Gill’s Top 7 Sailing Gifts Under $100

Hunting for the perfect gift for the sailor in your life doesn’t have to mean spending a small fortune. If they spend their weekends racing a dinghy or cruising along the coast, the most useful bits of kit are often the practical details and accessories that won’t break the bank.

The trick is finding a gift they’ll genuinely use to make their time on or by the water more comfortable or seamlessly solve a little problem that comes with the reality of life on board. With that in mind, we’ve picked out our top 7 sailing gifts under $100, with options across the trusted Gill range for men, women, and younger sailors alike. Whether you’re shopping last minute or looking for stocking fillers, these are the sailing gifts you should go for…

1. Helmsman Gloves

Where practical sailing gifts are concerned, you can’t get much better than a new pair of gloves. While you might think that’s a gift that’s restricted only to use straight after gifting season in the colder months, the reality is that they’ll get use year-round, provided you choose a pair suited to the way they most frequently sail.

For those who are frequently enduring the most extreme conditions and night watches, the Helmsman Gloves are a great pick. Designed for the real cold, they combine a waterproof and breathable Porelle membrane with Thinsulate insulation to help keep hands warm even when the gloves become damp. The design also balances warmth in a full-finger design with enough dexterity to still handle lines and equipment on deck, so you can be certain they won’t become a hindrance when exposure worsens but jobs on deck aren’t letting up.

2. Championship Sailing Gloves

Of course, not every sail demands the highest levels of protection, but this doesn’t mean you need to give up on the glove gift idea. Our Championship Sailing Gloves are an incredibly versatile alternative gift under $100, with both long-finger and short-finger options designed for superior grip in more dynamic settings when they’re battling the demands of lines and equipment rather than relentless cold.

The pre-shaped fit, wraparound palm protection and reduced cuff bulk are designed to keep them comfortable during active days on the water, while the fabric across the back of the hand offers UPF 50+ protection. Personal preference will matter when it comes to whether to get the long-finger or short-finger design; some of us prefer the extra coverage of the former while those doing lots of equipment handling might be drawn to the dexterity of the latter, so go with what they’re used to (or ask some subtle questions to find out). There are also women’s specific versions (long-finger/short-finger) of this sailing gift to guarantee the right fit. 

3. ZenTherm Neoprene Gloves

If the sailor in your life is a racer, it’s neoprene gloves like the ZenTherm sailing gloves that could really upgrade their go-to kit selection this gifting season. Ready to be used right away as they’re designed for colder dinghy sailing conditions, these sailing gloves use 3mm double-lined neoprene to provide insulation while retaining the flexibility needed to move freely. Four-way stretch construction helps the gloves move with the hand, while glued and blindstitched seams help reduce water ingress in another practical touch. 

There’s also a Junior version of these sailing gloves available, making this a great gift or stocking filler for younger sailors as they build confidence and spend more time on the water. Both versions come in comfortably within budget, making them a go-to gift for any dinghy sailor in your life. 

4. Short Cruising Boots

Dependable footwear is always a useful addition to a sailor’s kit, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d struggle to find sailing boots worthwhile with a smaller budget. This is where our Short Cruising Boots throw in a surprise at well under $100. 

Perfect for wet decks and unpredictable weather, the Short Cruising Boots are the ultimate sailing gift for anybody who enjoys practical protection without the height of a traditional tall sailing boot. They’re particularly suited to anybody you know who loves exploring the coast, with the shorter design easy to wear around the boat and the marina but still providing coverage for exposure on deck. 

5. Navigator Wash Bag

Not every sailing gift needs to be something they’ll wear on the water. For someone who regularly heads away for the weekend or longer offshore passages, the Navigator Wash Bag is a thoughtful choice that makes packing and keeping organised on deck that little bit easier.

Life on board can be damp, with splashes difficult to avoid. This wash bag is designed with that in mind and constructed from a waterproof tarpaulin that keeps contents protected at all times. Inside, mesh organiser pockets help keep everything in order. The large U-shaped opening also makes it easy to see what’s packed away inside this sailing gift, while the built-in hanging hook is useful when space is limited in a cabin or shared bathroom. It’s the type of gift they’ll appreciate more than they might ever realise, and you could even pre-fill with some of their go-to toiletries for a personal touch.

6. Cable Knit Beanie

Sometimes the simplest gifts are the best ones, and that’s certainly true when it comes to sailing gifts that will become a regular part of their day-to-day wear. Our Cable Knit Beanie is our number one recommendation where this sentiment is concerned, providing warmth whether your loved one is on the boat on a breezy morning or spending time near the coast in their downtime.

Its traditional chunky knit design offers the perfect everyday look, and a range of colours is available to suit all tastes and styles. This beanie also floats, which is a fantastic detail and much more than a novelty for those who will always be wearing it around the water. You can’t really go wrong with this sailing gift, particularly as a stocking filler or a smaller gift to pair with something else on this list. 

7. Voyager Dry Bag 10L

If you’re struggling to think of a sailing gift because they’re the type of person to already have all of the clothing they need, the Voyager Dry Bag 10L could be the perfect option. Designed to keep all of their trusted essentials protected and close to hand, it's an incredibly useful and affordable piece of kit that will soon earn its place on almost any trip.

The Voyager Dry Bag is made from puncture-resistant PVC tarpaulin, with welded seams that combine to create a waterproof seal and protect whatever the sailor in your life chooses to put inside it. The 10-litre capacity is ideal for all the items they’d need day-to-day, while the detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to transport between the marina and the boat. External D-ring attachment points also allow the bag to be secured when needed, and a semi-transparent window makes it easy to identify what’s inside without opening it. This dry bag is a particularly good choice if you’re looking for gifts under $100 that are practical and suitable no matter their experience level.

Shop Sailing Gifts At Gill

It’s safe to say that you don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds to find a gift that will make a difference to someone’s time on the water. A reliable pair of gloves or a dry bag they’ll use on every trip can be just as welcome as a new sailing jacket or pair of salopettes, particularly when it suits the way they actually spend their time afloat.

For more inspiration, you can explore the full range of sailing gifts online at Gill now.