Boat renaming protocol

[EC]

This past year I purchased a 24 year old O'Day 20 that had only been named by its second owner (his Grandmother's name, he said). The sailboat has the boat's name and name of the previous town where it was registered in adhesive letters across the stern. My kids would like to rename the boat to fit our own family's interests, at which time I would also remove the name of the town where the boat was previously registered. When I registered the boat in the town where we live there is no mention of the boat's name anywhere in the documentation, only the registration numbers. What are the legal requirements or yachting protocol for renaming this size boat? What about the name of the town...where it is registered or where it is moored for the sailing season? Thanks for any insights.EC in NH

 

[Dale Wile]

Good reference...

Go to website www.48north.com for a great article on boat denaming/renaming. Click on "Articles Online--Boat Denaming". The issue of legalities may be left unanswered, but the protocols are covered in detail.Dale Wile's/v GrandechildSandpoint, ID

 

[David Lewis]

boat renaming

be very very careful to follow the protocol exactly. It is very bad luck to rename a boat. The name should be an odd number of characters using the letter A as much as possible and 7 characters is the prefered length of the name. your hailing port is required on a documented vessel but this size boat is not documented so it is optiional, only use what is required by the state of registration. make sure you follow the rules when changing the name.

 

[Tom]

Don't forget to sacrifice a vestal virgin

This is very important!

 

[Glenn Bevensee]

Christening the NEW Name...

Whenever possible, try to get the Queen of England to actually DO the Christening, since it sounds so much better when she does it. Also, having seen her do a few ships on TV, she's got a Hell of a swing on your average Champagne bottle....

 

[jigs]

naming

These days, you don't have to sacrifice a vestal virgin, but you have to get a virgin to pee on the bow. Also, remove all traces of the old name, such as plaques, embroidery, etc. Never let a preist on board, it is bad luck. Etiquette is to have the port of the boat shown as the location, there is nothing more lame than seeing a boat at the islands with the hailing port some inland city.

 

[Bob]

Changing Boat Name

Very simply...I removed previous vinyl lettering with the aid of a hair dryer, buffed out the shadows and applied the new name. If old name is painted on, remove gently with oven cleaner and Scotchbrite pad. No pomp...no ceremony...no hassle. But then, I'm not superstitious. Whatever works for the individual.Cheers!