Renaming Ceremony

[pkabel66]

I will be launching my Hunter 34 (1984) in July. I am having it delivered by truck from where I purchased to where I will launch, due to my work and time constraints it gets me the boat here faster. I will have it "on the hard" for a couple of weeks where I will polish and re-rig the boat before my launch.

I will be re-naming the boat, and plan to perform all the proper rituals and blessings appropriate with this occasion. Now my question...

Can I have my artist (I hired someone) come in and place my new name to the boat before launch, and before the ceremony? Can I do this, and cover the new name until the ceremony while also purging the boat of all references to the old name? And after the ceremony, remove the cover and display the new name that has been afixed to the transom for as much as a couple of weeks?

I have been looking for an answer to this question, and I am curious as to what others may think.

 

[caguy]

I think an unveiling is far more dramatic. Its all for show anyway. If you are really serious about this you could hold a private purging ceremony before the name is painted on and the christening at the unveiling.

 

[Winkfish]

Are you superstitious? If so, no you can't do it. If yes, then yes you can do it.

 

[centerline]

its kinda like naming a baby before its born...
so there is no problem with putting the name to it/on it, as it happens all the time to boats/babies everywhere.
The christening of it under the new name only serves to celebrate the beginning of its new life...

and you dont need to cover the name unless you are either ashamed of it, or you are trying to surprise someone... I can only suggest that you name it something you and the boat can be proud of,... and sometimes surprises dont go over like we think they should.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Isn't Vigor's ceremony description pretty clear on this???

 

[HukilauMike]

Its not a boat until its in the water. Rename away.

 

[Scotty C-M]

Have fun and do it any way you like!

 

[Chris Patterson]

I renamed my boat this week.

I might tell somebody.

I don't know, haven't really thought about it..

 

[Roadking Larry]

I renamed mine today between coats of paint.

 

[Ross]

Sure! you can do that if you don't mind pissing a few gods off.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Can't get it out of my mind

Judge Smails in the original Caddyshack:

I have a little poem I'd like to read in honor of this occasion, if I may.
Spaulding, get your foot off the boat.

"It's easy to grin
when your ship comes in
and you've got the stock market beat.
But the man worthwhile
is the man who can smile
when his shorts are too tight in the seat".

Okay, pookie. Do the honors.

 

[pkabel66]

Thanks everyone for the great responses. I think to be efficient I will prepare the new name and "unveil" it after I have denamed the old one. It will have great effect, and I have already "bounced" the name off a few people who matter, and we are good to go.

Thought about leading with Judge Smails...but this is supposed to be serious. Have to be delicate with the gods and generous with the champagne.

Cheers and Good Sailing.