Would you change your boat's name?

[Blue Skye]

I have read on this forum and others of people changing their boat's name. After looking on the CG website at registered boat names I was shocked to see how many boats have changed their name multiple times. When I was much younger my grandfather bought a used boat in Kodiak, Alaska. He really disliked the name of the boat but refused to change it for fear of tempting fate. I would like to get input from the forum to see how they feel.

[Harriet]

Would I? Yes. Have I? Yes. Did it make a difference? No. We actually had worse luck with a new boat that we named for the first time than we did with the used boat whose name we changed.

[Blue Skye]

You have a great boat. Thanks for your reply.

[Southern Star]

I have changed the name of every boat I have ever owned (except one) and did not suffer negatively at the hands of the fates. Yes, it was considered to be bad luck by the sailors of old. Mind you, so was having women on board.

Another superstition regarding the name of a boat was the letter 'A' - it was supposedly good luck to have the letter 'A' in a vessel's name, and apparently the more the better. That may explain the name on one of the used boats I purchased - 'Alcala'. When radioing anywhere I used to always get "Al who?"

My current cat was originally named 'Rumpleteaser'. I gather it was the name of one of the characters in the the play 'Cats', but it had become affectionately (or not) referred to by others as 'Bottom teaser'. Indeed, the previous owner had apparently been besieged by participants in a parade when he docked it in Toronto during Gay Pride week. And while I could care less about the sexual orientation of anyone, I had no desire to be sailing a boat that perpetually activated the 'gaydar' of other cruisers. I suppose it is somewhat akin to the name of ship in the famous skit about gay sailors on Saturday Night Live - remember, "stay tuned for another episode in the adventures of Captain Ned and the crew of the Raging Queen!

I, for one, happen to think that if boats had emotions, mine would have liked the attention they recieved from their new skipper (scrupulous maintenance and upgrades) as well as a new name to go along with their new lease on life.

Brad

[Blue Skye]

I enjoy your posts on other threads Brad. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Another superstition regarding the name of a boat was the letter 'A' - it was supposedly good luck to have the letter 'A' in a vessel's name, and apparently the more the better. That may explain the name on one of the used boats I purchased - 'Alcala'. When radioing anywhere I used to always get "Al who?"
Brad

The old way was to select the luckiest name. This was supposted to be a 7 letter boat name with 3 of them the letter "A". Alcala is a close example. Catalpa (the name of my boat) is another.

I've been thinking about changing the name of my boat, but can't bring myself to disregard the 'old ways'

[caribnsol]

I haven't had bad luck with changing the names on both my boats. Did a nice ceremony, little toasting, got a little toasted Sometimes you have to change the name, both my boats had names that were good for the PO, but if I had to keep those names I might not have bought them.

[sluissa]

My boat's name has been changed no less than 5 times. (One time it was called The Fox and now, oddly, it's named The Rabbit) I'm considering a name change as soon as the weather warms up enough to have a nice ceremony outside. Still only considering though.

[imagine2frolic]

When I bought my cat her name was Murmel, meaning marble in German. I not only changed her name, but her look too. I understand that lore has it a virgin should be sacrificed on the bow of a boat. This keeps the evil spirits away when changing the name. I could not find 2 virgins in Daytona. One for each bow since it is a cat. I changed the name anyway, and so far no bad luck....................

[dcstrng]

I’ve always changed the name once upon purchase or acquisition, but not again after… No reason, but I wouldn’t change my cat’s name or a dog’s, or my kid’s and given the amount of time a boat consumes they just become part of the family too… I suppose if one always refers to the vessel by it’s manufacturer, or model name, or rig or some other descriptive term, one could argue that name changing is no big deal – but once I begin referring to it by name, then the vessel is stuck with it I guess… at least up until I get irritated and tell it to start looking for a foster home…

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by rickm505

The old way was to select the luckiest name. This was supposted to be a 7 letter boat name with 3 of them the letter "A". Alcala is a close example. Catalpa (the name of my boat) is another.

Never heard of the stuff about the "A"'s and 7 letters........

But as luck has it "Wayluya" is seven letters anyway and only short the 1 "A"

Not done the ceremony bit yet (still mulling that one over / waiting for warmer weather ......am sure to start a thread at the appropriate time )......actually not done the paperwork yet .......but never been one to need the official boot of approval for stuff.........

Am I worried about bad luck or the "Sea Gods"?......No! - for 2 simple reasons 1) the Gods don't exist and 2) if they do, I strongly suspect they have more sense than to tangle with "Wayluya" ......in fact I have a feeling that should any nonsense start she would quite enjoy finding an uncomfortable home for a Trident

[AnchorageGuy]

never had any issues changing the name of the boats we have owned but just owning them is tempting fate.

[Blue Skye]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

When I bought my cat her name was Murmel, meaning marble in German. I not only changed her name, but her look too. I understand that lore has it a virgin should be sacrificed on the bow of a boat. This keeps the evil spirits away when changing the name. I could not find 2 virgins in Daytona. One for each bow since it is a cat. I changed the name anyway, and so far no bad luck....................

No virgins in Daytona? Imagine that.

[Charlie]

My boat is on its third name and is a total redo from the old look of the boat. IT seems like the more preventative maintenance that I do the less bad luck befalls me and my boat. Funny thing. LOL

[Ed Steele]

I believe that the superstition that changing the name of your boat brings bad luck is ludicrous nonsense. We bought a demonstrator from the dealer and did not like his chosen name of “Lorado“ and changed it to “DoodleBug”. Five hours after we signed the paperwork making DoodleBug ours, it was struck by lightning causing $60K worth of damage. It was struck while still at the dealer’s dock and had been 20 months at that same dock without mishap. 80 days later at the repair dock it was struck again. This time the damage was only $30K since only half of the repair work had been accomplished. We sailed from the repair dock in Ft. Lauderdale and crossed the Gulf of Mexico pursued by hurricane Claudette. She struck Corpus Christi two days after we arrived. Claudette was the first hurricane to hit that part of the Texas coast in 35 years. As it was, we chose to anchor out behind Mustang Island and suffered no damage. Am I superstitious? No Way! Would I change a boat name again? Well………….
Fair Winds,
Ed