No shoe rule on boat ?

[garbageguy]

Yep, safety first - but your boat, your rules (and liability, even if not in the legal sense)

 

[Alumarine]

You no shoe guys must not boat in cool, cold or inclement weather.
I might draw the line if the shoes had cleats. But maybe not if it was icy.

 

[JimS123]

I have a 20 year old boat (bought used 5 years ago) and being 20 years old, I let people wear shoes in it, let dogs have fun in it, don't cry when it bounces off the dock and don't cry when it gets beached on pebble shorelines as well. And, even allow them to eat and accidently drop food crumbs on its floor as well. IMO, "used = have fun". That's the rule with my boat.

My boat is on it's 32nd season. There is not a single scratch on the hull, nor even the slightest imperfection on the upholstery. If I were satisfied with a dinged up boat, or didn't care, I would have bought second hand.

My first boat was a home built wooden runabout. I slaved building that craft and wouldn't let anybody wear shoes on it either.

My kids were taught the value of a dollar and shown that if you take care of something it can last forever.

My wife has a no-shoes sign at the back door, and we have hand made woll booties to loan you if your feet stink that bad.....LOL.

My boat, my rules, if you don't like it spend your own money to buy a boat.

REAL Boat shoes are OK, and Great Grandma gets a pass....

 

[Oshkosh1]

I find myself in it with no shoes more often when it's at home. If I'm out on the lake, I've also got my swim shoes to wear. As others have stated, I've seen(and felt) some pretty bad injuries due to not wearing them around a dock. Put a big splinter through your foot and that'll be that for the day...

 

[WIMUSKY]

You no shoe guys must not boat in cool, cold or inclement weather.
I might draw the line if the shoes had cleats. But maybe not if it was icy.

That's funny. Yeah, sometimes it's so cold you don't have to worry about jiggin'. You'll be shaking so much the hypothermia setting in will do it for you....

 

[thumpar]

I guess some of it will have to do with boat type and conditions. I don't boat unless it is mid 70's+ and it is a bowrider just for family fun.If it was a a center console or some type of fishing boat going out in the chilly weather it would be different.

 

[oldjeep]

There is only one exception to the no shoe rule on my boat - my mom. Pretty rare that she has been in it, but similar exception would be allowed for any older person. Other than that, it is a water sport boat, take off your shoes and don't get crap on my seats. Shoes get carried on and put in one of the compartments.

 

[dingbat]

Guess I'm lucky. Everyone I boat with is aware that you wear non-marking, rubber soled shoes on non-skid decks for safety purposes. A little rough on the feet otherwise

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Anyone here ever heard of boat shoes? No marking soles and usually kept on the boat.

 

[Oshkosh1]

We probably fish some of the same lakes up in the "northwoods"...I have a place just west of Rhinelander and love to do late season fishing up there. In that case, BOOTS rather than shoes are sometimes worn...

In my fishing boat, shoes are mandatory..

That's funny. Yeah, sometimes it's so cold you don't have to worry about jiggin'. You'll be shaking so much the hypothermia setting in will do it for you....

 

[WIMUSKY]

We probably fish some of the same lakes up in the "northwoods"...I have a place just west of Rhinelander and love to do late season fishing up there. In that case, BOOTS rather than shoes are sometimes worn...

In my fishing boat, shoes are mandatory..

I'm even further north. North of Hayward... Ever hit the Big Chip?

 

[oldjeep]

I'm even further north. North of Hayward... Ever hit the Big Chip?

Land of the root beer colored water

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I have a shoe rule too. You must wear them on my boat. We use the boat primarily for fishing and I know there are hooks lost in the carpet and a hook in the foot will make more of a bloody mess than anything. And I have found more than 1 screw start to back out on the floor. Plus we would have to cut short the trip. Now I don't have a white floor either or people crawling across my furniture. But for safety purposes I would sure make certain everyone wore footwear. Isn't that what deck shoes are for? Just ask guests to wear deck shoes. And yes aspeck flip flops are worse than no shoes for sure. Wouldn't a solid floor in whatever colour get Blast Furnace Cast House hot on bare feet?

I watch Judge Judy I don't want to be found liable or be called a liar by her.

 

[Oshkosh1]

No...I stay up on and around the Oneida/Vilas/Forest/Lincoln county lakes, rivers and streams. I live on Lake Winnebago(2nd house up north) so I have plenty of water to run around on down here as well...

I'm even further north. North of Hayward... Ever hit the Big Chip?

 

[lineman09]

i keep boat dedicated aqua socks on my boat for swimming and walking on the boat ... street shoes get taken off once aboard !!!

 

[WIMUSKY]

No...I stay up on and around the Oneida/Vilas/Forest/Lincoln county lakes, rivers and streams. I live on Lake Winnebago(2nd house up north) so I have plenty of water to run around on down here as well...

Big Sturgeon!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Big Sturgeon!

Yep...hard water "fishing" at it's best. Cooler needed to keep the beer warm enough to drink rather than eat with a spoon!lol!

On the subject at hand; I once was fishing on "Oatmeal Lake"(about 1982) near Sugar Camp. I had caught a good size snake(Northern Pike) and my stringer was so full of crappie I pulled it in the boat where it started snapping. My friend Russ didn't have shoes and ended up with a few little teeth embeded into his big toe. Well....I was hitting it with a muskie bat and he jumped out. I laughed so hard I almost fell out as well. He's floating there hanging on to the side of the boat as I finally got the thing subdued when he started yelling again. This time he swore a Gar or something was nipping at his already bleeding feet.

Ahhh...memories!lol!

Pleasure boat; Shoes optional but recommended. Fishing boat; Required.

 

[airdvr1227]

I wish I had a boat that was new enough and pretty enough for me to be concerned about footwear. I used to sell boats. We took a Baja in on trade once that had nice decals at the port and stbd side..."Naked Feet Only".

 

[Quick3201]

Been on both sides of this issue. As a young owner of a new boat, I preferred non marking deck shoes on "my" boat. Most of my guest had no idea of boat etiquette and wore hard sole or rubber sole shoes. I had two choices; be a hard ass or have less stress. My current boats are a 1974 and a 1980. Old enough that there is no stress about looks although they still look good. Both are used for cruising up and down the waterway, fishing and fun. I would hate to have a brand new boat, way too much stress. I have been known to hit the dock too hard, run aground, leave the plug out, drop the anchor on the deck. You get the picture. Older, wiser, more mellow. Bourbon will do that. (not on the water)

 

[muskyfins]

In the end it's more about boating with people who respect your property. I've seen people with shoes on leave nary a mark and I've had barefoot people standing on seats, using the bimini top as a handrail, and royally clogging the head.

Also, delivery is everything. My brother has a no shoes policy on his boats, but he is a smug *&#! about it. It's just not fun. I rarely step foot on his boat.

For me, on the fishing boat, shoes are required. Musky hooks in the foot are a problem. Plus I want passengers to be sure footed in heavy waves, inclement weather, general tripping in close quarters, or setting the hook on a 50" fish. On the cruiser do what makes you comfortable, but respect my vessel. Feet stay on the floor. No climbing on seats or using the gunwale as a foot rest, Sit on your butt, not your shoes or knees. Watch sharp objects in pockets. Disrespect is a sure fire way to never be invited again.

I don't really see what all the fuss is about. (although I do agree the captain makes the rules) Most boats have carpeted **** pits, many boats, the carpet comes out for easy cleaning and the carpet is generally very durable. But no red wine or pomegranate juice. And no glass bottles.