Birthday gift for a bluewater sailor

[QzarNova]

Dear sailors,

Hope you all well, need professional advice on a gift choice for a sailor with own boat planning to head for a Transatlantic reasonably soon.
Thinking of some small accessories, that would be useful at sea and in case of a potential transatlantic journey, would not offend the discerning taste of a professional, and, preferably, would not be worth as much as launching the Crew Dragon into orbit.
The budget desired is £150 = USD 170.

And a question to experienced transatlantic travelers - which of the small accessories and gadgets you found most useful during the journey?

So far my options are:
1. A Hammock with forestay suspension (not sure if the construction can handle good 100kg of weight) https://www.blueperformance.com/product/hammock/

2. Sonar Pod with phone app https://store.vexilar.com/sonarphone...-included.html


3. Handheld backup GPS https://www.thewetworks.co.uk/produc...3-handheld-gps

4. Portable depth sounder https://www.thewetworks.co.uk/collec...-depth-sounder

Please help, will appreciate any advice!
Thanks in advance,
Alex

[Pete7]

Alex, add a home made fruit cake to the list. Brilliant with a mug of tea late at night when you are on watch on your own. Also something a solo sailor isn't likely to make himself. Lots of fruit, then feed it with Brandy or Whiskey every week for some months

Pete

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Alex, add a home made fruit cake to the list. Brilliant with a mug of tea late at night when you are on watch on your own. Also something a solo sailor isn't likely to make himself. Lots of fruit, then feed it with Brandy or Whiskey every week for some months

Pete

As long as it isn't an American style fruit cake which is better used as a door stop than for eating.

If he doesn't already have one, a waterproof, floating, hand held VHF for the ditch bag or use in the dinghy is always nice.

Or a personal strobe for the life jacket.

Or an auto inflate live jacket with integral safety harness.

If you don't have time to properly age and soak a fruit cake you might make up a little half way surprise package. Pack a couple of packages of his favorite biscuits or other snacks, maybe a note to go with it.

[QzarNova]

Thanks both, rather valuable advice, will look up for these and check some cake recipes)
Also pondering a strob/MOB1 kit now.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by QzarNova

Thanks both, rather valuable advice, will look up for these and check some cake recipes)
Also pondering a strob/MOB1 kit now.

A MOB device would be just great but will probably exceed your £150 budget. Also to confuse you a bit, there are two completely different types of personal MOB devices.

One works on the same frequencies as an EPIRB which sends a signal to a satellite system and will alert rescue world wide. The downside to this type is if you are a person in the water hundreds of miles from shore it will probably be many, many hours before help arrives.

The other type works on AIS/DSC frequencies (same as the marine VHF radio) but requires the boat to have an AIS receiver on board to work. This one will send a signal to his boat or any other boat in VHF range AND it will send his position and show a big mark on the screen of the chart plotter on the boat. If the boat has AIS the most highly rated unit of this type is the RescueMe MOB1 from Ocean Signal. Closer to £250. If you're in the UK check the price at Cactus Navigation https://www.cactusnav.com/. I have ordered a couple of things from them and had good service and good prices.

[sailormed]

Binoculars, the excellent ones are expensive, but a mid range one with integrated compass comes in very handy. I found one in the UK for around £100.

[JPA Cate]

If you're going to look at binoculars, look for image stabilized ones, and with the compass. Usually, though, good quality binoculars are more than your budget.

Portable depth sounders will have more application after the person has arrived in anchoring depths and wants to be sure his/her swinging room is clear, also useful for exploring up creeks, and rivers, for conning your way into tight spots.

Something you might consider is an international sim card for his or her mobile phone.

It is an odd time of year for an Atlantic crossing. Which way is the boat going?

Ann

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Alex, add a home made fruit cake to the list. Brilliant with a mug of tea late at night when you are on watch on your own. Also something a solo sailor isn't likely to make himself. Lots of fruit, then feed it with Brandy or Whiskey every week for some months

Pete

Oh my gawd, Pete! That looks vile!
LittleWing77

[LittleWing77]

Leatherman Wave:

https://www.leatherman.com/en_CA/wav...sz=100&start=1

(Just make sure he doesn't already have one)
Many Happy Returns,
LittleWing77

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by QzarNova

The budget desired is £150 = USD 170.

And a question to experienced transatlantic travelers - which of the small accessories and gadgets you found most useful during the journey?

A bottle of 15 years old Macallan should fit the budget well, or perhaps you can spring for an 18 y.o. one, although a 15 y.o. should more than suffice.
A hammock will be useless for the passage, as well as a portable depth sounder. A backup GPS is OK, but it will likely not get any use. Maybe a Flir thermal module for a phone, if you want to stick with electronics. I think they were priced in your range. Not half as good as a Macallan, nevertheless.

[Chili Palmer]

Have you considered a gift card? I know some people would rather buy and/or receive gifts so it's not always an option but I would much prefer a gift card.


Maybe a $150 gift card and a nice bottle of liquor?

[ellaharry45]

These ideas of gifts for sailors are quite good and helpful.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Lost Horizons

A bottle of 15 years old Macallan should fit the budget well, or perhaps you can spring for an 18 y.o. one, although a 15 y.o. should more than suffice.

A hammock will be useless for the passage, as well as a portable depth sounder. A backup GPS is OK, but it will likely not get any use. Maybe a Flir thermal module for a phone, if you want to stick with electronics. I think they were priced in your range. Not half as good as a Macallan, nevertheless.

Yup a fine bottle of whisky he can sip each evening.

Or 3-4 1/2 bottles of nice wine to go with dinner. Full bottles will inspire draining them 1/2 bottles will be a glass.

On a long passage the after dinner beer ration (1 can) is a favorite part of the day for captain and crew.

You will be toasted regularly on the passage!!!

[Sherpa17]

Spare sunglasses

[jjuliajul11]

These ideas are really good for sailors