Short on time this holiday season but still want to impress the boater on your list? The Waterway Guide Crew has rounded up some of our favorite gifts--all reliable, useful and perfect for every boater. These last-minute picks deliver durability, practicality, and plenty of maritime cheer.

Waterway Guide for your Cruising Region

One of the most universally appreciated gifts for any boater is a reliable cruising guide they can have on board with up-to-date navigational information, local insights, and trip planning tools. The Waterway Guide Ship Store offers region-specific guides so you can choose the one that matches your captain's cruising grounds.

Prices range from $9.99 - $96 depending on whether you opt in for the digital version, print, or both. Enjoy 25% off all guides using code HOLIDAY2025 at checkout.

XTRATUF Boots

Ask any professional working on the water what boots they trust the most, and you'll hear one name again and again: XTRATUF. With slip-resistant, non-marking soles and waterproof construction, these boots are built for wet decks, dinghy work, and dock tasks. They also come in unisex styles and sizes so you can match them to the right captain or crew.

Typical retail prices range from $115 - $160 for basic models.

BoatUS Membership

Practical gifts are often the most appreciated--especially those that offer peace of mind during stressful situations. With options that include on-water towing, roadside assistance for the trailer crowd, and discounts at marinas nationwide, this membership is a year-round safety net for captains. If your vessel ever breaks down miles from the nearest channel marker, they'll be glad they have this membership instead of another sweater.

As a longtime partner of Waterway Guide, BoatUS is a brand we know well. Every Waterway Guide subscriber receives a complimentary one-year non-towing BoatUS membership, and upgrading to a full membership makes an excellent gift for the boater who wants added protection on the water.

Typical prices range from $25 - $215 depending on the coverage level.

TideSlide Mooring System

Some of the best gifts are the ones you didn't know you needed. TideSlide is one of those gifts and makes docking easier every single time you return. By moving naturally with the tide, it protects your vessel, reduces wear on your lines, and saves your crew from making endless adjustments at the dock.

TideSlide is also a Waterway Guide--preferred product, recommended by our team for its performance and reliability. For a deeper look at how it works and why we recommend it, check out our full feature on TideSlide.

TideSlide units vary by boat size and required duty rating. Inquire now.

Remigo Electric Outboards

For boaters considering the switch to electric propulsion, the RemigoOne remains one of the most thoughtfully engineered options on the market. Built from the ground up as a true modern alternative to gas outboards, the RemigoOne features a fully waterproof unibody design, weighs just 26-32 lbs, and delivers the thrust of a 3HP motor with simple, button-based controls.

Remigo is one of Waterway Guide's Preferred Products of 2025, and for those ready to leave the noise, fumes, and upkeep of gas motors behind, they deliver an elegant and efficient alternative. Read more in our recent feature, here.

American Sailing School

For the boater who's ready to build confidence on the water or finally learn the foundations of sailing the American Sailing School offers one of the best education paths available. Courses are taught by certified instructors on accredited vessels at certified training locations, ensuring every student receives safe, structured, hands-on experience. Waterway Guide is also an official seller of American Sailing's course materials, making it easy to bundle education with the books needed to succeed.

Their Complete Sailing Bundle is on sale for a limited time and provides all the essential texts, making it a thoughtful and practical gift for any aspiring sailor.

AGLCA Membership

For the boater dreaming of completing or even just beginning the Great Loop, a membership with the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Members gain access to trusted cruising resources, detailed route information, marina and vendor discounts, webinars, events, and a community of experienced Loopers who are always willing to share guidance.

Membership prices typically range from $59 - $89 depending on individual or household plans.