Should I allow the crew to walk bare footed whilst sailing?

aluijten

aluijten

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I was wondering if a skipper should enforce a rule that no one should move around on the boat bare footed, especially when sailing. There are simply too many things to bump into, with all the tragedy that can follow (also based on own experience /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). What does the forum think?

Arno
 
depends on your deck layout. I am happy about bare feet in the cockpit, but reckon if you are playing with the anchor and chain you should be wearing shoes.
 
What about the little stones that stick in the tread of your crews shoes, that then scratches your deck to death.
 
If the crew are adults then it is their responsibility - perhaps after a quick warning by the skipper.

Personally I like sailing barefooted - but if I have to move around the boat (except below) then I put shoes back on - certainly for cockpit sailing I have no need for shoes.

When racing I always wear dinghy boots as I know I need to move around the boat quickly and efficiently without worrying what I might stub my toes on.

I have one rule on the boat that I like to enforce that is:

If you want a drink, go and get one .... but offer me one too!
 
Hi aluijten

To be honest The only time I have any foot wear on is when I have guests on board, or its peeing down with cold rain and blowing a naughty-one, or if there's ice about.

I have always gone 'alfresco' in the foot dept.

Yes I still get the odd knock but hey that's life.

The reason; My long black curly toe nails can grip the deck better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mmmmm!! thats sounds nice.

No seriously, I personally find it more comfortable.

Hygene down below decks? No smelly foot wear, the for's are ten fold and the 'agaisnt's', you MIGHT hurt your little tooties!

Happy times on the water to you

AJ
 
Yes (to allow)

No ( to enforce a rule)

The only time I have worn anything on my feet in the last 8 years was when there was snow on the deck. But I do still bang my toes and it does still hurt.

John
 
The hot weather culture is very much to be barefooted as much as possible, and certainly any guests should take off their shoes before coming on board. That was a real culture clash for me coming from cold weather traditional British sailing with lots of advice in 1950s books to wear "rubber sandals to avoid toe-stubbing and breakage".

I'm a convert to barefoot sailing whenever it's warm enough but warn people that toe-stubbing does happen if you don't watch where you're stepping - going up to the foredeck in a hurry can be a very loud experience.
 
It's up to the individual. IMHO advantages of bare feet usually outweigh the disadvantages, particularly when cruising. I always wear shoes or boots when racing (because I do run around the boat a bit), rarely wear anything when cruising.

I once raced with a guy who never wore shoes, even while racing. And when I say never - I mean NEVER. Even when it was cold and pissing down with rain - he wore oilskins and nothing on his feet.

Some boats actually enforce a no-shoes policy in the interest of preserving the decks. I have never heard of any boat enforcing a mandatory shoes policy.
 
Re: Should I allow the crew to do anyt

YES - after pointing out the risks.
Let's face it, there are many more and important things to be authoritative about!
 
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