Going slightly off topic im afraid, but this is good. Save yourself from trench feet, simply wrap your feet with a layers of newspaper before pulling on your footwear.

I wore these Burkes on Kayle for the Southport delivery two weekends back. It was blowing up to 40 kts and we got quite wet with spray and greenies.
My feet froze.
These shoes ARE NOT wetsuit material, just an absorbent material that doesn't hold the water to warm it up like a wetsuit does.
Also, because they don't have a heel they are uncomfortable if you are on your feet for considerable periods e.g. helming.
They do grip well.
Get something decent. These are useless for keeping your feet warm or dry or for stranding for extended periods.

Hi all

Thanks for the comments so far

Morningbird the comments you have made might not necessarily be a bad thing for the racing I do

I don't stand up much at all as my main role on the boat is headsail / spinnaker trimmer so the lack of a heel is not a major drama

I spend most of my time kneeling on the cockpit seat over the winch and when I have trimmed the sail I normally have to climb across the sloping cockpit from leeward to windward to sit on the rail so grip is important

The reason I want shoes over boots is the boat is only a 32 footer and it is easier to get legs with shoes under the lifelines and out again than it is with boots on

A lot of the time I will be on the rail and the skipper will decide to tack in a lull and I have to quickly move across a sloping cockpit to get back to release my winch so again good grip is needed

Also when we gybe the spinnaker (end for end the pole) in high winds normally go up on the foredeck to help the forward hand to reattach the pole to the mast ring so again grip is important

As far as cold wet feet in the Huon where 75 percent of our races are held the water is fairly flat even in 30-40 knot winds so we don't normally get wet feet but in the pipe opener we race from Hobart down the channel to Gordon at night and it can get a bit lumpy at times and we can end up a bit wet but we normally finish racing around midnight so I can take the wet shoes off and put something dry on for the 3 hour run up the Huon to home at Port Huon

In the later race (cock of the Huon) in the Huon that afternoon I will probably wear my Volleys and not the Burkes

When I sail on my boat I normally just wear Crocs,my Volleys or if the weather is dodgy my work gumboots so the Burkes would really only be used for the Channel races half a dozen times a year

Ramona I doubt my wife would approve of $359 boots as she had a bit of a spit when I spent $40 getting a water activated strobe light for my Stormy

Again thanks for the feedback so far

Regards Don

Donk107 said..
Hi all

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with these http://www.burkemarine.com.au/product.php?prod_id=19

I am looking for something to wear in a night race where I will probably spend some time on the rail and normally I wear volleys but last year I ended up with wet feet and soggy volleys

Following the night race we have a afternoon race the same day and I don't really want to be starting the afternoon race with wet volleys

I am interested in the style because I want something that allows me to move around the boat quickly and I think that boots would limit this

Part of the attraction is that they are not that expensive

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Regards Don

I had a Salthouse sloop with lots of deck to cover and lots of things to stub your toes on, especially at night. They are good to move in, good non-slip and cheap.
I was sailing Gold Coast and north so temperatures were good but I do agree that they will N0T keep your feet warm! Protect your toenails....yes, they're OK.
They need to be dried out thoroughly or the smell from them means that the cockpit is sometimes uninhabitable....definitely aft deck storage IMO.

Hi

HG02 said..

Donk107 said..
Hi all

Went to a little chandlery today to pick up my Burke Southerly Trousers and they had 1 dusty pair of these on the shelf without a price tag on them

Tried them on and they fitted so I asked the man in the shop how much they were

He could not find a price so he phoned his boss and the boss said $10

I decided that at this price they were worth a try so I will give them a go and see what happens

Regards Don

Is that what you told your wife Donk $10

Hi HG

Nope I could tell the truth

$10 were all they cost me

Regards Don