What's in a name? help!..
- Thread starter RussC
- Start date
It took much research of many data bases to find a name I liked for my boat that no other boat had as far as I could tell.
Back in the 70's I used Haleakala, which was 'house of the sun' (apropos for a tropical cruising boat) in Hawaiian, but there's lots of them now.
I like it when a name is unique and has some personal meaning to the owners (I've actually gone over to an anchored boat to ask the meaning of a name), yet is easy to communicate on the radio, IMO. Often there can be several boats with the same name in an anchorage, and I find that laughable. In Jolly Harbor a year or so back, there were THREE YOLO's anchored within several hundred yards of one another, all from different countries!
Back in the 70's I used Haleakala, which was 'house of the sun' (apropos for a tropical cruising boat) in Hawaiian, but there's lots of them now.
I like it when a name is unique and has some personal meaning to the owners (I've actually gone over to an anchored boat to ask the meaning of a name), yet is easy to communicate on the radio, IMO. Often there can be several boats with the same name in an anchorage, and I find that laughable. In Jolly Harbor a year or so back, there were THREE YOLO's anchored within several hundred yards of one another, all from different countries!
Stick with one word names, or at least shorten the syllables....We named our boat Moe U'Hane (hawaiin for dreams) and while the story was nice we explained it a LOT and in the end shortened it in reference to just "Moe" . We got lots of nicknames from that as well: more heiny, moe who who whatsy?, and wet dreams. Simple is better.
I just now looked in the "10,000 boat names" list out of curiosity: "Silent Running" (my favorite at the moment) is listed as having 4 other boats with that name. Sails Tax and Aye-Pod each show just one, but Passing Wind has 11 boats listed. Hummmm.
Russ
I saw the movie Silent Running once and I liked it. Does that make me a member of a cult? I wonder where the robot/droid and the landscape are now.
My thoughts are as follows: If you like the name, choose it. If it has some significance to you then all the more reason to choose it. Artistically, will the name fit well onto the transom?
My thoughts are as follows: If you like the name, choose it. If it has some significance to you then all the more reason to choose it. Artistically, will the name fit well onto the transom?
Of the 4, Silent Running is the only one I like at all. The others all have negative connotations to me. But whatever you choose make sure you love it. Whether we like it or not.
sure. you can be a member if you like . Louie was lost into space, Huey was powered down because of internal damage and Dewey is still out in space, inside the dome, taking care of the forest. Open space is rather limited on my transom, which is why the longer names are offset as they are in the pic. I have a kicker on one side and ladder on the other, with rudder in between. the name will go between the upper ladder extensions. in about an 8"x10" space.
I think "Sails Tax" is kind of cute ...BUT!!!!
The "tax" should be spelled "tack" or "tacks" if you want to keep the sailing reference.
I agree with the fart faux pas.... and it is just such a common name.... almost as bad as second wind... (which was the name of my current boat when I got her)
The "tax" should be spelled "tack" or "tacks" if you want to keep the sailing reference.
I agree with the fart faux pas.... and it is just such a common name.... almost as bad as second wind... (which was the name of my current boat when I got her)
I am with Jackdaw. "Silent Running" of the four is the only one I would vote for. Though with rgranger's point "Sails Tacks" is better that just "Sails Tax".
Your boat your choice. Whimsical, personal meaning or whatever, but crude or an affront to the deities never. No self respecting boat will tolerate that. Poseidon will exact his revenge.
Why our opinions would be important to you is beyond me, but since you asked…
I hate puns for boat names. They present themselves as clever, but very few are subtle enough to contain any actual wit.
Silent Running is not so much a pun as it is softly recognizing a primary quality of a sailing- vs. a motor vessel. It has a certain charm in that respect that is not marred by broad humor, adolescent sexual allusions, or the flat-out pun (Do you see what I did with the word "sea"?)
Go for it.
I hate puns for boat names. They present themselves as clever, but very few are subtle enough to contain any actual wit.
Silent Running is not so much a pun as it is softly recognizing a primary quality of a sailing- vs. a motor vessel. It has a certain charm in that respect that is not marred by broad humor, adolescent sexual allusions, or the flat-out pun (Do you see what I did with the word "sea"?)
Go for it.
Just shows that there are at least 11 stupid people who have no taste.
PHLAAAAHT.
PHLAAAAHT.
.............but Passing Wind has 11 boats listed. Hummmm.
Actually I did have it that way on my "possible alternate" list, but wondered how many people would get the point.
BTW: I don't recall ever making any assertion of being classy.
It's all just for fun anyway, in my book. Russ
Just remember whatever you name it, when someone is hailing you on the vhf the proper protocol is for them to say your name 3 times. If it can't be said clearly three times in succession without getting all tongue twisted avoid it.
Otherwise pick a name that has some connection or meaning to you. Avoid tacky and names that are what we call too cute by 1/2.
Otherwise pick a name that has some connection or meaning to you. Avoid tacky and names that are what we call too cute by 1/2.
I searched many sites to see if my boat name was listed and never found it anywhere. I spent a few months thinking and researching and running the name past my wife and kids and with their blessing, I made the choice.