Reddit mentions of Maxam Sailor's Tool, a Powerful Multi-Use Survival Knife Ideal for Hunting, Fishing, Camping or Outdoor Activity, Silver

Obviously, it will depend on what he's already gotten for himself, what you can afford, what kind of sailing he's doing, and where you are.

You know your dad, I don't, but I'm going to suggest that a genuinely antique spyglass isn't going to have the utility you are envisioning. If he has a den/study/other area to display a curio, then fine, but it probably shouldn't be knocked around and soaked in the ways it will while sailing. A good [waterproof pair of binoculars] ( http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Waterproof-Fogproof-Prism-Binocular/dp/B006U3ZIWQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063798&sr=1-1&keywords=waterproof+binoculars) would be much better, IMO.

In my limited experience, here are some things most sailors might need, in no particular order:

• PFD--Personal Floatation Device, "lifejacket". On wetter, faster and/or smaller boats many people like a [kayak style vest] (http://www.amazon.com/Stohlquist-Personal-Floatation-X-Large-XX-Large/dp/B000FB9JBU/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063280&sr=1-10&keywords=paddling+vest) . If it's a drier cruising style of sailing, [an automatic inflating vest] ( http://www.amazon.com/Revere-ComfortMax-Inflatable-Automatic-30-52-Inch/dp/B000EG3VI8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1370063031&sr=8-6&keywords=automatic+inflatable+life+vest) is great. I linked an inflatable with a safety harness, a good idea for offshore, rough weather but if it's sunny-day and flat water sailing, then a sub-$100 version should be great.
  
  
• A hat they will wear. If you know him just right, you can pick out his "sailing hat" for life. Maybe a ball cap with the perfect logo on it, maybe a hiking/sun hat from the outdoor supplier, maybe a Tilley hat. It will live on the boat and he will wear it as soon as he steps on board.
  
  
• Gloves. Plenty to choose from. [Here's an avereage priced, commonly available sample] (http://www.amazon.com/Deckhand-Gloves-Deck-Glove-Short/dp/B00140P1DG/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063702&sr=1-2&keywords=gill+deckhand)
  
  
• Footwear. Way too dependent on the type of sailing for me to supply good samples. Post specifics if you want suggestions, otherwise google "sailing boots(or shoes)" for ideas.
  
  
• Knife. Plenty of basic ["Sailing Knives"'] (http://www.amazon.com/Maxam-SKRULE-Misc-Sailors-Tool/dp/B003COEDMW/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370064431&sr=1-4&keywords=sailing+knife) on the market. Normally includes a blade (duh), a marlinspike and a shackle key. Again, you know him. Some prefer a [multitool with an easy to deploy blade] (http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-30-000587-Crucial-Multi-Tool-Black/dp/B00783N8MO/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370064557&sr=1-2&keywords=gerber+crucial), while still others will prefer a fixed, small (maybe 3 or 4 inches) blade with a sheath.
  
  
• Polarised sunglasses. 'nuff said
  
  
• Tethers (like "croakies") for abovementioned hats and glasses. It's windy, things prefer to fall overboard than stay attached to you.
  
  
• Foul weather gear. In some places, even when it's nice on land it is cold and wet on the water. You can use hiking style soft/hard shell jackets and rain gear as well as a VAST assortment of sailing-specific jackets and pants. Look at the apparel sections at websites like westmarine or mauiprosailing.
  
  
• Books. "Sail Trim" and "Knots" are good places to start. Normally, you should avoid a "for dummies" or "eyewitness" type book for someone who is already sailing.
  
  Does he own the boat? Jackpot! You almost cannot go wrong if you talk to him and do a little bit of research. ALL boats, huge or tiny, need many somethings, all the time, forever. Some silly expensive, others affordable. Charts, Compass, Air-horn, Fenders, Tail-bags, Sheets, Blocks, Cleats, Clutches, Etc., Etc.
  
  Oh, can't figure it all out? Try this:
  
  http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ShopView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Gift-Cards&redirectTo=WM

What about a marlin spike, like this? The marlin spike is the spike on the far right. It's normally used for digging at knots in rope that are too stuck. It's pointy enough to be an interesting sensation, without being so pointy that it'll break the skin (unless you really go crazy).

I've also seen this sort of thing, but never used it.

Not sure. It's a sailing tool I got a few years back at a marine yard sale. Great knife, has held up to an amazing amount of wear. The marlin spike gets used almost every day for random stuff, and the shackle key is a great bottle opener.

Edit: Found it on Amazon here as a "Misc Sailors Tool"

I use one of these quite often, I think it's a similar type blade?

Hear hear. My brain seems to have only a three item limit of things it can consistently keep track of, and those slots are occupied by my wallet, my phone, and my keys. Every time I've tried to add a knife to the mix, it's lost or seized by the TSA within a couple of months. An inexpensive knife like the Ozark trail gets the job done, and doesn't hurt so much when it disappears. I also like these knives:

Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara2 ($20):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EBXH04

Mora fixed blade knife ($20):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XDR0NK

Maxam Sailors Multi-Tool ($15):

https://www.amazon.com/Maxam-SKRULE-Sailors-Tool/dp/B003COEDMW

I did a quick check on amazon and came up with three choices that seem decent


maxam sailors tool


Camillus


Oldtimer


I don't know maxam but it has a lot of good reviews on amazon. I do know Camillus and Old Timer though and they make good knives. Camillus would be the one I'd pick but I'd get a maxam too as back up since it's so cheap. Old timer knives are made by Schrade and they are usually good knives.


Hope this helped.

PS- Gerber quality has gone down over the last few years so I wouldn't recommend buying anything they are selling, but to each their own.