When we bought our first cruising boat, we were a little surprised to open a locker and find a pair of basketball knee pads. Well, the previous owner was tall . . .
We soon learned that we kneeled to change the oil, Cetol (later Semco) the teak, work on the engine, put away the canned goods, work on the windlass and more.
We also learned that knee pads were a great idea, but we both were less than enthusiastic about the basketball-style ones that had been left aboard. They tended to slide down whenever we stood and dug in uncomfortably when we kneeled. Well, duh . . . they weren’t designed for what we were doing.
We eventually got a different — and much better — pair in a Mexican hardware store. Of course, that pair stayed with Que Tal when we sold her.
On one of our very first trips to Home Depot to get things for Barefoot Gal (our current boat), Dave spotted a similar pair of knee pads and stuck them in the cart.
It was a great call. He used them a number of times while we were still in the yard and he was kneeling on deck to check things out. And I used them as I kneeled on deck to rejuvenate our windows. Kneeling even on a smooth surface gets hard on the knees, but kneeling on nonskid is downright painful from the start!
Trying to troubleshoot our engine woes and now helping to rebuild the diesel, those knee pads have seen even more use.
I asked Dave if he’d recommend the ones he got and his answer was a resounding YES. His reasons:
- The two elastic straps make it easier to get a comfortable fit than ones with a single strap. The single strap ones tend to fall down or be so tight as to be uncomfortable.
- The hard outside surface holds up well on the rough nonskid and doesn’t leave marks.
- One size fits all means that we can both use the same pair. They also can be worn over jeans or just on bare legs.
- For what he (we) has been doing, the foam padding is sufficient and much less expensive than the ones with gel padding. It’s also a lot lighter weight. (NOTE: Gel padding tends to be called “professional grade” or labeled as for flooring professionals, plumbers, carpenters, etc.)
His are made by McGuire Nicholas, model 1DM-354, and are available at Home Depot for about $10:
- See on Home Depot web site (can check stores near you for availability or have shipped to a store for free)
Or you can get almost the same ones on Amazon (top strap is a clip instead of Velcro — Dave says he thinks it’d be better as he has to clean dirt and lint out of the Velcro at times):
We both prefer the knee pads  to using a carpet scrap or old pillow, as they move around with you. But we do use a piece of carpet and an old pillow “rescued” from the dumpster to pad our back and ribs when working in open lockers and leaning on that hard edge.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Trish Vitaz says
knee pads were our best purchase!! Made life SO much easier!!
Cindi Forrester Blackledge says
DH never goes down into engine room without them!
Andrew Mcp says
As someone with 5 years as a sailmaker, kneepads are highly recommended. Smart of you to use them.
Bill says
after a week in a DIY yard, on an all gravel surface, I’ll never do without them.
Lisa Kirchenheiter says
From the dual purpose file- my husband uses my kick board that I bought at the Publix in Palmetto, FL as a knee cushion. The guys at Snead Island Boat Works appreciated it too!
Allan Cobb says
I like the gardening knee pads. You can find them at any store with a gardening center or Amazon. I keep a large one and a couple of the narrow ones on the boat. They are handy for use under the elbow or to pad you hip or other body parts while in awkward, contorted positions. You can also sit on them.
http://amzn.to/1Q5iMBj
Diane says
We have a foam yoga mat that we use for the rib, hip or back cushion when working on projects. Years ago I bought Croc knee pads (like the Croc shoes)….the straps were not comfortable. They do cushion well though.
Kristi Cilles says
A must have after a certain age! And not to imply we are getting old, but after doing so much work our knees deserve the break!
Cheryl Buckner says
We are new to learning about sailing and I love all these helpful tips. I never would have thought of this and yet I’m sure it makes a world of difference! Thanks!!
Cheryl Buckner says
Hope you get your motor working soon!
john lincoln says
Having had both my knees replaced I use knee pads a lot. I suggest the
Custom Leathercraft 361 Ultraflex Non-Skid Kneepads
by Custom Leathercraft as being the best I have found. They are soft on the outside as well as on the knees so there is no skidding. Amazon sells them for around $17.
Wayne says
I had a pair of knee pads with hard pads and I slide around the deck to easily. I prefer something that has a little grip and love these
http://amzn.to/2eSVPl0
Kathy Orr says
We have a gardening foam pad for kneeling. My husband had knee replacement surgery and cannot kneel on that knee at all without the pad. Since it’s flat it stores easily next to one of our captain’s chairs.
Bob Grant says
I have used knee pads for over 35 years at work and play. I prefer the ones with the single wide strap on the bottom. I have good mobility and no bunching up behind the knees. My calves are big enough that the strap does not slip down. At work they go over blue jeans and coveralls. hard shell for really uneven or gravel and soft for relatively smooth surfaces.. Home Depot has the style I like as well.