Gift idea

[nipper]

One of my partners at work recently lost his wife and is winding down his law practice. He has purchased a 46' Morgan sailboat along with a friend and his wife. It is in San Francisco, and they have been going out there a week or so out of every month for almost a year to get her shipshape. They will be taking their first extended cruise in a couple weeks from San Francisco to Ensenada, Mexico where the boat will stay for the fall and winter months.

My partner has little sailing experience, but the other guy is very experienced and has owned large sailboats for many years.

I would like to get my partner a "bon voyage" gift in the $50-100 range. Thinking of something utilitarian/gadget oriented to help him feel like a real sailor. I have not done much sailing at all, and am kind of at a loss as to what to get him that would be useful and essential for him. Only thing I keep thinking of is a good sailing knife. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

[Road King Cole]

Hi Nipper,

Without knowing what he already has is tough. If he doesn't already have a good knife, that is a great idea.

When I got my sailing boat, I got a sailing log book (which we never used) and glasses.

If he already has a knife, perhaps you could get something like these glasses and a nice bottle of wine.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=10719

They also have special sailing gloves and clothes, and a "leatherman tool" for sailers;

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=10490

I will think some more on it, but if he doesn't have a knife, that would be a great gift. It should be a knife that has one of those spikes which is good for untying knots and loosening shackles.

rkc

[Franco]

How about any of the Chapman Sailing books, look on Amazon, there are several available.

[Blue_Runner]

I googled gifts for rookie sailors and found a top ten list:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...rs.html?cat=49

[nipper]

Terrific, BlueRunner. Very thoughtful of you to look that up. Thanks!

[CaptJ]

sailboater! = hot dog sticks and refillable water jugs

Just joking, I would be thinking something for the "boat". A nice wine bottle opener is a great gift. I bought a nice one for my buddy's wedding 9 years ago and they use it all the time. Tell me every time I see them it has been their best gift. It was from William Sonoma and at the time was $100+ lots of quality knock offs now.

Found this on line same company screw pull.. different look

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...ntique-chrome/

this one is similar to the one i bought them
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...7C0&cm_src=SCH

finish the gift off with a nice bottle of wine...

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Road King Cole

Hi Nipper, I will think some more on it, but if he doesn't have a knife, that would be a great gift. It should be a knife that has one of those spikes which is good for untying knots and loosening shackles.

rkc

Get him a good Bosun's knife. (Riggers knife, sailors knife) The blade should be a sheepsfoot blade about 3" long, and like RKC said, it should have a Marlin Spike for opening up the twists in line when making splices. Additionally, it should have a bail to release the spike (hmmm..how to describe it?) It's a rectangular clasp at the end where you would normally have a loop. The clasp fits over the pin end of a shackle and allows you to loosen or tighten it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Blade-Classics-C...item3cac12381f

or
a good set of rain gear
or
some deck shoes
or
a good set of binoculars
or
a waterproof watch
or
an inflatable life vest that you wear like a belt.
or
A good bottle of Single Malt Scotch