Alex Smith delves into the powerboater’s festive grotto in search of the perfect Christmas present…
It’s easy to believe that a man in
possession of a powerboat is difficult to impress with a Christmas
trinket, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The acquisition of
a boat is merely the starting point for an almost endless wish-list of
gadgetry. From simple thermals to technically advanced stereos, radios,
action cameras and satnavs, the sheer variety available is vast – so
what follows is a selection of eight particularly fine gifts that might
just help kick-start your imagination…
Ultimate binoculars
Having used a pair of Steiners as a Seamanship Officer in the
Royal Navy, I know these binoculars well – and the company’s flagship
marine model, the Commander 7×50 Commander XP Compass, is something
special. When you hold these things in your hand, the sheer quality is
astonishing – and so too is the brightness and clarity of the image. The
range-topping XPs will happily operate in all kinds of conditions, from
minus 40 to plus 80 degrees Centigrade – and they will even put up with
a ten-metre dunking without complaint. The large (50mm) objective
diameter allied to seven-times magnification is perfect for image
sharpness on a moving platform and for clear colour rendition in low
light. The autofocus is also delightful and the 30-year warranty is very
reassuring. But the real standout asset is the promise of peerless,
crystal-clear, rapier definition and unstinting, fog-free marine
performance, day after day for decades on end. Yes, they cost a fair
bit, but these are the best marine binoculars in the world with a
profound quality of workmanship that will see them last you a lifetime. I
would happily sell my grandmother for a pair of these – and so should
you. See
Steiner Binoculars for more.
RRP: £1,100
Body warmer
This stylish, insulated body warmer is a first for Gill. It uses a
synthetic lofted water-resistant insulation that stays warm even when
wet and dries much more rapidly than natural fibres. As the latest
addition to Gill’s winter warmer range, it is designed to operate as a
useful layering piece to preserve core body heat in cold conditions. A
brushed inner collar increases comfort and the sealable, tricot-lined
pockets provide additional warmth. The lightweight micro-ripstop shell
offers useful wind-resistance and additional features include a
draw-cord hem for a more bespoke fit and a chest pocket for small items
like a phone, a kill cord or your boat keys. Available for men in Small
to Extra Large and for women in sizes 10 to 16, it’s a very attractive
and versatile new garment. See
Gill Marine.
RRP: £80.00
Jacket for your iPad
The new waterproof and shockproof iPad Case from Lifedge is designed to
offer unrivalled year-round protection for your iPad. Available in four
colours, the iPad case can be immersed in one metre of water for 30
minutes, or dropped onto a concrete floor from a height of a metre
without sustaining any damage. The case is abrasion and chemical
resistant, so it won’t be ruined by oils, sunscreen or chemicals. It
also features excellent screen clarity in sunlight and will fit the iPad
1, 2 and 3, without compromising touchscreen usability. Equipped with a
soft non-absorbent hand-strap, it enables you to use your waterproofed
iPad in either portrait or landscape orientation. See
Lifedge for more.
RRP: £99.00
Marine watch
It is probable that you (like me) hanker after an Omega Seamaster or a
Rolex Submariner. But the fact of the matter is that you’re not James
Bond and neither are you likely to go much deeper than 20 metres beneath
the water, so why not save yourself £5,000 and go for something
digital. Modern digital watches are relatively cheap, very accurate and
endlessly reliable. The classic Timex Ironman Triathlon, for instance,
has been around forever, and brings a lovely retro edge to its armoury
of practical talents. And if you want to up the ante with some more
advanced marine-specific qualities like a barometer, tide data, a
compass, a Storm Alarm and weather trend information, a watch like the
Suunto Core can offer everything you need for well under £400. It might
not be MI6 standard issue, but for the really keen boater, it beats the
Hell out of anything on 007’s wrist. See
Suunto for more.
RRP: £315.00
Waterproof video camera
The Black Edition is GoPro’s most advanced camera – 30 per cent smaller,
25 per cent lighter and twice as powerful as previous models. Wearable
and gear-mountable, the marine-specific Black Edition is waterproof to
60 metres and capable of capturing not just ultra-wide video in a
variety of formats, but also 12-megapixel stills at the astonishing rate
of 30 photos per second. The HERO3′s reduced-distortion, six-element
aspherical lens combines with Ultra-wide, Medium and Narrow
field-of-view modes to offer lots of user options and the flat-lens
waterproof housing means proper image sharpness both above and below the
water. With wind-noise reduction to help you capture lucid footage of
fast-paced marine action, the pack includes everything you need to get
straight out on the water. In addition to the camera itself, you get the
Waterproof Housing, the Wi-Fi Remote and Key Ring, the rechargeable
Lithium-ion battery and a variety of mounts (including two buckles, a
three-way pivot and a surfboard mount). It’s lovely kit. See
GoPro for more.
RRP: £359.99
Blige pump
If your budget won’t stretch to the delicious kit above, how about
taking a tangent? The Drainman is a fully automatic bilge pump, which is
powered by the pull on the mooring line as the boat moves with the wind
and waves. It will keep a moored boat safe and dry, leaving you
blissfully unconcerned by stuck float switches and dead batteries. It
has a tensile strength of up to 10,000 Newtons and can drain up to 2,500
litres a day through the supplied three-metre hose. It’s not glamorous
but it’s very clever and at just £49.50, it’s fairly affordable. See
BHG Marine for more.
RRP: £49.50
Boat straps
For the trailer boater, the simple Chok-a-Blok webbing guard is equally
useful. Designed to fit on the tie-down straps where they make contact
with the edges of your boat, it allows the strap itself to glide up and
down without causing any friction damage. Better still, its raised edges
also protect the webbing from fraying on rough surfaces. Built in the
UK, the foam-backed polypropylene
Chok-a-Blok is moisture resistant, non-toxic, UV stable and will not mark, stain or corrode your surfaces. You can find out more at
Glue-free RIB repairer
For committed RIBsters, the Clamseal is another devilishly
clever device. It is basically a glue-free repair system for small tears
or splits (of up to 90mm in length) in inflatable fabrics. It works by
means of two half-shells that screw together tightly, using the
inflatable material itself as an airtight seal.
The repair is instant and effective and requires no tools or
adhesives. It can be used above or below the waterline, enabling you to
finish your day out in safety before having the hole permanently
repaired. The Clamseal can be re-used as many times as you like and at
just £11.95, it is an excellent addition to the safety kit of any
self-respecting RIB skipper. See
Barton Marine for more.
RRP: £11.95
Hull cleaner
Not a RIB owner? Give your boat’s hull some tlc and get it gleaming for the new season ahead…
Ensearch’s
Fibreglass Hull Cleaner is a highly efficient boat cleaner. Its unique
chemical formula does all the work instead so it won’t damage delicate
gelcoat.
RRP: £21.00
Floating sunnies
If you’re looking for some budget sunnies that will float, Glasgow-based
Lomo Watersport has launched a new pair of floating sunglasses at a very attractive price.
RRP: £15.00
For more Christmas gift ideas, see
15 Christmas Gift Ideas for Sailors.
