At last I’ve gotten round to writing this Christmas gift idea list.
For context, I’m a dinghy sailor who regularly sails an RS Aero, ILCA, and 2000, plus the usual mix of boats when instructing. I sail solo a lot in coastal waters, so everything I rely on for safety is included in this list. I also use it for SUP’ing too.
I buy kit from other of chandleries beyond the ones mentioned, but I tend to use Rooster, Sailing Chandlery, and Force 4 most often. Still, it’s worth checking places like Trident Marine, Gill, Zhik, Wetsuit Outlet to see what they offer too.
Books
Helming to Win
Nick Craig, Fernhurst Books, Amazon.co.uk
£14.99
If you only get one book to improve your sailing, get this one. It’s brilliant. Nick’s ‘Tactics to Win’ book is a great too.
Start to Win
Eric Twinname, World of Books, Amazon.co.uk
£16.99
And if you only get two books, this is the second. Harder to find in paper format these days but available as an e-book.
The Rules in Practice 2025-2028
Bryan Willis, Fernhurst books, Amazon.co.uk
£17.99
All racers need to know the rules of racing.
Gear
Little Hawk Mk 2 Wind Indicator
Force 4 Sailing
£14.95
A good bit of kit for single sail boats like ILCAs or RS Aeros. There are mast top versions too for two sail boats.
Telescopic paddle
Force 4
£15.95
Another piece of safety kit. If I’m solo sailing, I always take this paddle, but it’s handy for racing or training sessions when the wind will likely die.
Rooster Aeromesh Visor
Rooster Sailing
£17.50
Visors or caps are essential bits of kit when sailing to help with sun glare and keep hair under control.
Head Protection Cap
Force 4, Nauticalia
£21.25
I think head protection is a good idea in low boom boats like ILCAs especially for less experienced sailors or in stronger winds. These aren’t much bigger than regular caps, won’t catch at the back and have a neck tie, so you won’t lose it.
Gloves
Rooster Sailing, Gill
£30-£45
Gloves are one of those items that need periodic replacing. I go through a pair a year.
Sunglasses
Rooster Sailing, Force 4
£30-£90
Polarized sunglasses are another essential for sailors and are one of those items that need replacing from time to time. Add a retainer too.
Racing Watch
Rooster Sailing, Sailing Chandlery, Force 4
£33-100
When sailors get serious about racing, some kind of racing watch with 5-4-1,3,2,1 countdowns becomes a must. For occasional racers, a simple waterproof watch with a stopwatch or countdown function would do it too.
Sailing knife
Force 4
£37.95
Every sailor needs a knife and they come in different shapes and sizes. Do not get a cheap one where the blade doesn’t lock. The knife on the left is good as it has a shackle key and a marlin spike for undoing knots.
Handheld VHF Radio
Sailing Chandlery, Force 4
£75 – £260
A VHF Radio is essential kit for sailors especially if sailing solo. If you get a cheaper one, make sure it has IPX7/IPX8 waterproofing.
Boat Specific Gifts
RS Aero main halyard
RS Sailing
£28.89 – £64.08
I put this on the list because my RS Aero’s third halyard just broke. The more expensive version is a continuous tapered rope which makes hoisting a bit easier, but isn’t essential. Rooster do one too.
You can’t go wrong with this for an Aero sailor, because at some point every Aero sailor’s halyard will break and need replacing, and it’s good to have the spare ready.
ILCA / Laser Harken Kicker bits
Rooster, Sailing Chandlery
£20
I sail my daughter’s ILCA as well the Aero, and recently bought these small upgrades which make rigging and de-rigging easier, especially with cold hands.
Accessories
Electrical Tape
All chandleries, B&Q, hardware shops.
£1.50 – £3
All sailors need tape to secure things, make things safe, do emergency repairs and deal with electrical issues. I always take a roll of tape with me when sailing.
5 litre dry bag
Sailing Chandlery, Rooster
£12.50
A 5l bag is small enough to stow/attach easily on a boat and big enough to hold some essentials such as a water bottle, phone, food, spray top, tape, knife.
Waterproof Phone Case
Sailing Chandlery, Force 4, Rooster
£9.95 – £30
A phone case for inland or coastal sailors is more about safety than anything else. I always have a phone in a case with me (as well as a radio) when I go solo sailing.
Klaus Harris 