Every sailor has a drawer of regret. It holds the clever gadget that stopped charging after one season, the gloves that went stiff as cardboard, the knife that rusted shut in its pouch. Surfers have the same drawer, usually with a board bag in it that split at the nose on its first flight.
This guide is our attempt to keep you out of that drawer. We have gone back through years of DailyStoke gear coverage, thrown out anything that has been discontinued or whose maker has gone quiet, and checked what is left against the brand’s own site or a major UK retailer. Prices are in pounds and are the figures those retailers list, so expect them to move with sales.
It is not a list of everything. It is the kit that matters most when you are wet, cold, a mile offshore or waiting at an airport carousel for your board.
Our quick picks
- Lifejacket with harness: Spinlock Deckvest Lite+, £139.95
- Buoyancy aid for paddling and dinghies: Palm Peyto PFD, £149
- Rescue knife: Gill Marine Tool MT010, £29.95
- Budget sailing gloves: Gill Deckhand, from £22.95
- Race timer: Optimum Time Series 14r, £99.95
- Digital compass: Velocitek Prism, £404.95
- Shortboard day bag: FCS Day Runner Fish, from £119.95
- Music in the water: Shokz OpenSwim Pro, from around £169
- Action camera: GoPro HERO13 Black, from under £270
Lifejackets and buoyancy aids: start here
If you buy one thing from this page, make it something that floats you. The rest is comfort.
Spinlock Deckvest Lite+
The Deckvest Lite was the lifejacket that made people stop leaving their lifejackets in the cockpit locker, and its successor, the Lite+, keeps the idea that won them over: a slim, light vest you forget you are wearing. Marine Superstore lists it at £139.95, down from £175.67, in black and sun yellow.
It is an automatic inflating jacket with 170N of buoyancy, certified to ISO 12402-3, and it weighs 860g. The useful part for cruising sailors is the integrated deck safety harness (ISO 12401), with a soft loop for your safety line, so you do not need a separate harness to clip on at night. There is a single crotch strap with a recessed clip, side entry for getting it on in a hurry, and a toggle for Spinlock’s optional chest pack.
Two pieces of advice. Get it serviced as the maker recommends, because a cylinder you have never checked is a hope rather than a plan. And add a light and a sprayhood if you sail offshore; the retailer listing does not mention a light as standard.
Palm Peyto PFD
Inflatables are for keelboats. For kayaking, paddleboarding and a lot of dinghy sailing you want foam, and the Palm Peyto is the touring buoyancy aid we would pick. Palm lists it at £149.
Buoyancy runs from 60N in the smallest size to 70N in XL/XXL, and it is certified to ISO 12402-5 and 12402-6 and UKCA approved. Where it earns its price is the pockets: two zipped front pockets big enough for a VHF radio, a fleece-lined hand warmer pocket (bliss on a February paddle on the Solent), and a zipped rear pocket that takes a hydration bladder. There is a women’s version too.
Knives and rescue tools
A knife on a boat is not a lifestyle accessory. It is what you reach for when a sheet jams under load or someone is tangled in a line underwater.
Gill Marine Tool MT010
Gill’s folding tool has outlasted most of the gadgets in our old round-ups for a reason. Marine Superstore lists it at £29.95 (RRP £38), with sailboats.co.uk close behind. You get a serrated blade and marlin spike, plus a shackle key, webbing cutter, 8mm spanner, flathead screwdriver and bottle opener, in titanium-coated stainless steel. It opens one-handed with a thumb stud, locks open with a liner lock, and the G10 handle is machined for grip when wet. Folded, it is 95mm long, and it comes with a moulded nylon pouch for your belt.
If you would rather carry something smaller, Gill’s Marine Harness Rescue Tool (MT011) is listed at £21.90 at sailboats.co.uk, and its Folding Personal Rescue Knife (MT009) at £25.95.
Sailing gloves
Rope burn is the quickest way to end a weekend on the water. Gloves are cheap, and nobody regrets owning a pair.
For most dinghy and club racers, the Gill Deckhand is the sensible starting point, from £22.95 for short finger and £24.95 for long finger at sailboats.co.uk. Step up to Gill’s Championship gloves (£34.95) or Zhik’s Deck Gloves (£33.95, half finger) if you are trimming for hours at a time. For winter sailing, Gill’s 3mm Neoprene gloves at £44.95 trade a bit of feel for hands that still work in March.
A tip from experience: short finger for racing, where you need fingertips for knots and shackles; long finger for cruising and anything cold.
Gloves are only part of the wardrobe. Our guides to the best sailing jackets for men, sailing trousers and shorts and sailing shoes cover the rest.
Timers, watches and compasses
Optimum Time Series 14r
Start sequences are where races are won and lost, and a dedicated sailing timer beats fumbling with a smartwatch in spray. Optimum Time is the name you will see on wrists at most UK clubs. The Series 14r (OS1455R) is listed at £99.95 at sailboats.co.uk: a three-row display, a vibration alarm you feel even when you cannot hear it over the wind, and a rechargeable battery. If you just want a big, clear countdown, the Series 3 Jumbo (OS315) is £69.95 and the Series 11 is £59.99.
For something with GPS and speed tracking, see our separate guide to GPS sailing watches.
Velocitek Prism
Our older lists recommended Velocitek’s Shift compass. UK chandleries now stock its Prism electronic racing compass instead, which sailboats.co.uk lists at £404.95, or £493 with a deck bracket. It is serious money for a club sailor, so it makes most sense for anyone racing regularly in shifty conditions, where reading every lift and header is worth places. The cheaper alternative remains a decent magnetic tactical compass and a notepad.
Surfboards: buying new and used
Firewire is still one of the most recognisable names in surfboards, and its current range is built around three core constructions: Helium, I-Bolic and Proflex. Among its best-loved shapes is the Seaside, Rob Machado’s quad “groveller” and an evolution of his Go Fish, which suits the small, mushy summer surf most of us in Britain actually get.
New Firewire boards are expensive, which is why so many end up on the second-hand market. If you are buying used, check these before you hand over cash:
- Dings and cracks. Press gently around the nose, tail and rails. Soft spots or fine cracks can mean water has got in.
- Fin boxes. Wiggle each fin. A loose box is a costly repair.
- Pressure dents on the deck. Normal on a used board. Deep creases across the deck are not.
- Volume and dimensions. Ask for them, and compare with what you ride now. A bargain board in the wrong size is not a bargain.
Small independent shapers are worth seeking out too. Many sell mostly custom boards and do not publish prices, so you get in touch, talk through how and where you surf, and they quote.
Board bags and travelling with a surfboard
The hard-shell surfboard cases that were going to solve air travel a few years ago have largely vanished. Some of the brands we wrote about are no longer trading, and others never got beyond crowdfunding. For most surfers a well-padded soft bag is the realistic choice.
FCS Day Runner Fish
For everyday trips to the beach and short hops, the FCS Day Runner Fish is a tidy option. Down The Line Surf lists the 5’6″ at £119.95 and the 6’0″ at £129.95. It has a 600D waterproof ripstop shell, foam padding with a reinforced nose impact plate, marine-grade zips and a quick-release shoulder strap. It rolls up for storage, and its loops connect to FCS travel covers.
A day bag is not a flight bag, though. If your board is going in an aircraft hold, choose a dedicated travel bag with thicker padding, wrap the rails and nose with spare clothes or pipe lagging, take the fins out, and photograph the board before check-in in case you need to claim.
For a different take on carrying a board, our piece on the paddle board that turns into a tent is worth a look.
Electric surfboards and eFoils
Lampuga was once one of the bigger names in electric jetboards. The company has since ceased operations, so new boards, spare parts and normal customer support are no longer available from it. Used Lampugas still turn up for sale, but batteries are the issue: they lose capacity with age, and finding replacements gets harder.
Awake is still building boards. Its current range includes the RÄVIK Explore, Adventure and Ultimate jetboards, a BRABUS x Awake edition, and the VINGA Carve eFoil. Awake does not list fixed prices on its main site, so you will be quoted by a dealer. Whichever brand you consider, ask about battery warranty, charger replacement and where the nearest service centre is. With electric boards, after-sales support matters almost as much as the ride.
Gadgets for swimmers and paddlers
Shokz OpenSwim Pro
Several of the swimming music players we covered years ago have quietly left the market. The obvious choice now is the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, which PriceSpy shows from around £169 across UK shops. It uses bone conduction, so nothing sits in your ear canal and you can still hear what is around you. It is rated IP68, and Shokz quotes nine hours of battery life with a two-hour charge.
Bone conduction suits pool lengths, and it is the safer choice for open water, where hearing a boat or a lifeguard matters. Even so, never wear anything in the sea that stops you hearing what is going on. For more practical swimming questions, from earplugs to keeping your hair dry, see our swimming questions answered guide.
GoPro HERO13 Black
The action camera is still the gadget most water people actually use. GoPro’s current line-up includes the HERO13 Black alongside newer cinematic and 360 models, and GoPro says all its cameras are waterproof straight out of the box. The HERO13 Black has been widely discounted; PriceSpy shows it from £268.64 at UK retailers.
Spend a few pounds more on a floating hand grip and a leash. The sea has a large collection of GoPros already.
Dry bags: the cheapest upgrade you will make
Phones, car keys and a dry jumper for afterwards: a roll-top dry bag keeps all three safe on a paddleboard, a RIB or a beach in the rain. Look for welded rather than stitched seams, a roll-top closure that you fold at least three times, and shoulder straps if you will carry it any distance. A small one for valuables and a larger one for clothes covers most days out.
How we chose
We kept products only where we could confirm, on the brand’s own website or with a major UK retailer, that they are still on sale. Anything we could not find, including several gadgets, cases and limited-edition boards from earlier DailyStoke round-ups, has been left out. Prices are the retailer’s listed price, and sales come and go, so it is worth checking a couple of shops before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What sailing gear do I need as a beginner?
A buoyancy aid or lifejacket that fits, sailing gloves, a waterproof top layer, shoes with grippy soles and a hat. Many clubs and RYA training centres lend lifejackets and wetsuits for courses, so you can try before you buy.
Should I buy a lifejacket or a buoyancy aid?
Buoyancy aids suit dinghy sailing, kayaking and paddleboarding, where you expect to end up in the water and need to swim. Inflating lifejackets with higher buoyancy, such as 170N, are for yachts and keelboats, where falling in is unexpected and you may be unconscious or exhausted.
Is the Spinlock Deckvest Lite+ worth it?
For coastal and offshore cruising sailors, yes. It combines a 170N lifejacket and a deck harness in an 860g vest, which means you are more likely to wear it. Marine Superstore lists it at £139.95.
Do I really need a knife on a sailing boat?
Yes. A sharp blade is the fastest way to free a jammed sheet or cut someone free of a tangled line. Keep it somewhere you can reach with one hand, such as a belt pouch or lifejacket pocket.
What are the best gloves for sailing in the UK?
Gill Deckhand gloves, from £22.95, are a good starting point for most sailors. For winter, 3mm neoprene gloves keep your hands working in cold water.
Can I fly with a surfboard in a day bag?
You can, but it is a risk. Day bags have thin padding and are designed for car roofs and short walks. For flights, use a thicker travel bag, remove the fins and add extra padding around the nose, tail and rails.
Can you still buy a Lampuga electric surfboard?
Only second-hand or from dealers clearing old stock. Lampuga has ceased operations, so spare parts and support are limited. A current model from an active maker such as Awake is a safer buy for most people.
Can you listen to music while swimming?
Yes. Bone conduction headphones such as the Shokz OpenSwim Pro, which is rated IP68, sit outside the ear and carry sound through your cheekbones. In open water, keep the volume low enough to hear boats and other people.
Is a GoPro waterproof without a case?
GoPro says all its current cameras are waterproof out of the box. For surfing or sailing, add a floating grip or a tether so you do not lose it.
Where should I buy sailing gear in the UK?
Specialist chandleries such as Marine Superstore and sailboats.co.uk stock most of the brands here and can advise on sizing. For surf hardware, independent surf shops are worth supporting, and they usually know the local breaks.
