Sailors can be notoriously difficult to shop for, but this year we’ve got you covered with some ideas from our own salty staff and that of our sister publications. Here’s what we’re hoping to see wrapped up this Father’s Day.

Costa Untangled Collection

An eco-minded sailor will appreciate the stylish sunglasses from Costa’s “Untangled Collection” made from materials collected through a fishnet recycling program. The cleaned and processed nets live a second life as the frames of these durable shades, and the collection now includes seven styles (the original launch had two unisex and two women’s options). All incorporate Costa’s patented 580 Lightwave Glass lenses, which provide 100 percent UV protection and polarization at the same time they filter out harsh yellow and blue light to cut haze. The lenses also come in several color options and are coated to be scratch resistant. A pair from this collection was my absolute favorite until they went overboard in St. Maarten one spring.
—Lydia Mullan, SAIL Managing Editor

MPOWERD Luci Solar Inflatable Lantern and String Lights

We first saw these on a friend’s boat and were instantly intrigued: A solar-powered, blow-up, LED light that inflates to about the size of a can of peanuts and can hang anywhere! When you don’t need it, simply deflate it and it flattens to about the size of a pancake. So cool! And then, the Luci string lights, 100-lumen LEDS on a cord (18 to 44 feet) that, when not in use, wrap around a storage hub that closes to something like a big hockey puck. Both charge quickly with a little solar love, and they can last up to 20 hours on a charge. We’ve used the inflatable light as a backup galley light—it has three settings for different levels of brightness and attaches with a snap to the fan hanging over the counter. And the string lights come out as the sun sets, draping over the boom (or whatever else works) and instantly turning the cockpit into a cozy European café.

These are just two of the incredibly clever versions that can light up someone’s sailing life.
—Wendy Mitman Clarke, SAIL Editor-in-Chief

Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boots

I was delivering a boat back from the Annapolis Sailboat Show last year and decided to pick up a pair of these boots for the chilly October trip. As the bow person for an offshore boat, I need good traction and water resistance in my footwear: I tend to get doused up there. While marketed for anglers, these boots have proven to be a great fit for sailors too. Though they’re not particularly flexible, because they’re ankle boots, mobility is not sacrificed, and I’ve found that they have good traction even on wet surfaces. The company also cites a thicker sole as providing better shock absorption if you’re in a slamming seastate. Grundens has also included thermo-regulating and anti-odor lining, and of course they have non-marking soles.
—Lydia Mullan, SAIL Managing Editor

Starlink Mini Kit

One of my favorite things about being on the water is that it allows me to disconnect from work and reconnect with my family. As we idle into idyllic Hamburg Cove I can feel my blood pressure drop as the service bars on my phone retreat to zero. As we all know, however, freedom doesn’t come free. Now, cruising with two young boys, there comes a point where you simply can’t play “I spy” anymore, so you surrender and throw Paw Patrol on the iPad, but the service available isn’t cutting it. This is when I would pull out the Starlink Mini Kit, which is currently available for $500. In those blissful minutes when two kids might be vegging out to a show and Karen and I could savor a Sam Adams Summer Ale in something resembling silence, this gift would be priceless.
—Daniel Harding Jr., Editor-in-Chief of Power & Motoryacht

Streamlight MegaStream USB Flashlight 

Tipping the scales at 5.4 ounces and at just over 5 inches long, the Streamlight MegaStream USB flashlight is a tiny and mighty torch that punches well above its weight class. 

The MegaStream has three output modes to handle a multitude of chores. On its highest setting, a maximum output of 1,800 lumens shines over 1,000 feet, ideal for on-deck, after-dark duties such as searching an unfamiliar anchorage for an assigned mooring. Switch to low mode, and the flashlight’s beam is soft enough to scour the engine room for dropped bolts without a blinding reflection off the gelcoat. 

The machined-aluminum design fits into your pocket and comes with a removable pocket clip. The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via a USB-C port that’s accessible via a sliding-head cover. Or, the battery can be charged separately, outside the light. Waterproof rating is IPX7. —Jeff Moser, Editor-in-Chief of Passagemaker 

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII

Mobile phone cameras have become the go-to hardware for capturing moments ashore and afloat. Their ever-expanding capabilities now rival those of some sophisticated DSLRs. But for serious photography enthusiasts, who prefer a truly astonishing range of still and video features in a package not much bigger than a Marlboro box, few cameras can stand up to the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 VII.

Released in 2019, the RX100 VII remains one of the most impressive bits of personal photo tech around. Among its many attributes are a 20.1-megapixel sensor; an equivalent 24-200mm zoom; a Zeiss lens; a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000; a pop-up flash and digital viewfinder; a large, articulating screen; 4K UHD video, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The list goes on. With all that, it still has an automatic setting if you want to keep it simple. It’s available for $1,500.
—Kenny Wooton, Editor-in-Chief of Yachts International.

Yeti Ranchero Backpack

Whether you’re commuting to work or looking for a quick overnight bag for trips on the boat, the Yeti Ranchero Backpack is ready and able. Unlike some of Yeti’s other bags that had waterproof zippers which made them tough to open, the Ranchero has a “ripzip” opening system so you can yank it open quickly with one hand and access all the interior gear. The inside cargo area is surprisingly roomy and consists of various-sized pockets for your laptop, phone, keys, sunblock, and other accessories. The exterior is made of Tuffskin Nylon so it’s water resistant and won’t fall apart if it gets a bit salty. The bag stands up on its own and won’t fall over when stashing your gear or using it as a tacklebag on a beach outing. The Ranchero has side holsters for water bottles up to 36 ounces. The padded shoulder straps are comfy and the entire bag is made Yeti tough — it should last several seasons with no issues. — Charlie Levine, Anglers Journal Editor-in-Chief

Petzl Headlamp

The headlamp has been a great evolution in personal lights, allowing users to keep their hands free to unhook a fish, tie a knot, or move along a slippery side deck. As a veteran nighttime striped bass angler, I have gone through my share of lights, including I can’t remember how many Maglites. We don’t think much about small lights until we need one.

When I’m working a good fish close to the boat and I reach to my forehead to turn on the light, it’s got to work. Period. I buy the Petzl brand of headlamp because it’s proven over the seasons to be durable and dependable, and it offers waterproof models. I like the pivotable head and the red lamp feature, which helps maintain my night vision without blinding my fishing partner. This is one area where you don’t want to scrimp. Buy quality and carry extra batteries. You can buy the least expensive Petzl, Tikkina model for about $20, which should cover the needs of most anglers and boaters.
—Bill Sisson, Executive Editor of Anglers Journal