Yacht Shoe Bins

Straw or wicker basket from TJMaxx

Yep, wicker basket every time.

.......except at the F1 Grand Prix in Monaco, were one of the Drivers tied all the shoelaces together and then under the Limo of the chief sponsor. Yes, as he was driven away, ping, ping, ping went the shoes up the dock.

Pier 1 sells a oval wicker basket with a chalk board on the front. Come with the chalk too.

I'd hunt down a plastic milk case (10 bucks to a grocery stock boy should do the trick) doesn't get water logged, fade in the sun, etc. maybe not as glamorous but far more functional.

We wrote SHOES on our little chalkboard and found it very effective for all who came on board. We left the boat for several weeks so we changed the chalkboard to wine and when we returned found 3 bottles of nice reds.

The plastic milk crate would be good on a steel, commercial boat. Doubt the commercial guys remove their boots anyway with all the cables and tools...

Too bad that was not suggested sooner. We could have saved the two hours we spent at Brumos last month

Get your canvas people to sew up pockets and mount them on the side rail.

Since generally our soles are no longer teak or varnished wood, the walls are no longer varnished mahogany or paint, fewer women are coming to boats in high heels, nor men in polished black wingtips, why are we still obcessed with people taking off their shoes on our boats? Plus most guests on boats these days wear steakers or boat shoes. Of course, if they happen to wear metal taps like a tap dancer it's another story, but these days I'm more concerned with guests slipping while wearing bare socks against fiberglass or breaking bones by stubbing their toes. Bare feet carry more dirt than most shoes, and they sweat on the carpets and floors. Then there's fungus, athelete's foot and such. Would you have your guests remove their shoes when entering your home? Maybe handing out Tyvec booties should be considered for those who foolishly put white carpet on their boats or just a good mat at the entrance so guests can wipe off their shoes.

why are we still obsessed with people taking off their shoes on our boats? Plus most guests on boats these days wear sneakers or boat shoes...
Running shoes or similar will leave black skid marks on your decks. Soft soles, deck or not, that are worn around town are full of little bits that are tracked into your saloon. Shoes are a conduit for exotic critters entering your vessel.

Still easier to clean up than blood or fungus.

We are with you. While we respect those who don't allow shoes in their homes or on their boats, we just think floors and decks are made to be walked on and shoes are fine. We do warn all our guests however that hard soled shoes for men and heels for women represent a safety risk and shouldn't be worn, simply because there is often water present. As to clean shoes, we have a mat at the gate. Most people we know are courteous enough and well trained enough not to enter a house or boat with muddy shoes. And when we're going out somewhere fancy the girls all put their 4" and 6" heels on as they leave the boat. Honestly we have all forms of dress and undress on the boat.

There was a time when decks and walls were painted or varnished wood, and people wore hard-soled shoes, taps, silver tips and spurs. Today we wear comfortable shoes and our decks and soles are fiberglass, ruberized immitation teak or carpet. I've also broken more bones on boats than I can count, and most of those were on my feet. I'm all for tradition, but it's 2014. Let's be comfortable and safe. I'll vacuum my carpets, and magic eraser takes scuff marks off easily enough. I don't even mind if the girls wear shoes with 'all forms of undress'.

Here is where I will comment that the coolest thing that I have ever wasted $500 on is a Dyson DC59 Motorhead cordless vacuum cleaner. It gets almost as much use aboard my boat as the icemaker. Both gadgets are highly recommended - buy the Dyson first.