sail

If your father enjoys spending time on the water, this Two-Person Hovercraft might just be the ultimate toy for Father's Day, especially since the Innespace Dolphin isn't commercially available. The hovercraft is powered by a 60-hp gasoline engine along with a 12-V battery. Sitting on an 8-inch cushion of air, it can reach speeds of up to 60 mph on both land and water, though it is most effective on smooth surfaces, such as ice, water, sand, mud, snow, and short grass, rather than dirt or asphalt. It requires registration as a boat, but is US Coast Guard approved. It can carry up to 400 pounds without compromising performance. Price: $13,999.95. A trailer to make transportation easy, if you do not already have a boat trailer, is an additional $1,999.95.

Shortly after setting out with their brand new Fairline Squadron 58, a 60-foot luxury yacht, two Norwegian men ran it into some submerged rocks and it sank. The men abandoned the sinking ship in the rubber lifeboat, which also started to sink. The Norwegian rescue crews believe that the men were relying too much on their electronic charts and it was an error in navigation (either an error in reading the charts or in the charts themselves) that caused the boat to hit the rocks. The yacht was valued at $2 million and featured four bedrooms, with room for 10 people.

The lesson learned here is that, while fancy electronic equipment is great in a yacht, it's also good if you know how to sail before you set out. And that it's probably a good idea to check the condition of the life boat, just to be safe.

[Image Aftenposten]

This bag from Anthropologie really caught my eye the last time I was in the store. It's the Sail-Away Satchel, made of natural canvas with blue, calfskin accents and leather handles. The bag is soft and lightweight, despite its solid appearance, with plenty of interior room. The buckle on the front is purely decorative; there is a zip closure on the top of the bag, as well as a zip pocket on either end of the bag. It's a great choice for traveling, but you can't go wrong toting it around town, either. Price: $448.

[Photo by Nicole Weston]

Making good use of already existing products, this handbag is made out of the sailcloth from a real ship. The material used for sails is some of the strongest fabric on Earth, able to withstand wind, water and extreme exposure. Though the sails are strong, they are still replaced by safety-conscious sailors. Recycled Sailcloth Bags, as a result of their unique material, and virtually indestructible as far as handbags go. There is a panel on the inside of the bag that authenticates the sail and identifies the origin of the ship it came from. The bags are funky and fun, perfect for taking along on an Earth Day hike, and have a design that varies from bag to bag. Price: $98.