Mother's Day lands on Sunday, 10 May, a small pause in the middle of a busy year for someone who probably never stops. If the woman you want to celebrate is happiest when she's out on the water, the usual gift suggestions are unlikely to hit the mark.
She's the one trimming sails or holding the helm, dropping the hook in a new anchorage, or somehow producing a proper meal from a galley roughly the size of a wardrobe. She keeps the crew fed, the day on track, and the whole operation moving, often all at once. What she deserves is a gift that reflects the life she actually lives.
Below are ten ideas built around time on the water. Some are practical, some are a genuine treat, and every one of them suits the kind of person who doesn't merely cope at sea but makes the whole experience better for everyone around her.
All products featured by Boating New Zealand are chosen independently by our editorial team.
1. Deck throw
You don't fully appreciate why a good throw belongs on a boat until you actually have one. Once the engine falls quiet and the sun begins to drop toward the horizon, the temperature follows faster than anyone expects. Being able to pull something warm around your shoulders is one of the quiet pleasures of being out on the water.
A marine environment asks a lot of soft furnishings. Salt air, the odd splash, and relentless outdoor use all take their toll, which is why natural fibres like wool make genuine sense. They breathe, they regulate temperature in a way synthetics simply can't match, and they wear well over time. Weight is worth considering too. The ideal throw sits lightly folded on a cockpit cushion but has enough substance to actually keep the cold out.
Deck throw examples
Coast New Zealand, MacKenzie Throw Blue.
Weave, Indoor/Outdoor Throws.
2. Marine binoculars
A quality pair of binoculars changes what time on the water actually looks like. Picking out a channel marker well before you're on top of it, tracking another vessel's course, watching dolphins drive a bait ball off the bow, reading an unfamiliar anchorage before committing to the anchor. The gap between a general-purpose pair and proper marine binoculars is apparent from the very first use.
The benchmark specification for marine binoculars is 7x50, seven times magnification through 50mm objective lenses. That combination produces a wide, stable image that holds together when the deck is moving beneath you. On the water, stability counts for more than raw magnification. Waterproofing and fog-proofing are both essential, a rubber-armoured body handles the inevitable knocks of hard use at sea, and a built-in compass is a real asset for anyone doing serious navigation.
Marine binocular examples, all available in New Zealand.
Steiner Marine 7x50. The gold standard for recreational sailors and anglers. Steiner's Sports Auto Focus system means you set the focus once and it stays sharp from close range to infinity, which is exactly what you want when you're tracking a moving target in choppy water.
Bushnell Marine 7x50. Used by the NZ Navy and built to float. Waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and equipped with multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prism glass for a bright, crisp image. A trusted and proven option.
Fujinon 7x50 WPC-XL Mariner. Adds a built-in illuminated compass to the mix, which makes it the pick for anyone who uses their binoculars as a navigation tool as much as a spotting aid. Multi-coated lenses and a tough polycarbonate body.
The Steiner Marine 7x50, Bushnell Marine 7x50, and Fujinon 7x50 WPC-XL Mariner are all available from Jacobs Digital (jacobsdigital.co.nz), NZ's largest specialist range. Steiner is also stocked by NZ Sailing (nzsailing.com) and Marine Deals (marine-deals.co.nz).
3. Foul weather jacket
A good foul weather jacket doesn't just change the wet days. It changes the cold early mornings, the spray-filled passages, and those long hours at the helm after dark when the temperature has dropped and the rest of the crew have gone below. The right jacket means staying out longer, pushing further, and arriving in considerably better shape.
What you're looking for is genuine waterproofing paired with real breathability. A jacket that keeps rain out but seals in all your body heat and moisture is barely an improvement on nothing. Sealed seams, a well-designed hood, adjustable cuffs, and a cut generous enough for free movement are all non-negotiable. For coastal sailing, a mid-range offshore jacket is usually the right call. For longer passages or exposed open-water crossings, Gore-Tex is worth the step up.
Foul weather jacket examples
Two brands lead the field when it comes to serious sailing apparel, and both are available in New Zealand.
Henri Lloyd. Trusted by dedicated sailors since 1963, from solo circumnavigators to America's Cup crews, Henri Lloyd is back in New Zealand through The Chandlery in Russell, Bay of Islands. Founded by commercial skipper and ex-Coastguard volunteer Warren Haslip, who stocks only the gear he trusts and wears himself, the range runs from lightweight inshore jackets through to full offshore Gore-Tex waterproofs. The Chandlery can order in anything not currently on the shelf. Available from The Chandlery (thechandlery.co.nz) in Russell, Bay of Islands, Smart Marine (smartmarine.co.nz), Boat NZ (boat.net.nz), or directly from Henri Lloyd Australia (henrillloyd.com).
Musto. Musto needs little introduction to the NZ sailing community. Their BR2 Offshore jacket sits in the sweet spot for most coastal and cruising sailors, genuinely waterproof and breathable without being overkill. For anyone regularly pushing into open water or making longer passages, the HPX range uses Gore-Tex Pro fabric and is as serious as offshore gear gets. Available from Musto direct (musto.co.nz) or through Sailors Supplies (sailors.co.nz).
4. Waterproof Kindle
Boating involves a surprising amount of stillness. Waiting on the tide, waiting for a breeze, sitting at anchor in a sheltered bay with nothing urgent on the agenda. A good book is one of the genuine pleasures of time on the water, and the Kindle is the most sensible way to carry a whole library on board without it taking up any real space.
Waterproofing is the critical specification for a marine environment. You want something that shrugs off spray without complaint and won't come undone if it ends up in the tender. A glare-free screen matters just as much, because a reflective display in full New Zealand sun is essentially useless. The Kindle range handles both.
Amazon Kindle examples
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. Rated IPX8 waterproof, meaning it handles submersion rather than just spray. The glare-free screen reads comfortably in direct sun and the battery runs for weeks. Load it with cruising guides, passage planning references, and a solid stack of fiction and it's ready for every trip.
Amazon Kindle Scribe. Steps up to a larger screen and adds the ability to write notes, annotate documents, and sketch, making it useful for passage planning and logbook notes as well as reading. A genuine upgrade for the committed cruiser.
Available from , , or directly from .
5. Headlamp
The headlamp is one of the most underestimated pieces of kit on any boat. Working below decks when the cabin lights don't reach, moving around on deck at night with both hands occupied, sorting out something in the engine bay at eleven at night, finding your way back from shore in the tender after dark. It sounds like an unglamorous gift right up until the moment you actually need one, and then it becomes indispensable.
For use on a boat, waterproofing is a given. You want something bright enough to be genuinely useful rather than just technically functional, and a red-light mode matters. Red light preserves night vision and won't leave everyone else on board seeing spots when you switch it on at 2am. USB-C rechargeability is a significant advantage at sea, where charging points are far more likely to be available than spare batteries.
Headlamp examples
Petzl Actik Core 600. The standout option in the range. 600 lumens on the main beam, a red-light mode, and USB-C rechargeability via the included Core battery. Compact and light enough to live in a jacket pocket.
Petzl Tikka 350. A simpler, more compact choice offering 350 lumens and red-light mode. Runs on AAA batteries or the Core rechargeable battery. A dependable, affordable pick for anyone who wants a reliable headlamp without the full specification of the Actik.
Available from and
Also Worth Considering
The Gift That Keeps Coming
If she loves the water, she'll love Boating New Zealand. New Zealand's premier marine magazine covers everything from boat tests and gear reviews to cruising guides, fishing, sailing, and the stories behind the people who make this country's marine world tick. Delivered to the door every issue, it's the kind of gift that gets read cover to cover, then kept.
Gift subscriptions are also available, directly through the checkout.
Subscribe Now
6. Fishing rod
Whether she's targeting snapper off the coast, chasing kingfish through the Hauraki Gulf, or simply dropping a line off the stern in a quiet anchorage, a quality fishing rod is essentially an invitation to fish more. And fishing more is almost always a good idea.
For boat fishing in New Zealand waters, a medium to medium-heavy spin or overhead rod is generally what you want, long enough to handle a range of presentations but short enough to be manageable on a moving deck. Corrosion resistance matters, because salt takes its toll on tackle over time. A combo, rod and reel together, is the most practical gift option since it means she can fish straight out of the box without needing to match components herself.
Fishing rod examples
Shimano Boat Spin Combo. Shimano is among the most trusted names in fishing anywhere in the world, and their mid-range boat combos are built for exactly the kind of mixed-target fishing that makes up most NZ boating trips. Reliable, well-balanced, and widely supported for parts and servicing.
Daiwa Boat Overhead Combo. Daiwa's overhead combos are a popular choice for deeper water fishing and targeting larger species. The Saltiga range in particular has a strong following among serious NZ anglers.
Penn Spinfisher VI Combo. The Spinfisher is a workhorse reel with a well-earned reputation for handling tough conditions. IPX5-sealed against water ingress and built for long-term saltwater use. A great option for someone who wants something they won't need to treat carefully.
Available from: marine-deals.co.nz, land-sea.co.nz and huntingandfishing.co.nz.
7. Polarised sunglasses
Anyone who spends serious time on the water and switches to a proper polarised pair doesn't go back. The change is not a subtle one. Glare drops away, colour becomes vivid, and your eyes stop working so hard against the reflected surface all day. On a long passage, the reduction in eye fatigue is noticeable. It's one of those upgrades that feels obvious in hindsight.
Lens quality is what matters most for marine use. You want polarisation that actually eliminates glare rather than simply taking the edge off it, solid UV protection, and a frame that stays in place when the wind picks up and spray comes over. Glass lenses deliver the best optical clarity but carry more weight. High-quality polycarbonate lenses are lighter and more impact-resistant, which counts when they're likely to spend some time on the deck.
Polarised sunglass examples
Maui Jim Peahi. Purpose-built for offshore use. A large wraparound frame that blocks side glare as well as frontal glare, with Maui Jim's PolarizedPlus2 glass lenses delivering exceptional clarity and colour enhancement. The benchmark for serious on-water use.
Maui Jim Onshore. A slightly more refined rectangular frame that works as well ashore as it does on the water. SuperThin glass lenses with spring hinges for all-day comfort. The pick if she wants a pair that can move from the boat to lunch without looking like fishing gear.
Available from or .
8. Leatherman multi-tool
There is always something that needs attention on a boat. A shackle that needs tightening, a frayed line that wants cutting, a screw that has slowly worked loose in the cockpit sole. The Leatherman is the tool you reach for before going to look for the toolbox, and it handles most jobs without complaint.
In a marine environment, stainless steel construction throughout is what you need, along with a blade that holds a proper edge and pliers with enough grip to actually do useful work. The best Leatherman models have the key tools accessible from the outside without fully opening the tool, which makes a real difference when you need something quickly and one hand is on the helm.
Leatherman multi-tool examples
Leatherman Wave+. The best-selling model for good reason. Eighteen tools, all accessible from the outside, with a premium stainless steel blade and a 25-year warranty. Covers the vast majority of what you'll ever need on a boat. The one to get.
Leatherman ARC. The latest generation, featuring magnetic one-hand tool deployment and a MagnaCut steel blade, the hardest and most corrosion-resistant blade steel Leatherman has ever used. A genuine step up for anyone who wants the best.
Available from Leatherman direct (leatherman.co.nz), Bivouac (bivouac.co.nz), Dwights Outdoors (dwights.co.nz), Complete Outdoors (completeoutdoors.co.nz), or Hunting & Fishing NZ (huntingandfishing.co.nz).
9. Enamelware galley set
A boat galley has no tolerance for anything fragile and no interest in anything that wastes space. The ideal galley tableware is tough enough to survive a rough passage, easy to clean with minimal water, stackable for tight storage, and good-looking enough to feel right when you're sitting in a beautiful anchorage with something warm in your hands.
Enamelware ticks all of those boxes. It is lightweight, almost indestructible, handles heat without complaint, and develops a certain character with use over time. The quality of the enamel coating is what separates the good from the ordinary. A proper double coat baked at high temperature will resist chipping and edge rust for years. Spend a little time looking and you'll find limited edition and statement finishes that sit just as comfortably on a kitchen bench at home as they do on a chart table at sea.
Enamel galley set examples
Wolfkamp & Stone by Live Wires NZ. A NZ-designed range featuring lighthouses and native sea birds printed on real oven-baked enamelware. The range includes tumbler, mug, breakfast bowl and large plate. The navy blue P Class sailing mug is particularly good, and the lighthouse range featuring Cape Reinga, Waipapa Point and Cape Campbell feels genuinely special. Beautiful objects that will survive hard use at sea.
Hunting & Fishing NZ, Campfire Enamel Range. A more straightforward, affordable option for anyone who wants the practicality of enamelware without the premium price. Available in navy and other colours.
Available from: Wolfkamp & Stone, and Hunting & Fishing NZ.
10. Sun hat
The New Zealand sun on the water shows no mercy. The reflection off the surface effectively doubles UV exposure, and a full day at sea without proper head protection is something you notice for days afterwards. A quality hat is among the simplest and most consistently useful things a boater can own, and also among the most commonly overlooked.
For marine use, UPF 50+ protection is the baseline, paired with a brim wide enough to actually shade your face and neck, a chin strap or wind cord for when conditions freshen, and a construction that won't turn into a saturated mess the moment it gets wet. Packability is a welcome bonus for anyone who travels any distance to reach their boat.
Sunhat examples
Zhik Sailing Hat. Designed specifically for the water, UPF 50+, quick-drying, and built to stay on in wind. Zhik make some of the best sailing-specific headwear available. Technical, UPF-rated, and styled for people who spend real time on the water rather than just visiting it.
Tilley Airflo Brimmed Hat. The classic choice for anyone who wants a hat that earns its keep on the water and ashore equally. Guaranteed for life, packable, and built with a wide brim and vented crown that makes it genuinely comfortable across long days in the sun.
Available from sailors.co.nz for Musto and Zhik, and Tilley.
The boating mum in your life has earned a genuinely good gift this Mother's Day. Whether you go practical, indulgent, or somewhere in the middle, what matters most is finding something that fits the life she actually lives out on the water, doing exactly what she loves.
