1. Huk Storm Jacket
Huk, pronounced hook, has been busy cranking out reputable boating wear and the new Storm rain jacket is another example of the company’s commitment to superior design and quality. Available in four colors and sizes for men, women and kids, it’s stylish and performance-oriented. Made from water-repellent, plain-weave polyester with sealed seams and a mesh lining, the Storm jacket keeps you dry but doesn’t feel damp or clammy against the skin. The zippered closure includes a storm flap, and the three-panel hood can be adjusted with a drawstring, as can the waist for a snug fit. Huk offers matching bibs if you want the complete package. From $70 to $100. www.hukgear.com
2. Plano Frost Coolers
Who wouldn’t want a compact carry-along cooler to keep beverages and lunch fresh for a day on the water? The Frost line includes 14- and 21-quart basket-style models that look good and carry the load. They’re not just pretty, they’re tough thanks to the industrial-strength molded construction and dual-stage molded latches. And they keep things cold by incorporating commercial-grade insulation and Dri-Loc seals around the opening. Getting bounced around the boat all day is no problem for these frosty additions to your boating gear. $129 to $179. Plano Frost Cooler
3 Bajio Fishing Sunglasses
“I guess you could say we’re a bunch of idealistic misfits who believe that fishing can change the world. And for some crazy reason, we put everything on the line to do it,” says Al Perkinson, Bajío founder. To prove he is big on protecting the environment he mounted some of the clearest polarized lenses on the market in strong bio-resin frames. The glasses are protected by cactus leather cases. You can choose glass or polycarbonate lenses in a variety of colors for various uses, and dozens of frame styles and colors are available. From $209 to $250. Bajio Fishing Sunglasses
4. JBL JAM6500N Stereo Head Unit
Here’s another way to give the gift of music. The crew can get its funk on with the latest in marine multi-media receivers. The audiophile on your boat will like the rugged, compact head unit that provides a customizable audio experience with four-zone independent output to control speaker volume and tone throughout the vessel. Bluetooth ready, JAM connects to any audio source; or you can use USB-C or auxiliary inputs. It is an AM/FM receiver and links to SiriusXM. Flush-mounted, its simplified menu system makes it a breeze to use. $699. jamaudio.com
5. Under Armour Charged Shoreman Deck Boot
Shorty deck boots have been trending among the boating crowd for a while now, and the Charged Shoreman from Under Armour represents a new level in comfort and performance. Modeled after the company’s athletic shoes, these are the lightest (15 ounces) deck boot in the class. The waterproof flexible upper integrates with a heal pod and “Charged Cushioning” footbed for a secure and comfortable fit. The dual-layer moisture barrier keeps feet dry while the non-marking, slip-resistant outsoles push water out from under foot. Boots are available in 2 colors and 14 sizes. $115. Under Armour
6. Proteus Smart Navigation
Modern navigational systems sometimes present confusing images on multifunction displays, from blobs of color painted by radar to cramped imagery on chartplotters. Proteus, from technology company Tocaro Blue, is an AI system that integrates with your existing electronics to generate easily interpreted navigational data on an existing touch-screen MFD. This year’s IBEX innovation award winner in the electronics category, the Proteus Hub connects to your vessel’s existing sensors over NMEA 2000 and Ethernet and applies machine learning to instantaneously output a reimagined experience at the helm. You can switch between 2D and 3D displays and see radar targets as real objects. It makes collision avoidance simple, day or night. Even captains with decades of experience are raving over the system. Once you’ve seen it you will not be able to unsee it. It is that advanced. $2,995. Proteus Smart Navigation
7. Bubba Blades Lithium-Ion Cordless fillet knife
You can make quick work of cleaning a mess of fish with this addition to the Bubba Blades line of knives. This cordless, electric fillet knife comes as a complete kit in a molded carrying case with four interchangeable high-carbon stainless steel blades, spare battery pack and charger. The ergonomically designed non-slip grip is comfortable even when your hands get wet or slimy. I’ve personally used older versions of electric fillet knives, but wasn’t impressed until I tried Bubba’s. It’s next level and even includes blades for carving the holiday turkey. $189. Bubba Blades
8. Sunchill Package Swim Float
Whether you like sandbar parties or relaxing in the water alongside your boat in a quiet anchorage, the Sunchill Float is a good partner. Deflated, it weighs just 18 pounds and packs away at only 20x12x10 inches. Inflated, it’s 8 feet wide and will float as many people and pets as you like. It comes with a carry bag, pump, drink holders, D-rings and strap, and it inflates in 90 seconds. It is built tough with heat-welded seams and has a 5-year warranty. Shipping is free. $699. Sunchill.com
9. Davco Aquachocks
If you’re fortunate enough to have a boat large enough to transport a tender or PWC onboard than the price of this gift item isn’t staggering. Aquachocks are a secure cradle system that mounts to the boat’s aft platform. But more interesting is the fact that they can be quickly and easily removed when not in use. Constructed from polished 316 stainless steel with a cushioned face, the installation kit for the system includes four Aquachocks with mounting hardware, ratchet straps, padded eyes and a hard-shell storage case to store it when the equipment is not in use. Oh, did I mention they look great, too? $1,749. Davco Aquachocks
10. Mustang Survival Underdog PFD
From the first name in survival gear comes the perfect flotation device for your pooch. This handsome, cape-style safety piece is available in sizes from Chihuahua to Labrador and comes in Mustang’s iconic red and black colors with reflective panels for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. Reinforced with Cordura on the belly and neck for abrasion resistance, there are four adjustment points for just the right fit and web carrying handles for lifting doggy out of the water. There’s even an attachment point for a leash. $70. mustangsurvival.com
11. Frogg Toggs Pro Series Tackle Bags
Every angler needs a great storage system for lures, leader material and rigging gear. These new bags are good-looking, lightweight, functional and reasonably priced. Available in two sizes, they come with four or five removeable tackle boxes and storage pockets galore. The tough rip-stop fabric, corrosion-resistant zippers, non-slip rubber feet and neoprene carry handle and shoulder strap make it a standout. Any angler will jump like a hooked bass when they find one of these under the tree. $69 to $89. froggtoggs.com
12. Banshee VHF Expansion Speaker
Don’t you hate when you can’t hear your VHF clearly? I do, and I bet your favorite captain does too. Banshee Marine Audio has the remedy: the BAR-VA-1 active VHF extension speaker, which won an IBEX innovation award for boating safety in October. It comes in black or white and has a volume control dial so you can hear calls even when running, but the magic is in the built-in, 10-watt DSP amplifier that filters out sounds outside the human vocal range to help clean up incoming transmissions. Do you read me loud and clear? You will with this gem. $119. Banshee Speaker
13. Grundens Tough Sun Hoodie
If someone on your holiday list is tough on boating clothes, then this might be the ideal gift. It’s built for the rigors of boatyard chores and on-water adventures, with breathable UPF-50 sun protection, and HeiQ anti-odor and thermal regulating technology. In addition, the stain-release treatment makes Tough Sun an easy-care shirt. Because Grundens is so confident in its performance and longevity, the shirt comes with a lifetime warranty. When is the last time you saw that? $45. grundens.com
14. Quantum Benchmark Spinning Reels and Combos
If you want to gift the angler in your family with a reliable rod and reel without breaking the bank, check out Quantum. The company’s Benchmark spinning reels are top-of-the-line and reasonably priced. The reels are available in six sizes and feature machined aluminum bodies and side plates, precision cut gears and carbon-fiber drags. In addition, they are fully sealed to shake off the rigors of saltwater. Benchmark combos include graphite composite rods that can tackle any fish. I fished a preproduction prototype and was blown away. Reels $149 to $189; combos $189 to $229. quantumfishing.com
15. CLiX Fuel Spill Prevention Device
This piece of gear is also hot off winning an IBEX Innovation Award, CLiX is a simple, compact, must-have device for any boater and makes a worthy gift that will be used often. A funnel-like device made of anti-static biodegradable material, it is designed to fit into a boat’s fuel fill port before the fuel pump nozzle is inserted. It forces the nozzle to click off when the tank is full, to prevent fuel spills onto the boat and into the waterway. $25. clixfueling.com
16. Garmin inReach Messenger Plus
This pocket-size satellite communicator is a dynamo as it links to any smartphone with the Garmin Messenger App. It allows you to exchange texts, photos and voice messages when outside cell service. It’s a great thing for boaters to have when they are venturing offshore or into remote areas. It’s also an interactive emergency beacon that’s linked to Garmin’s international SOS response team, manned 24/7. And it’s a trip planner and tracking device that can help you navigate to your destination and return using the Tracback routing feature. Friends can even share your GPS location via the live tracking function. That’s a lot of functionality in a device that fits in your pocket. $499. Garmin inReach
December 2024
