December 14, 2006
Gift Giving Tips for the Boaters on Your List
It’s that time of year when every outdoor writer pens the annual “what-you-should-buy-for-Christmas” column. Let’s jump on this bandwagon with the others and offer a few insights on holiday season gift suggestions for Ohio boaters.
Life Jackets – Perhaps a novel idea here is to suggest that one might want to simply do a little online research on the Internet to learn about the many new styles of life jackets and life vests. If you get that far, request a product catalog, purchase a gift certificate and offer those as a potential life-saving gift to your favorite boater. Gift-giving Tip: You have to encourage boaters to not only buy new life jackets, but to wear them as well while boating.
Gasoline Cards – The record high price for motor fuels affected everyone this year. It’s certain that marine fuel prices will remain well above the long-term average again in 2007. Give your boater a generous prepaid gasoline card. Gift-giving Tip: No amount is too much for avid power boaters.
Safety Equipment – This is an easy one. Review the Division of Watercraft web page and determine what safety equipment is required to be in good working condition aboard your favorite boater’s recreational ship. (Read here that a new fire extinguisher or distress flag might be at the top of your list.) Once you determine what may be needed as added or replacement equipment, your gift list will be enhanced. Gift-giving Tip: You also may want to include some smart items that may not required by law, but still would prove useful if an emergency were to occur.
Towing Insurance – Boaters who generally operate on large bodies of water, such as Lake Erie, should have boat towing insurance. It’s not a bad idea to also consider buying a year’s worth of roadside emergency assistance coverage as well for personal vehicles that are used in connection with recreational boating. Gift-giving Tip: Ask a fellow boater or marine dealer for advice, if needed.
Clean Care Package – One thing most boaters like to do is to keep their craft shipshape and clean. A little shopping and custom packaging can provide an affordable package or basket of cleaning care products that are ideal for recreational boaters. Gift-giving Tip: Check with other boaters and marine product retailers.
Boat Show Admission – Create a special coupon that you later redeem in cash so that your favorite boater can attend any one or more of Ohio’s winter boat shows for free. One might also consider purchasing advance tickets or discounted admission coupons where available. The Ohio winter boat show season begins early January. Gift-giving Tip: Check the events calendar on the Watercraft web site for a complete boat show listing.
Boating Education Scholarship – Education is perhaps the best gift of all. You may also consider enrolling your favorite boater in any one of the various boating safety education courses that are offered statewide and approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The Division of Watercraft is joined by the U.S. Power Squadrons, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and other boating partners to offer these approved courses. Class type, location, schedule and fees vary and a boating course listing is included on this web page. Gift-giving Tip: While required by state law for persons born on or after January 1, 1982, who will operate powered watercraft of 10 horsepower or more, it’s a great idea for every boater to take an approved boating safety education course. |