1Gill Deckhand short-finger sailing gloves
Ropes chew up hands quickly, and good gloves are the first thing every sailor buys. Gill's Deckhand gloves have a tough double-layer palm that grips wet lines and dries fast, with short fingers so they can still tie knots and work shackles.
Pros
- Grippy, hard-wearing palm.
- Short fingers for knots.
- Dries quickly.
Cons
- Check their hand size against Gill's chart.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Gill product page ↗
2Gill marine multi-purpose tool
A proper sailing knife lives in every sailor's pocket. Gill's tool has a serrated, titanium-coated stainless blade that opens one-handed and cuts rope fast, plus a marlin spike, shackle key, webbing cutter, spanner, screwdriver and bottle opener.
Pros
- Serrated blade cuts rope fast.
- Shackle key and marlin spike.
- Opens one-handed.
Cons
- Check local laws on carrying a locking knife.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Gill product details on Amazon UK ↗
3Gill Voyager 60L dry duffel bag
Everything gets wet on a boat. Gill's Voyager duffel is a fully welded waterproof bag with a roll-top seal, so spare clothes and towels stay dry in the cockpit or on the pontoon. There's a padded shoulder strap and grab handles for getting it aboard.
Pros
- Fully waterproof.
- Big 60 litre capacity.
- Easy to carry.
Cons
- Roll tops take a moment to get used to.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Gill product page ↗
4Weems & Plath 2102-D Star Finder
The 2102-D is the classic star finder used in celestial navigation. Set it up for a time and place and it shows the altitude and bearing of the 57 navigation stars, so a sailor knows which stars to take sights on at dusk or dawn. It suits a sailor learning astro-navigation or one who already uses a sextant.
Pros
- The standard tool for celestial navigation.
- Covers the 57 navigation stars.
- Comes in a protective pouch.
Cons
- Takes practice to use.
- Only useful for sailors interested in celestial navigation.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Amazon UK listing from Weems & Plath ↗
5Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
In 1895 Joshua Slocum set off in a rebuilt oyster boat and became the first person to sail single-handed round the world. His account is funny, modest and full of adventure, and it's still the book sailors give each other.
Pros
- Classic sailing adventure.
- Short and readable.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- Written in 1900, so the style is old-fashioned.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Penguin Classics product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves sailing
Sailors need kit that copes with salt water and rope. The best gifts for sailors are proper sailing gloves, a marine knife, a waterproof dry bag and a star finder for celestial navigation. Ask whether they race or cruise, and check glove sizes.
How we picked these gifts for sailors
We picked each product for what sailors enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
