2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Find the perfect gift for the boater in your life

SALUS Abacus 

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$190 

This dinghy specific sail vest from Canada’s Salus Marine provides sailors with a perfect blend of comfort, ease of movement, storage, safety and style. With eight points of adjustment to accommodate all four seasons, a side-entry zipper for quick clothing changes and an ergonomic design that is high-cut for easy bending and pocket access—even while wearing a trapeze harness—the Abacus will leave you free to think about the next wind shift and crossing. Available in black, yellow and red, S-M, M-L and and L-XL, this vest is also Transport Canada Approved. 

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salusmarine.com 

 

Trolling Motor 

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$5,000 

Garmin’s new Force Kraken trolling motor is set to be released to the public this fall but we couldn’t wait to let our readers know about it. Said to be the most powerful trolling motor on the market, the brushless motor uses a high-efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust on a 36-volt system. The pivoting motor will be available in black and white and with three different shaft lengths (63”, 75” and 90”) depending on the height required. Wirelessly connect the motor to your Garmin chart plotter to create routes and tracks for your motor to follow or to hold you in position.  

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garmin.com/en-CA 

 

Mustang Jacket 

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$530 

Designed for speed and convenience, this versatile and feature-rich jacket utilizes the same MarineSpec SP fabric found in the original Taku. The Taku Elite has discretely configured features, including external pocketing and attachment points for quick access to frequently used items. It is ideal for anglers, experienced paddlers, marine professionals, and coastal boaters.  

The neoprene inner cuffs and stowable drop hood provide exceptional protection against the elements, and plenty of pockets secure the essentials. This waterproof men’s jacket performs in various inshore and coastal marine environments.  

Combine any Taku jacket with the Taku Bib for a head-to-toe waterproof system ready for any adventure.  

mustangsurvival.ca 

Inflatable PFD 

$270 

The MIT 150 Convertible AM Inflatable from Mustang has a Type II performance rating which provides stronger turning performance and airway protection when in the water (compared to a type III device). Mustang designed this PFD for coastal excursions, and the convertible inflator lets users customize their safety by easily switching between automatic and manual inflation options. The MIT 150 is designed to self-right most wearers once inflated and provides 38 pounds of buoyancy. A zippered hip pocket carries the converter cap. 

mustangsurvival.ca 

 

Electric Outboard 

The new Avator 7.5e from Mercury is a much-anticipated entry to the electric outboard market. Tested on a 13-foot tender, the Avator 7.5e ran for 60 minutes or five miles at constant full throttle with one fully charged 1kWh battery and up to 19 hours or 34 miles at constant 25 percent throttle. Available in tiller and remote steer models, it features a quick connect battery and intuitive controls that make setup and operation easy. The full-colour display comes standard with an integrated GPS so you can view real time speed and distance to empty estimates. The sleek Avator 7.5e is quiet and efficient and available in three shaft lengths. 

Mercurymarine.com 

 

Gear Box 

$330 

Yeti coolers have become ubiquitous in the outdoor scene. The latest release from Yeti is the LoadOut GoBox. It’s not a cooler, although there’s nothing stopping you from using it as one except its lack of insulation. Instead, it’s designed to carry tools, equipment, spare parts or even dry goods. Each gear box comes with removable cargo trays and dividers that work together to ensure your gear stays organized. They are also stackable and completely dustproof and submersible—perfect for your adventures on the water. The GoBox is available in 15, 30 and 60-litre models depending on your usage and comes in four cool colours, including orange, charcoal, white and tan. If you’re looking for a new toolkit, tackle box or cargo box, consider Yeti’s LoadOut GoBox. 

Yeti.com 

 

GoPro Hero 11  

$580  

GoPro is synonymous with adventure and the outdoors. So, it is no surprise that their latest model made the list. If you or a loved one hasn’t upgraded their GoPro in a few years this might be the time to do so. The Hero 11 got a big boost in photo quality, has award-winning hypersmooth stabilization, and the front and rear LCD screens help frame the perfect shot. Who doesn’t love showing off their time on the water.  

gopro.com  

 

Zhik Drybag 

$40 to $380 

Zhik has released a new 45-litre waterproof duffle/backpack. Fully submersible, with 250 denier fabric and YKK Aquaguard zippers, this bag is durable enough for any boating adventure. You can carry it with a sling, use the carry handle or even wear it like a backpack, and it is designed to compress down to securely fit even smaller loads. Internal compartments can separate wet and dry gear, and transparent cargo pockets inside are perfect for storing small items. This duffle/backpack is part of Zhik’s new range of drybags from six to 100 litres, including duffles, backpacks, kitbags and even a rolling luggage bag.  

zhik.com 

 

Nor’Wester Hat 

$100 

Best coast canvas’s Nor’Wester is a traditional sailor’s hat made from waxed canvas and lined with 100 percent wool (no synthetic blends), with an ear flap for added warmth. The hat has a cotton draw string cord with a toggle to cinch up under your chin. This hat is made from natural fibres so it is not waterproof on its own though it is water resistant. To ensure it remains water resistant you can reapply wax as needed. Did we mention it was a traditional cap? The Nor’Wester is available in multiple sizes and colours. 

Bestcoastcanvas.com