Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for boaters

What, then are the alternatives to stumping up a Christmas gift that feels so last year?

There are a few options out there ranging from the quite expensive to the practical and the smart that pretty much any boater would be happy to find under the Christmas tree with their name on it.

We've spread our choices out through a range of prices ranging from the overtly generous to the budget-conscious.

What would we like to open on Christmas day? Here are our suggestions. If nothing here helps, try the caravancampingsales online store for other gift ideas – everything from outboard engine covers to trolling motors and lifejackets.

Garmin Quatix 7 marine GPS smartwatch
From $1099

Time is very relevant out on the water. Tides, weather and even how far you can range are tied to the clock, so having a watch that can help to make decisions easier is a big thing.

Garmin has recently updated its Quatix marine watch range to offer a touchscreen interface for the first time, making it much easier to navigate through the functions.

Because it’s a Garmin, it will even connect with Garmin-branded technology fitted to the boat, meaning you can do things such as control the autopilot or trolling motor, adjust the Fusion audio system or even stream data such as heading or engine revs directly to your wrist.

The watch is also optimised for sailors who race, with a start timer with visual cues for a virtual start line included. If you’re a keen fisher, an inbuilt fishing forecast hints at when the bite is good, and when it’s better to spend a day relaxing with the family onboard.

If you’re into waterskiing, wakeboarding or wakesurfing, there’s even an app that keeps track of how you’re improving day by day.

The Garmin Quatix 7 will hold charge for up to 18 days depending on how it is used. 

Dog lifejacket
From $59.99

Dogs are as much a part of the family as the kids, so why not give a boat owner the perfect reason to bring them along on a day trip with a canine-friendly lifejacket.

Like people, dogs come in lots of different sizes, so it's great to go somewhere like the caravancampingsales online store to see a wide range of buoyancy aids for all types.

Jackets for smaller dogs tend to be one size fits all, but you'll find that there are a number of sizes available for larger animals based on the diameter of their chest.

The buoyancy aids will have features such as a handle on the back of the jacket so you can help to lift them out of the water, and lead attachments so they don't go running off once you step ashore.

Freedom Boat Club
One-off membership fee and then ongoing monthly fees

One of the easiest ways to get someone started in or back into boating is to give them access to a range of boats optimised for different on-water activities.

Groups such as the Freedom Boat Club allow you to book and then jump on any one of a number of boats on its fleet and motor across to a waterside restaurant, head out fishing or load up the kids and drag them around on a sea biscuit.

If you’re new to boating, Freedom will show you how to operate a boat safely.

A walk-in, walk-off service means all you need to do is book the boat, turn up at the allocated time, jump aboard and have fun. At the end of the day bring it into the jetty, tie up and walk away.

The other big benefit of Freedom is that Brunswick Corporation, the maker of global boat brands including Bayliner, Quicksilver, Boston Whaler and Sea Ray, owns it. Brunswick also makes the Mercury outboard engines that power these boats and the electronics that help them navigate the water safely and have fun when they get there.

The other big benefit? Freedom Boat Club also has branches in the US, Great Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Canada and the US. Go on holidays overseas, and if you’re near a branch you could be able to book one of their boats.

Freedom Boat Club has branches in Queensland and NSW, with plans to expand to other states in the works.

Uniden MHS157UV dual-band marine/UHF radio
From $280

Marine safety authorities are now starting to allow boaters in protected waterways to carry marine radios in place of pyrotechnic flares, so all of a sudden it can make sense to own a VHF radio.

While a fixed VHF radio makes sense on a larger boat, a handheld radio is a much better option for anyone operating a smaller boat such as a tinnie, or multiple boats if you have a tinnie for the local lake and a trailerboat for hugging the coastal fringe.

Handheld units such as the Uniden MHS157 are cheap, easy to manage and extremely portable. Even better, unlike marine flares it does not need to be updated every three years at, let’s be honest, quite considerable expense, or disposed of safely.

We like the Uniden unit because you can switch radio bands from VHF, used on the water, to UHF, which is used on land.

That means you can take the radio out on the water one day, and four-wheel-driving the next – making it much more versatile than a dedicated marine or terrestrial unit.

The more modern marine radios also have a power function so that you can increase range in an emergency, they can float, and can monitor anything from all to the three main channels of your choice, such as VHF 16 and 67 used for emergency and weather communications, and any one of the open channels.

Note that to use this radio out on the water you will need to have a VHF radio operator’s certificate of proficiency.

Mountain Designs Vapour hooded pullover
From $69.99 via Anaconda

Hooded long-sleeve tops that offer maximum sun protection with no compromise on comfort are starting to become more common on Australian waterways.

Some of the better ones we’ve seen are from the Australian outdoors and lifestyle group, Mountain Designs.

The Mountain Designs vapour range of long-sleeve hoodies are made from lightweight recycled material but offer SPF50+ sun protection, dry quickly when they become wet, and breathe well despite covering pretty much the top half of your body.

The hood is large so you can easily wear a hat underneath it, and the sleeves are extra-long and include slots you can put your thumbs through to extend the arms to protect the backs of your hands.

If you need a top that’s a snug fit, the material is blended with Spandex so that you can squeeze in rather than let it hang loose.

Combine the hoodie with sunglasses, a hat and a neck gaiter, and the sun won’t be the only bite you come home with after a day out fishing.

Coast Guard Marine Assist
From $50 to $250 depending on location

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard runs a service called Marine Assist. Similar to what automobile clubs do for cars, Marine Assist can speed up help's arrival should you have a breakdown while out on the water.

The full 24-hour Marine Assist service is only available in South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, with a subscription potentially saving the member from a big bill at the end of the trip if a long tow home is involved.

If you can't join for the full Marine Assist service, you can at least make a donation to support the Coast Guard branch where most of your boating is based.