Welcome “John and Sandi”.
Check out our PacificNW Cruising forum.
The naming ceremony has many variations. It generally involves asking the gods of wind and sea to check the list of names. Remove the old name and bless the new name. At times owners have written the old name on paper. Shaped the paper into an origami boat, set the boat on fire and launched the boat on the sea. This has a bit of Viking heritage to it. To honor the gods one is called to make a sacrifice. Here it can get a little weird. Various offerings have been suggested. A virgin, some fine wine, sage or many other possible ideas. Some, especially in the NW, have asked a shaman to join in.
A statement or chant announcing the new name. Be sure to address the winds as a sailboat needs to be on good terms with the winds Accompany the naming with an adult beverage and sharing a little with the god of the sea. A little music. A little dance all enliven the experience.
Those are the broad strokes. Make the event your own. Naming a boat is a special experience.
Fair winds.
John