another "need help with a name"

[bluenomads]

We are Australians going to go cruising da world in the nearish future. We have bought the boat, but it's pretty hard to go "next door" and get experience in other places without chartering (no NZ doesn't count as next door - NZ is Australia's 6th state, we're just waiting for them to know it ).

So here are three boat names that aren't already taken in the Australian register (which alas many are!), but we like the sound of.

Can you say why you do/don't like particular ones after you've voted?

[Benz]

I can only recommend two things: a name you won't regret having to say in front of or explain to other cruisers' young children, and a name that is easy to recognize when spoken over the radio.
For the latter, I often wished when cruising in Central America I had just named my boat "Jose" or "Maria", rather than try to spell it out in Spanish to semi-illiterate port officials.

[Mr B]

I agree with Benz, Your name needs to be clear on the VHF when talking to officialdom,

Mine was Tere Hau Nui, It was a PITA to say over the VHF, Its now just, Mr B,
Tere Hau Nui means plain sailing in Tonga,
And I had to explain it to every one,

I went for Blue Platapus, KISS, Keep it simple Stupid, Hahaha

Platacat also sounds great, With or with out the Blue,

Cheers, Brian,

[44'cruisingcat]

Blue Platypus too. Real words are generally easier for people to understand on the radio.

[bluenomads]

Thanks everyone. Keep em coming. All great points.
I won't say yet which ones we prefer, but let's say there's quite a disagreement at the moment we both hope you can help with

Platacat I hadn't thought of, but I wonder whether the connection with platypus would be obvious to many and, again, lots of explaining needed...

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by bluenomads

Thanks everyone. Keep em coming. All great points.
I won't say yet which ones we prefer, but let's say there's quite a disagreement at the moment we both hope you can help with

Platacat I hadn't thought of, but I wonder whether the connection with platypus would be obvious to many and, again, lots of explaining needed...

Platacat is a grown up Platypus, Aussie Slang,

My Cat is a Pussy, Because its not big enough to be called a cat, Its only 34 foot long,

Im too active to be a Grey Nomad, Or a Blue one, But I do like the name, Blue Nomad,

[bluenomads]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Platacat is a grown up Platypus, Aussie Slang,

My Cat is a Pussy, Because its not big enough to be called a cat, Its only 34 foot long,

Im too active to be a Grey Nomad, Or a Blue one, But I do like the name, Blue Nomad,

I do like the platacat, except for explaining Aussie humor continuously (defending the indefensible - you either get it and laugh, or you don't; like dad jokes...).

Re: blue nomads, it's good as long as no one mentions Smurfs (oh dear - whoops!)

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by bluenomads

I do like the platacat, except for explaining Aussie humor continuously (defending the indefensible - you either get it and laugh, or you don't; like dad jokes...).

Re: blue nomads, it's good as long as no one mentions Smurfs (oh dear - whoops!)

Hahahahahaha

[nhschneider]

How about ‘Sotally Tober’?

[akprb]

Try saying it on the VHF three times fast before final decision 😝

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Blue Platypus too. Real words are generally easier for people to understand on the radio.

Do not use clever puns or eccentric spellings. Neither sound good with "MAYDAY, MAYDAY" in front of them.

[grantmc]

As much as I like cats, especially on board, using any variant of pussy in the name of a boat is kind of tacky.

NZ will never be the 6th state, that would mean Ozzies might get in the All Blacks, no way.

[LeeV]

Given only the 3 choices, I'd go with the first, and leave the other two to 007. I've always preferred clever names that define the sailor(s) or classic names.

[MJH]

Make a list. Choose a name that you are willing to live with for the life of your ownership. Every so often run down the list and scratch off the names that no longer appeal to you, add new ones. Originality is good but, more importantly, stick with one that you feel goes with YOUR boat and the way you like to sail/cruise.

Try to keep it simple and short, two or three syllables. Think of your worst possible situation calling for help...you don't want confusion and having to spell it out phonetically takes more time. I worse name I have ever seen was on a motor yacht (wouldn't you know it). He must have won the lottery and used his winning numbers scrawled across the stern. The other was a sailboat owned by a doctor called Hippocampus (its a part of the brain). Both very original but poor choices in my opinion.

Again, thinking of safety and communications, I would stay away from anything that might be confused such as something meteorological (tsunami, typhoon, windy, etc.).

Don't name it after your significant other, spouse, child, etc. Sxxx happens and relationships change. It also may add to confusion between the boat and a member aboard.

Good Luck.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[tarian]

if it is between these three then it has to be the first , got my tongue tied trying the others , but a boat realy should be named for a personnel reason , be it from your memories or something that inspires you or you have seen , etc so in essence I dont like any of the names , but it is as always your choice , and if it works for you who cares what others think.