Finding a boat gift is easy - but finding the perfect and personalized present for an avid boater is a bit trickier. While the internet offers a plethora of gifts for boat owners, any captain will recognize the extra thought behind a custom boat gift. If you’re in a hurry to find a thoughtful gift for the boat owner in your life, consider these 15 ideas for custom boat gifts to get your gift-giving gears in motion.
Gifts for Boat Owners
We can’t talk about custom boating gifts without giving a brief shoutout to Custom Captain. Our talented artists prioritize quality and efficiency: they’ll take a high-quality photograph of your favorite boat and transform it into custom digital artwork within 3-5 business days. The boat artwork can be printed on dri-fit boat shirts, koozies, mugs, hats, and much more. We're serious about customer satisfaction and will email you a proof of the custom boat artwork before the final print.
For a captain at day and a chef at night, consider this beautifully crafted natural bamboo cutting board. To make it a custom boat gift, add an anchor, helm, compass rose, or another nautical graphic; then, simply write the text you’d like to be engraved and let the laser work its magic. Pair the cutting board with a seafood seasoning set and voilà - it’s the perfect gift for a seasoned sailor.
A personalized boat mat is a thoughtful and practical gift for a boat owner with an equal appreciation for party boats and clean boats. Boaters can welcome guests onto their boat with a boat mat that can be personalized with a choice of message and font, along with a range of colors and sizes. The boat mats are designed with durable marine-grade carpet to resist mold, corrosion, and UV rays. Give your boat an extra layer of protection with a personalized gunwale boarding mat, which protects against marks and helps passengers board more safely.
By adding a custom engraving, a traditional nautical compass becomes a sentimental piece to stand the test of time. Chelsea’s Chart Weight Compass is plated with a brilliant and tarnish-resistant nickel finish. To make this a custom boat gift for a wedding, anniversary, or other selection, you can inscribe your custom message with a classic straight-line engraving, a company logo on the clock case or plate, or even the engraved logo on the dial of a Ship’s Bell Clock.
Help your favorite captain stay organized with this handy Leather Ship’s Log, which has ample space to record information about the vessel, maintenance records, and boating trips. The log even includes sea charts and nautical maps, making it the perfect boat gift for a detail-oriented boater. The leather cover can be customized with the name of a boat and/or boat owner in sophisticated gold font.
Take some of the guesswork out of gift-giving by introducing your favorite boater to Civardi shoes. Head to Civardi’s virtual workbench and select from a wide range of colors and designs, all the way down to the laces, lining, and eyelets. Civardi’s thoughtful design process will ensure that the wearer is satisfied with their classic boat shoes for years of walking and boating.
If you know a couple who cruises, this custom love boat portrait is the ultimate romantic gesture. Artist Melanie Ponchot will customize an endearing portrait of two partners who have chosen to navigate life together. Optional framing and an easily customizable process make this uncommon artwork even more giftable.
Whether you’re bound for the boat or bed, a soft fleece blanket is always a necessity. This lightweight fleece can be embroidered with your choice of wording around the central anchor design. Designed with sturdy double edge stitching, the buttery soft blanket is easy to store and clean, making it ideal for cool nights on the beach or chilly evenings on deck.
In the age of Google Maps, some old-school sailors will appreciate the beauty of a custom nautical chart. This 2-level nautical chart is designed with your selected body of water, laser engraved with Baltic Birch face wood, and framed with sustainably-sourced pine wood. Choose a boater’s favorite boating spot and watch their face light up as they open this custom boat gift, which will instantly elevate any mantle, book shelf, or blank wall.
While they might not know it (yet!), most boat owners need a classic cheese board to entertain on the boat or in the beach house. This nautical cheese board is the perfect accent for any kitchen: choose from maple or sapele wood and customize the piece with the boater’s initials and a unique symbol. Pair this boat gift with a good wine and cheese, and it’s safe to say you’ll be invited to the next boat party.
Forget that random shell you found on the beach! These custom oyster shells make one-of-a-kind boat gifts for an avid sailor or fisherman. Each oyster shell is picked from the Bayside Shores of Cape Cod. The artists use the 2.5 x 3.5 inch interior of each shell as a canvas: simply specify your favorite harbor or port and they’ll work their creative magic. The shells are hand painted with gold leaf on the edges and arrive in an attractive box for easy gifting.
For a boater with a beach house, a customized outdoor pillow is a practical and personal boat gift. This water- and mildew-resistant pillow functions on the boat or on the patio, and the bold anchor graphic and customizable name will add personality and comfort to any space.
Never lose your keys overboard again with this custom floating keychain. In addition to the classic oval floater design, a boater will likely appreciate the fisherman’s bobber or floating buoy. Like a mini boat wrap, a customizable keychain allows boaters to advertise the name of their business or boat; after gifting it to one boater, you can purchase a batch to hand out to potential and/or current customers.
After a long day on the boat, it’s usually time for a glass (or two). Simplify the process in style with this classic corkscrew wine opener, which is crafted from stainless steel and water-resistant white oak and features a 2-step corkscrew, bottle opener, and foil cutter. The tool can be personalized with a nautical graphic and custom engraving to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, fishing tournament, or another notable event.
Not all boat gifts need to be serious. Snap a photo of your favorite boater and send it to Bold Socks, which will take the person’s headshot and edit it into the boating-themed graphic. Bold Socks offers a wide range of sock sizes - up to XL - and sends a portion of proceeds from their “fun socks” collection to support sustainable and clean water sources.
When it comes to custom gifts for boat owners, it’s the extra thought that truly counts. Adding that final touch of personality to a boat gift will enhance the overall experience of giving and receiving. Add these 15 ideas to your back pocket, check out our other gift ideas for boat owners, and you’ll be ready to give (and hopefully receive!) some incredible boat gifts.