Barefoot on board?

[john_morris_uk]

In the thread in PBO forum about teak decks, many of the posts cite the fact that teak decks are hot underfoot as a reason for not having them. My thought immediately centred on why are you walking about on any deck barefoot in the first place?

Since hearing several stories of broken and snubbed toes on sailing yachts, I have always applied the rule that, "You can go barefoot on board, so long as you normally walk barefoot in much of the rest of your life." In other words, I strongly encourage crew to wear something on their feet. From the comments on the other thread, I am left wondering whether I am alone in this?

It MIGHT be possible for someone living on board for YEARS to get used to not injuring themselves, and for their feet to become hardened to walking barefoot, but for the average yottie who sails only a few weeks a year, I strongly suspect that the risk of injury is not worth taking. Either that or you end up picking your way round the deck so slowly and without normal sped and agility that safety begins to be compromised.

What's your attitude to going barefoot?

This is not an attempt to start another discussion on teak decks! I don't care what the deck is made of - I just don't like barefoot on boats.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Whenever the opportunity presents itself I shall walk barefoot. Now, presenting itself means being warm and not ripping my feet to bits on rock or slate.

This spring time was lovely and I happily padded about my deck (Firth of Clyde) and the pontoon on bare feet. Its no surprise that one learns quite fast to manage the position of their toes.

Having said that the girls have not fared well when barefoot: wife broke toe against a cleat, wife sliced toe open when pulling sofa back, daughter sliced toe open when wardrobe closed across her foot. It would appear to me at least, that barefoot on decks is not quite as dangerous as living rooms and bedrooms.

Give me bare footed air around my toes any day, providing they stay warm.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'm with the OP - a definite no. Except - maybe - when about to go for a deliberate swim. We could, of course, discuss coral cuts, sea urchin spines, weever fish...

 

[richardh10]

This could be one of those situations where your head says 'wear shoes' but your heart says 'it's sunny and warm and what could possibly go wrong'! Bit like lifejackets!

 

[john_morris_uk]

Having said that the girls have not fared well when barefoot: wife broke toe against a cleat...

I think you might have helped argue my case for me?

 

[emandvee44]

Barefoot on board

We have white (grp) decks, and although cool even on the hottest days here, we always wear deck shoes to avoid painful injuries from contact with very hard deck fittings.
Inside the boat we are usually barefoot and live with the occasional outburst of expletives.

M.

 

[Lodesman77]

It MIGHT be possible for someone living on board for YEARS to get used to not injuring themselves

I simply fail to understand. If you are walking around on your boat injuring yourself as a matter of routine, you should see a doctor. And if you suddenly start injuring yourself just because you take your shoes off, why? At home I suppose I might stub my toe on something occasionally, no different on the boat, and no big deal. Bare feet grip the deck well and when conditions get colder/wetter than is comfortable there's a natural transition to a good pair of deck shoes...

 

[prv]

I quite often go barefoot on KS - after all, I know I'm not going to tread on a thorn or a jaggy rock or a bit of broken glass like I might in many places ashore. In nice weather I find it very pleasant to sail wearing just an old pair of canvas shorts.

Not mangled my tootsies yet.

Pete

 

[Kilter]

I prefer bare feet when warm enough. I soon learn where all the sticky out bits are

 

[Salty John]

When cruising in warmer climes we were barefoot on board, flipflops to go ashore.
Coming alongside a dock I'd put deck shoes on, but we didn't do that very often.
Reef-runners for walking on wet rocks and coral.

 

[Slow_boat]

It annoys me when swmbo goes barefoot.

Firstly, I have to be so careful not to step on her toes in my shoes or boots and secondly she is always stubbing her toes.

Having said that, in warmer climes and offshore we tend not to wear anything anyway.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I simply fail to understand. If you are walking around on your boat injuring yourself as a matter of routine, you should see a doctor. And if you suddenly start injuring yourself just because you take your shoes off, why? At home I suppose I might stub my toe on something occasionally, no different on the boat, and no big deal. Bare feet grip the deck well and when conditions get colder/wetter than is comfortable there's a natural transition to a good pair of deck shoes...

The implication that I am somehow medically unwell and injuring myself through some previously undetected disability is quite funny. If you knew what I did for a living, and who I work and train with you might think that its funny as well.

In fact I don't routinely injure myself. This is because I usually wear something on my feet.

I have seen too many people with injured feet who think its clever to go barefoot, and I am surprised that so many people think that its ok to walk about the deck of their boat with no shoes on.

Its not illegal and we all make choices about our health and well being - and good luck to you if it works for you.

And to the other poster who implied that in warm climes it better without shoes: yes I have sailed in the tropics in shorts only - but invariably with some old deck shoes on as well.

 

[prv]

I am surprised that so many people think that its ok to walk about the deck of their boat with no shoes on.

For what it's worth, I in turn find your attitude surprising

Pete

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I personally believe that barefoot my balance and grip is much improved over wearing shoes - I can feel the surface I am walking on, and the sub-concious feedback about what I am about to step on is instantaneous, rather than when wearing shoes. With shoes you don't even know you've stepped on something marginal until all your weight is on it and it gives way or you slip. I'm also never tempted to 'chance it' on anything uneven or marginal 'cos it hurts.

Barefoot is great, especially when the weather is hot.

It also means there are no smelly shoes left lying around, no-one gets their shoe-laces caught on anything or trips over them.

How often do people slip and fall because their footwear is inadequate? The injuries they then suffer are not attributed to 'wearing shoes'.

Whereas all foot injuries when barefoot are attributed to 'not wearing shoes'.

Barefoot roolz and I've never had a problem apart from the odd scratch or cut. We never wear shoes in the house either and have very healthy feet and a full complement of toes.
In some cultures it isn't acceptable to wear shoes indoors, and they don't seem to be hobbling around on crutches either.

Obviously, I don't object to other people wearing deck shoes if they want to.

..... and finally, can someone provide a definition of a 'shoe' 'cos flip-flops and loose rubber clogs are accidents waiting to happen.

 

[john_morris_uk]

For what it's worth, I in turn find your attitude surprising

Pete

Fair enough - although it appears I am not a minority of one on the subject...

 

[Talbot]

When walking around a cluttered deck, your concentration can maximise between:

1. The deck clutter to make sure you dont kick something harder than flesh.
or
2. The sea and wave trains to ensure that a sudden lurch is not unexpected and you have had time to strengthen the grip on some handhold.

Personally, I prefer the concept of staying on the boat, and whereing something on my feet.

Yes you can timeshare between these priorities, but if you are forward, you are also timesharing on the problem you went forward to fix.

 

[Wansworth]

If i recall correctly if you turn up to visit a superyacht you are required to take your shoes off as they dont want grit and stuff on their superyacht teak decks.Apart from that walking about barefoot is good for you as it allows the negative currents to earth!

 

[prv]

if you are forward, you are also timesharing on the problem you went forward to fix.

You never go and sit on deck because it's a nice place to sit, then?

Pete

 

[Lodesman77]

In fact I don't routinely injure myself. This is because I usually wear something on my feet.

This is what I don't get!! If the only reason you don't injure yourself is because you're wearing shoes, then you're relying on them to protect you from hitting/standing on things - whereas most of those posting on this thread appear to get on quite happily without, by simply not hitting/standing on things!!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Leather deck shoes with no socks in the summer and to about 30 north.

When those get smelly, 'reef' sandals (i.e. properly strapped on) give a bit of protection & don't smell too bad ...