Barefoot on board?

I don't go barefoot; wouldn't consider it - but I don't go barefoot anywhere else, either, so my feet are tender and would find the non-slip diamond pattern of the decks uncomfortable to walk on.

Of course, people will make their own choices, but if you were at work, you wouldn't be allowed to go barefoot in an environment with trip-hazards, sharp objects (e.g. split pins) and heavy equipment (anchors and spinnaker booms, for example) around. And the idea of getting (for example) a wire jack-stay between my toes and then taking a step makes me wince!

Feet are quite delicate; it is easy enough to injure your feet even with footwear on. I've badly sprained a foot by just putting it down wrong on a kerb when dismounting from a bike. And (for example) a broken metatarsal will have you pretty much immobile for 6 weeks - my daughter's boyfriend has just suffered that (a football injury), and is off work for 6 weeks (it might be less if he had a desk job).
 
i go barefoot whenever possible. Especially if all I'm doing is helming.

Although this season, I think that's been twice!
 
I tend to agree more than disagree with John (Morris) on this. Yes, there is something very pleasant and natural about going barefoot about the vessel, and in some conditions on some boats I will do just that, some of the time at least. Stubbed toes and other foot injuries are however a genuine concern and as a general principle I prefer to wear some sort of footwear and to encourage others to do the same.
 
All depends on location and experience.
All my sailing has been done inthe Med, most of it as a charter
boat deckhand.
I was always barefoot ( boat rules) and had to be careful.
However, after gaining experience of where all the deck fittings were,
I could manover as well, if not better, than someone in deck shoes.
Wouldn't want to do it in the winter though.
Just do what feels comfortable to you.
Chacun a son gout.
Cheers,
Chris
 
I used to sail with a skipper who NEVER wore shoes, even ashore, even in Scotland. I still have fond memories of the locals in Tobermoray looking at him aghast walking down Main St with no shoes! Never injured himself but then he had we crew do do those things that may have put him at risk.:p
 
john_morris_uk said:
I think you might have helped argue my case for me?
Click to expand...

You are right in your hazard analysis (stubbed toe) and controls (foot wear). However, I dont strive for a risk free life. I will wear seat belts and lifejackets (not at the same time, except on certain helicopter flights), I also will seek out handrails when ascending or descending stairs. These controls protect me from consequences that are likely to be serious if the hazard occurs. I drive a motorbike and the risk of serious consequences, in spite of protective clothing is high.

I understand that you are involved in the military and believe you have worked in areas where danger exists and the exposure to hazards are out of your control. Taking your logic forward, you would not put yourself at risk doing the job you do, but I suspect you do and you are comfortable with the controls in place, despite severe consequences.

The consequence of a stubbed toe do not rate as severe enough for me to control the hazard beyond watching where I am going. Cold toes on the other hand is severe enough that I will happily done warming foot wear.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hadenough said:
I used to sail with a skipper who NEVER wore shoes, even ashore, even in Scotland.
Click to expand...

Hmm, yes, I had a mate at Uni who tended to remove his shoes once a certain amount of beer was inside him. If this happened at the Union he tended to get thrown out as they were worried (not without reason) that he'd step on broken glass. I've walked all the way from the Warwick campus to his home in Coventry on occasion, with him in bare feet.

Rather different to a smooth clean deck!

Pete
 
Always barefoot in the summer . . . its kinder on the toes and stops you from getting smelly boots/shoes. Trouble is when autumn comes along and the tootsies are feeling the chill getting them back into footwear is not a comfortable option as they seem to spread with their freedom, it can be weeks before the boots/shoes conform to the foot shape again or feet are forced into footwear shape again.

More than twenty years sailing comfortably barefoot and not a significant injury to speak of. Now off out for probably the last barefoot sail of this summer and hoping that I have not just tempted providence
 
I'm with the barefeet lot. I've just spent three weeks on a yacht and not worn anything on my feet. My feet and toes are still fully intact!

I see to remember a recent article in the yachting press that put barefeet near the top of the best footwear to wear onboard, so to speak!
 
I live and Boat in the Med. Wear crocs most days when not working and go barefoot a lot. First thing I do when I get onboard is take off Crocs and always sail on my boat barefoot. In the deepest darkest winter months I may use deckshoes but then they get wet and my feet get cold.

I like to connect with my boat, so no shoes!
 
Barefoot all the time on board except in winter.

But then I have wood decks, loverly, tactile, pleasure to be o board/ dinghy/ beach/ shore but not Tarmac and public places.

Deck too hot? Bucket of seawater cures that pdq.

As to bumping in to fittings, hey it's a great way to learn the layout for at night.
 
Often barefoot and I am then concious where I put my feet, my worst foot injury was when I was wearing shoes because I didn't think so much about where I stepped.

The two things I don't like on deck are flip flops and socks with no shoes, both of which I consider far more dangerous than bare feet.
 
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