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Holiday Gifts 2025: Nautical & Nice

Tide Clock

For the daydreamer who spends more time thinking about their boat than their inbox while sitting at their desk, try this beautiful tide clock from Georgetown Pottery. Comes in multiple colorways and is automatically set to a 24 hour, 50 minute semi-diurnal cycle, but can be adjusted for other cycles. $55 | georgetownpottery.com

Dinghy Anchor Kit

For dinghies, tenders, or even small skiffs, this Mantus Dinghy Anchor Kit has everything you need to drop a lunch hook, launch a snorkeling expedition, or stay secured to the beach. Comes with a 2.5 lb. 316 stainless steel anchor that collapses nearly flat without any tools, 50 feet of double-braid rode, a stainless-steel shackle, an easily cleaned storage bag, and a clever cover for the nose. $242 | mantusmarine.com

FixClip

Designed by a sailor who was tired of losing towels overboard, FixClip’s clever universal clothespins fit around many sizes of lifelines and pulpit rails and “lock” shut, helping prevent those annoying flyaways! $19.99/6-pack | Available from Amazon and other retailers

Oyster Napkins

These handmade, 100% linen cocktail napkins from Coton Colors are great for the entertainer aboard or the shoreside host who wants to bring a bit of the water home. More styles available. $36.95/set of 4 | coton-colors.com

Rumpl Blanket

Although originally designed for camping, we think the water-resistant yet plush Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is well-suited for chilly nights aboard or early morning runs, too! Each blanket is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and packs down into a convenient stuff sack. $99 | rumpl.com

OluKai Shoes

For all-day shoes that work not only on the boat but also ashore, at a dockside restaurant, or in a dinghy, check out the Pehuea Breathable Slip-On Shoes from OluKai. The mesh keeps air moving through, and the heel can be tucked in to wear them as slides. $100 | olukai.com

Fillet Away Mat

Do your fish keeping slipping away — after you’ve already caught them? No more with the Fillet Away Fish Mat, which uses flexible pegs to hold your prize in place while you clean it. The flexible material allows it to be rolled up for storage, and it doesn’t absorb oil or smells. Toss it into the dishwasher to clean. $34.99 | filletaway.com

Throw Rope

Although not a requirement, a rescue throw rope — such as this one from Mustang Survival — is an asset on board. Toss it to a person overboard after your Type IV throwable. The 75 feet of polypropylene line is high-vis and floats. $73.99 | ­mustangsurvival.com

Harken Derm Moisturizer

We were surprised to see the name of a sailboat hardware manufacturer on skincare, but Harken Derm’s Daily Skin Repair Lotion is lovely. After a day of getting battered by wind and sun, give your skin some much-needed assistance with this moisturizer designed by a skin cancer specialist to tackle the extreme conditions faced by on-the-water athletes, or use daily. The scent is mild and refreshing. $50 | harkenderm.com

Cordless Wet/Dry Vac

Everything on Milwaukee’s M18 2-Gallon Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum packs into a special compartment of the vacuum itself, meaning no more hoses or fittings flopping around when you go to store it. At 15 by 11 by 18.5 inches, it can fit almost anywhere, travels easily with a built-in handle, and will run for up to 30 minutes on one rechargeable battery. Perfect for DIY messes and hard-to-reach bilge corners! $149, battery not included | ­milwaukeetool.com

DJI Action Cam

If you’ve been looking for a go-anywhere action camera that’s simple, beginner-friendly, and won’t break the bank, check out the DJI Osmo Action 3. With only two buttons (power and record), it can’t get any easier. Waterproof up to 16 meters, this little camera can shoot up to 4K quality for over 2.5 hours on a battery that will recharge from dead to 80% in only 18 minutes. The front-facing screen makes selfie-style pictures and videos easy to frame, and versatile mounting systems allow both vertical and horizontal filming. For even higher performance, check out the rest of the Osmo Action lineup. $169 | dji.com

Bogg Bag

Constructed entirely from rubber, the Bogg Bag is made for a day on the boat, at the beach, or beside the marina pool. The wide base allows it to stand upright, unlike other large totes that flop over, and the material means you can shove wet towels inside, spill or melt snacks, or get it covered in sand, because you can just hose it off at the end of the day. $90 | boggbag.com

Waterless Dog Shampoo

It’s almost inevitable that a furry first mate will pick up a briny stench after a day out on the water. But no pet parent wants that stink to come home in the car. Enter Burt’s Bees for Pets Waterless Shampoo Spray, which is pH-balanced to prevent skin irritation and comes in a refreshing light apple and honey scent. We still recommend a proper bath for Fido once back on dry land, though. $9.99 | Amazon and other retailers

Melamine Dishware

Everything is bright and sunny with the Lemon Outdoor Melamine Collection from Williams Sonoma. Despite being made from a tough, nonbreakable material ready for a rolly anchorage, this luxe table setting will have onboard guests feeling truly wined and dined. $229.75/set (4 each of dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls, plus 1 oval platter and 1 serving bowl) | ­williams-sonoma.com

Waterlust Swimwear

For bold swim- and sunwear that supports marine conservation, check out Waterlust’s attractive collection of men’s and women’s swimsuits, rash guards, and tees. The eye-catching patterns are inspired by specific conservation causes that a portion of profits help fund, from tiger shark research to parrotfish protection. All of Waterlust’s products are made from recycled material and are specially designed to hold up against salt, sun, and chlorine. Prices vary | waterlust.com

Foam Birkenstocks

Did you know that Birkenstock makes its classic Arizona design in a 100% EVA foam version? This is a full-on water sandal suitable for fair-weather days aboard. They won’t absorb moisture, salt, or grime; can be hosed off at the end of the day; and float. Runs narrow. $49.95 | birkenstock.com

Zup Foil

Foil boards are the latest craze for tow sports enthusiasts and yachties alike, but learning to fly can take time. ZUP, which specializes in tow equipment for kids and beginners of any age, has refined its DoMore Board and compatible Carbon Fiber Foil to help riders get the hang of things as fast as possible. This versatile combo is designed to fly whether the rider prefers to kneel, lie down, stand facing forward, or stand surf-style, and is optimized for tow speeds of 9 to 13 mph for a fun, approachable ride. Or remove the foil and just surf! $1,499 for board and foil | zup.com

Nocs Binocs

For entry-level binoculars without all the bells and whistles, try the Nocs Provisions Field Issue Binoculars. These IPX7 waterproof binoculars with up to 10x magnification come in a variety of color options and feature a pleasant wave grip that doesn’t slip when wet. Simple and affordable, these binoculars are designed to meet your basic needs both on and off the water. A monocular version is also available. $179.95 | nocsprovisions.com

Underwater Spotter

For young naturalists, these simple, colorful marine life identification guides from Underwater Spotter are filled with tips and fun facts! By limiting each guide to 50 local species, these guidebooks keep things engaging for young readers. Covers are water-resistant for damp hands. Guides are available for Florida, California, and Hawaii, as well as international destinations. $24.95 | underwaterspotter.com

Waterproof Logbook

It seems rather obvious that logbooks for boats should be waterproof, and yet most aren’t — with the exception of Backstay Rugged Marine Logbooks. These logbooks are made with Rite-in-the-Rain paper, meaning no more soggy pages or running ink. There are multiple formats and sizes available, stuffed with maintenance log templates, reusable checklists, and quick reference guides to help you remember that iconic summer cruise as well as the last time you fueled up. Plus, a maintenance logbook provides a great selling tool later! $59.95–$69.95 | backstay.ink

Toit Split Ring Pliers

Specialized problems require specialized solutions: That’s the thinking behind the Toit Fishing Split Ring Pliers, a tacklebox tool designed to end the frustration with opening and rigging split rings with specially-designed tips for grip and precision handling. Comes in three sizes. Although made with anglers in mind, we think sailors may want to add this to their rigger’s belt, too! $44.99 | toit.uk

Maptattoo Nav Aid

No need for a hardwired chartplotter, but tired of navigation apps that drain your phone or tablet’s battery? Maptattoo, a Chicago-based startup from a long-distance small-boat sailor, aims to tackle those issues with a device grounded in simplicity. This navigation aid uses E-Ink, the same tech behind e-readers, to offer a 50-hour battery life on a rugged, IP68-waterproof tablet with a 6-inch display that won’t overheat and remains legible even in direct sunlight. The touchscreen and tactile controls are both usable with wet fingers. $799 | maptattoo.com

Universal Funnel

DIY boaters can never have enough clever, space-saving tools like this 2-piece universal funnel set from Ares to help with that next oil change. Store them flat, and roll and bend them into whatever size you need. $58.02 | arestool.com

BoatU.S. Branded Gear

Show off your BoatU.S. spirit with branded caps and visors, cushions, flags, totes, tumblers, and even a pet leash. $10–$25 | BoatUS.com/LogoItems

The Gift of Membership

Don’t have time to go to the store? Gift a BoatU.S. Membership! Members save money at more than 1,200 local and national businesses, receive a full year of expert advice from BoatU.S. Magazine, free MMSI registration, and more. Upgrade to a Towing Membership for 24/7 on-water assistance from TowBoatU.S. — the largest and best towing fleet in the business! $25 for Basic Membership, $99–$200 for Towing Membership | BoatUS.com/Membership

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Author

Kelsey Bonham Bailey

Associate Editor, BoatUS Magazine

Kelsey is an associate editor and writer for BoatU.S. Magazine, covering everything from the environment to tech news, new media to personality profiles. A lifelong sailor, at 20 she refit her own boat top to bottom, then skippered the 30-footer down the ICW. She’s been a professional crew and instructor on boats up to 100 feet, written for several other boating magazines, and earned her 25-ton Master’s license in 2024.