It's seldom easy to find a great present for anyone. That goes double when it comes to boat gifts for Dad. Boating gifts for Dad can be hard to judge if you're not a boater yourself. Even if you've got blue water running through your veins, gifts for boat lovers can seem expensive.
Affordable Dad Gifts
But you really don't have to break the bank to find a great gift for Dad on Father's Day. True, he might really appreciate a brand new Malibu boat parked on a spiffy new trailer in the driveway on the big day. But there are lots of far more affordable options that will show your pops you care, appreciate all the watery adventures he has shared with you and hope to accompany him on many more. Bakes Marine has a few suggestions for ideal Father's Day gifts for boaters.
Apparel: Many a father has groaned inwardly as he has received the obligatory tie as a Father's Day present. Fortunately, you'll seldom see folks wearing ties on the water, so you can dodge this issue in the marine clothing category. The great thing about nautical apparel is that everyone can always use some new boating clothing. And because of the wide assortment of dads' duds available, you can be as generous or as thrifty as you want. Choose anything from a captain's cap or a pair of socks to a set of premium rain gear.
Sunglasses: Because of the glare and reflection of the water, every boater needs a good pair of shades. Not only will these help your father see better when he is peering into the distance trying to see where you are bobbing in the water on your water skis or wakeboard. They can also protect your pappy's aging eyes from long-term problems like cataracts.
Marine stereos and speakers: Just because your dad's old doesn't mean he's a square. OK, maybe he is, but he still deserves to indulge his odd taste in music, just as he indulges what he no doubt considers your terrible taste in tunes. A new set of speakers like Bluetooth marine speakers will let him upgrade his sounds on the water. If you don't like them, get yourself a set of earplugs while you're at it. An affordable alternative would be a set of canvas covers to protect Dad's speakers from the elements.
Smartwatches: These can be a little spendy, but they are the perfect gift for the hip, techno-nerd species of dad. Models like the Garmin Quatrix 7 series can do more stuff than Dick Tracy's early-adopter smartwatch. Besides providing GPS navigation, the Garmin watch can control the stereo, keep tabs on engine RPMs and wind speed, give soundings, provide lake maps and predict tides.
Life vests: To help ensure you enjoy many more Father's days with your old man, get him a new life vest. A good-looking one will encourage him to wear it more often, potentially saving his life in case of an accidental drop into the drink.
Ice chests, coolers and thermoses: Speaking of drinks, every boater likes to have lots of beverages on board. Come hot weather or cold, an ice chest, cooler or thermos will keep plenty of your pap's favorite beverage on hand to keep him and his guests happily hydrated.