Sailing Superstitions

[Einstein on the Beach]

I read an old post about renaming boats, and I was curious if anyone had any new insight into the protocol of boat renaming. Currently, I don't hate my boat name (Poetry 'n' Motion) , but I am really looking forward to having a boat that I name someday, and I am wondering if it is truly bad luck. I certainly don't want to anger neptune, or any sailing gods.

Also, I only sailed for the first time 2 days ago, so I was curious if there were any other superstitions that I should be aware of.

 

[mark_swart]

If you google it, you can find quite a few variations. I think the most imporatant part is to do whatever it takes to make sure that old name isn't visible or readable. Oh, and alcohol must be involved somehow.

I've renamed my last three boats and have had no major calamities. Looking to do the same to my new boat this summer!!
-Mark

 

[Tim R.]

Google Vigor's renaming ceremony. Lots of fun and ensures pleasing Neptune.

Some others:

Don't start a trip on Friday
Women are bad luck

Last Sept. I started my 2 week cruise on a Friday with my wife aboard(still a woman last time I checked). We had trouble free sailing and weather. We also won the overnight race we entered.

 

[Hermit Scott]

When I got my boat, I ignorantly scraped the name off with out a ceromony. Before anything bad could happen, I drilled some holes in the hull and let all the evil spirits out.

Tim R.- Bad luck happened that very day because you brought a woman aborad, it just happened to the guys and gals you beat not you.

 

[Franklin]

I think the "don't start a trip on Friday" has some merit depending on the situation. Because most people work Mon-Fri and like to start a trip just as soon as they can get off work on Friday, they rush things and end up leaving before they are ready and they are tired and it gets dark soon if not already; all leading to problems. I've learned to try and not rush things and leave in the morning, not the night before.

 

[TimCup]

The only part of the superstition I buy into?

You must sacrifice a bottle of quality adult type beverage to the sea. As I been reminded, it's perfectly acceptable to filter it thru your kidneys first....:dance:


cup

 

[garylinger]

Re: The only part of the superstition I buy into?

Went diving out of Tarpon Springs, FL a few years ago and learned of one I hadn't heard of....before we left the dock we were warned about no GPS units (understandable - they don't want you to find their secret dive location) and NO BANANAS. Don't know why but they were very serious about that one. It apparently is a very much enforced Greek superstition!

 

[Ol Dave]

There was some truth to the "new name" belief

New owners often meant new names ... just like today. With the new owners came new captains, new routes, new cargos and new crews. All too often these ships with "new names" met with disaster.

 

[Einstein on the Beach]

Re: There was some truth to the "new name" belief

So are you saying that you feel the new name superstition comes from new, perhaps inexperienced crews, sailing vessels and not knowing the boat well enough to sail it safely?

 

[Tim R.]

I think the "don't start a trip on Friday" has some merit depending on the situation. Because most people work Mon-Fri and like to start a trip just as soon as they can get off work on Friday, they rush things and end up leaving before they are ready and they are tired and it gets dark soon if not already; all leading to problems. I've learned to try and not rush things and leave in the morning, not the night before.

Good Theory Franklin. I took Friday off. Race started at 1pm and sailed 100nm. There were some spooky noises out there in the wee hours of the night though!