15 Best Gifts for New Boat Owners
Do you have a new boat owner in your life that would love a few gifts for their new boat? In this guide, I’ll include the best gifts for new boat owners. These gifts are basically everything I wanted my friends and family to get me the first year I bought my first boat.
What are the best gifts for new boat owners? The best gifts for new boat owners include practical items they don’t have yet such as waterproof phone chargers, portable cup holders, coolers, air pumps, sailing gear, booster tubes, and marine watches.
Whether you want to gift your boat owner buddy something practical for their boat or something nice, this extensive list of gift ideas will run the gamut.
Best Gifts for New Boat Owners
Solar Power Bank Portable Charger
Technology doesn’t stop, even when enjoying life at sea.
However, what is a sailor to do when they want to charge their smartphone and their boat doesn’t have the right connections?
That’s simple, they use something like this solar power bank portable charger from ERRBBIC, which is an Amazon’s Choice product and a top recommendation from this blog as well.
So how does the portable charger work, you ask? That’s simple!
Solar panels throughout collect energy via sunlight.
When the panels are full, this portable charger is capable of recharging one tablet at full speed or two smartphones at the same time.
Pilot indicator lights, of which there are five, allow you to track the progress of your charging so you don’t accidentally overcharge your phone.
Your new boat owner friend will love how convenient this gift makes their future boating adventures. They’ll be able to spend longer on the water without stressing about a dead phone!
ROBOCUP
Some boats have cupholders and some don’t, the latter of which can make enjoying a beverage difficult.
If you know your friend’s boat could use more cupholders, you can help them out by purchasing the ROBOCUP, another Amazon’s Choice product.
The ROBOCUP is a patented caddy with a clamp-on holder that’s sure to stay nice and secure even when commandeering a boat.
Those clamps are finished with rubber to add to their surefire grip.
Each portable drink holder is more than just that but can also store sunglasses, keys, a smartphone, and up to two fishing poles. The ROBOCUP is multifunctional!
No tools are needed to install it. All you have to do is clamp it into place. Unclamping it is easy so the ROBOCUP can move around the boat as needed.
Each ROBOCUP measures 6.5 inches tall, 4.5 inches wide, and nine inches long.
The hardest part will be determining which color is best for your boating buddy.
You can choose from hues like white, black, camo, gray, neon pink, light blue, navy blue, orange, purple, red, yellow, and even color combos!
Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler
In the hot summer sun, which reflects off the water, drinks don’t stay cool for long.
Even if your boating buddy freezes their drinks the morning of their boat rides, by afternoon, the beverages are soggy and lukewarm.
Not anymore! The Yeti Tundra 45 cooler is one of the best coolers on the market, especially for boaters.
It’s got exceptional capacity limits, as it’s capable of holding 26 cans if you follow the suggested ice-to-content ratio of 2:1.
The T-Rex lid built from durable rubber latches on tight so the drinks stay cold once that lid is closed.
The rest of the cooler is rotomolded to make it, as Yeti says, “virtually indestructible.”
PermaFrost insulation is built into the Tundra cooler, a generous three layers of the stuff.
The cooler measures 15 ½ inches tall, 16 inches wide, and 25 ½ inches long.
Again, there are some tough color choices to be made here, as the Yeti Tundra 45 cooler is available in hues like Seafoam (pale blue), Sagebush Green (very pastel green), Nordic Purple (berry purple), Navy, Harvest Red (maroon red), Coral (baby pink), Aquifer Blue (bright teal), Alpine Yellow (golden yellow), and Desert Tan (very pale brown).
Marmot Men’s Precip Lightweight Waterproof Rain Jacket
As the captain of the boat, staying dry and comfy is paramount to a long, comfortable boating adventure.
That’s why the Marmot men’s Precip waterproof rain jacket makes the ideal gift!
Arm mobility is prioritized with Angel-Wing Movement so the boat owner can commit to any maneuver on the boat they need to.
PitZips are ventilated, zippered openings underneath both arms for allowing moisture and warmth to pass right through the jacket.
The DriClime chin guard won’t scratch your chin when this jacket is zippered all the way while the PreClip fully-taped seams keep the jacket watertight. There’s even an attached hood.
The entire jacket is covered in a NanoPro coating with small, closely-packed pores that keep water out.
Wow World of Watersports Inflatable Pumps
One of the best parts of boat ownership is pulling along tubers. Yet how will your boating buddy inflate those inner tubes?
With the Wow World of Watersports inflatable pump, of course.
This Amazon’s Choice product is a universal pump that can inflate small boats, lounges, airbeds, inflatable islands, towable tubes, and so much more.
Included are deflation and inflation hookups as well as five universal valve adapters.
A 12-foot power cord makes inflating on a boat convenient, and the accordion hose is both flexible and reinforced for ease of use as well.
The pump produces air at a rate of 2.0 pounds per square inch of pressure or PSI, which is 600 liters, 400 watts, or 120 volts per minute.
The Wow World of Watersports inflatable pump is even covered under a one-year warranty!
Sportsstuff Booster Ball
Even if your friend’s new boat can go plenty fast, I bet you they wish it could be just a wee bit faster. That’s why they’ll appreciate a gift like the Sportsstuff booster ball.
Allow me to explain how the booster ball works. You attach it to the boat’s tow rope.
That, at the very least, will make your tow rope easier to see in the water.
Much more so than that, the Sportsstuff booster ball lessens drag, which is how it can add a moderate speed boost to the boat.
There’s more! The booster ball also works as a barrier to reduce the rate of snapbacks, and it keeps the ropes from getting pulled into a wake. Rope spray lessens as well.
The booster ball is attached to 60 feet of 16-strand polypropylene rope on either side which has a break strength up to 4,100 pounds. No wonder this is such a beloved boat accessory!
Garmin Quatix 6 Multisport Marine Smartwatch
If money is no object for the gift you’re buying for your boating buddy (this watch is over $800), the Garmin Quatix 6 multisport marine smartwatch will make you the friend of the year.
This incredible watch issues smart notifications like alerts, texts, and emails if you pair it with an Android or Apple smartphone.
The watch also produces Bluechart G3 charts using Navionics data for coastal charting.
If your friend has a Garmin chartplotter or a GNT 10 transceiver, the Quatix 6 connects to either so they can send navigational data right to their watch.
When the watch is left in smartwatch mode, its battery lasts for up to two weeks straight. The watch is preloaded with apps for exercise, fishing, and boating as well.
You can shop the Quatix 6 in titanium, solar with a titanium band, or gray with a blue band.
Airhead Big Mable Ridable Towing Tube
If you want to subtly hint to your new boat owner buddy that you’d like them to pull you around in a tube, then gift them the Airhead Big Mable.
This ridable towing tube is for up to two people.
The tube includes a patented speed safety valve that makes inflating and then deflating the Big Mable fast, easy, and efficient.
A double-stitched nylon cover increases the durability of this ridable towing tube and promotes better comfort as well. That’s in addition to the EVA pads for long rides.
The tube itself is made of heavy-gauge PVC and includes RF-welded seams so that it will take a lot to pop a tube like the Big Mable.
The tube has two different towing points for pulling the Big Mable. You can attach the Kwik-Connect point to the rear or the front.
KastKing Skidaway Polarized Sport Sunglasses
Nothing ruins a fishing trip faster than glare!
It’s something that new boat owners aren’t always prepared for until they’re out for hours on their boat and can’t even look at the water without being blinded.
The KastKing Skidaway polarized sport sunglasses will solve this little dilemma.
These unisex sunglasses feature temple arms that are 5.4 inches each, a lens height of 1.5 inches, a lens width of 2.3 inches, a bridge width of 0.6 inches, and a frame width of 5.2 inches.
The lenses are available in different colors that each serve various functions.
For example, the copper lenses are designed for low-light and moderate-light use and offer great depth perception and contrast.
The brown lenses are best for sunny and partly cloudy weather and won’t sacrifice depth perception or contrast.
The smoke lenses work best in bright sunlight as well as partial shade or medium light and reproduce colors very accurately.
The frames are made of Grilamid material, which is what you’d see in the military. Grilamid is UV and heat-resistant, very flexible, strong, impact-resistant, and light.
The KastKing TAC or triacetate polarized lenses are safeguarded from optical distortion after undergoing double decentering tests. You can count on these sunglasses for blocking out more UVA and UVB rays.
Dometic CFX3 75-Liter Dual-Zone Portable Fridge and Freezer
A much more expensive alternative to the Yeti cooler from earlier is the Dometic CFX3 dual-zone portable refrigerator and freezer. This Amazon’s Choice product retails for over $1,300!
If you have the room in your budget for your boating buddy, the Dometic fridge will take care of all their food cooling and freezing needs.
This 75-liter fridge/freezer combo has dual compartments that each have their own respective temperature controls. You can set the freezer nice and frosty and the fridge cold as well.
Soft-touch buttons make adjusting settings a joy, and the high-res color display shows the information you need to know about your fridge or freezer.
The included CFX3 app is Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible. The app provides performance history data as well as temperature control information.
The Dometic CFX3 can run on solar power, DC, or AC power. An included three-stage dynamic battery protection system means fewer dead batteries.
The ExoFrame with handles of aluminum alloy is built for all sorts of conditions.
Included in the fridge is a VMSO3 compressor that allows the fridge/freezer to reach freezing temperatures down to -7 degrees Fahrenheit!
Be Smart Get Prepared 110-Piece First-Aid Kit
Although it’s maybe not the most glamorous gift on this list, the Be Smart Get Prepared first-aid kit is by far the most useful.
The items in this 110-piece kit could save someone’s life someday.
Here’s an overview of what’s included:
- Examination gloves (two)
- 2×2-inch gauze pads (six)
- 4×4-inch gauze pads (two)
- Wooden finger splints (four)
- Butterfly closures (five)
- 0.5-inch x 5-yard adhesive tape roll (one)
- 5/8-inch x 2 ¼-inch adhesive bandages (10)
- 3/8-inch x 1 ½-inch adhesive bandages (30)
- ¾-inch by 3-inch adhesive bandages (20)
- First aid guide (one)
- Instant cold compress (one)
- Cotton tip applicators (10)
- Alcohol wipes (12)
- Antiseptic towelettes (6)
McKee’s 37 Marine and RV New Owner’s Care Kit
As a new boat owner, the chances are pretty good that your boating buddy doesn’t yet know all the ins and outs of boat care.
Why not help them out a little with McKee’s 37 Marine and RV New Owner’s Care Kit?
This comprehensive kit includes a little bit of everything they need to get their boat sparkling clean and keep it that way.
If your pal happens to own an RV as well, this kit is usable on that vehicle too.
First, you start with the Carnauba Wash & Wax, which has an acid-free, pH-balanced formula to remove bugs, grime, and dirt.
Next, follow up with the Hydro Pearl Sio2 Coating, which works like wax to offer a long-term glossy coat that will leave your buddy’s boat looking fantastic.
Then there’s the Repel Glass & Plastic Cleaner, which is–appropriately enough–for glass and plastic surfaces both inside and outside of the boat.
Use it for vinyl windows, interior windows, mirrors, or windshields. The formula is alcohol and ammonia-free.
Then reach for the All Purpose Surface Cleaner, a citrus cleaner that can de-gunk just about any boat surface, especially once diluted with water.
The Water-Resistant Vinyl Protectant is the next step, as it safeguards against UVA and UVB light so boat components won’t prematurely fade or crack.
Wrap up with the Final Step Detail Wax, which sprays on and wipes right off. The polymers in the formula can capture grime, salt, and dirt.
Morakniv Floating Fixed-Blade Stainless Steel Knife
It’s always good to keep a sharp blade handy on a boat for cutting ropes, but what if your buddy drops the knife?
Then it’s gone into the sea forever, which is quite the frustrating end.
The Morakniv floating knife is a great gift for combatting these woes, as it floats when dropped into the water!
This 3.7-inch stainless steel knife features a fixed blade that doesn’t retract. An included cover protects you when carrying the blade.
The cork handle makes for easy, lightweight handling.
Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet
At first glance, the Atomic Bear paracord bracelet looks like a sporty outdoor bracelet and nothing more.
Once you give it a second look though, you’ll realize it’s so much more than that. It includes five valuable and potentially life-saving tools all at your fingertips.
The paracord bracelet includes 12 feet of paracord, and the military-grade stuff too so it will last.
There’s also a Ferro rod strike, an emergency whistle, a compass, and a firestarter.
In a survival situation, your friend will be so happy to be wearing this around their wrist, and it’s all thanks to you!
MSC Vinyl Ribbed Boat Bumpers
You can never have too many boat bumpers, that’s what I always say.
A good bumper will safeguard your buddy’s new boat from docks and other vessels, ensuring the boat isn’t damaged in a collision.
The MSC vinyl ribbed boat bumpers come two in a pack.
They’re inflatable bumpers with an air valve system that allows for very fast inflation so your buddy can get right to safeguarding their boat.
The molding across the ribs is designed to lessen the rate of fender roll while the high-gloss marine-grade vinyl exterior ensures these bumpers can take a beating but keep on working.
Choose from a variety of fun colors such as white, red, navy blue, green, blue, and black.
