General Footware when messing about in /on boats

C

Capt Popeye

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Well after what seems eternity I am lately able to get boating again , main boat now launched by the Yard and given a Sea Test with me 'on board', to familarise me with the Controls and to see if the OB is behaving properly after a very thorough (long) overhaul by the Yard.

Well usually when messing about in small boats and dinghies i have been wearing Rubber Boots etc; but now I have upgraded to wearing 'wet suit boots', the heavier kind so walking is ok; thicker soles and heels, and am very happy with them in use; they are warm, do not contain water (it ooses out) , I could possibly swim a bit with them on (cannot in Rubber Boots)

They feel a firm grip on the deckside and sole etc, very light weight

Do other on here wear them ?

The Yachty Deck Shoes that I have seen are not really suitable for wearing in the water; but these Wet Suit Boots are great in the water
 
I don't like walking in wet wetsuit boots. I just got some crocs which are more secure than they look and drain very well.
 
I buy adult style plimsolls with white soles. I avoid all with dark soles as I have seen some leave marks on decks.

I used to buy leather moccasin style deck shoes ... but then thought - why am I catering to fashion ... when a cheap pair of plimsolls dry easily .. are good for grip on wet decks ... keep feet well aired ....

I think it interesting that plimsolls are copied to produce more expensive exact same but with Boaty Name Label ...

My Wife likes those swimmers 'shoes' .. sold to wear on shingly beaches etc. but they are not so hard wearing.
 
I just don't get bare feet on yachts. There is so much power in everything and moving around needs secure footwear with a level of support and protection. A stubbed toe is the least of your problems.

Stepping off onto a pontoon coming in in to moor up.. risk of splinters... turned ankles etc.

Moving around the boat in heavier weather, I just don't want people tentative about their feet. There is enough to worry about.

So on my boat - no-one is allowed bare feet. No flip flops. Proper foot-ware... deck shoes or non marking trainers etc in dry weather. Sailing boots or sailing wellies when wet.

Bare feet and wet boots are for dinghies.

M
 
I always give people the choice, whilst reminding them of the many opportunities for a stubbed toe and how much that hurts. Don’t ask me how I know! On a hot day and when just cruising bare feet can be nice, but leaping barefoot onto a scorching hot pontoon in Turkey is something that you only do once….
 
I think it's important to clean the soles of shoes now and then. I kept slipping around the deck and cleaned the decks twice until I realised my soles were the problem. A nail brush and Fairy Liquid did the job.

I'm currently experimenting with "water shoes" and they are very grippy and don't cost much. Have not tried them in wet conditions so far.
 
I haven't sailed in in bare feet for a long time, after having to wait in A&E at Poole General many moons go to get a fish hook removed from my foot, and the next season, a broken little toe from it being crunched against a chain plate , it's either deck shoes or boots for me.
But what on Earth has happened to Dubarry boots, my first par about 20 years ago were superbly made and comfortable, SWMBO bought me a pair as a 'big' Christmas present just before Covid hit us, so have onl just started to war them, I won't tell her and I'll use them but they are Rubbish in comparison to my old ones.
 
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Wet suit boots are great - used to wear them for canoeing - but get them sopping wet and then wear them for the rest of the day and they smell horrendous. Neoprene is a wonder material but that is it’s downside.
 
When I started sailing I used to wear plimsolls. They seemed perfectly adequate. Various deck shoes I have had since then don't seem to justify the extra cost.

I think I'll go back to using them next time I need new footware.
 
Praxinoscope said:
I haven't sailed in in bare feet for a long time, after having to wait in A&E at Poole General many moons go to get a fish hook removed from my foot, and the next season, a broken little toe from it being crunched against a chain plate , it's either deck shoes or boots for me.
But what on Earth has happened to Dubarry boots, my first par about 20 years ago were superbly made and comfortable, SWMBO bought me a pair as a 'big' Christmas present just before Covid hit us, so have onl just started to war them, I won't tell her and I'll use them but they are Rubbish in comparison to my old ones.
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When Dubarry made their boots in Ireland they were of superior quality, but since their manufacture was outsourced to Portugal they have become mediocre.
 
I've always worn "proper" deck shoes, though more often M&S or Clarkes than Seabago, but a few wet trips back from the mooring after putting the boat to bed have got me thinking that tennies may well be the way forward.
 
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