10 Best Boating Gifts for Dad
June 19 is Father’s Day, which means children (and moms) everywhere will be trying to find great boating gifts for dad. There’s a lot out there to choose from, with options of all kinds that are tailored to whatever type of boating your dad likes to do.
Here’s a look at 10 boating gifts “for him” that will make any dad smile when he heads out to the boat for a day on the water:
- Sidekick dry gear case
- Quick-dry polo shirt
- Sport performance sunglasses
- Sperry Wave Rocker
- Guy Harvey t-shirt
- Custom boat artwork
- Boat Medic first aid kit
- Solar-powered cell phone charger
- Customized fenders
- Foredeck swim trunks
Bonus Gift Idea: Surprise him with the ultimate gift of a Boatsetter boat rentals for a day! Browse all available rentals near you.
1. Sidekick dry gear case
Yeti makes this waterproof bag that’s available in all kinds of colors, has interior pockets for things like fishing licenses and phones, and can be attached to a belt or a cooler for hands-free carrying—say, if your dad’s hands are full of fishing rods and bait. The bag is built to handle everything from occasional spray on the boat to nasty rainstorms, and it comes with a three-year warranty.
2. Quick-dry polo shirt
Helly Hansen—a company known for making gear that professional sailors covet for its comfort and durability—offers this Riftline Quick-Dry Polo in multiple colors and sizes. The shirt is made from Tactel, which is twice as soft as cotton, and the company adds UPF 50 sun protection into the shirt’s construction—making it one of the most perfect boating gifts for Dad.
3. Sport performance sunglasses
Eye protection from the sun is just as important out on the water as skin protection, and Costa’s new Sport Performance sunglasses are built specifically for the job. There are all kinds of color combinations to choose among, with features that include polarized lenses, UV protection, adjustable nose pads and scratch-resistant materials.
4. Sperry Wave Rocker
Sperry makes the original boat shoe that remains popular among boaters of all kinds today. Its new line of performance footwear includes the Wave Rocker, which is built for boating. This shoe has a perforated neoprene sock surrounded by an external “harness” to provide a snug fit and protection against toes crashing into cleats. Underfoot cushioning is enhanced, to absorb more of the vibration that comes with boating at higher speeds.
5. Guy Harvey t-shirt
If dad is a fisherman, then he’s seen (and probably loves) the fish-based artwork of Guy Harvey. Quite a few of Harvey’s most popular drawings of fish are available on t-shirts that come in a variety of styles and sizes.
Look for the type of fish that your dad most loves to chase; the odds are good that a shirt exists with that kind of fish as the main part of the artwork. Hats and other products are available, as well.
6. Custom boat artwork or apparel
Does your dad love his boat almost as much as he loves the human members of the family? If yes, then he’d probably appreciate some artwork of the boat to hang on the wall at home, alongside other treasured photos. The Custom Captain will turn a photo of dad’s boat into a digital format that can be printed on posters and framed, or printed in other custom ways, such as on shirts.
7. Boat Medic first aid kit
If your dad is the adventurous type who sometimes comes home with scrapes or cuts after a day on the boat, then a waterproof first aid kit might make him not only happy, but also healthier. My Medic makes this Boat Medic waterproof first aid kit, which the company says is also sink-proof in case it goes overboard. Contents include bandages, splints, blister strips and more.
8. Solar-powered cell phone charger
Cell phones can go dead out on the water, making it hard to reach dad when it’s time to come home for dinner, or—more important—if there’s an emergency. GoalZero’s Nomad 5 + Flip 12 solar kit will let dad recharge his cellphone pretty much anywhere. It has a kickstand that allows positioning in various parts of the boat or on shore, and can serve double duty for camping and hiking excursions.
9. Customized fenders
Fenders can be subject to a lot of abuse on boats, and they’re a type of gear that many dads don’t think about until it’s worn down to the nub. That makes fenders a good gift idea. Fendertex Fenders can be customized to match the color of dad’s boat, and to include the boat’s name or logo. The website has a helpful guide to fender styles and shapes, showing the size of the boat that each fender is made to match.
10. Foredeck swim trunks
Vineyard Vines offers these swim trunks that are made from a quick-dry seersucker fabric that has a little bit of extra give and stretch. They have a half-elastic waistband for comfort, along with a snap front and zip fly to make sure they stay on, even after dad jumps off the boat into the water. Gift boxes are available.
Still looking for the perfect boating gifts for dad? Does he already own a boat? If so…
Kim Kavin has been on boats in more than 50 countries and islands, including in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. She grew up learning to steer a ski boat and Hobie Holder at her grandfather’s lake house in New Jersey, and went on to spend time aboard everything from America’s Cup racing sailboats to submarines.
Kim is a PADI-certified scuba diver and animal lover who always enjoys a good, long look around a coral reef. Her award-winning writing and editing regularly appears in national marine magazines and on leading websites. In her early years, she was a Dow Jones editing intern and a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not writing, Kim can usually be found hiking northwest New Jersey’s beautiful park trails with her adopted shelter mutt, Ginger.
