Every year Dad gets the boat out early, flushes the lines, tops it up with fresh gas, inflates the tires on the trailer, and tests all the lights before the family can go on that first fabulous trip of the year.
Isn’t it time for a little payback? Doesn’t Dad deserve something a little extra special this year? If you’re an appreciative wife, son, or daughter—this is the list for you. Check out the top five gifts for the die-hard boater dad.
This is easily the best gift, and why we put it at number one. We all know Dad is always putting others first and making sure the boat (or boats!) are ready for the family to use, complete with all the safety gear to keep the family in good shape. But how often does he really go for a trip on his own? This year, we suggest the family all pitch in and offer to dedicate one weekend a year to Dad—free from any constraints. Just a free pass to go anywhere and do anything with whoever he wants, with no judgment. We’ve got a few suggestions of where he should go.
We all know that dads are generally gadget geeks, and the Seal Mobile Tablet ticks off a whole lot of boxes. Bak USA has created a waterproof marine-grade tablet computer to take with on the boat. These can be mounted via RAM Mount to the boat itself or left totally portable. The benefit is, that no matter where it goes, it’ll be ready to use to help navigate the waterways, find gas or food in the area, locate public launches or refresh some crucial boating skills by watching YouTube videos—or maybe just to take in some major boating fails while waiting for the kids to get back from a shore run.
Sort of like an old-time telescope, these thermal night vision cameras are perfect for the adventurer. Allowing captains to see at night, especially in unfamiliar waters, can make all the difference. Add in the thermal capabilities and the danger of losing someone overboard is quickly nullified with the ability to pick out a human form in the cold dark water. Check out the FLIR handheld thermal night vision cameras here.
Boasting about being the first true sandal-shoe hybrid, and known for their wacky approach to footwear, there are many who claim Sanuk shoes and sandals are the most comfortable on the planet. While the yacht club set can keep their Top-Siders, a dad in Sanuk’s sends a pretty clear signal about laying back and enjoying life. We recommend the Sanuk Men's Casa Barco Boat Shoe for those who want supreme comfort with a laid-back style. For the dad who likes things a little more formal, try the Top Sider Sea Kite.
Any dad worth their salt likely has 5-10 coolers in his stable, but we strongly believe there’s always room for one more. Cue the Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler. It will keep 14 cans ice-cold and will keep ice in ice form. Virtually indestructible, these coolers are the stuff of legend, and they’ll be around for a super long time—just like your pop.
Above all, the most important thing to your dad is time spent on the water with the people he loves—and don’t forget all he does for you and yours when the next Father's Day comes around!
