Have re-named your current boat, or one you've owned in the past? Did you worry about superstitions? Did you have good reason to? Did you employ a re-naming ceremony or cut right to the scraping? If so, was the ceremony of your own invention or a classic from sailors past? Tell the story of your re-naming experience here, then vote in the week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page.
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Bob
Renaming
Years ago I stood in a cold wintry yard very unceremoniously removing the name from my previous boat with a can of oven cleaner and a scrubby pad. This spring, with the new boat, it was much easier...heat gun and peel off the old name. Unless you count the couple of beers that followed, there was no ceremony, no ritual, no hassle. I'm just not superstitious. However, my wife is (a little) which is why she had me add a "II" after the name instead of leaving it the same as our previous boat. Cheers, Bob Lazybones II 1987 O'Day 272LE
Years ago I stood in a cold wintry yard very unceremoniously removing the name from my previous boat with a can of oven cleaner and a scrubby pad. This spring, with the new boat, it was much easier...heat gun and peel off the old name. Unless you count the couple of beers that followed, there was no ceremony, no ritual, no hassle. I'm just not superstitious. However, my wife is (a little) which is why she had me add a "II" after the name instead of leaving it the same as our previous boat. Cheers, Bob Lazybones II 1987 O'Day 272LE
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Rich Stidger
It's only a name, isn't it?
Our first boat was a 14'FJ. We promptly renamed her "Another Fine Mess". I don't know if it was the name itself or the unceremonious renaming, but the 20 year old boat always leaked and I was dismasted just before selling her. Our second boat was a 19' O'Day that we renamed without ceremony, but no ill followed. At least not excessively.... Our third boat, a 30' Morgan was named "Sybaris". We were the third owner and it was the original name. We liked it and kept it. Our current sailboat, a h40.5 we also named "Sybaris". Perhaps we are naming or imagination challenged or just too set in our ways? Is naming a second boat the same as a previous vessel a bad thing to do? Our ship's log reads like a horror story, but it's always been that way.... Rich
Our first boat was a 14'FJ. We promptly renamed her "Another Fine Mess". I don't know if it was the name itself or the unceremonious renaming, but the 20 year old boat always leaked and I was dismasted just before selling her. Our second boat was a 19' O'Day that we renamed without ceremony, but no ill followed. At least not excessively.... Our third boat, a 30' Morgan was named "Sybaris". We were the third owner and it was the original name. We liked it and kept it. Our current sailboat, a h40.5 we also named "Sybaris". Perhaps we are naming or imagination challenged or just too set in our ways? Is naming a second boat the same as a previous vessel a bad thing to do? Our ship's log reads like a horror story, but it's always been that way.... Rich
A word to the wise!
I have had two sailboats (both Hunters 25 & 31) in my life. We named the first one the HMS (Heather Marie's Ship) but never applied the name to the hull. The second one we had the name applied when we took delivery (Heather Marie). I made the decision never to name a boat after the spouse (have had three) so I named her after my daughter (I'll always have her). Bottom line is, I'll never need to rename a boat unless I purchase a used one using this method.
I have had two sailboats (both Hunters 25 & 31) in my life. We named the first one the HMS (Heather Marie's Ship) but never applied the name to the hull. The second one we had the name applied when we took delivery (Heather Marie). I made the decision never to name a boat after the spouse (have had three) so I named her after my daughter (I'll always have her). Bottom line is, I'll never need to rename a boat unless I purchase a used one using this method.
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Kelly Purinton
Daisy Sail -- an old and new name
We bought our daysailor last fall and spent months trying to figure out what to name it. This boat represented a return for me - I had summered on Cliff Island as a girl and missed the ocean (and the Island) terribly. Then I remembered that my father had also summered on Cliff as a boy. Following a career in the Air Force, he returned and for the first few summers he rented a cottage called Daisy Cottage. Later he bought and remodeled a home on the other side of the Island (the house I grew up in.) After remembering this story, it was easy to pick the name for my return to the sea - Daisy Sail.
We bought our daysailor last fall and spent months trying to figure out what to name it. This boat represented a return for me - I had summered on Cliff Island as a girl and missed the ocean (and the Island) terribly. Then I remembered that my father had also summered on Cliff as a boy. Following a career in the Air Force, he returned and for the first few summers he rented a cottage called Daisy Cottage. Later he bought and remodeled a home on the other side of the Island (the house I grew up in.) After remembering this story, it was easy to pick the name for my return to the sea - Daisy Sail.
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Don
Leaving unnamed seems to be the worst
The worst thing, in my experience, is to take a name off of a newly acquired boat and leave it unnamed. I made that mistake with a 22' sailboat. Came with an offensive name so I removed it. Had so many problems with it, I never seemed to get the new name on it. It was a nightmare. But, once I named her, everything went well. An uncle did the same thing, removed the name on a powerboat and truly seemed cursed (engine rebuilds and constant problems.) Now that he has named it, after my nagging, he's having better luck. Thus, I am superstious about this stuff. As for my newly acquired 1993 37.5, I'm stuck. Don't really like the name ("Tellico") but that was her name since new. Don't think that I'm going to tempt fate. One man's opinion.
The worst thing, in my experience, is to take a name off of a newly acquired boat and leave it unnamed. I made that mistake with a 22' sailboat. Came with an offensive name so I removed it. Had so many problems with it, I never seemed to get the new name on it. It was a nightmare. But, once I named her, everything went well. An uncle did the same thing, removed the name on a powerboat and truly seemed cursed (engine rebuilds and constant problems.) Now that he has named it, after my nagging, he's having better luck. Thus, I am superstious about this stuff. As for my newly acquired 1993 37.5, I'm stuck. Don't really like the name ("Tellico") but that was her name since new. Don't think that I'm going to tempt fate. One man's opinion.
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Larry and Carol Schroeder
Boat Name
Naming a boat is worse than naming your kids! We bought our first boat new (Seaward 25) and named her THIRD BIRD (it's a long story). Just bought a new Hunter 320 and had from November until April to name her. We could never agree, so it is also named THIRD BIRD. The only problem is that is hasn't gotten onto the boat yet. They decided to put her in before we could get it on, so we'll be doing it from the dinghy as soon as we get nice warm weather (and water)---in case we fall in.
Naming a boat is worse than naming your kids! We bought our first boat new (Seaward 25) and named her THIRD BIRD (it's a long story). Just bought a new Hunter 320 and had from November until April to name her. We could never agree, so it is also named THIRD BIRD. The only problem is that is hasn't gotten onto the boat yet. They decided to put her in before we could get it on, so we'll be doing it from the dinghy as soon as we get nice warm weather (and water)---in case we fall in.
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Dave Royce
Boat Name
When I purchased my 1994 Hunter 23.5 it was named "Great Expectations"....Not a bad name but since I bought the boat at a Repo Auction I figured that it did provide great expectations for the previous owners. So I removed it.....I then felt it was a pure luck that I was able purchase the boat so my wife and I came up with "Simply Magic". I feel this stated my feels to the sailing life.....
When I purchased my 1994 Hunter 23.5 it was named "Great Expectations"....Not a bad name but since I bought the boat at a Repo Auction I figured that it did provide great expectations for the previous owners. So I removed it.....I then felt it was a pure luck that I was able purchase the boat so my wife and I came up with "Simply Magic". I feel this stated my feels to the sailing life.....
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Joe McGinnis
Ceremony?
Our first boat (Catalina 22) was purchased with a name affixed to her stern. We didn't like that name, so I came up with a name to honor the women in our house - the "Four Lyns." No ill befell us; nor any unexplained needs for repair or any myterious storms out of nowhere. In fact the little boat seemed to love the attention a family was giving her. As I became more involved in the sailing life, I began to read about the ceremonies to rename a vessel. Only then did I begin to thank my lucky stars that we have survived this offense against the sea gods. I have learned my lesson! Our current boat (O'Day 32 CC) was named "Paradise." My wife and I are smittened by anything suggesting warm climates and tropical breezes, so we kept the name. Besides, it was becoming too difficult to find the urine of a virgin to pour over the deck. That is what I was told was part of the ceremony to rename a ship. We will not go into the rest of the ceremony either. That is a story to be told when we are all rafted up for anchor on a beautiful moonlit night in summer. See you on the water!
Our first boat (Catalina 22) was purchased with a name affixed to her stern. We didn't like that name, so I came up with a name to honor the women in our house - the "Four Lyns." No ill befell us; nor any unexplained needs for repair or any myterious storms out of nowhere. In fact the little boat seemed to love the attention a family was giving her. As I became more involved in the sailing life, I began to read about the ceremonies to rename a vessel. Only then did I begin to thank my lucky stars that we have survived this offense against the sea gods. I have learned my lesson! Our current boat (O'Day 32 CC) was named "Paradise." My wife and I are smittened by anything suggesting warm climates and tropical breezes, so we kept the name. Besides, it was becoming too difficult to find the urine of a virgin to pour over the deck. That is what I was told was part of the ceremony to rename a ship. We will not go into the rest of the ceremony either. That is a story to be told when we are all rafted up for anchor on a beautiful moonlit night in summer. See you on the water!
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Tim Taylor
Renaming
when i first thought of buying a boat i had huge plans of how torenam it and all time and energy i could waste in the process. i'm not proud to say that i actually found some silly passage that you are to recite and translated it into Latin (Neptune afterall wouldn't understand it in English, right?). i think at that point i just had far too much time on my hands. now that i've actually bought a boat i have less time on my hands which i think has made me a little more reasonable. to make a long story short i've been sailing my boat now for a few weeks and i've now decided that i'm going to keep it's present name. the reason being is that now i refer to the boat by that name. i look at it that the name is as much a part of a used boat's personality as those random scratches and dings. and besides, you don't rename your friends after you first meet them do you? TTaylor
when i first thought of buying a boat i had huge plans of how torenam it and all time and energy i could waste in the process. i'm not proud to say that i actually found some silly passage that you are to recite and translated it into Latin (Neptune afterall wouldn't understand it in English, right?). i think at that point i just had far too much time on my hands. now that i've actually bought a boat i have less time on my hands which i think has made me a little more reasonable. to make a long story short i've been sailing my boat now for a few weeks and i've now decided that i'm going to keep it's present name. the reason being is that now i refer to the boat by that name. i look at it that the name is as much a part of a used boat's personality as those random scratches and dings. and besides, you don't rename your friends after you first meet them do you? TTaylor
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Jay Hill
It's all in a name
I've personally renamed two boats, but only because the previous name given by the previous owner was, well, totally insulting to the boat itself. In both situations, a complete ceremony was performed and no spiders were killed in the process. Both boats seem extremely happy with their new names as not a single thing has broken on either since the ceremonies. I've also assisted in renaming other vessels by being one of the key requirements: "The drunkest bastard in the whole marina who consistently toasts the new vessel all night." (Tough job but someone's got to do it, right?) Those vessels have incredible stories of happiness, good fortune, and few if any failures. On the flip side: A very close friend of mine renamed a boat from an Indian name to his mother's name (spelled incorrectly) without a ceremony of any kind. Several problems plagued the boat and a few months after launching he fell off the boat, in the slip, into 43 degree water where he met his death. Fate? Superstition? Coincidence? Why question it? Sailor's lore can be fun to learn and "perform" so I'm not taking any chances...especially if there's a black cat within a nautical mile of my vessel, my talisman is tarnished, or me empty grog tankard tips over.
I've personally renamed two boats, but only because the previous name given by the previous owner was, well, totally insulting to the boat itself. In both situations, a complete ceremony was performed and no spiders were killed in the process. Both boats seem extremely happy with their new names as not a single thing has broken on either since the ceremonies. I've also assisted in renaming other vessels by being one of the key requirements: "The drunkest bastard in the whole marina who consistently toasts the new vessel all night." (Tough job but someone's got to do it, right?) Those vessels have incredible stories of happiness, good fortune, and few if any failures. On the flip side: A very close friend of mine renamed a boat from an Indian name to his mother's name (spelled incorrectly) without a ceremony of any kind. Several problems plagued the boat and a few months after launching he fell off the boat, in the slip, into 43 degree water where he met his death. Fate? Superstition? Coincidence? Why question it? Sailor's lore can be fun to learn and "perform" so I'm not taking any chances...especially if there's a black cat within a nautical mile of my vessel, my talisman is tarnished, or me empty grog tankard tips over.
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Trevor
Karma
We all rely on powers beyond our control when we sail and cruise (i.e. weather), so people generally try to line up as much good karma as possible when venturing out. Either keeping the same name or renaming the boat by following *some* kind of ceremony that gives respect to "Neptune" seems only prudent. Somehow it seems to help make a boat "ours" when we rename it - it also helps to have made at least some modifications to the boat to personalize it as our own. I've renamed 3 boats now and followed Vigor's ceremony, at least to some extent (see link). In deliberating on what to name my boats, I've always gone through the basic exercise of saying the name out loud quickly three times, as someone would have to do in order to hail you over a VHF radio. This simple exercise usually eliminated several candidates right away!
We all rely on powers beyond our control when we sail and cruise (i.e. weather), so people generally try to line up as much good karma as possible when venturing out. Either keeping the same name or renaming the boat by following *some* kind of ceremony that gives respect to "Neptune" seems only prudent. Somehow it seems to help make a boat "ours" when we rename it - it also helps to have made at least some modifications to the boat to personalize it as our own. I've renamed 3 boats now and followed Vigor's ceremony, at least to some extent (see link). In deliberating on what to name my boats, I've always gone through the basic exercise of saying the name out loud quickly three times, as someone would have to do in order to hail you over a VHF radio. This simple exercise usually eliminated several candidates right away!
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Tom
2 Boats - 4 names -- But I don't push fate
I agree with Trevor in Seattle. I too have performed a naming ceremony and will use Vigors Denaming/Naming ceremony (see his website) for my fairly newer boat.... I guess I am a little superstitious (knock on wood.....with both hands......and fingers crossed....jeez..don't want to jinx myself.). I've even gone so far as to put money and tokens (Garden State Parkway) under my mast. I read somewhere that old time sailors did that just in case the boat went down then at least they would have money to pay the "toll" to get through the gates of heaven (naw...I'm not superstitious....knock on wood). But I've been very lucky...I had my old boat 8 years with generally good luck. My "new" boat I've had for 8 months and I just changed the name while on the hard last month. I still have not gone through the ceremony yet, but I plan on doing it sometime around Memorial Day....but I have time to do the ceremony. Just as long as I do it within 1 year of taking possesion of the new boat and it always has a name on the hull (I made that up because I didn't have time to change the name last summer.....but isn't that the greatest thing about superstitions....you can make them up as you go along...;-) '99 Cat 36 MKII "Breathless" (was "Tranquility")
I agree with Trevor in Seattle. I too have performed a naming ceremony and will use Vigors Denaming/Naming ceremony (see his website) for my fairly newer boat.... I guess I am a little superstitious (knock on wood.....with both hands......and fingers crossed....jeez..don't want to jinx myself.). I've even gone so far as to put money and tokens (Garden State Parkway) under my mast. I read somewhere that old time sailors did that just in case the boat went down then at least they would have money to pay the "toll" to get through the gates of heaven (naw...I'm not superstitious....knock on wood). But I've been very lucky...I had my old boat 8 years with generally good luck. My "new" boat I've had for 8 months and I just changed the name while on the hard last month. I still have not gone through the ceremony yet, but I plan on doing it sometime around Memorial Day....but I have time to do the ceremony. Just as long as I do it within 1 year of taking possesion of the new boat and it always has a name on the hull (I made that up because I didn't have time to change the name last summer.....but isn't that the greatest thing about superstitions....you can make them up as you go along...;-) '99 Cat 36 MKII "Breathless" (was "Tranquility")
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Michael O'
2nd Time's the Charm!
Renamed my H25 "Narrow Escape" (the name's another story.....) from something-wind or wind-something. We used "The Ceremony" and the only untoward consequences were the many narrow escapes that followed.... but escape she did! Sold the H25 and am now taking delivery of a Newport 27 with "Ahbunai" painted on the stern - whatever "Ahbunai" means. We will remove all traces of the name from the boat, paint the new name on her and launch.... straight to the re-naming ceremony/party! What a great excuse for drinking a case of champagne! (Two cases if Jay shows up! That would be two boozers - Jay and ME!) The new name? Frigate. Think about it.... Thanks and apologies for my re-entering the hallow halls of HOW - you guys are a hard habit to break! Michael O'
Renamed my H25 "Narrow Escape" (the name's another story.....) from something-wind or wind-something. We used "The Ceremony" and the only untoward consequences were the many narrow escapes that followed.... but escape she did! Sold the H25 and am now taking delivery of a Newport 27 with "Ahbunai" painted on the stern - whatever "Ahbunai" means. We will remove all traces of the name from the boat, paint the new name on her and launch.... straight to the re-naming ceremony/party! What a great excuse for drinking a case of champagne! (Two cases if Jay shows up! That would be two boozers - Jay and ME!) The new name? Frigate. Think about it.... Thanks and apologies for my re-entering the hallow halls of HOW - you guys are a hard habit to break! Michael O'
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Mike I.
Renamed...
When I renamed my boat "Faith", I anointed her bow with olive oil, asking God to bless her and to keep her safe, to give her fair winds and following seas, and all who board here will be safe and happy. Works so far!
When I renamed my boat "Faith", I anointed her bow with olive oil, asking God to bless her and to keep her safe, to give her fair winds and following seas, and all who board here will be safe and happy. Works so far!
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Steve Cook
I renamed and...
was hit by lightning. When I bought my H27, I changed the name and was hit by lightning a week later! Then I bought a new H310 and had to change the name after the 1st. season due to the fact that there were too many other boats with the same name. 2 months later, I was struck by lightning and miss most of this last sailing season. I did not do the "name chang-en" thang so......... You tell me if it's bad luck to change a boat name? Total damage from both strikes... About $22k.................. Thanks Boat/US. Steve, s/v The Odyssey (H310)
was hit by lightning. When I bought my H27, I changed the name and was hit by lightning a week later! Then I bought a new H310 and had to change the name after the 1st. season due to the fact that there were too many other boats with the same name. 2 months later, I was struck by lightning and miss most of this last sailing season. I did not do the "name chang-en" thang so......... You tell me if it's bad luck to change a boat name? Total damage from both strikes... About $22k.................. Thanks Boat/US. Steve, s/v The Odyssey (H310)
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Mark Johnson
4 boats, two names
My first two boats were named Spindrift. My wife and I were married in 1991 and I sold MY boat and we bought together, a new to us boat. I figured, new boat, new wife, must be time for a new name. Last two boats have been named Anthem. Love the boat, the name and the wife! I think I'll keep them all around for awhile.
My first two boats were named Spindrift. My wife and I were married in 1991 and I sold MY boat and we bought together, a new to us boat. I figured, new boat, new wife, must be time for a new name. Last two boats have been named Anthem. Love the boat, the name and the wife! I think I'll keep them all around for awhile.
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Marine Capn
"JONNY QUEST"
I renamed by H40.5. The original owner named the boat "Eudaemonaea." I have heard that it means "ultimate state of consciousness." Hmmm. It just didn't fit for me. I renamed the boat "Jonny Quest" after the great adventure cartoon of my youth -- Dr. Quest, Jonny, Race, Hadji and faithful dog Bandit out seeing the world, and having great adventures. What a great cartoon -- as a youngster in the early 60's I couldn't wait for Saturday mornings to see what grand adventure Jonny was going to have this week. Who didn't love that show? The name just fit. Appropriately, I named my tender "Bandit." As for ceromonies, you bet we had one! The old name was preserved on a plank and stowed under the sole to respect and honor whatever adventures were enjoyed with that name. The new name was painted on and before the boat was sailed we Christened the boat with a full bottle of (expensive) champagne over the bow. Then, a moment of silence followed by a prayer for fair winds and following seas. Finally, the empty champagne bottle that was used for the formal ceremony was placed in the bilge -- apparently, those that watch over our safety at sea like to keep their empties somewhere onboard. To all of you: Fair winds and following seas. Jon of "Jonny Quest"
I renamed by H40.5. The original owner named the boat "Eudaemonaea." I have heard that it means "ultimate state of consciousness." Hmmm. It just didn't fit for me. I renamed the boat "Jonny Quest" after the great adventure cartoon of my youth -- Dr. Quest, Jonny, Race, Hadji and faithful dog Bandit out seeing the world, and having great adventures. What a great cartoon -- as a youngster in the early 60's I couldn't wait for Saturday mornings to see what grand adventure Jonny was going to have this week. Who didn't love that show? The name just fit. Appropriately, I named my tender "Bandit." As for ceromonies, you bet we had one! The old name was preserved on a plank and stowed under the sole to respect and honor whatever adventures were enjoyed with that name. The new name was painted on and before the boat was sailed we Christened the boat with a full bottle of (expensive) champagne over the bow. Then, a moment of silence followed by a prayer for fair winds and following seas. Finally, the empty champagne bottle that was used for the formal ceremony was placed in the bilge -- apparently, those that watch over our safety at sea like to keep their empties somewhere onboard. To all of you: Fair winds and following seas. Jon of "Jonny Quest"
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Mike
If I only had a boat to name!
Being a Bob Dylan fan, the only name for a boat of mine would br "IDIOT WIND".
Being a Bob Dylan fan, the only name for a boat of mine would br "IDIOT WIND".
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Kim Chatman
New boat owner
My husband and I will close tomorrow on our first sailboat. I grew up sailing and took him for the first time last Father's Day(2000). He fell in love and It has been his retirement passion every since. We bought a Hunter 30. The old name is Magic Touch...not bad, but to express his sentiments, my husband wants to name the boat Yulara. Yulara describes a place that lives within all of us. It is a place of vision and clarity where the rhythum of life moves in harmony with a higher consciousness. We have heard about ceremonies to rename and guess we better do something just in case. I don't figure it can hurt and will put something interesting in our journal.
My husband and I will close tomorrow on our first sailboat. I grew up sailing and took him for the first time last Father's Day(2000). He fell in love and It has been his retirement passion every since. We bought a Hunter 30. The old name is Magic Touch...not bad, but to express his sentiments, my husband wants to name the boat Yulara. Yulara describes a place that lives within all of us. It is a place of vision and clarity where the rhythum of life moves in harmony with a higher consciousness. We have heard about ceremonies to rename and guess we better do something just in case. I don't figure it can hurt and will put something interesting in our journal.
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