{"id":56670,"date":"2024-11-26T15:37:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T20:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/?p=56670"},"modified":"2025-07-30T11:29:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:29:15","slug":"holiday-gift-guide-for-hands-on-sailor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/gear\/holiday-gift-guide-for-hands-on-sailor\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Favorite Things: Holiday Gift Guide for the Hands-On Sailor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Wire <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Wire stripper and level in use aboard Atargatis<\/i>.<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Wondering what to get the cruising sailor (or liveaboard) in your life this holiday season? Most of us boat folk are minimalists, which makes us notoriously difficult for gifting. There’s no room for excess on board!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We took a break from publishing a gift guide last year, sending it only to blog subscribers\u2014which generated some email so we’re back, baby! We hope this guide with our handpicked recommendations helps relieve a little holiday stress. Remember, Amazon\u2019s Black Friday begins early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. No cost to you, and super helpful for us. Learn more at <\/em>our values statement<\/em><\/a>; we only make recommendations that we support 100 percent. And if we know of a small business you can support instead, you\u2019ll find that linked here, too. If we miss one, don\u2019t hesitate to let us know!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clever Cameras<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Security <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n New security camera on Totem<\/i>: examples of motion-activated alerts and nighttime vision.<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Night vision security camera<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motion-activated cameras with sound and alarms. Notifications gave us peace of mind during travel for Annapolis and the low-light image capture was amazing. Bonus: microphone and speaker let you talk (to your cat, even) through the camera!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal infrared camera<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Troubleshoot a diesel engine or wiring issue by identifying hotspots with Flir\u2019s One Gen 3 camera. (Also fun for cat pics!) Caveat: Our friend and surveyor Marga Pretorius<\/a> points out that this model is not strong enough to see into laminates and detect moisture in the hull of a boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Panchita <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n FLIR ONE Gen 3<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Insta360 GO 3S<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great cruising vlog features: Level the horizon (for that sunset time-lapse from the cockpit). IPX8 rating means you can take it snorkeling. Way<\/em> easier to mount with magnetic attachments, and more! Leveling up POV video with this on Totem<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-light, weatherproof camera<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security and a nav aid. Spend $2k (or $20k) on a fancy-schmancy marine version, or about $60 for this copycat and use your MFD as the display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\" <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Taras shows Jamie how a remote camera gets use aboard his Ovni 395, Fortuna<\/i>.<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Quality of Life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nordic Icebreaker<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perfect cubes even if it\u2019s tossed around the freezer. Our friend Susan says \u201cWe\u2019ve gone through a lot of ice cube trays with lids but none have worked until this.\u201d Count us in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Eggs, No Worries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy methods to substitute for eggs, plus a selection of classic egg recipes re-interpreted to be eggless. Why cruisers need this: It may not be possible to buy eggs in remote locations. The eggs you can<\/em> buy might be bad (the last dozen eggs I got in the Marshall Islands were moldy inside<\/em> the shell) and are probably costly. It\u2019s at least a month before I may find eggs for sale. And why not be healthy and compassionate? You don\u2019t need to be vegan to appreciate this cruiser-created cookbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malizia sunglasses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By sailors, for sailors, perfect for this sailor! I was gifted a pair earlier this year, and they now live on my face whenever I\u2019m outside. Polarization lets me see into <\/em>the coral-strewn water here, optical clarity is #chef\u2019s kiss, coverage is excellent (super sensitive eyes here), and grey tint is perfectly dark in the tropics. Bonus: The frame is 85 percent recycled fishing nets. The Vallon store has a pre-holiday 25% off sale, sitewide, until December 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stick-on bifoc<\/a>als<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrotac means I can wear Malizias and <\/em>read a book at the same time. Less than $20 for a pair, they adhere inside lenses with a drop of water. A second pair converted my snorkeling mask. Way<\/em> easier and cheaper than prescription lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Time!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prescription mask<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision more complicated than my stick-ons? SeaVision masks are made in St Petersburg, Florida, and get rave reviews. Built to last, they can adapt lenses to your fave mask, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dive clac<\/a>ker<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needed<\/em> this a few days ago to get Jamie\u2019s attention underwater about a shark swimming nearby (because sharks are gorgeous, and I didn\u2019t want him to miss it). This makes either a rattle (for snorkelers) or clang (divers tap on the tank). Thumbs up on this and the mask from the dive aficionados aboard SV Motu<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Green<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UNPaper Towels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washable, reusable replacements for paper towels, these do exactly what they are supposed to, plus they come in fun colors and prints. I haven\u2019t used paper towels in over a year and don\u2019t miss them a bit! We\u2019re linking to the maker site, Marley\u2019s Monsters, so you can peruse the other goodness they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compressed air fan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koonie makes another product better! \u201cI got tired of looking for compressed air cans,\u201d said our friend Travis. We\u2019re tired, too: Ditch those refrigerant\/propellant cans for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-Board Toolkit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mini soldering iron<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The size of a pencil, this charges via USB. Fortuna<\/em> crew connects it to a power bank for portability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universal funnel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May not sound sexy but it\u2019s incredibly useful. Our workaround in the past has been a thin, flexible cutting board held in place. This is much better!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital electronic level<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Electronic <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Klein Tools 935DAG Digital Electronic Level and Angle Gauge<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Make your installs look pro-level! This clever device from Klein Tools is a level, an angle finder, a relative angle reference. Its magnetic bottom keeps it in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better cable stripper<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Jonard <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Jonard Tools CST-1900 Round Cable Stripper<\/span>\n Courtesy Sailing Totem<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Jonard\u2019s wire stripper has an adjustable wire depth. Get it right the first time when stripping small-gauge (large-size) wires for, say, battery bank wiring. This and level (above) tips from the current refit underway on Atargatis<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Jamie getting?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve fallen in the habit of sharing Jamie\u2019s gift in this annual post. This paragraph was mysteriously missing in the copy he proofreads for me. (No spoilers, friends!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endoscope camera<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16-foot cable reaches into deep dark corners to inspect tanks, the hull behind your generator, and other inaccessible dark corners on board. LED lights at the camera, that connects with Wi-Fi to your smartphone. (I nearly spilled the beans recently for a project where he might have used it!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timeless Favorites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These gift ideas never go out of style:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marmara towels<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Turkish towels are not created the same! We\u2019ve used Marmara bath towels for nearly a decade. The standard size makes great hand or dish towels. Currently 25% off on their site (linked).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone conduction headphones<\/a> retain ambient noise sounds while listening to that audiobook on night watch. SHOKZ became instant favorites on Totem<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar powered string lights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MPOWERD\u2019s 44-foot length is great for casting a gentle glow in the cockpit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AND\u2026 A discount on our services!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gift your friend, a loved one or yourself <\/em>an hourlong consultation with me and Jamie! We are offering a limited number of our \u201ctry-us-out\u201d coaching sessions at 50% off. We can do a lot<\/em> in an hour. Learn more about how we get people happily cruising here<\/a>, then get in touch<\/a> for a custom gift certificate\u2014until they run out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still struggling for inspiration? Our guide collection and gift ideas (16 posts) can be found at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From tech tools to quality-of-life upgrades, the Sailing Totem<\/i> crew offer up some perfect gift ideas for the avid sailor in your life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":56708,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Behan Gifford","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":true,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":true,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","alternate_title_newsletter":"Sailing Totem<\/i>: Our Favorite Things\u2014A Totem<\/i>-curated Gift Guide","alternate_content_newsletter":"","sponsored_image":false,"sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[163],"tags":[2044,157,1225,182],"class_list":["post-56670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gear","tag-affiliate","tag-gear","tag-hands-on-sailor","tag-sailing-totem"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56670","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56670"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56670\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cruisingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}