In many parts of the country, December is not the most inviting month for long days on the water, but it is an ideal time to celebrate the boaters who matter most to us. With the holidays approaching, many of us are searching for thoughtful gifts for the mariner in our lives—those friends and family who are always looking for useful, innovative, or just plain fun items to bring aboard.
To make that search easier, the Soundings editorial team assembled a holiday gift guide, featured on page 48. The guide covers a wide range of price points—from budget-friendly picks at around $20 to high-end items near $4,000—so there’s something for nearly every budget and interest. It highlights gadgets for anglers, electronics for navigators, entertainment systems for those with the best cruising playlists, and essential safety gear for skippers who prioritize passenger wellbeing. Each item is summarized with its key benefits so you can quickly see which accessories fit your recipient’s needs. For further details, including where to source specific products, visit our website.
Giving gear is a great way to show appreciation, but experience-based gifts can create even longer-lasting memories. Consider booking a trip for the whole crew: a bareboat charter is an exceptional option for groups who love cruising. Chartering a boat lets everyone share responsibilities, learn new skills, and bond over navigation, meals, and sunsets. If you’re searching for fresh cruising grounds, consult the story on top charter locations for seasoned skippers on page 11 for inspiration.
I still smile when I remember a family charter my wife and I took years ago while our children were in elementary school. We hired a 42-foot catamaran out of Marsh Harbour and spent a week exploring the Abacos—a place we had never visited before. The photographs from that trip became our holiday card the following December and remain on my wall to this day. One memory that has stuck with me is the two kids sitting on the swim platform, transfixed by a lone barracuda hovering just off the transom. They debated why the fish had no companions. “Maybe because he’s ugly,” my son said, which made my daughter cry—until she composed herself and put a playful punch on his arm. “Don’t be mean,” she scolded, and the moment remains a favorite.
Holidays are about more than presents and travel; they’re about the people we choose to celebrate. As another year comes to a close, I’m especially thankful for my hard-working colleagues at Soundings. Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen, Art Director Briana Smith, and Assistant Editor Lidia Goldberg pour long hours and great care into every issue. When they’re not at their desks, they dedicate themselves to family, friends, neighbors, homes—and yes, boats. They bring diligence, intelligence, practical judgment, creativity, compassion, and humor to our team, and they are the best crew I could ask for.
If you’re still deciding on the right gift, here are a few practical tips to guide you: consider the recipient’s routine and boat size, match electronics to existing systems, prioritize safety gear that meets current standards, and choose rugged, marine-rated materials for durability. For anglers, look for tools and accessories that make boat handling and fishing easier; for navigators, prioritize chartplotters, software updates, or subscription services; for music lovers, compact, weatherproof audio systems and marine-grade speakers are welcomed upgrades. And if you prefer to give an experience, simple options like a weekend charter, a sailing lesson, or a coastal cruise can create memories that last for years.
Jeanne Craig, [email protected]
This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue.