Boat names - what are yours, why?
- Thread starter Kestrel
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My wife Debbie and I met in college as Chemistry majors. Following graduation, marriage and the house we decided to buy our own boat after sailing for years with friends. Our choice in name was Alchemie as it seemed to incorporate two letters of each of our names and our professions. Also a switch on the old alchemist's search to convert lead into gold...we got it backwards and converted our gold (money) into lead (keel). Have to try that one again sometime and hopefully, get it right.
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We had no imagination and had seen bad karma from boats named precarious up on the rocks. We settled on Mist. All of our boats have the same name. No imagination I know.
My first boat, a Rainbow 24, was named BloMe, mostly because it annoyed the serious sailors, the local DNR, and the group of guys that I owned it with treated it like a frat house. We never did get the beer cans out from underneath the cockpit floor.
The Hunter 30 I have now is in need of a name change. Audacious will either be called Higher Porpoise, or Inconceivable!
I don't have a name for my powerboat, but I don't think I care about that.
The Hunter 30 I have now is in need of a name change. Audacious will either be called Higher Porpoise, or Inconceivable!
I don't have a name for my powerboat, but I don't think I care about that.
Boat names and reasons for those names do vary widely. I do prefer a simple and memorable name that flows easily off the tongue and to the ears over the radio.
Our first boat arrived with the name "Labrador Crossing". I liked the sound of it but it did not mean anything to me. I had been widowed several years earlier and had the desire to rename it after my deceased wife with whom I shared my first sailing experiences. But I had recently remarried another wonderful woman, I knew I needed another name.
At first the O'Day 19 was left un-named. We then got a Capri 22 (originally named "Princess"). My second wife had recently adopted a little kitten. We were under the impression the kitten was a female and named her "Ophelia" after the song by The Band. After the first veterinarian visit, we learned that the kitten was not a "she", but a "he". He was promptly renamed "Pippin" from "Lord of the Rings" as suggested by my daughter. Pippin has had a "tendency" to spontaneously attack us for just a moment. We assumed he was suffering from some gender-identity issues due to us initially naming him "Ophelia".
But "Ophelia" was too good of a name not to use. We named the Capri 22 "Ophelia" and the O'Day 19 became "Pippin". The ceremony consisted of "sticking the letters on in the right order". I don't worry about superstition. Although I do appreciate a good ceremony with "beverages! (The O'Day now belongs to my nephew and it came with his aunt's name rather than "Pippin" - got my wish.)
The Cape Dory 25 we are just finishing (starting) restoring will have the name "Aignéis" (Gaelic spelling for Agnes - same pronunciation). It honors my present wife's mother but with the irish spelling of her father's ancestry.
There are many stories in naming boats and other things. Enjoy the fun. I know I will have to explain the spelling of "Aignéis", but it will be easily recognized over the airwaves.
Our first boat arrived with the name "Labrador Crossing". I liked the sound of it but it did not mean anything to me. I had been widowed several years earlier and had the desire to rename it after my deceased wife with whom I shared my first sailing experiences. But I had recently remarried another wonderful woman, I knew I needed another name.
At first the O'Day 19 was left un-named. We then got a Capri 22 (originally named "Princess"). My second wife had recently adopted a little kitten. We were under the impression the kitten was a female and named her "Ophelia" after the song by The Band. After the first veterinarian visit, we learned that the kitten was not a "she", but a "he". He was promptly renamed "Pippin" from "Lord of the Rings" as suggested by my daughter. Pippin has had a "tendency" to spontaneously attack us for just a moment. We assumed he was suffering from some gender-identity issues due to us initially naming him "Ophelia".
But "Ophelia" was too good of a name not to use. We named the Capri 22 "Ophelia" and the O'Day 19 became "Pippin". The ceremony consisted of "sticking the letters on in the right order". I don't worry about superstition. Although I do appreciate a good ceremony with "beverages! (The O'Day now belongs to my nephew and it came with his aunt's name rather than "Pippin" - got my wish.)
The Cape Dory 25 we are just finishing (starting) restoring will have the name "Aignéis" (Gaelic spelling for Agnes - same pronunciation). It honors my present wife's mother but with the irish spelling of her father's ancestry.
There are many stories in naming boats and other things. Enjoy the fun. I know I will have to explain the spelling of "Aignéis", but it will be easily recognized over the airwaves.
Being a Moody Blues fan, I named it Threshold of a Dream. Opens up a door to things worth dreaming about.
Re: what "olo" means
I think that your son gave the best name possible to your boat, as "olo" in Greek means "all" or "everything". And that's true, there isn't any other feeling like as sailing.
My boat's name is "Casta Diva", from Bellini's opera as she is an italian beauty, a Grand Soleil 343, which I keep in perfect conditions.
I think that your son gave the best name possible to your boat, as "olo" in Greek means "all" or "everything". And that's true, there isn't any other feeling like as sailing.
My boat's name is "Casta Diva", from Bellini's opera as she is an italian beauty, a Grand Soleil 343, which I keep in perfect conditions.
Named after a place we love
After great thought of what to name our boat, we decided on "Lil Provo". We frequently visit Turks and Caicos and love Providenciales. This is a great island with beautiful Grace Bay and great scuba diving. The island is referred to as Provo. Being we use our boat as a get away, we decided to call her Lil Provo after the nick name of the island. Now when we go sailing we feel like we are back in Provo sailing or diving. Our vessel name reflects a love of a specific island.
After great thought of what to name our boat, we decided on "Lil Provo". We frequently visit Turks and Caicos and love Providenciales. This is a great island with beautiful Grace Bay and great scuba diving. The island is referred to as Provo. Being we use our boat as a get away, we decided to call her Lil Provo after the nick name of the island. Now when we go sailing we feel like we are back in Provo sailing or diving. Our vessel name reflects a love of a specific island.
Boat names
My ODay 322 is named Alibi. I bought it with that moniker and didn't see the need to change it. She certainly is my alibi for getting away from home and going sailing. I did, however, decide to name my 6.5 foot fiberglass dinghy to "Little White Lie".
My ODay 322 is named Alibi. I bought it with that moniker and didn't see the need to change it. She certainly is my alibi for getting away from home and going sailing. I did, however, decide to name my 6.5 foot fiberglass dinghy to "Little White Lie".
Boat Names
I've named our boat Las Seis Chiquitas. Why? The boat is a labor of love that took me away from my daughters and wife a lot while I was busy working on it. Why the Six Little Girls in Spanish? Because it kind of the second language around here and it meant something to a couple of my daughters. I do love watching frigate birds, pelicans, waves, sails billowing in the wind and the like but I love my family, so why not Las Seis Chiquitas?
I've named our boat Las Seis Chiquitas. Why? The boat is a labor of love that took me away from my daughters and wife a lot while I was busy working on it. Why the Six Little Girls in Spanish? Because it kind of the second language around here and it meant something to a couple of my daughters. I do love watching frigate birds, pelicans, waves, sails billowing in the wind and the like but I love my family, so why not Las Seis Chiquitas?
My first boat was "Buttercup". (Was a bright yellow 16' AFC).
Was the previous owners name for her.
(He was an old salt that told me it's BAD luck to change the name?? Being a newbie, I figured he knew what he was talking about, after all he was a real SAILOR!).
When I got her home my friends started to call me "Captain B-Cup".
So I shorten her name to that.
Figured
1. It was still the the orginal name (kinda of)
2, It was a SMALL boat hence "B" cup.
I christened her with a bottle of "Full Sail Beer". (P.O. owner's wife gave me a bottle as a present)
"B-Cup" sailed well all season got me out of many a jam, a seasoned boat with a rookie captain to be sure!
My current boat is called "Knot-A-Klue II, dunno why.
But, I'm gonna rename her, "Fever Dream" (another chrisitening, if I can find "Full Sail Beer" again
In '88 I was racing motocross (motorcycles) full time and broken my leg badly in a fall.
That night in the "hot-pistol", I had a high fever and dreamed of sailing, (never had the urge to sail or be on a sail boat til that night).
That dream and idea has stuck with me until last spring when I stepped off the dock and into this new adventure.
So "Fever Dream"
Joe
So many places to sail, so few $$
Was the previous owners name for her.
(He was an old salt that told me it's BAD luck to change the name?? Being a newbie, I figured he knew what he was talking about, after all he was a real SAILOR!).
When I got her home my friends started to call me "Captain B-Cup".
So I shorten her name to that.
Figured
1. It was still the the orginal name (kinda of)
2, It was a SMALL boat hence "B" cup.
I christened her with a bottle of "Full Sail Beer". (P.O. owner's wife gave me a bottle as a present)
"B-Cup" sailed well all season got me out of many a jam, a seasoned boat with a rookie captain to be sure!
My current boat is called "Knot-A-Klue II, dunno why.
But, I'm gonna rename her, "Fever Dream" (another chrisitening, if I can find "Full Sail Beer" again
In '88 I was racing motocross (motorcycles) full time and broken my leg badly in a fall.
That night in the "hot-pistol", I had a high fever and dreamed of sailing, (never had the urge to sail or be on a sail boat til that night).
That dream and idea has stuck with me until last spring when I stepped off the dock and into this new adventure.
So "Fever Dream"
Joe
So many places to sail, so few $$
Our last two boats have been named "Anemone" which means windflower. 7 letters are supposed to be lucky for sailboats and more so if you have a double vowel together as in "Tootsie". We have also had "Eclipse" and "Panache". The one boat we bought used had 6 letters which we didn't change and that boat never cut it.
This is my new favorite boat name story.
However, my favorite amusing boat name that needs no back story to be appreciated is still Never Again II.
My Boat was named Picasso Moon when I bought her,didn't change the name due to the held belief that changing a name will result in bad luck.Could be,a fellow sailor after 3 years of very sucsessful first place wins,changed his boats name,has not won a race since.
Boat was named originally (first owner in 2003) KIDZ R GONE, and after a month or two, decided - so I was told - the boat was too small, and traded it for a new Hunter 36, which he promptly named KIDZ R GONE as well. Next name was SAIL MATES and - same story - after a season, second owner traded for new (?) larger Hunter and named that SAIL MATES as well. Third owner - well, you know the story by now - named the boat FREE BIRD, and after a short season...well there was a brand new Hunter 36 named FREE BIRD. (Do you think he liked Lynyrd Skynyrd?)
When I bought it, I was too lazy to change the name...and I thought it was cool. (I just had the local sign guy in Deltaville who does most of the boat names just change the hailing port to Mount Vernon, VA from Deltaville.)
FREE BIRD ( the 2003 30' Hunter 306) was just relocated by truck from VA to the Choctawhatchee Bay in November 2011, where it now has a new home in the Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville, FL.
(And guys (& gals) I really really wanted to sail her from the Potomac to the Choctawhatchee, but when I considered that by the time I got to Port St. Lucie to begin across Florida (estimated a 20-30 days travel down the ICW) I would only be about 2/3 of the way through the trip!...and I'd still be faced with the NE portion of the Gulf passage in mid-November! It turned out to be just too much of a trip, and the cost would probably be not much less than just moving the boat over the road. McDonald and Assoc. did a great job on the move, BTW.)
Great Rock n' Roll, of course, by Allen Collins and Ronnie Vanzant...
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you can not change.
When I bought it, I was too lazy to change the name...and I thought it was cool. (I just had the local sign guy in Deltaville who does most of the boat names just change the hailing port to Mount Vernon, VA from Deltaville.)
FREE BIRD ( the 2003 30' Hunter 306) was just relocated by truck from VA to the Choctawhatchee Bay in November 2011, where it now has a new home in the Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville, FL.
(And guys (& gals) I really really wanted to sail her from the Potomac to the Choctawhatchee, but when I considered that by the time I got to Port St. Lucie to begin across Florida (estimated a 20-30 days travel down the ICW) I would only be about 2/3 of the way through the trip!...and I'd still be faced with the NE portion of the Gulf passage in mid-November! It turned out to be just too much of a trip, and the cost would probably be not much less than just moving the boat over the road. McDonald and Assoc. did a great job on the move, BTW.)
Great Rock n' Roll, of course, by Allen Collins and Ronnie Vanzant...
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.
But, if I stayed here with you, girl
Things just couldn't be the same
'Cause I'm as free as a bird now
And this bird you can not change.
Our first boat was a 16' AMF Sunbird which we named "Mni Ole." The literal translation from Sioux is "Seeker of Water."
Our second boat was a 21' Lindsey Mitey Mite which came to us as "Necessity." The PO is a really good friend and the wife and I couldn't bear to keep that name. So after appropriate offerings to Neptune, we renamed her "Unole!" which means "Wind" in Cherokee.
Our latest and last boat is a 37' Tartan named "Impetuous" which she is going to keep. The PO paid a premium for the 'T' in the name to be the same font as the Tartan logo. And it looks cool, too. I prefer the second meaning of the word. "To move with great force."
As an aside, we nearly had a very bad experience in Florida with "Unole!" We were nearly run over by another LARGER sailboat. That sailboat's name? Breaking Wind
Our second boat was a 21' Lindsey Mitey Mite which came to us as "Necessity." The PO is a really good friend and the wife and I couldn't bear to keep that name. So after appropriate offerings to Neptune, we renamed her "Unole!" which means "Wind" in Cherokee.
Our latest and last boat is a 37' Tartan named "Impetuous" which she is going to keep. The PO paid a premium for the 'T' in the name to be the same font as the Tartan logo. And it looks cool, too. I prefer the second meaning of the word. "To move with great force."
As an aside, we nearly had a very bad experience in Florida with "Unole!" We were nearly run over by another LARGER sailboat. That sailboat's name? Breaking Wind
Squidd-
Propriety prevents me from saying anymore but if I run into you in Bayfield and you buy me a Brandy Manhatten I'll probably end up telling you more than you might want to know.
BTW, this is a great thread! I have had a lot of fun reading all of them. Great idea Kestral!
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