BOATING TIPS -- DECEMBER 1994
Gifts for Boaters

Well, there are only several weeks before the holidays, and I thought you might be interested in some ideas for gifts for your boating friends. I've selected some eclectic and offbeat items that you might not have thought of for your favorite boater.

Less than $10: For the kids to give the boater: A good whistle such as used by coaches, with a handwoven lanyard of the youngster's own design. This important safety item could save a life! If budget permits, get two or three or four. Get a good whistle that will blow when wet. *** A wonderful convenience on the boat is a divided, sturdy, hardware tray with lids on the compartments; or a fisherman's fly box with a good lid and handle and sturdy construction. It's for keeping hardware in for little fix-up jobs. If budget permits, stock it with stainless steel screws, nuts, and washers including both pan head sheet metal screws and machine screws and nuts in the following sizes: #6 x 1/2", 1", and 1-1/2" lengths; #8 x 3/4", 1", 1-1/2" lengths; , and #10 x 1", 1-1/2", 2", and 2-1/2" lengths.

Under $20: A good knot-tying book is always helpful and fun! I like the "Chapman's Knots" book, about $14.95. Include with it four feet of 3/8" double-braided nylon line with the ends sealed, available at any chandlery. Even better, give two lengths of line, so two can "play at knots" at the same time. *** If 1995 is the year you're going to cruise in Canadian waters, get a 1995 tide book for the area you'll be travelling. What better way to show the skipper you're committed to the dream trip?

Under $30: There's a wonderful new publication out for boaters, a dandy book called "The Burgee". It shows the harbor layout including visitor's and reciprocal docks for every port from Olympia to Nanaimo. This is a very handy reference; actually, the price is $19.95, but with the tax it will hit around $22. LFS has it for sure...

Under $50: Tired of fighting fenders? Buy a set of two or more camlocks (from the sailboat hardware section) to install on your boat's gunwhales to hold the fenders at any height without fuss! The good ones are from Ronstan, each take only two screws to install, and are very secure. Get the "medium" size, around $17 each. Then, to make the installation perfect, put a figure-eight knot in the bitter end of each fender line so you can put a bitter-end half hitch around a rail or spreader to keep it from inadvertently going overboard. *** A great book I've suggested before is Nigel Calder's Boatowner's Mechanical & Electrical Manual. It's just plain terrific! Around $35.

Under $100: A Casio Yacht Timer Watch for the racing sailor, around $50, to help win more races. *** A great chart atlas is the "BBA Chart Kit" for this region. You can get it with a plastic rain cover for under $100. *** Or get an Autohelm Personal Hand Bearing Compass, a nifty gadget that helps the skipper take bearings, time the racing start, etc.

$100-$150: Get a "Lifesling" overboard rescue system. Great for any boat over around 24 feet. It may save your life! About $115. *** How about "Sospenders" or one of the other, compact, inflatable vests that are now available? Another life saver! About $115 each. *** Want to add romance to your next cruise? Buy a good trawler lamp or cabin lamp that burns lamp oil! These lights give a lovely glow, add character to any boat, and take the chill off a cool summer evening. Den Haan are good ones, ranging from $85-$175.

$150-$250: Nothing is more helpful to a cruising boat than a good amp-hour meter to help you stay on top of your battery situation. Cruising Equipment Co. makes a good one, around $199. *** A good pair of binoculars, 7 x 50 size, are something that will move from boat to boat with the skipper, and everyone can share them. From around $90 for average quality, and up.

Over $250: Wonderful gift is a "Tidefinder", made right here in Bellingham, absolutely the neatest navigation/planning toy a skipper could have. It tells the tide and current right now, and any time in the past or future. About $375. Like binoculars, it's a permanent gift, and doesn't need to be attached to your boat. *** Or, a portable or built-in GPS. They start around $350-$400 nowadays, and they're amazing. Look them over at a dealer's.

That's this year's gift list! You might highlight an item or two or four and leave it around where the gift fairy might see it . . .

Happy Holidays!

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