Deck Boots for Ocean Crossing

[RainbowBoy]

Hi All

I am shortly heading off to the southern hemisphere to complete a South Pacific crossing, then taking the opportunity to travel by more convention means across land.

With the view to travelling as lightly as possible, I wondered whether anyone could recommend some appropriate deck boots..?

I imagine I can wear deck shoes most the time, but was looking at short wellington boots (ie, not designed specifically for sailing but waterproof, cheap and can be left in the freebie box at the Yacht Club on the other end).

What do you reckon? Would these be appropriate?

Kind regards

RB

[Hobie_ind]

We spent 3 years in the Caribbean and the South Pacific including fall and spring (Southern Hemisphere) trips between New Zealand and Fiji.

Never once thought..... "I wish I had a pair of deck boots"

Barefoot for 97% of it on the boat. Deck shoes (actually cheap Converse knockoffs) for the remainder. One really cool morning bashing into weather on the trip down to NZ, I dug out a pair of GoreTex socks (yes... GoreTex) that I had and wore them over a light pair of socks inside regular deck shoes. Worked well.

For reference, here's what John and Amanda Neale from Mahina Expeditions give people when coming on their Tropical legs. It's also what I gave guests coming for crossings and it always worked well.

http://www.mahina.com/forms/SeaBagTR...Legsver117.pdf

Cheers,
Mark

[Jim Woodall]

Originally Posted by RainbowBoy

Hi All

I am shortly heading off to the southern hemisphere to complete a South Pacific crossing, then taking the opportunity to travel by more convention means across land.

With the view to travelling as lightly as possible, I wondered whether anyone could recommend some appropriate deck boots..?

I imagine I can wear deck shoes most the time, but was looking at short wellington boots (ie, not designed specifically for sailing but waterproof, cheap and can be left in the freebie box at the Yacht Club on the other end).

What do you reckon? Would these be appropriate?

Kind regards

RB

I have Gill deck boots that I really like. I have the short ones that go a few inches above my ankles, not the ones that go up close to mid-calf. They were not expensive, give me a good grip on deck, and are easy to store. I've manly used them in cool weather and offshore. There may be better options for strictly trade winds sailing in the tropics.

[JPA Cate]

The only foot gear I wear in the tropics are flops and cross trainers. I do own a pair of sea boots, for fishermen. It is not about style, for me, but about keeping my feet warm.

Not to argue, but the Mahaina list above has a lot of brand name, specialist gear listed. I would never insist a guest follow it. Maybe use it as a guide, but not a set of requirements!

We wear T shirts and shorts, or pedal pushers, mostly. If you're a girl, yes, a modest dress is a good idea some places.

I do not think you need any sea boots at all for a quick sail. If it rains, go barefoot. Dry and powder your feet, and slip on a light sock before hitting the sack. Yes you'll maybe feel cold on deck; and, you'll warm up fast. But it will only be one or two nights.

Since you will be doing land travel, what about hiking boots that you can waterproof? They'll give your feet more support than Wellies. You may benefit from long pants and long sleeves to keep off stickers, etc., and sunburn. Squashable sun hat.

Sunscreen and a pair of polarized sunglasses are necessities.

Since this is a completion, you already know what to do about the possibility of seasickness. Often one feels seasick the first time out after a long period on shore.

Enjoy.

Ann

[boatman61]

Concentrate on hiking boots for the land stuff..
Just dont wear them on deck..
Go cheap and lightweight with something you can happily toss on the other side.

[Hobie_ind]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Not to argue, but the Mahaina list above has a lot of brand name, specialist gear listed. I would never insist a guest follow it. Maybe use it as a guide, but not a set of requirements!

That was the intent when I sent it to friends coming to join us. A guideline. Those that hadn't sailed offshore before commented though that they found the specific references helpful in seeing what was meant.

Generally though it helped keep people coming with 3 or 4 hard suitcases crammed full of crap they didn't need! Like deck boots ;-)

[Tony_English]

Much of my ocean sailing had been racing in the Pacific. I loved my DuBarrys but they are too expensive to leave in a freebie box.
I would suggest what I use now days: a pair of Sperry or other tennis-type shoes and a couple of pair of water-proof socks (like seal skin or other brands). I use a pair of wicking hiking socks if it gets cold. Just keep the top of the water-proof socks above the hiking sock and they’ll stay pretty dry.

[Suijin]

Deck boots are great if it's going to be cold and rough. Otherwise they are sorta dead weight. I stopped taking them on trade wind crossings because I can't ever remember wearing them. Further in the temperate zone I'd not be caught dead without them.

[hamburking]

I bought a pair of GILL deck boots before an atlantic crossing. They were great. Totally recommend.

Its a short neoprene boot with a little zipper on the side. I paid about $40 cdn (on sale).

Wellies take up a tons of space. The GILL boots are neoprene, so they are light and pack small. They are super comfortable to wear. On the colder portions of the trip, my feet were warm and dry. And great grip on deck too. So all around, very happy with these. My only complaint would be that after a few hours, my feet would be kinda clammy inside the boots, and then they were tough to remove....but I think maybe that would be resolved if I had gone up one size.

If you want to go even lighter/cheaper.... consider a "kayak boot". I bought my daughter a pair of these for laser sailing, and she loves them. They are pretty much the same as my Gill boots, but shorter, lighter, no zipper.

[knockabout]

ronstan sook boots for when the temperature drops / you may need gloves and a beanie for night watches / depends on where you are going 4 layers of thermal underwear may also be needed (sometimes all worn at once)

[roland stockham]

Clogs, 2 pairs. But not the super cheap ones, the real ones last much longer. If you are going far enough south to need warm for night watch ad a pair of Gortex socks. None breathing footware tends to lead to fungus infection in the tropics.

[Siberian Sea]

I like the brands "Xtra-Tuff" or the "Grundens Deck Boss". Both are standard boots we wear on deck commercial fishing in Alaska. I have a pair on my sailboat for times of extreme foul weather or slogging across muddy beaches.

[Basil]

Sailed in the region, never worn shoes boots etc,
Currently in the Far East region it is very bad manners to wear any type of footwear on anyone’s yacht ( including super yachts etc)

[maxingout]

I never used deck boots in our circumnavigation and I never missed them.

That being said, if I was going to get a pair of deck boots, I would use zip up neoprene ones that I use for kayaking. They have extremely tough soles and would work well as reef walkers. And if I ever get in a big storm then they would provide a degree of protection to my feet as well. I have had rope burns to the big toe, and if I had used my kayaking boots, that injury would not have happened.

[conchaway]

I wouldn't buy anything from Sperry. They've gone cheap quality. I bought a pair of "America's Cup" sailing shoes. They felt narrow and flimsy. After a few
light wearings, the material on top has started showing signs of breaking down.