gift for a boater, there are a handful of especially good products to consider.
Fish Finders
The best fish finders can turn fishing into a video game-like experience, providing an astoundingly accurate view of everything going on beneath the water so that you can move strategically. For all the tech-loving anglers out there, it may be time for an upgrade.
This selection of fishfinders includes the best deals from top brands, but there are a wealth of fish finders to choose from.
You can’t go wrong with Humminbird Helix products, which are also recommended by pro bass fisherman Garrett Paquette. For the best bargain, we recommend the HELIX 5 G2 Chirp Sonar/GPS Combo. Like all Helix 5 models, it has a 5” diagonal screen and keypad controls. Its CHIRP Sonar reaches up to 1500’. It’s easy to operate and, perhaps most importantly, accurately finds fish!
If your budget allows, Humminbird Helix 7 down-imaging fish finders are some of the most popular on the market overall. However, Humminbird and the other top brands carried by PartsVu have great options at any price point. These make great high-value gifts for anglers.
Top Fish Finder Gifts
Audio & Entertainment
For music lovers and those who love a bit of a party, a good sound system is a must.
Fusion makes high-quality speakers, with many grille styles to choose from. Designed with power consumption in mind, Fusion speakers will bring life to your music without the worry of battery drain. And, with tons of grille options, we’re sure there will be a setup that looks fabulous on your recipient’s boat.
VHF Radios
For the safety conscience boater in your life, or perhaps a boater you wish was more cautious, a VHF radio is an excellent gift. They can quite literally be a life saver, and although they aren’t legally required, they are absolutely recommended for every boater to invest in.
There are two types of VHFs to consider: fixed mount and handheld. Both are excellent options, but some may consider the handheld VHF to be a safer option. In an emergency, handhelds are more readily available, and many float.
When it comes to handheld VHFs, some of the top brands to consider are Icom and Standard Horizon, amongst others. The Standard Horizon 6W Handheld Marine VHF is a good choice— at just over $100, this model features a water-activated strobe light, 3-year waterproof warranty, and all USA, International, and Canadian channels. Oh, and did we mention it floats?
If you think a fixed mount is a more suitable gift for your tech-loving boater, we love the quality, reliability, and user interface of the Icom M330 Compact VHF Radio.
Top VHF Radio Gifts
Gauges
Marine gauges are integral components for any boat, including speedometers, tachometers, volt meters, fuel gauges, hour meters, temp gauges, trim gauges, and sending units. Whether your boater is a Yamaha or Mercury owner, there are gauges and related systems to upgrade.
These make especially good gifts for boaters who love a project. They're especially great during the winter offseason when there’s not much else to do. Now is the time for improvements!
For Yamaha owners, to two-gauge Command Link Single Engine Gauge Kit is a popular choice. It contains all the necessary parts to complete the upgrade with ease.
For Mercury owners, no gauge-related upgrade beats Mercury VesselView. The VesselView is a way to monitor information gathered by Mercury SmartCraft Gauges. It puts all the information right in front of the boater with a user-friendly interface. It even includes extra features such as maintenance reminders and engine monitoring. For Mercury owners, this tech solution makes life much simpler.
Top Mercury & Yamaha Gauges Gifts
For the Watersports Enthusiast
Watersports gear and accessories can include everything from wakeboards and paddleboards to inflatable towables. Whatever their style is, there are number of great gifts for boat owners who love the sportier side of things
Available in a range of prices, wakeboards and paddle boards are an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their equipment or enjoy a new hobby. Don’t forget to check out tow ropes and accessories to go along with your purchase!
Inflatable towables are particularly great gifts because they’re something the whole family can enjoy together— we have towables options that carry up to 5 people!
For the Grill Master
Last but certainly not least, we have some gift ideas for the chefs and grill masters of the family.
Marine grills are available in a number of sizes and shapes, so there are appropriate grilling gifts for boat owners with nearly any setup. One of the most popular models is the Magma Marine Kettle Charcoal Grill with Hinged Lid. This grill is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and can be used on board or on land, depending on which of the many mounting options you choose.
If your recipient is lucky enough to have a marine grill already, there’s a variety of accessories from top brands like Kuuma and Magma that will make excellent and affordable gifts for boat owners. We're particularly fans of products like the Kuuma Stainless Steel Fish Basket. This is a gift that will allow your loved one to perfectly cook their fresh catch, and hopefully share some with you.
Top Gifting Categories
Finally, if you're looking to impress on a budget, you can shop our gift suggestions by budget here.
