Packing for a day sail

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by SpiritofGlenans

I read with amazement the argument for bare feet. 90% of my sailing has been done in Dubarry seaboots, the remainder in boat shoes of one kind or another, and even then I have occasionally stubbed my toe painfully on cleats, deck organisers etc.
IMHO beer has no place on an open dayboat used for training.

For me its a case of "do as I say not as I do".

I always tell students to wear foot protection, but...after many years of living in the Carib, Im accustomed to being barefoot. Not a problem on a familiar boat, but have badly banged my toes on unfamiliar boats. I'm now in the habit of walking with my toes flexed upward for this reason.

Was once preparing to get underway with students on an unfamiliar boat, I was near the stern and they were near the bow on a 33' boat. I kicked a cleat and a toe broke so loudly that they turned to look!

[weavis]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Was once preparing to get underway with students on an unfamiliar boat, I was near the stern and they were near the bow on a 33' boat. I kicked a cleat and a toe broke so loudly that they turned to look!

Hurts dont it?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by weavis

Hurts dont it?

Nothing compared to banging the same toe on a different boat about 2 weeks later! Hurt so bad I couldn't breath!

[weavis]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Nothing compared to banging the same toe on a different boat about 2 weeks later! Hurt so bad I couldn't breath!

Yup.
I see a lot of broken/fractured toes. Sometime I have to do a reduction or set it but mainly, just check its in the right place and give appropriate advice.

In 2008, I broke my own toe going barefoot up the ramp to my cockpit and smacked into a winch handle.

Fun aint it?

[El Pinguino]

Barefeet in the tropics... I have all my spots checked to make sure no melanomas by a nice lady doctor twice a year...she has lovely soft hands.........
Major point of inspection is the feet, esp between the toes. Seems we all wear floppy hats and long sleeved shirts.... with jandles at best and often less......

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by weavis

Yup.
I see a lot of broken/fractured toes. Sometime I have to do a reduction or set it but mainly, just check its in the right place and give appropriate advice.

In 2008, I broke my own toe going barefoot up the ramp to my cockpit and smacked into a winch handle.

Fun aint it?

When I was younger, I was into martial arts...got used to breaking toes & fingers. First time, I went to the Doc...he taped my toe to the one next to it and sent me home...next time I just did the same thing.

Ive had far fewer injuries on boats, but they hurt more as you get older. ;-)

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

Barefeet in the tropics... I have all my spots checked to make sure no melanomas by a nice lady doctor twice a year...she has lovely soft hands.........
Major point of inspection is the feet, esp between the toes. Seems we all wear floppy hats and long sleeved shirts.... with jandles at best and often less......

And...barefeet, especially those with old weathered skin, are a good pathway for parasites.

I may go barefoot aboard, but I wear shoes when ashore in any populated area for that reason. I have a friend who always wears workboots in such areas for the same reason...I at least put something on my feet.

I'm amazed when I see some gringo walking around barefoot in places like Livingston or Fronteras, Guatemala.

Ha, there is an attractive young female Dermatologist in Guatemala City. Can't get an appointment with her now since all the old gringos discovered her.