Captain Kira's Gift Guide for Sailors and Those Who Have Befriended Them

Captain Kira's Gift Guidance for Sailors

As long as there have been boats, and almost as long as there has been wind, there's been the question: "What do I get the sailor in my life for the holidays?" And it's not just the holidays - birthdays, anniversaries, and the gifts for "just because" need inspiration too.

If you've ever asked yourself this question, you are not alone. As a sailor with many sailor friends, I've often wondered the same while wandering the isles of West Marine. As someone who has spared no expense on herself (as have many of my friends and family), I can confirm that the answer is neither easy to execute nor inexpensive. 

First, you'll want to suss out the type of sailor you're dealing with. Are they a professional sailor, an ocean aficionado, a weekend warrior, a buoy racer, day cruiser, snack-ticion, just part of the crew, an aspiring or seasoned skipper? Are they spendy, techy, eco-friendly, or in it for the experience? Are they sailing dinghies, day sailors, or yachts? Lastly, of course, what's your budget? 

Once you know who and how much you're working with, read on! The list compiled below contains my very personal preferences for items I've tested and held on to or accidentally sacrificed to Poseidon and repurchased because they are just that good. You'll also find experiences that I've personally vetted, created, captained, or crewed that are perfect for every level of sailor. Ultimately, I've suffered through many a sail without the proper gear so your loved ones don't have to. I'm happy to finally share the products I've found helpful in completing my sailing kit over the years.

So, without further adieu, I present: "Captain Kira's Gift Guide for Sailors and Those Who Have Befriended Them."

Gift Guide for Sailors Category Key

I've tried to categorize each gift into the following categories: 

For All Sailors = This product is for everyone.

Ocean Aficionados = This product is for people who spend most of their time racing or cruising for long distances and overnight. They may spend their weekends day sailing, but when they say the sailing season is over, they really mean the local season is over. They'll be sailing south for the winter. Everything in their kit must serve more than one purpose.

Casual Cruisers = This product is for people who sail one to two times per month with the occasional overnighter. They enjoy sailing, but I'll just say it - they have a life outside of sailing. 

Newbies = This product is for someone new to the sport and needs essential gear to start.

For the Eco and Community Conscious Sailor: 

Ombraz Sunglasses ($160) - For All Sailors - These sunglasses are fantastic. We all love our [insert go-to sunglasses brand], but I'm terrified they'll end up in an early, watery grave, adding another piece of plastic to the ocean. Ombras are the only reasonable solution that I've found for sailing, boating, and beaching activities. The built-in croakies are genius, adjustable, and comfortable, and they stay on my face. My pair has been there for two years, including three ocean crossings, countless races, and day sails on SF Bay. The best part? Each pair is carbon-negative, meaning the company plants mangroves for every pair of sunglasses sold to offset their carbon footprint from production to packaging. Once you wear a pair, you'll never go back!

NOCS Provisions "Standard Issue" Binoculars ($95) - Ocean Aficionados & Casual Cruisers  - These colorful, compact, and powerful binoculars are a sailor's best friend. Use them at night to scope out other vessels, check out channel buoys, and get a closer look at whales breaching in the distance. They have a "No Matter What" guarantee, are waterproof and fog-proof, and are incredibly durable. I've used them for all of the above activities and then some, like spotting race marks and enjoying wildlife at anchor. NOCS Provisions is "Net Carbon Zero" and funds projects committed to helping humans foster a strong relationship with nature. Go get a pair! 

Darn Tough Wool Scoks (~$25/pair) - For All Sailors - When the sealskin socks (mentioned below) are too much or getting ripe, I throw on a pair of Darn Toughs. They are colorful and warm and have a great warranty - you can send them back if they get a hole for a free replacement pair. Better still, they partner with the Vermont Food Bank to buy meals for those in need and serve more than 1 million people annually. Can't beat that!

Rumpl Nano Loft Puffy ($180) - Ocean Aficionados - A warm, breathable blanket is a must-have on a boat. I've used my Rumpl in a million scenarios across oceans, seas, and bays, from keeping the chill off while on watch on the way to Hawaii to curling up in my bunk on the way to Alaska. It's lightweight, quick-dry, and can accompany my sleeping bag in its stuff sack. It's surprisingly warm while at the same time remarkably breathable. This puffy blanket is sustainably made with recycled plastic bottles repurposed into the insulation and polyester shell. Rumple is Carbon Neutral, a B Corp, and part of the "1% to the Planet" pledge. This pledge means they donate 1% of their fiscal sales to non-profits working to preserve our environment. 

Nomadix Original Travel Towel ($40) - For All Sailors - This towel is lightweight and quick-drying, has a small footprint in my suitcase, and is made of repurposed plastic. It has gone everywhere with me and has doubled as a blanket when I didn't bring the Rumple or sopped up excessive amounts of water that's found its way into the boat. Nomadix is part of the "1% to the Planet" Pledge and supports non-profits invested in rebuilding our environment. 

MIZU Waterbottle ($36) - For All Sailors - This reusable water bottle has been across oceans with me. It's not too big, not too small, and keeps water cold for longer than you'd expect. It fits into most cup holders and is durable. MIZU is another "1% for the Planet" pledge company. Alongside funding environmentally impactful non-profits, they partner with influential people in various industries, like Captain Liz Clark, to expand their reach.

Somand Sailwear Farallon Jacket ($395) - For All Sailors - This jacket breaks the mold, quite literally, in the foul weather gear market. Breaking away from the industry's male-dominated "three-sizes-fits-all" and "shrink it and pink it" mentality. Somand is dedicated to making functional, stylish clothing for women. The Farallon jacket is fitted and flattering, while the cut allows for layering without being bulky or stiff. It is water-, wind- and tear-resistant, making it an excellent shell for any type of sailing. My Farallon jacket has accompanied me on several passages, day trips, and races. Of course, I couldn't resist bringing my Farallon jacket to the Farallon Islands off the Coast of San Francisco Bay. 

Everyday Useful items - under $100

Myerchin Rigging Knife (G10 GCaptain or Captain Pro) ($60 - $95) - For Casual Cruisers & Ocean Aficionados - With or without the serrated blade, these knives are made with high-quality stainless steel and are durable! It is a type of multi-tool with a slit to help open shackles and a marlin spike opposite the blade. Yet another company that backs their product with an incredible warranty - register your knife to get free repairs and replacements. 

Solar Charger & Battery Bank ($30) - For All Sailors - When the boat has few DC chargers, no inverter, or you're commuting from one port to another, and the ferry/bus/taxi/train doesn't accommodate charging, this battery bank comes in handy. It's water resistant and has a charging capacity for multiple items at a time or numerous charges, depending on the device. While primarily charged to its full capacity via AC power, it can be topped up via the SUN, making it one of my ditch kit go-to's! The linked bank has a flashlight and cordless charger, which is helpful when traveling in a foreign country.

Buff UV Neck Gaiter ($19) - For All Sailors- Every Sailor has to keep that sun off their neck; these gaiters make that easy. It's lightweight, so it's great for warm, sunny climates. Get an eco-wool one for cooler temperatures.

Luci Solar Lights ($30) - For All Sailors - These lights are solely solar chargeable and infinitely useful. If my cabin lights are out of reach of my berth, I use a Luci Light! Midnight run on the dinghy? Luci Light! No lights in the cockpit at dinner time? Luci Light! Some have a USB plug to charge your phone or handheld GPS unit, making this another ditch kit item.

SealSkin Neoprene Socks ($30)- For the Ocean Aficionados - Once I started ocean racing, I heard about sealskin socks and how sailors utilize them almost nonstop. It was only a matter of time until I jumped on that train. It did take me eight years of suffering, but I'm a convert. Sealskins are the perfect layer when wearing rubber boots like my Xtratufs. I've also worn them with my Olakai deck sneakers when the boots were too bulky or warm for the air temp, but I wanted to keep my feet dry. 

Toadfish Cup Holders ($14) - For Casual Cruisers - If you want to ensure your sailor can set their drink down anywhere, and I mean anywhere, then get them a set of these. Toadfish's claim to fame is the strong suction cup at the bottom of the holder that will suction to any flat surface and won't budge. I tried it on the slightly raised non-skid on my boat and it worked! It is an easy gift if you want to avoid any party fouls and encourage your sailor to stay hydrated while out on the water.

Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp ($35) - For All Sailors. This headlamp is excellent and affordable compared to headlamps that do the same thing. It's a must-have for new sailors with several modes for white and red lights, easy buttons to press, and a hinge to change the direction of shine. Eventually, you will be caught out at night or sunset, and a headlamp always comes in handy. The brightest and most direct mode for the white light can illuminate a slip at the end of the fairway, and the red light mode can be engaged quickly.

Plastimo Hand Bearing Compass ($95) - For Newbies and Ocean Aficionados. A cool toy for the newbies, impractical for casual cruisers, and a handy tool for ocean racers and cruisers. I use mine, probably more than most, for instructing purposes, but I also break it out for star sights and to get a bearing when anchoring.

Garmin Inreach SCI86 ($600) - For Ocean Aficionados. This device is an incredible tool for general navigation and safety. Beyond being a GPS-enabled handheld chart plotter and type of PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), it has a myriad of purposes, including minimal texting and emailing capabilities, weather reporting, flashlight, barometer, altimeter, GPS clock, calendar, lunar cycles, fishing and hunting reports, and more...the only thing it's missing is "Snake" to while away your watch hours in the dead of night.

Sailing Trips to Gift:

Go big and treat the sailor in your life to a day, week, or weekend of sailing with one of these companies. I can personally vet each one because I've either Captained or Crewed aboard their boats OR built out the programs.

Women's Sailing Week in the US Virgin Islands (shameless plug) - March 15th - 21st, 2025. A bunch of women building each other up and exploring the Exumas. This week-long adventure will be an epic and empowering trip. Learn more and book your tickets here:

A Day Sail Aboard USA76 w/ ACsailingSF - If a ride aboard this retired America's Cup Challenger is not on your bucket list, it should be. There is nothing quite like an 84 ft. carbon fiber yacht with a 115 ft. mast speeding across the SF Bay. This experience offers breathtaking sights of the San Francisco Bay and an exhilarating ride aboard a unique vessel. It's an experience that every sailor (or non-sailor) can appreciate. 

7-day Sailing Course in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines with LTD Sailing - Otherwise known as the Windward Islands, the Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines are breathtaking. The Trade Winds blow through the islands at 15 knots making for perfect sailing conditions all winter long. After a day of learning, hop in the water for a snorkel and then head to shore for a lobster BBQ! Currently, the school offers a myriad of ASA course combinations that include ASA 101, 102, 103, 104, 114, 105 and 106 captained by yours truly (and a handful of other exquisite instructors). Gather a group of gal pals to book an all-women's trip with me!

6-day Sailing Course in the Sea of Cortez w/ Go Baja Sailing - In short, OH WOW. Just look at my Sea of Cortez photos, and you'll know why I'm here. The three Ss of Baja - the Sights, Sailing, and Snorkeling - are pretty epic. The food is delicious, the people are friendly, and the school's boats are the perfect teaching platform for live aboard courses. Currently, the school offers ASA 101-114 courses, with ASA 105 & 106 captained by yours truly on the menu for 2024 & 2025.

Sailing Course in San Francisco w/ Modern Sailing School - Tried and truly the best on the SF Bay. This school offers ASA 101 - 108, including racing and other skills clinics aboard a range of vessels in both Sausalito and Berkeley, California. There is something for all sailors at any level. If your sailor doesn't own their own boat, they can join the club and have access to over 50 sailboats any day of the week. I hope to offer some Women's Sailing courses at Modern in the future.

Odds and ends for all sailors: 

Handheld VHF Radio ($184) - I've tried a few, but this one is close to the best. It has specific buttons for weather stations and commercial traffic and is GPS-enabled with a decent range.

High-beam Flashlight ($17) - This Flashlight is bright and smaller than a spotlight. It's not blindingly bright, but it's not super bulky. It's a good compromise in my book. Use it at an anchorage or to locate your slip in the dark.

Set of Soft Shackles (~$20) - These come in handy any day of the week. I've often used them to mount blocks and reroute lines where needed, as a snubber assist, for dock lines, and to hang my water bottle on a lifeline.

S-Clips in all sizes (~$5) - these help with hanging wet clothes, drying towels, and clipping your gear to your PDF.

Sailing Gloves (~$30) - If your sailor friend is smart, they'll wear them all the time and need a new pair every season. My favorite brand is West Marine or Gill. Whatever is on sale. Long fingers with the thumb and pointer chopped off.

A hat - Make it UV, brightly colored, adjustable to their head size, and only straw if they plan on lounging in a windless anchorage in the hot hot heat (a.k.a. Sea of Cortez for me at the time of writing this article).

A Set of Dry Bags ($10) - Things tend to get wet on a boat. Keep them dry with these inexpensive but effective dry sacks. 

Most of these items, and more, are on this Amazon wish list. And, if you can believe it, none of these brands have sponsored me. Happy Sailing!