2025 Black Friday Gift Guide for Boaters

Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by Boatsetter Team

November means two things in the boating world: cooler air and hot deals. As Black Friday approaches, savvy guests know it’s the perfect time to plan their next day on the water. From half-day charters in Miami to weekend getaways in Austin, 2025 is already shaping up to be a big year for boating adventures.

Here’s your guide to the best boating deals this season — and how to make them work for you.

What to Expect This Year

As travelers continue to favor experiences over things, demand for on-water getaways keeps climbing. That makes Black Friday the perfect time to:

• Book 2025 trips at lower seasonal rates before demand surges in spring
• Secure your preferred boat and captain ahead of the crowd
• Take advantage of local offers and limited-time seasonal pricing in top markets like Florida, Texas, and California

Many owners and captains use Black Friday to open new dates or offer introductory rates — so timing matters.

Black Friday—always the day after Thanksgiving, and this year, falling on November 24—has long been the annual kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Last year alone, according to The New York Times, Black Friday shoppers spent about $8.9 billion just on online purchases. If you’re looking for the best Black Friday deals for boaters, the good news is that there are plenty of great Black Friday buys’ out there. From boating equipment to fun toys for a day out on the water, there’s something for every kind of personality this Black Friday .

Wondering where you can find the best Black Friday boating deals? Keep an eye out for discounts from these top marine retailers:

• Bass Pro Shops
• Cabela’s
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Field & Stream
• Overton’s
• West Marine

Until then, here’s a look at eight categories of gifts you should consider when searching for Black Friday deals for boaters, sailors, and anglers.

1. Safety gear
2. Marine electronics & onboard accessories
3. Apparel & shoes
4. Books
5. Fishing gear
6. Tow sports toys
7. Sunglasses

1. Safety gear

Not the sexiest, but safety gear is a category of Black Friday gifts that most boaters appreciate—especially if they’re starting to cruise longer distances away from shore. You can’t go wrong with the gift of a personal locator beacon, which is an electronic device that can help search-and-rescue teams find a missing boater if something goes wrong out on the water.

• Personal locator beacons are not as expensive as EPIRBs, which help those teams find missing boats. Personal locator beacons are attached to the person, not the boat, often by clipping the beacon onto a life jacket or other clothing loop—which means the devices can be worn no matter which boat the person is aboard at any given time.
• Try companies like ACR Electronics and Ocean Signal for personal locator beacon options.

Another great Black Friday gift for boaters in the category of safety gear is a first aid kit.

• Companies like Orion and Adventure Medical Kits make marine-specific first aid kits in a variety of sizes and prices.
• Some are intended for boats of certain sizes, or boating that includes certain activities; you can scroll through and see what feels like the best fit for the boater who will receive the gift.

2. Marine electronics & onboard accessories

No boater has ever said no to a new pair of binoculars. They’re great for navigation, for spotting other boats, and for just plain looking around in any anchorage. So if you’re considering binoculars as a Black Friday gift, here are a few of your prime options:

• Some, like binoculars from companies like Steiner, are packed with marine-specific features that can handle being used out on the salt.
• Nikon has an OceanPro model lineup with features such as a built-in compass, and its ProStaff model line can be used on smaller boats like dinghies.

Similarly welcome aboard boats are waterproof Bluetooth speakers that can be taken from on board to the beach, with tunes playing the entire time.

• JBL makes several kinds of these speakers, as does Bose. You can find various models at all kinds of price points.

3. Apparel & shoes

Given how much damage sun, sand, salt and water can do to clothes, boaters are always happy to receive boating-specific clothing. As a Black Friday gift for boaters, clothing is a surefire winner—especially for friends who have been “getting by” with regular clothes, and who will be much more comfortable in boating-specific clothing.

• Helly Hansen is one of the best-known brands for boating clothes, with separate product lines for men, women and kids. You can buy a gift as simple as a hat or as serious as a multilayer offshore getup, or pretty much anything in between.
• Guy Harvey is also a longtime favorite brand among boaters, especially those who love to fish.
• For boating shoes, one of the best-known brand names is Sperry. Its boat shoes have been worn on the docks for generations, usually until they’re worn out.
• And, Columbia makes a variety of shoes for boats and the water.

4. Books

Setting the anchor, powering down the engine and sitting quietly in a harbor reading a book is pretty much the definition of paradise for a lot of boaters. As a Black Friday gift for boaters, books can lean more toward entertainment or more toward education, but there are terrific options all around.

For entertainment, try titles like:

• The Boys in The Boat, about a team of rowers trying to win the Olympics in 1936;
• Sailing to the Edge of Time, based on the author’s experiences cruising hundreds of thousands of miles around the world;
• Sailing America, a coffee-table book filled with photography from one of the marine world’s most storied photographers.

If your favorite boater prefers more educational titles, you can’t go wrong with classics such as:

• Chapman Piloting and Seamanship
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Skills and Seamanship

5. Fishing gear

Wetting a line can be a whole lot more fun if you have the right gear to actually reel in the fish. If the boater in your life thinks of the boat as a mere conveyance to get to the great fishing grounds, then perhaps the ideal Black Friday gift is some new fishing gear.

• Shimano is one of the best-known brands for reels, rods, combos and more. You can shop by species of fish, by type of water (salt, fresh, ice) where the boater hangs out, by specialized options and more.
• Pure Fishing is another great place to shop for angler gifts, with multiple brands on its website.

6. Tow sports toys

Towing a toy behind the boat is great fun, no matter whether it’s a wakeboard, water skis, an inflatable or some other contraption that people can ride. These are the kinds of toys that boaters may want, but may not take the time to buy or upgrade themselves, so they make super Black Friday gifts for boaters.

• Hyperlite, O’Brien and Jobe all make wakeboards that are suitable for kids, adults, beginners, experts and pretty much everything in between.
• For water skis, try Connelly or HO Sports.
• If inflatable tow toys are what you’re after, head to Wow water sports for options that can pull one to four people at a time behind the boat.

7. Sunglasses

Boating is hard on the eyes. You’re out in the sun, there’s glare coming off the water, and often, there’s also glare coming off the boat itself. All of which is why a great Black Friday gift for boaters is a higher-end pair of sunglasses that not only make it easier to see, but also protect the eyes from damage.

• Costa Del Mar is a time-tested brand for boaters heading out on the water.
• Maui Jim is another longtime fan favorite.
• A newer brand with a specific boating focus is Bajio.

With any brand, look for features such as polarized lenses and wind/sun protection on the side of the eyes.

Looking for other gift ideas? Be sure to read:

• 10 Best Boating Gifts for Dad
• 10 Best Boating Gifts for Her
• 8 Best Places to See Fall Foliage by Boat
• 7 Best Towable Tubes for Adults

Where to Find the Best Boating Deals

Miami, Florida

Always the epicenter of boating season. From sandbar tie-ups to skyline sunset cruises, Miami sees a rush of early bookings around the holidays.
Tip: Lock in January and February trips early — warm weather and winter visitors keep schedules packed.

Tampa Bay, Florida

Tampa and St. Pete remain popular for family-friendly boat days and group celebrations.
Tip: Watch for special rates on weekday bookings and smaller-group charters.

Austin, Texas

Lake Travis is known for lively sandbars and pontoon parties — and spring weekends sell out fast.
Tip: Booking now means better boat selection and easier coordination for large groups.

San Diego, California

A top pick for whale watching and coastal sightseeing.
Tip: Fall and winter bring migration season — secure captain-led tours early to see them up close.

Chicago, Illinois

Locals know boating season starts fast once the weather warms up.
Tip: Many Chicago owners list new inventory in winter, giving early bookers access to the best boats and prices.

How to Make the Most of Black Friday

• Plan ahead. Black Friday is the best time to lock in your 2025 boating plans — especially for spring and summer dates.
• Book direct through Boatsetter. You’ll see real-time availability and transparent pricing, with no membership fees or hidden charges.
• Consider weekday trips. They’re often more affordable and less crowded.
• Think seasonal. Warm-weather markets like Florida and Texas are perfect for early-year trips, while northern markets heat up by late spring.

Why It Pays to Book Early

Guests who book ahead benefit from lower rates, better boat options, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their trip is secured. With over a million Boatsetter guests and growing demand across key U.S. markets, early planning ensures you get the experience — and the captain — you want.

So whether you’re dreaming of sailing in San Diego or island hopping in Miami, Black Friday is your moment to make it happen.

Plan ahead, set sail, and start your 2025 boating season off right at boatsetter.com.

Haven’t heard of us?

Boatsetter is the go-to app for boat rentals and on-water experiences. Whatever the adventure, we’ve got a boat for that—Set sail, start the party, go yachting, make your trophy catch, and hone your watersports skills! Download the Boatsetter app (App Store | Google Play). Make sure to follow @boatsetter on Instagram, and tag us in all your boat day pictures for the chance to be featured.

Rent. List. Share—Only at Boatsetter

---

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in November 2022 and updated in November 2023.