We’ve rounded up some last-minute gift ideas for the sailor in your life.
1. Helly Hansen HP Foil Salopettes
It’s hard to go wrong with anything from Helly Hansen, and these salopettes are no exception. The number one feature these bibs offer is breathability, despite being completely waterproof. No matter how hard you are on deck, or how far you are over the rail on a choppy day, sailors will stay warm and dry without sweating through them. While some salopettes have an overwhelming amount of fabric, the fit and cut of these pants are perfect. It’s also notable they have an adjustable hem, so whether you’re tall and lanky or petite, they can be adjusted to not drag the deck.
R2478
https://www.waveinn.com/nautical-fishing/helly-hansen-hp-foil-salopette/
2. Ultimate Ears Boom 2 Waterproof Speaker
For sailors that don’t take themselves too seriously during a night of beer can racing, having music on the boat is an essential part of practice, or racing around the buoys for fun. If you’re looking for a waterproof speaker that you’re guaranteed not to lose if you capsize, then the UE Boom 2 is ideal. The rechargeable speaker is about the size of a tall-boy beer can and has a metal ring on the top of it to clip or tie into the boat. While some speakers get muffled by wind and spray, the UE Boom 2 is loud enough. It has a durable exterior that even the most accident-prone sailor would take effort to break. It holds a charge for up to 15 hours and connects to any device via bluetooth.
R1599
https://www.takealot.com/ultimate-ears-boom-2-bluetooth-speaker-green-machine
3. OVERBOARD WATERPROOF BAG
Dry bags are obviously a brilliant idea, but wearable ones are even better. Rain or shine, quick trip ashore or all-day excursion, what’s the point of having a non-waterproof bag?
The Overboard Pro Sports bag is a 100 per cent waterproof rucksack (IP66 Class 3), made of lightweight TPU fabric that is comfortable enough to wear all day. It has padded shoulder straps, an air-flow design on the padded back (to dissipate heat), plus an adjustable sternum strap and waist belt to take the pressure off your shoulders. The bag comes in a 30-litre size.
R3,270.00
http://www.overboardafrica.co.za/pro-sports-waterproof-backpack-30ltr-black.html
4. Sperry 7 Seas sneakers
Sperry’s 7 Seas deck shoe is the perfect footwear for any size boat. Water runs straight out through the vented soles, and the woven mesh is hydrophobic so it dries quickly. The heel offers excellent support,for running around the pointy-end, or roll tacking a dinghy. Slip on a neoprene sock and you’ll even be able to wear them with your drysuit when the weather takes a turn. You don’t need to sacrifice style for performance either, so go ahead and wear them straight to the regatta party after racing.
R850
https://www.waveinn.com/nautical-fishing/sperry-7-seas-3-eye/136461637/p
5. Smith Lowdown sunglasses
If you’re looking for a great pair of sunglasses for that sailor that’s accident-prone, Smith’s Lowdowns will give you top quality performance without breaking the bank. The Lowdowns offer great protection, a wide field of vision, and won’t slip off your face; perfect for when you need to scan for puffs, or get caught off guard by the jibe. Smith has a variety of lens colors and styles for any condition.
R1063
https://www.smartbuyglasses.co.za
6. Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup – Kindle Edition
by
The America’s Cup has always been a hotbed of unbridled ambition, personal agendas, intrigue, spying and, more recently, hard fought court cases – and that’s before the boats even get out on the water to race. Exposed: The Dark Side of the America’s Cup lifts the lid on this unique contest for the oldest trophy in sport and on the powerful men who have made it ‘the toughest game in town’. For some it has been the key to social advancement, for others it has opened important doors in the business and commercial world, and in some cases it has become a magnificent obsession. It is the pinnacle of achievement in a sport that was once the domain of the wealthy but which today has become fertile territory for a new breed of super-wealthy owners and sailing professionals who would change the event forever. Exposed is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of the most compelling and controversial contests in the whole of sport.
R160
https://www.amazon.com/Exposed-Dark-Side-Americas-Cup-ebook/
7. Garmin Virb Ultra 30
The VIRB Ultra 30 shoots video in 4k at 30fps. But the video alone isn’t the most amazing feature the VIRB has to offer. On par with Garmin’s other products, the G-Metrix allows athletes to overlay gauges and graphs with race data, allow sailors to analyze angle, speed, boat drift, water depth, wind speed and acceleration.With the VIRB taking high-action video is easier than ever. The Garmin VIRB boasts a 1.75 inch display, and voice controls to start and stop recording or even take a picture. Without taking hands off the sheets or tiller, the VIRB does its thing while you do yours. Show off real time stats by having VIRB livestream your race or practice data to YouTube, for coaches, spectators and fans to stay in the moment. The VIRB has a range of accessories do you can mount the camera virtually anywhere, including on a drone. It is compatible with a variety of Garmin watches and GPS devices to maximize data input. Garmin also offers a 360 camera if you want to take your capture to the next level.
POA • www.garmin.com
Local agents:
Avnic Trading
0217889015
8. SPOT Gen3
Cell phones don’t work everywhere. The SPOT Gen3 is a personal tracking device that can be set to communicate waypoints at intervals of every 2.5, 5, 10, 20 or 60 minutes automatically. The check-in feature allows you to send a pre-programmed text message with GPS coordinates or an email with a link to Google Maps to communicate with loved ones when you’re out of cellphone range. In case of emergency, the SPOT is also programmed to provide coordinates to emergency response teams at the touch of a button.
R2999
https://www.animalgear.co.za
9. CORKCICLE VINNEBAGO CANTEEN – 25HRS OF COOL OR WARM (740ML)
ENJOY 25 HOURS OF COOL. Vinnebago is the ideal way to keep your beverages perfectly chilled while on the go. After discovering a huge break-thru in traditional insulation technology, Vinnebago takes vacuum sealed bottles to the next level with a proprietary third layer of insulation. The result is the most beautiful, best-performing insulated bottle… ever. MAINTAINS HOT BEVERAGES FOR UP TO 12 HOURS.
R395
http://www.mantality.co.za/corkcicle-vinnebago.html
Check out our other gift ideas.