Finding the right Christmas gift for the special people in your life can be challenging at the best of times. If they happen to be a boatie, this gift guide will make your life a little easier. We’ve blogged our top gift ideas for family and friends, who’d rather be boating.

Here’s what made the list.

1. Something sentimental (and affordable)

This gift takes a little bit of effort, but is guaranteed to produce all the feels. Find a photo of them with their pride and joy, get it printed at a photo outlet (Officeworks and Kmart have self-service photo kiosks). Then, place the photo in a classic frame, or something with a nautical theme.

Those with more time and patience could also consider making a photo book. Kmart has its own photo book service, which offers click and collect the next day. Officeworks has affordable options too. If you want to be old-school, you can always print out photos and mount them in a photo album yourself.

Tip: If you don’t have a photo, ask them to send a selfie next time they’re onboard. You could also download photos from their social media account. (Photos taken from Instagram or Facebook may be low resolution, so don’t print them larger than a standard 4×6 inch size.)

2. A custom job

There are plenty of great online stores that offer custom gifts for boaties, like Etsy, and other websites that allow people to tailor nautically-themed gifts. Some ideas include a cap or t-shirt, featuring the name of their boat or ‘Captain’ name.

Before you order, check to see how long the gift will take to arrive in the post. If time isn’t on your side, consider buying them a special gift, like a compass or pocketknife, and having it engraved with their name, and perhaps a short message from you. Your personalised gift will be treasured for years to come.

Tip: Before ordering anything online, check reviews to gauge the trustworthiness of the seller.

3. Practical gifts

If your boat lover prefers a more practical gift, there are plenty of useful items that will make their Christmas even more incredible. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• For anglers – find out what kind of fish they like to catch, then find a fancy lure that is right for that species. (Ask for advice from your local fishing store, if you’re not sure.)
• For cruisers – anything that makes time on the water even more relaxing, like non-spill tumblers, portable power chargers or an esky.
• For water sport lovers – gifts that expedite adventure, like race caps by sailing brand Gill, micro fibre towels or an over-sized insulated drink bottle.

Tip: Think about what they need and go from there. Are they prone to sunburn? Go for a good quality sunscreen or long sleeved boating shirt.

4. When they’re far away

Border restrictions in Australia are likely to make it difficult for many families to physically get together this Christmas. Luckily, you can still get them an epic gift. One of the easiest ‘remote’ gifts is a voucher to a boating store that operates in your loved one’s area.

BCF, Boat Accessories Australia, Whitworths Marine and Leisure and many other reputable national boating stores offer gift cards online, which can be emailed direct to the recipient. Gift vouchers are also perfect for the boatie who seems to have everything, as they can put the amount towards something they’ve been eyeing off, or buy that special accessory they wouldn’t otherwise spend money on.

Tip: If they’re in an area that isn’t faced with restrictions, get a voucher for a course or fishing tour you know they’d love.

Is your boat covered this Christmas?

The end of the year is also a good time to make sure your boat cover is still the right product for you. Reviewing your marine cover at least once a year is surprisingly easy to do, and helps to ensure you’re not overpaying for insurance that is no longer aligned with your boating needs.

Contact Coast Insurance for an obligation-free review of your marine cover.