Gifts for the Holiday Season – The Latest Gadgets!

The holidays are a great time to give a useful gift to your favorite boater. Consider adding any of these items to your idea list when shopping this holiday season.

Inflatable PFD – Inflatable life jackets are not new, but they are to many people. Several different types are made that include those which are designed to automatically inflate when coming into contact with the water, those which may be orally inflated by blowing air into an inflator tube, and those which may be inflated by pulling a small ripcord that activates an inflating mechanism built into the jacket. Popular styles include those which can be worn as a tube-type vest over the shoulders and those than can be worn around the waistline much like a fanny pack. Cost: $80 and up.

Doggy Boat Ladder – Many boat owners have dogs who love to swim. Making sure your pet is safe in the water and can reboard a boat safely and with ease is important. The Doggy Boat Ladder by Paws Aboard is designed to attach to existing boat ladders and most styles of boats. It’s portable, lightweight, durable and folds in half for easy storage. The device provides a convenient and safe way for dogs to enter and exit the water while boating with their owners. Cost: $199.

Enviro-Friendly Radio – Freeplay Energy offers a self-sufficient, portable AM/FM radio known as the EyeMax, which runs on solar energy. It also has self-charge and recharge power options. An integrated LED flashlight is built into the unit for safety and added convenience. It also contains a high performance speaker and headphone socket for personal listening. Cost: $50.

GPS Units – Global Positioning Systems have been around for awhile as hand-held portable and deck mounted units. The fast pace of technology advancement means there are always some new product improvements each year. Consider purchasing a GPS unit, navigation chart plotter or electronic fish finder for your favorite boater. Cost: $90 and up.

LED Fish-N-Light – A rather old-time fishing tactic of using a light source at night to attract fish to an angler’s location has been simplified with this Fish-N-Light. Made by Optronics, the device is submerged in water from a boat or other fishing platform and uses a series of 16 LED lights that help attract fish at night. The unit is modular so that it can be extended with the purchase of additional units. Cost: $32.

Digital Breathalyzer – Drinking responsibly while on the water and on the road is vital to ensure safety. The new Alcohawk ABI (alcohol breath indicator) uses special sensors and three-digit LED displays to provide accurate blood alcohol content levels. While it is recommended that boat operators avoid alcohol while operating a boat, such portable breathalyzers can help indicate if any person may be near or over the legal alcohol tolerance level. Cost: $100 and up.