Living aboard full-time (or even part-time) teaches you quickly: the best gifts are the things that actually make boat life easier, cleaner, safer, or more fun. So for 2025, we rounded up the gear, tools, and small luxuries we truly use and love aboard that we found this year. Everything here has earned its place in real life, on a real boat â which means itâs useful, durable, and space-worthy.
1. Snappy Nu Teak Cleaner & Brightener
For the sailor who wants their teak to look brand new without spending hours scrubbing.
This cleaner is shockingly effective â salt, sunscreen, mildew, and grey weathering disappear fast. Itâs one of the quickest ways to refresh a cockpit or deck and makes a big visual difference with very little effort. What to do after you clean it…check out Item #15!
2. YETI Rambler Coffee Mug
Indestructible, spill-proof, and perfect for sunrise watches.
This is the mug every sailor ends up stealing from their partner. Drinks stay hot for hours, the handle is sturdy underway, and stainless steel means it will handle salt life and rough seas.
3. Stone Bath Mat (Diatomaceous Earth Quick-Dry)
The solution to soggy moldy boat bathroom rugs.
This mat absorbs water instantly and dries in minutes â no damp smell, no mildew, easy to clean. Seriously, no fuss. Surprisingly perfect for boat heads, especially in humid climates.
4. Cocktail Smoker Kit (Handmade Wood + Torch)
For the sailor who loves hosting cockpit sundowners.
This compact smoker turns an ordinary drink into a smoky, cozy masterpiece. Easy to store on board and a fun surprise for our guests.
5. Scuba Choice 5′ Fiberglass Hawaiian Sling / Pole Spear
Lightweight, simple, and ideal for spearing reef fish and lobsters where permitted.
It packs small, sets up fast, and is a great confidence-building tool for snorkelers who want to try hand-spearing dinner. After a bit of practice, we were able to catch lots of lobsters in the islands!
6. Pocket Hose Copper Head â 100ft Expandable Hose
Big hose power, tiny storage footprint.
This hose expands when in use, shrinks down when youâre done, and the copper connector head is far more durable than plastic options. It gets rid of the hose smell/taste. Perfect for rinsing the boat, chain or filling tanks at the dock.
7. Tilley TWS1 All-Weather Hat
The ultimate sailing hat: it stays put, floats, and handles sun + spray.
Tilley hats last forever and are comfortable enough to wear all day. This all-weather version is especially good for cruisers who spend serious time at the helm. Kevin has been searching long and wide for a comfortable hat to wear on passage. He finally found “the one”.
8. Mosiller 2-in-1 Electric Fly Swatter Racket
Mosquitoes or gnats in the cockpit? Not anymore.
We upgraded this year! The sound of the zap is satisfaction guaranteed. Rechargeable fly swatter rackets are one of those silly-looking items that instantly become a boat essential. Great for anchorages with no-see-ums or mosquitoes.
9. Apple iPad 11-inch (A16 Chip, 256GB)
The ultimate do-everything device for life aboard.
We just upgraded. The newest 11-inch iPad is fast, bright, and incredibly useful on a boat. We use it for navigation apps, weather routing, Netflix on night watches, photo editing, logbooks, charts, boat manuals, or staying connected with home. It’s our go to device. The Liquid Retina display is gorgeous even in bright daylight, and the upgraded A16 chip makes everything lightning quick. With 256GB of storage and all-day battery life, itâs the perfect âboat brainâ that fits in your nav station or backpack.
10. Singer 44S Heavy-Duty Sewing Machine
The cruiserâs secret weapon for canvas, shade panels, cushions, and repairs.
Strong enough to sew through a few layers of Sunbrella and thick marine fabrics, compact enough to store aboard. A genuinely useful tool for DIY-minded sailors. I essentially wanted a cheap version of a sailrite for basic on board jobs. This has delivered and is relatively very cheap!
11. ChefâsChoice Electric Knife Sharpener (20° Straight-Edge)
Sharp knives = safer sailing and better meals.
Diamond abrasives and precision guides make knife sharpening fast and foolproof. Especially useful for fish cleaning, galley prep, and general boat work. Kevin loves our knives super sharp and ready to go. I got him this as a gift for our dull knives on board. He loves it!
12. Mantus M3 Chain Hook
A serious bit of gear for serious cruisers.
Guess what will NEVER fall off…This Bridle hook! No matter the wind or current battles swinging your boat in circles. Overbuilt in true Mantus style and a thoughtful gift for anyone who anchors often.
13. Elevation Lab AirTag – 3M Adhesive Mount (TagVault Waterproof 4-Pack)
The easiest, cleanest way to AirTag anything on a boat.
These waterproof mounts stick on and stay on â perfect for SUPs, ditch bags, bikes, tool cases, and anything with the potential to wander off around the boat. We have one hidden on the boat and one hidden in our dinghy should they ever go on an adventure without us.
14. Flickering Flameless Candle (3D Moving Flame)
Real candle vibes, zero fire risk.
I LOVE candles. Kevin will not let me have real ones on board and rightly so…burning down the boat is not optimal, but fake candles…yes we can! These LED candles look incredibly realistic and bring warm, cozy ambiance to cabins during quiet nights at anchor.
15. Semco Teak Wood Sealant
The gold standard for long-lasting teak protection.
We mentioned cleaning teak above (Item #1). If the sailor in your life loves their teak but does not want to have to constantly play upkeep, this is the easiest way to protect it from sun and salt. Natural finish, low maintenance, and long-lasting. Brush it on, don’t worry about it for at least a year!
16. Speedy StitcherÂź Deluxe Sewing Awl Kit
The indestructible little tool every cruiser ends up needing at some point.
The Speedy Stitcher is perfect for heavy-duty repairs when dragging out the full sewing machine feels like overkill or the fabric shape is impossible to get under the machine needle. It stitches through canvas, leather, webbing, vinyl, and even thick sailcloth. Whether you’re fixing a dinghy handle, patching a dodger seam, or repairing a bag strap, this compact awl kit is powerful, simple, and incredibly handy to keep aboard.
Want More Sailor-Approved Gift Ideas?
Here are our two previous holiday gift guides packed with even more favorites:
Have a happy Holiday Season where ever you are in the world!
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