Holidays
Nautically Nice Gift Ideas for the Holidays
By
Nov 18, 2007, 21:04

(ARA) – Now that cooler weather has arrived, boating enthusiasts in the Northern climates have to find other things to do to keep busy, but in Florida, it is prime time for boating. Cooler, more comfortable conditions mean people there can spend countless hours enjoying their favorite pastime.

No matter where the aquaholic in your life plans to spend the winter, be it Florida or in some land-locked region, this holiday season, surprise him or her with a nautically nice gift that will be of use the next time they’re on the water. Not sure what to get?

One of the nation’s foremost boating experts, John Greviskis, host of Ship Shape TV, shares his picks for this year’s top nautical gifts:

* Eco-friendly gifts

Since the majority of boating enthusiasts are also concerned about the welfare of the environment, you can’t go wrong with an eco-friendly gift like a donation to the Floirda Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida or the Monofilament Recovery & Recycling program (MRRP) of Florida. They all do great work and not only will the recipient appreciate the thought, but they’ll get a kick out of knowing that in some small way, they are helping the environment.

Perhaps you’d like to accompany the certificate announcing your donation with an eco-friendly gift. Whether the recipient has a small dingy or a luxury yacht, Greviskis says they’re sure to appreciate having a Torqeedo electric motor on hand. The award winning motor redefines mobility with its simple charging, light weight, foldable design. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-manganese high-performance battery that connects to the head of the motor, eliminating the need for heavy batteries and cumbersome connections. A waterproof carry bag is included for easy storage. There are models available starting at $1,599.

Or how about a gadget like the Stormtracker Weather Alert Radio/Flashlight. The lightweight device is ideal for boating, camping, road trips and home emergency kits. It features an AM/FM radio tuner with seven NOAA weather frequencies, a 5-LED flashlight and cell phone charger port with universal adaptor set. The device requires three AAA dry cell batteries or the built-in rechargeable NiMH battery for power, but in an emergency, there’s a built-in hand crank that can recharge the internal batteries to provide 15 minutes of runtime for radio, flashlight and cell phone charging operation. (The flashlight is priced at $39.99)

* Great gifts for anglers

Looking for a great gift idea for an angler? You can’t go wrong with a new tackle box filled with designer lures for them to try out, or how about a high-tech gizmo that will revolutionize the way they maneuver through the water. Garmin’s GPSMAP 5000 Series “Touchscreen” Network Chartplotter is preloaded with marine map coverage of the coastal United States, Alaska and Hawaii, making it easy to get from here to there. The sleek, visually stunning multifunction displays are loaded with Garmin’s most advanced control/display capabilities. They feature brilliant hi-resolution XGA color touch screens for easy fingertip control, a new streamlined user interface and worldwide satellite basemap imagery complementing an updated vector chart graphic format. Users can access weather, sonar, video, radar and super-detailed aerial photomapping when optional Garmin sensors and data inputs are added.

* High tech toys

Let him or her swim with the sharks without getting wet. The VideoRay Scout and Scout X3 cameras are steerable underwater robot cameras that allow the user to observe marine and lake creatures in their natural habitat from the comfort of their cabin. The cameras can also be used to inspect a boat’s hull, running gear, anchor and moorings, locate lost gear and valuables, or to explore reefs, wrecks and caves.

* Practical gifts

Whether the intended gift recipient lives on their boat full-time or just on weekends, a practical gift you may want to consider is the Go-Bike. Inspired by the functionality of a Swiss Army knife, the GoBike offers full-size bike features in a compact body that folds and unfolds in a mere 15 seconds. The bike, which weighs a mere 28 pounds, stows easily in your vehicle’s trunk, boat lazarette, under a work desk, or as checked baggage for adventures abroad.

All these great gift ideas are available at West Marine, the country’s largest retailer of boating supplies and accessories. The chain has 380 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Log on to www.westmarine.com to find a store locator, or shop the company’s online catalog. You can also call (800) BOATING for assistance.

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