Nautical Father’s Day gift ideas
from the Palm Beach International Boat Show
Fujinon 14 X 40 model image-stabilized binoculars
cost $1,399.
West Marine’s automatic inflatable model for deep-water use
provides 35 pounds of buoyancy. It sells for about $169.
Photos provided
The hookah system by Safety First Dive Equipment allows a pair of divers
to share a tank of compressed air and leave it on the surface.
Price: $1,200.
By Willie Howard
The longer, warmer days of the summer season naturally lead us to the water.
For those who live near the ocean in Palm Beach County, summer means time spent boating, fishing and diving in the clear Gulf Stream water that flows along our coastline.
That opens a world of possibilities for families contemplating a nautical gift for dad on Father’s Day, which falls on the first day of summer — June 21.
Exhibitors at this year’s Palm Beach International Boat Show presented a huge variety of boats and other products that would help fathers enjoy their time on the water.
Here are a few Father’s Day gift ideas to consider from the boat show, ranging from jaw-dropping boats to gifts that could fit in a backpack:
1. Image-stabilized binoculars. The 12-times magnification (12 X 32) Fujinon image-stabilized binoculars were advertised at the boat show by Shark Tested Optics for $899. The 14-by-40 model was $1,399. These might sound expensive, but if you’re serious about looking WAY out for signs of fish (such as flocks of birds) on the ocean from a moving boat, image-stabilized binoculars can save hours of running and lots of fuel. Both models are waterproof and submersible, but they don’t float.
The Engel Boom Box is part of a cooler.
2. The Engel Boom Box, an on-the-water sound system, controlled by cellphone and built into a small Engel cooler. It’s designed for use on a paddleboard and can go pretty much anywhere on the water. Features include JL Audio speakers, eight hours of battery life and Bluetooth control from a cellphone. Plug it in to recharge the battery. Boat show price: $799. Details: engelcoolers.com.
The Billfish 24 bay boat, built in Fort Pierce, is a shallow-water vessel
that could easily be used offshore. Price: $85,000.
Willie Howard and provided photos
3. Billfish 24 bay boat. Built in Fort Pierce, this wide bay boat (8-foot, 6-inch beam) is a shallow-water boat that could easily be used offshore — especially off Palm Beach County, where the blue water sweeps close to shore. The Billfish 24 at the boat show was rigged with a 300-horsepower Mercury Verado outboard. Features included twin power poles (for stopping in shallow water), a double-axle trailer, dual live wells and a 50-gallon freshwater washdown system. Boat show price: $85,000. Details: billfishboats.com.
Hammocks by Eagles Nest Outfitters were selling for $85 to $110.
4. A compact hammock. An Eagles Nest Outfitters hammock would suit that adventurous dad who might want to string up a hammock for a nap (or to spend the night) wherever he happens to be. They’re popular with boaters, hikers and campers and come with straps for attaching the ends to trees. Accessories include mosquito netting and rain tarps. The hammocks sell for $85 to $110. Details: enonation.com.
5. Skiffs from Dragonfly Boat Works. These made-to-order skiffs are popular on yachts, but they’d also be welcome on a boat lift or a trailer. Dragonfly skiffs can be customized for what the buyer wants to do with them. The Gentleman’s Classic 17-foot skiff ($58,000) at the boat show featured a teak deck, classic lines, LED cockpit lighting and lots of wood accents. The more basic DF 15 ($22,000 with a trailer) would be nice for a beginning boater or for an angler who wants to fish shallow flats and rivers. The DF 15 at the boat show was rigged with a 40-horsepower outboard. It has rod holders, a live well and hatches for storage. Details: dragonflyboatworksllc.com.
6. A suspender-type inflatable life jacket. West Marine’s automatic inflatable model for deep-water use provides 35 pounds of buoyancy and fits chest sizes 30 to 56 inches. It sells for about $169. Details: westmarine.com.
7. Hookah rig for divers who want to make shallow dives without scuba tanks. The hookah system shown by Safety First Dive Equipment allows a pair of divers to share a tank of compressed air and leave it on the surface. The tank sits in a float tube with diver-down flag and is connected to a pair of 40-foot hoses and regulators. The boat show price was $1,200. Details: safetyfirstdiving.com.
8. A compact life raft that fits in a duffel bag. Viking’s 6-person coastal life raft features a strobe light, flares, a repair kit, a canopy and survival guide. Throw it overboard and tug on the painter line to inflate it. The raft needs to be inspected every three years and comes with a 12-year warranty. A survival life raft (along with other safety equipment such as an EPIRB) is a good idea for pleasure boaters crossing from South Florida to the Bahamas. Boat show price: $1,750. Details: viking-life.com.
Wasp action cameras bring sports action to life.
9. Wasp action cameras. Shown by Tuppen’s Marine & Tackle, the Wasp cameras are designed to bring sports action to life in video or still images. They range from $140 for the basic model to $320 for the Gideon model that includes a wireless wrist remote. The remote enables the camera to be controlled from the wrist — and to see what the camera is shooting. These cameras would be great for diving, snorkeling or fishing. Accessories include a variety of mounting systems — including a pole mount that can be used to dunk the camera under water to capture live fishing action. Details: waspcam.com.
10. The Bahama 41. This huge center console fishing boat, built in Palm Beach County by Bahama Boat Works, includes large live wells and an elevated helm typical of larger sportfishing boats that can’t be towed on a trailer.
Powered by triple 350-horsepower Yamaha outboards, the slightly used Bahama 41 at the boat show was fitted with a hard top, dual controls and a tower and was offered for $495,000. It sells new for about $560,000. Details: Bahamaboatworks.com.
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