Boating is a delightful pastime that offers relaxation and the chance to connect with nature. However, it’s important to understand the etiquette around footwear on a boat to maintain the vessel’s condition, ensure personal safety, and respect the boat owner’s preferences. Below, we will explore reasons not to wear shoes on a boat, along with tips for appropriate footwear if going barefoot is not an option.
The Etiquette of Asking About Footwear
Before boarding a boat, it’s always polite to ask whether you should remove your footwear. While it’s generally safe to assume that you should take off your shoes, asking the boat owner or captain shows respect for their preferences and property. Often, you will see a mat or sign asking you to “Please Remove Your Shoes”. The response may vary depending on the type of boat and its flooring. Showing this courtesy helps build good relationships and underscores your respect for their vessel.
Protect the Deck
Shoes are often discouraged on boats to protect the deck. Many boats have non-skid flooring to prevent slipping, and shoes can cause scratches, dings, and other damage. Footwear with hard soles or sharp edges poses a particular risk, leading to costly repairs. Shoes with dark-colored soles can leave scuff marks on decks that can be hard to get off.
Many marinas have gravel parking areas or paths leading to docks. Shoes with open treads can pick up small rocks. The rocks can chip and scratch the gel coat or wooden decks and floors when walking around.
Boats with teak flooring are particularly prone to damage from footwear. The thin rubber grouting between the teak boards can be worn down or scuffed off by aggressive tread. Oily residue is common on docks, and dirty shoes can leave stains on expensive teak flooring, which, trust me, is a bear to get out. Going barefoot or sock foot reduces the likelihood of causing damage to the decking.
Keep the Boat Clean
Shoes can easily track dirt, mud, fish guts, and other contaminants onto the boat, especially after walking across a dock or marina. These can harm the boat’s floors and detract from its overall cleanliness and appearance. By removing shoes before stepping aboard, you help maintain a clean environment, which is especially important in high-traffic areas like the deck and cabin. Having a boat is a way to escape the tedium of housework. For boaters, vacuuming and cleaning carpets takes the “Pleasure” out of “Pleasure Boating!”
Tips for Wearing Shoes on a Boat
In some situations, such as colder weather or when walking on potentially abrasive surfaces, wearing shoes may be unavoidable. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that your footwear is boat-friendly.
Wear Boat Shoes or Non-Marking Soles
Boat shoes are specifically designed for marine environments. They’re often worn without socks and feature a unique lacing system to secure the heel, preventing the shoe from slipping off. If you don’t own boat shoes, clean-soled sneakers or rubber-soled sandals can be acceptable alternatives, provided they do not leave marks. Also, look for shoes with a gentle, compact tread that provides non-slip protection on wet decks and docks.
If you don’t have boat shoes, tennis or running shoes with light soles are a good choice. Look for shoes that can be easily taken on and off. This will make you more likely to remove them when boarding.
Avoid Dark-Soled Shoes
Dark-soled shoes, particularly those with hard rubber or leather soles, are likelier to leave scuff marks on the deck. Opt for shoes with light-colored, non-marking soles to prevent this type of damage and preserve the boat’s aesthetics and condition.
Also, try to avoid shoes with colored soles. Crocs-style shoes, while great for walking around on docks and in water, are frequently brightly colored, and the soft rubber they are made of will easily scrape off on non-skid decking. If you want to wear Crocs on board, look for styles that have white soles.
Keep Shoes Clean and Dry
Whether you’re wearing specialized boat footwear or another type of clean-soled shoe, ensure they’re free from dirt and water before boarding. This precaution helps minimize the risk of tracking unwanted debris or moisture onto the boat. If mats are positioned near the entrance, take a moment to wipe the bottom and sides of your shoes well.
Before boarding, please check the bottom of your shoes to ensure that no rocks or other debris are stuck in the tread.
Store Shoes Safely
After boarding, if you choose not to wear your shoes, please ensure that they are stored in a designated area. This will prevent them from becoming a trip hazard or getting damaged. On larger boats or yachts, a specific space is usually allocated for shoe storage. Also, if you leave your shoes on the dock and there is a chance of rain, ask for a plastic bag to put them in or carry them onboard and store them in a covered space.
Boat Show Etiquette
If you are visiting a boat show, you can be sure that you will need to remove your shoes before boarding. Many of the vessels you are viewing are being loaned to the manufacturers by owners, so you are going into someone’s water home. When attending a boat show, wear shoes that slip on and off. Here is where true boat shoes shine! They slip on and off easily and grip wet docks well. Also, Crocs-style slip-on shoes are great for walking around on docks as they are non-skid. Just be sure to leave them on the dock!
Boat Owners Can Make Guests Life Easier
As a boat owner, you can help your guests and yourself by making shoe removal easier.
- Provide a mat to stand on after removing shoes. Make sure it’s dry, especially in wet weather.
- Provide a chair or stool to sit on while removing or replacing shoes.
- Set a covered plastic bin next to the boarding area to store and protect shoes. Hint: Put a brick or other heavy object inside to keep it from blowing away.
- When bringing shoes onboard, especially sandy ones, place them in plastic shopping bags to keep debris from falling off.
- Keep a set of “boat only” shoes on board to change into. I use moccasin-style slippers with rubber soles as my onboard shoes. They were $12 at Walmart!
- If you have work done on your boat, put down plastic diamond-plate runners (Coverguard) to protect decks and floors. My mechanic always does this before starting work. I keep the plastic rolled up in the boat to use it myself for maintenance.
Check with the Yacht Owner
In certain situations, yacht owners may allow certain types of shoes based on their discretion and the specific areas of the boat. It’s best to confirm these details before your trip to ensure you follow established guidelines.
Following these simple practices can contribute to a safer, cleaner, and more pleasant boating experience for everyone involved. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time guest, understanding and respecting the norms around footwear on a boat reflects thoughtfulness and care for both the host and the vessel. Remember, don’t annoy the Captain! It can be a LONG swim back to the dock!
Bon voyage!
What is your boat shoe policy?
Let us know in the comments below! 
Leave a Comment