Tech for the Holidays

Finding a gift for the boater in your life can be a challenge. Their needs and desires are often very specific, making it tough to know what they’ll truly appreciate. Below are some unique gift ideas that any boater would be happy to have aboard.

1. Garmin Onboard

First up is the Garmin Onboard System. This handy system alerts the captain and crew to a man-overboard situation and can even shut down the engine if the captain goes overboard. With this system, the captain no longer needs to be clipped into a lanyard that always gets in the way. Even the family dog can be protected with its own wireless fob. The system includes an easily installed GOS 10 hub, a wiring harness with engine cutoff and buzzer, an external antenna, the necessary NMEA 2000 connectors and cables, a white wireless MOB tag with a white quick-release band and carabiner  attachment, a floating keychain and installation hardware. You can purchase additional tags and attachment devices separately to account for every person and pet aboard. The starter kit retails for $499, and you can purchase additional tags for $149 each. Check it out at garmin.com.

2. ACR ResQflare

Another safety-minded gift idea is ACR’s ResQflare. Unlike traditional flares, these new electronic flares cover all U.S. Coast Guard requirements, they never expire and will work whenever needed. Instead of using pyrotechnics, these battery-driven flares use a bright, high-intensity LED to draw attention. Designed for low-light use, these electronic flares also come with a daytime distress flag. They operate for over 20 hours. This contrasts with aerial flares and traditional handheld flares, which burn for only about 3 minutes. Family-safe, anyone can operate them without the risk of fire or burns. Waterproof and buoyant, these electronic flares are visible over long distances. The ResQflare retails for $79, while the ResQflare Pro retails for $199. Learn more at acrartex.com.

3. Updated charts

Yet another unique and thoughtful gift is updated electronic charts. Many multifunction displays (MFD) and chartplotters are perfectly adequate and do their job well, so they don’t justify the cost of replacement. However, their charts may well be basic or outdated. Updated or upgraded charts can bring new life to any MFD. Whether from C-Map or Navionics, updated charts, paired with compatible displays, can increase coverage and show stunning details, including relief shading and aerial photographs of ports, marinas and inlets, along with a bevy of other useful, highly detailed information. Purchase of many of these electronic charts usually includes one year worth of free updates and access to group-sourced data and charting. Choosing the right chart type and version for your display is critical to getting the most out of the new charts. Visit c-map.com or navionics.com to learn more.

4. Dometic CFX5 Iceless Cooler

A unique gift for any boater is an electric iceless cooler. These are fantastic for longer trips on the water or away from civilization, outlast iced alternatives, and effectively add onboard refrigeration. Dometic makes a few models, with two being particularly popular with boaters, cruisers and outdoor enthusiasts. The compact Dometic CFX5 35 and the larger CFX5 95DZ will run on AC power/DC power or can be wired to a solar and battery setup. They operate between -7 degrees Fahrenheit (-22 degrees Celsius) and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) to conserve energy, even though they’re already quite power-efficient. The CFX5 35 holds 50 cans and is easy to carry. It’s made of top-grade materials and seals that rival the best ice coolers on the market, keeping the interior consistently cool. You can control it via a smartphone app, and it can warn you of rising temperatures and diminishing power. It even senses battery power and prevents your battery bank from reaching a point that could cause issues. The CFX5 95DZ has the same features but is larger and holds up to 133 12-ounce cans. This cooler also has two compartments with dual cooling zones. You can keep your ice cream frozen in one and your beverages chilled in the other. The CFX5 35 retails for $999, while the CFX 95DZ retails for $1,199. Learn more at dometic.com.