Gill Boots

awol

awol

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I know the argument that says the cost of 1 pair of DuBarry/Musto = 6 pairs Gill rubber boots and will last longer, but at the time I was buying these they were absolutely needed and there wasn't a pair of DB/M on Mull that fitted me. The boots have managed to survive a magnificent 7 months, 3 of which they weren't worn at all, and have split along the seam at the back of the leg.
Having tried bike puncture repair and hypalon kits in the past without much success, does the panel have any advice (apart from buy DB/M) on a patching technique?
 
Mine split at the joints made using the red material. A few weeks earlier my wife's failed through the material at the toes
My trusty local chandlers changed them both without the slightest comment.
Had to check out several pairs as some did not have the lining material covering 100% of the interior.
Suggests there is a well established manufacturing problem.

Apart from the price the big advantge that the Gill boots have over the Dubs is that there are a few inches longer - very important if you don't have pontoon / marina access to your boat.
 
If you still have proof of purchase, I suggest you send the defective boots to Gill and demand your money back! I was disappointed when my boots (unknown make from boat jumble) cracked up after five years - only because they had been accidentally folded at the bottom of a locker.

Rob.
 
awol said:
I know the argument that says the cost of 1 pair of DuBarry/Musto = 6 pairs Gill rubber boots and will last longer, but at the time I was buying these they were absolutely needed and there wasn't a pair of DB/M on Mull that fitted me. The boots have managed to survive a magnificent 7 months, 3 of which they weren't worn at all, and have split along the seam at the back of the leg.
Having tried bike puncture repair and hypalon kits in the past without much success, does the panel have any advice (apart from buy DB/M) on a patching technique?
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I would bind them with sailcloth impregnated with Stockholm Tar. Failing that, Gaffer Tape.
 
Awh no, I've just bought a pair of cheapy wellies. Can the DB ones be used to wade out when getting into a tender? I would have thought that may be bad for them over a period.
 
I have a pair of gill yachting boots, the ones with shoelace top and fancy red line around the outside of the boot.

I have found that the calf area is quite narrow, compared the past types of gill boots, and mine now have a slight leak which after two years of very little use, and stored at home each week, are basically not fit for purpose.

Although i tend to put up with it, would not be buying another pair, most yachting welly boots tend to be designed to look good and not designed for longevity, my garden boots will last decades, so why dont the yachting ones get developed to last longer.

The worst make i have worn were the standard plastimo, the rubber just rotted away.
 
I've used Gill tall yachting boots for decades and before that the Javlin boots and the quality is pretty good as far as I've found. I tend to get 1-2 seasons out of them and that includes sailing in the big boat, working at the sailing club and working in various places for RYA stuff. I tend to wear out the soles at the heels first. At the same time, I get occasional cracks at the wear / fold points at the top of the heel or the bottom of the calf. But as I said, 1-2 seasons so much cheaper than the over priced posh ones!

I might buy a pair though to wear to the pub as that seems to be where they are shown off. :D
 
colvic987 said:
...so why dont the yachting ones get developed to last longer...
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As with most things in life there is usually a relationship between price and quality. My wife's Musto wellies are 20 years old and still in good condition, albeit they're not worn particularly frequently.

Of course there is the occasional exception to the rule but I'd expect a £200 pair of boat boots to last a lot longer than a £20 pair.
 
I have a pair of DuBarry clones, not as much but still around £100, and hardly ever wear them, useless - feeboard is too low and if they get wet inside that's it for quite a while, and the outer fabric may be tough but it stains quite easily.

I knew someone with Gill boots and the outer surface sort of peeled like old varnish !

I would very strongly recommend Musto M1 wellies, they're the traditional rubbery type, quite tall & no drawstring.

Brilliant kit, long lasting, good grip, comfortable.

Surprisingly hard to find in chandleries, I know one place which certainly used to do them is the Marine Superstore at Port Solent.
 
Try Decathlon in France or Belgium

A couple of years ago before a Biscay trip from Portsmouth to Porto I went to a Decathlon store here in Belgium to kit myself out. I bought the offshore jacket, salopette and boots all for about €550. Everything was as good as it said on the label and espesially the boots.

They are so close in appearance to Dubarrys as to be almost indistinguishable from the real thing and all for about €120. Due to the weather we encountered and a certain degree of seasickness (15 hours of pure misery plus a day or three recovering) I didn't take them off for about 3 days. Total comfort and dry feet. I would certainly recommend them to anyone looking for quality, comfort and a reasonable price.

Frank
 
ctva said:
I've used Gill tall yachting boots for decades and before that the Javlin boots and the quality is pretty good as far as I've found.
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As you can see from my vids I wear Gill tall boots. On my second pair in 8 years. I walk to the boat from the house (about 1/4 mile at the moment). I keep them in the garage, which is dark. I wonder if it's light that damages other peoples?
 
Seajet said:
I would very strongly recommend Musto M1 wellies, they're the traditional rubbery type, quite tall & no drawstring.

Brilliant kit, long lasting, good grip, comfortable.

Surprisingly hard to find in chandleries, I know one place which certainly used to do them is the Marine Superstore at Port Solent.
Click to expand...

I have a pair of them, and they are very good, but they had some mersey mud and water over the top and they absolutely stink after a time, i have tried cleaning them out but after time the smell comes back, so they are banished to the shed and get taken out and used once in a blue moon. excellent sole and grip...but have never found anywhere that sells them now...
 
colvic987 said:
I have a pair of them, and they are very good, but they had some mersey mud and water over the top and they absolutely stink after a time, i have tried cleaning them out but after time the smell comes back, so they are banished to the shed and get taken out and used once in a blue moon. excellent sole and grip...but have never found anywhere that sells them now...
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Had a pair of Mk. 1 Mustos and they lasted for about 20 years on the boat. Now use them around the boatyard because the non slip is now slip!
 
Kurrawong_Kid said:
Had a pair of Mk. 1 Mustos
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still got mine after about 15 years and they are still going strong. Only problem is that the pattern on the soles is a bit prone to picking up stones and grit. Ideal for use when camping (wet grass).
Was dismayed to find that my Gill boots are beginning to crack after about 8 years so will buy some new ones.
However if there's no water on deck I will usually wear trainers when on the boat. Proper deck shoes are for posh.
 
My thanks to Mr McCulloch, the only one who has made any attempt to actually answer the question, though my query for "Stockholm Tar" was met with blank looks in the local chandlery - would the stuff they're using on encouraging road pot-holes do? Do those who have suffered from the split boot syndrome really just throw them away and not try to repair them? As for Sale of Goods Act return - that may eventually lead to a another pair of boots but I need them now so I can get ashore without scuffing the dink's bottom.

Anyway, I joined the split seam with Superglue, added a hypalon patch and they appear to again be waterproof after paddling ashore and launching the Redcrest once - but for how long?

Of course, if Mr Gill was reading this and feeling that my experience was atypical of his otherwise fine products and wished to send me a replacement pair for exchange, or Mr Musto or Dubarry wished to demonstrate the superiority of their product ........ Size 45 please!
 
awol said:
I know the argument that says the cost of 1 pair of DuBarry/Musto = 6 pairs Gill rubber boots and will last longer, but at the time I was buying these they were absolutely needed and there wasn't a pair of DB/M on Mull that fitted me. The boots have managed to survive a magnificent 7 months, 3 of which they weren't worn at all, and have split along the seam at the back of the leg.
Having tried bike puncture repair and hypalon kits in the past without much success, does the panel have any advice (apart from buy DB/M) on a patching technique?
Click to expand...

My wife's Gill boots started leaking after about 18 months. Gill replaced them FOC.
 
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