10 canal boat gifts for avid boaters

Do you have a friend or relative who loves canal boats but is hard to buy for? Thankfully, many great canal boat-inspired gifts are available for those who love to explore the waterways.

Here, we share our top 10 canal boat gifts for avid boaters – perfect for birthdays, Christmas, as a thank you, or just because you want to treat them.

Canal boat gifts under £15

If you’re looking for a canal boat gift on a budget, these purse-friendly ideas are perfect:

1. Personalised canal boat chopping board

Personalised gifts are a lovely idea as they’re unique and show lots of thought has been put into choosing them. This personalised canal boat chopping board gives you the option to add the name of your boat-loving gift recipient alongside the year that they got their own canal boat. You can add a few extra words, too, if you like. This gift is durable, attractive and guaranteed to be useful in their boat kitchen. Buy here.

2. Narrowboat Tranquillity puzzle

This beautiful puzzle, designed by artist Sue Podbery, perfectly depicts a relaxing day out on the water, making it a great gift idea for canal boat enthusiasts. With 1000 pieces, this canal boat-themed puzzle is sure to keep the recipient busy and is something they can enjoy time and time again. Once complete, they could also choose to mount and frame it in their boat, as it is a lovely piece of art. Buy here.

3. Narrowboat magazine subscription

Help the canal boat enthusiast in your life to immerse themselves in narrowboat history with a Narrowboat magazine subscription. This quarterly magazine looks into the history of narrowboats, the people who sailed them, and the places that have been popular with canal boat owners for years. Combining expert content with nostalgic photos, this magazine is perfect for both canal boat owners and those who love everything about these fascinating vessels and their interesting pasts. Buy here.

4. Canal boat evolution t-shirt

From monkey to man to canal boat owner, this humorous T-shirt is ideal for someone who loves spending time on the waterways. Choose from black, grey, navy, or olive green in various sizes. Made from 100% cotton, this T-shirt is guaranteed to be comfortable to wear both on and off the boat. Buy here.

Canal boat gifts under £50

Should you have a little more to spend on canal boat gifts, one of these options could be ideal:

5. Cosy canal boat hoodie bundle

Canal boat enthusiasts will love cosying up in this themed hoodie and sock set. The hoodie has a charming canal boat print on the front and comes in a variety of colours, including heather, light blue, navy, and rust. There’s also a range of sizes to choose from. To complement the hoodie, select a pair of vibrant bamboo socks. We like the pair with the simple wave design – perfect for someone who loves spending time on the water. Buy here.

6. Personalised boat mat

A personalised boat mat is a fantastic gift for a canal boat owner. This hardwearing mat can be personalised with the name of their canal boat and will help them keep their boat’s floor clean and tidy. Available in two sizes, this canal boat mat has been specifically designed for use on a boat. It boasts a thick rubber base to prevent slipping and an absorbent top layer. Buy here.

7. Overboard waterproof camera bag

If your friend likes to take photos while out on their canal boat, a waterproof camera bag is a great gift idea. This will help them to keep their camera protected and enable them to always have it with them with the confidence it won’t sustain water damage. In addition to water, this Overboard camera bag protects from dust, dirt, and sand thanks to its high-quality seals. And it comes in two convenient sizes to fit a range of cameras. Buy here.

Canal boat gifts over £50

There are some amazing canal boat gifts available for those with a budget of over £50, these include:

8. Hand-painted canal boat vase

Stoke Art Pottery sells gorgeous hand-painted canal boat vases showing scenes from different waterways and seasons. A unique gift for canal boat owners and enthusiasts, you can even choose to have a personalised vase featuring the recipient’s boat. Vases vary in shape and size, and there are sometimes hand-painted teapots to choose from, too. Buy here.

9. Canal boat bird box

Should your canal boat loving friend also have an interest in nature, this handmade canal boat bird box could be the perfect gift. Available in a variety of colours, with the option to have it painted to match the recipient’s boat, these quirky bird boxes are made from sustainable pine and non-toxic paint making them an eco-friendly option. You can also choose to personalise the bird box further with up to 15 characters, ideal for adding a boat name. Buy here.

10. Traditional canal boat furniture

For something truly unique, items of furniture painted to look like traditional canal boat pieces are sure to be popular with your boating friend. Traditional Canalware creates wooden items for boats, such as cabinets and stools, and paints these using traditional designs and colours, even matching these to the recipient’s boat if requested. Pieces vary in size, design, and cost, so you can find something that suits your budget. Find out more.

Specialist narrowboat insurance through Insure4Boats

Whilst looking for some fun canal boat gifts, you may want to consider getting specialist narrowboat insurance if you or your giftee is a narrowboat owner.

With Insure4Boats, the cover protects your boat against theft, accidental damage, malicious damage, and salvage charges.

You can also opt to include Third Party Liability and contents protection, so you have nothing to worry about when cruising the waterways.

Click here to discover more about how we can help, or get an instant online quote today.