Easy Gifting Ideas for Your Live-aboard Catamaran Friends

Practical Gifts for Life on the Water

Buying gifts for your live-aboard catamaran friends and family is no easy task. Space on a boat is limited, and everything onboard needs to serve a purpose—or at least have a really good excuse for taking up precious room. If you’ve ever been onboard, you know the drill: what’s there is what works, and if it doesn’t, it’s heading straight to the “find a new home” pile.

So, what do you get for the boat owner out sailing the world (or anchored off a beach somewhere you wish you were)? Here are a few tried-and-true gifts that I’ve seen—and loved—on boats. These aren’t flashy gadgets; they’re practical, useful, and perfect for your catamaran cruising friends and family.

1. Sena Wireless Headsets – “Marriage Savers”

You’ve probably heard the term “marriage savers” tossed around by sailors before. Trust me, it’s not hyperbole. These Sena Wireless Headsets are a lifesaver for anyone trying to dock a boat without destroying their relationship in the process.

I’ve been on boats where docking sounds more like a shouting match than a coordinated effort. “STARBOARD!” “WHAT?” “NO, YOUR OTHER STARBOARD!” With these headsets you get clear, calm communication, which is key when you’re trying to squeeze a catamaran into a tight marina slip or dropping the anchor in sideways rain. They’re rechargeable, compact, and work even when the wind is howling. Honestly, these handy headsets might be one of the best gifts you can give a sailor—or their spouse 😉.

2. SeaSucker Vacuum Mounts

Every experienced live-aboard catamaran owner I’ve met knows about these magical little suckers! These things are incredible, take up very little space, and are perfect for any catamaran.

These handy mounts stick to just about any smooth surface (yep, gelcoat included) without drilling holes—a feature every boat owner appreciates. I’ve seen them used for hanging dive gear, GoPro cameras, iPad mounts, and as a towel rack to name a few. Recently I even had a client attach a Ring camera to point it at their breaker panel and battery monitor screen while they left town for a month. They hold up to 120 pounds of pressure as well, so you can trust they’ll stay put, even in rough conditions. Practical, heavy duty, takes up very little space, and affordable. These things don’t suck - or do they? 😂

3. Amazon Gift Card

I know what you’re thinking: an Amazon Gift Card? Really? But hear me out. Every single sailor I know has had that moment of desperation: they’re days or weeks from the nearest Target or West Marine, or even a decent chandlery, and something crucial is needed. Nine times out of ten, the solution is found on Amazon.

From a simple tube of Loctite or foul weather gear to USB fans and clothesline clips to hang laundry - that trusty “Buy Now” button can come in super-handy. Giving an Amazon Gift Card is like saying, “I know you’ll need something at some point - I don’t know anything about sailing, but I still appreciate and support you.” Practical, easy, guaranteed to be used, and literally takes up zero space aboard.

4. Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription

Many live-aboards love a good book, but let’s face it—space for a physical library onboard is about as realistic as carrying a grand piano on deck. That’s why an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription is a brilliant gift.

With Kindle Unlimited, your sailor friends get access to millions of books, audiobooks, and magazines, all on demand. And they don’t even need an Amazon device—they can use the Kindle app on any tablet or smartphone. Whether they’re into thrillers, sailing memoirs, or learning a new skill, they’ll always have something to read while on passage or at anchor. Plus, this gift takes up zero space. Trust me, you can’t lose with this one!

5. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo

Every sailor wants to document their adventures, but not every camera is cut out for life on the water. I’ve become a huge fan of DJI products this past year, so it’s no surprise the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Adventure Combo made the gift guide. It’s waterproof, tough, and shoots stunning 4K video.

I’ve seen sailors use these for everything from capturing sunsets on passage to filming underwater dive adventures. The dual OLED touchscreens are perfect for framing the perfect selfie (because yes, even sailors like good selfies), the video quality is top-notch, and the battery life is impressive. If you’re shopping for a sailor who loves to share their travels, this is the gift they didn’t know they needed.

6. Helly-Hansen HH Ocean Dry Bag

Here’s the thing about dry bags: you can never have too many. The Helly-Hansen HH Ocean Dry Bag is the one I’ve seen pop up on boats over and over again, and for good reason.

It’s the go-to for keeping gear safe when dinghying ashore, especially in choppy conditions. Need a ditch bag for emergency gear? Perfect! Want to protect your laptop or camera? Done! I’ve even seen sailors even use them as makeshift grocery bags because, well, cruisers are nothing if not resourceful. If there’s a dry bag onboard, odds are it’s already pulling double duty.

Final Thoughts

Boats are a world of their own, and everything onboard earns its place. These six gifts are thoughtful, practical, and bound to get used—no “new home” pile for these items. Whether it’s keeping your sailor friends connected, organized, entertained, or capturing their adventures, these are the kinds of gifts that make life on the water just a little bit smoother.

And hey, if you’re not sure what they’ll love most? Stick with that Amazon Gift Card or Kindle Unlimited subscription. You really can’t go wrong there!

Fair winds, happy gifting, and here’s hoping you get an invite onboard soon!