Black Friday is coming, and you need to find the ideal boating gift for a loved one who enjoys nothing more than their time spent afloat — no worries, dear shopper. As boaters ourselves we know just what those captains are craving. These 10 presents will be top picks that trigger smiles and fun all year long.

Black Friday Boating Gift Ideas Presents Thanksgiving Christmas

Above: A family with father and son opening boating gifts at the holidays near a Christmas Tree. Photo by Bialasiewicz on Pond5.


Binoculars For Boats




There should be a pair of marine binoculars aboard every boat. Anglers use them to spot diving gulls in the distance, cruisers use them to ID channel markers, and everyone enjoys using them to check out wildlife and scenery. One top pick would be a pair with gyroscopic stabilization that holds the image still even in choppy seas, like the Fujinon Techno-Stabis series. Check Fujinon out at fujifilm.com.

Dry Bags For Boating




Funny thing about boats, there’s always water all around them. So, a dry bag is a gift any type of boater on the face of the planet can appreciate. If you want to find a dry bag so rugged a commercial fisherman would depend on it, check out the 500-denier PVC tarpaulin Shackelton Duffel, from Grundens.

Fishing Gear




“I have too many lures, rods, and reels,” said no angler ever. Even a well-armed fisherman will be thrilled to expand his or her arsenal of fish-catching equipment, though you do need to take measures to ensure sure you choose the right type of gear. One hot prospect that recently hit the market is the new 2021 Shimano Spheros SW model line. Designed specifically for saltwater use with an IPX8 rating — the highest waterproofing rating possible — there’s not an angler alive who wouldn’t enjoy finding one under the tree.

Marine Electronics




If the electronics system on your beloved’s boat is more than a few years old, it’s probably already out of date. Navigation and fish-finding electronics evolve at a blinding pace and it’s a sure bet the recipient of your gift-giving prowess would love getting the latest and greatest. One example: Furuno introduced the third generation of its TZ Touch series, the NavNet TZtouch 3, last spring. With a quad-core processor, CHIRP fish finder, and networking ability with everything from radar to multibeam and side-scanning sonars, the tech can’t be topped. Visit Furuno at Furno.com to learn more.

Inflatable Life Jackets or Belts




This is an ideal gift for a boater who goes out alone sometimes. Modern inflatable life jackets and belts are so comfortable that you almost forget you have them on, yet they provide an added level of safety that solo boaters will appreciate. Get them one like the MIT 70 Automatic Inflatable, and it will go from flat to fully inflated in a matter of seconds if the person wearing it goes overboard. Check it out at Mustang Survival at MustangSurvival.com.

Prepaid Gas Cards For Boaters




Every time you go for a boat ride you have to feed the beast, and all boaters are aware of the sometimes significant fuel bill that can go along with a day of fun on the water. Why not give your loved one a prepaid gas card, so they can have a day of cost-free, worry-free enjoyment? Choose which brand is best according to where fill-ups usually take place - or buy a simple Visa or Mastercard prepaid card and tell them it's for gas for the boat!

Satellite Messengers



Does the boater you’re about to gift tend to stay out late, or voyage off towards distant horizons? If so, a Satellite messenger will help them stay in touch by providing two-way texting abilities even when they’re out of cell phone range. Plus, these little tech wonders also have an “SOS” button so they increase the safety margin at sea. The Garmin InReach Mini is top-rated pick, and since it’s smaller than a cell phone and weighs a mere 3.5-ounces, is easily stowed aboard any vessel. Check out Garmin.com for more info.

Solar Chargers And Mini Solar Panels For Boats



Being out on the boat means being out in the sun, so why not capitalize on that free energy source as you go boating? Gifting a portable solar charger means that can now happen — and eliminates the old “my phone died” excuse for not calling. Just make sure you choose one like the Patriot Power Cell, which is built to survive the marine environment and is IPX-rated for water resistance. Visit 4Patriots.com to learn more.

Tow Toys



A new wakeboard, tow-tube, or water skis will be a great gift for boaters who enjoy watersports, especially those with kids — even if they already have a tube or two. Different tow toys provide different rides on the water, so a second or even a third option is always great to have onboard. The Space Shuttle is a new tube on the market which can carry up to three riders, has draining floor vents, and a heavy-duty double-stitched nylon shell. There's also the Renegade tube from Airhead too, which is a slick tow tube for the boat as well. Take a gander at these wild rides at Airhead.com.

Towing Memberships


Even if your boat is brand new, having a tow membership provides peace of mind. Sign up with either BoatUS
or Sea Tow and if you ever break down, have a dead battery, or run out of fuel, they’ll be there to help in short order. Note that both of these tow companies have a great reputation, but in some cases, one may cover a specific geographic area better than the other. So, check to make sure they’re present in your neck of the woods before purchasing this present.

Black Friday is coming, people — get ready… set… SHOP for your boaters!

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2021, and last updated for November 2022 and the 2022 holiday season.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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