Top
ten gifts for sailors for 2015
By Daria Blackwell
Stuck for a last minute gift idea? There’s still time to
order these items and have them delivered in time for Christmas. Of course you
can always order a copy of Happy
Hooking - The Art of Anchoring by yours truly. But as so many people
already have it, we thought we’d give you a few more ideas.
10. Dry Bags
($14.95-209)
Every sailor needs a dry bag for those dinghy rides to shore
with laptop in tow. SealLine Dry Bags
are the best, but I have to say that the
ones we bought at Lidl for €10 have lasted for years. They come in different
colours, sizes and purposes so everyone aboard can choose a different one to
keep them straight.
9. Rolling Cooler Bag
($49)
There are loads of these on the market now and they are
indispensable in warm climates when you have to get groceries from store to
boat on foot. I like the soft sided ones. Coleman has several on the market
that appear to be high quality.
8. Kindle
($49.99-229.99)
Although we still like paper books, having an entire library
in the palm of your hand can be quite useful. The Kindle batteries last a long
time, the screen is viewable in bright sunlight and amazon has deals ongoing
this season. The new Fire HD 8 displays in colour and costs just $149.99.
7. LifeProof cases ($19.99+)
Don’t forget a case for your mobile phone and tablet! They
are expensive but worth it to protect your investment and your data.
6. Cobb BBQ
($149 for starter pack with carry bag.)
Easy to clean and long-lasting BBQ. All metal parts are
stainless steel. Food is isolated from the charcoal – and it doesn’t smoke.
Remains cool on the outside - can be used on a table or wooden deck without
causing damage. Only needs six briquettes to cook for up to four hours. Can
BBQ, fry, boil, roast, bake, etc. It’s a BBQ kitchen on the go.
5. Clippa Mini tools hair clip $7.25+
This is every sailing girl’s dream gadget and it works for
guys, too. An amazing Leatherman-like tool that you can store in your hair. Better
than a bobby pin.
4. Backpack laundry bag $11.99+
Made of commercial grade nylon and manufactured
to handle the rigors of large, industrial, commercial laundry houses. Should
straps make it easy to haul it down to the dinghy and out to the laundromat.
Comes in solid colours, camo and tie dye.
3. Personalized
winch handle (£74.95)
An elegant and high quality
lightweight aluminium Antal winch handle with rubber grip and locking handle
personalized with your boat name on it (up to 18 characters).
2. Bluetooth Speaker (~$99)
NudeAudio Move Super M is a super-high performance
Bluetooth speaker; waterproof & sand proof, that fits in your jeans pocket.
Delivers 360 degree sound using four neodymium drivers which are tightly packed
on both sides of the Super-M, with each pair complemented by a passive
radiator, totalling 6 drivers. These are driven by highly efficient amplifiers
and a powerful Lithium-ion battery. A state-of-the-art Bluetooth 4.0 chipset
ensures the best signal and efficient battery use.
Otone Bluemotion is a digital radio that also works as a Bluetooth speaker. With a built-in rechargeable
lithium-ion battery, it can last 48 hours between charges and has dual alarms
and sleep times, to get you up for your anchor watch. Otone has a range of
interesting sound products.
1. Personal
AIS MOB device ($230-286)
For anyone who cruises short-handed and for those crossing
oceans, the AIS MOB device may be a lifesaver. Whether to choose one with GPS
or DSC is a personal call depending on the type of boating and crew aboard. The
DSC alarm will alert all nearby vessels of the MOB. But if you’re single
handing in remote waters, the GPS may be the preferred option. These are on the
expensive side but my life is worth saving.
Kannad
Marine SafeLink R10 AIS MOB device was the first on the market. The
SafeLink R10 transmits MOB information, including alert messages, GPS position
and a unique serialised identity number, back to the onboard plotter. A built-in
high precision GPS receiver transmits continuously for a minimum of 24 hours
and has a 7 year battery storage life to assist in quick recovery of survivors.
It also has a flashing LED indicator light to aid detection at night and a
self-test facility. If professionally fitted to a lifejacket, it can be
automatically deployed.
McMurdo launched the Smartfind S10 and Smartfind S20. The Smartfind S10 AIS MOB uses
the AIS automated tracking system to transmit MOB notifications, including GPS
coordinates, to all AIS equipped vessels within a 4 mile (typical) range.
Compact, waterproof to 60m, buoyant and with a powerful integral strobe light,
it is ideal for anyone who wants peace of mind when working or playing on the
water - boat crew, divers, personal watercraft users and more. The S20 is
designed to be mounted in a lifejacket and automatically deployed.
Ocean Signal RescueME MOB1 AIS Beacon is the world's smallest AIS MOB device with integrated DSC. The MOB1
is intended to be installed within the life-jacket and will activate automatically
on inflation, sending the first alert within 15 seconds. The integrated strobe
light ensures maximum visibility in low light conditions. They also manufacture
the electronic distress flare (EDF1) and an AIS Alarm Box.
Coastal Boating (Reg. in Ireland No. 443222) is a division of Knowledge Clinic Ltd.