Is There Snob Value in a Boat's Name?

[Nostrodamus]

When we are not on on our boat and talking to other cruisers one question that is always asked is "And what sort of boat have you got?"

Now we are pretty down to earth people who live aboard and sometimes we feel that this is a way of others judging us depending on our reply so we tend to stick to the reply of "A white plastic one"

After all, people should be judging us and not the size or make of our boat.

Even the other day someone parked next to us and one of the first questions they asked was "Nice boat, is it yours?"

Am I wrong or do you feel others judge you on the type of boat you have?

[sailorboy1]

people judge you on everything, so of course

[Ex-Calif]

I find people judge the sailor (wrongly) more on size of boat rather than type.

[sparau]

surely its what you do with it...

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

people judge you on everything, so of course

Unfortunately quite true.

[denverd0n]

Don Lucas hit the nail on the head. The only other thing to remember is that you don't have to care. If it bothers you that they judge, all you have to do is adjust your attitude, because you are certainly not going to change them.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by sparau

surely its what you do with it...

"--what, this?--this is my tender"--

[MattMcD]

I wouldn't read to much into a question like 'What sort of boat?'. Many experienced sailors like to discuss the merits and sailing characteristics of different designs. There are two question, must asked by neophytes, that really bother me, 'How big?' And ' How many can you sleep?'.

[DennisM]

My answer to how many can you sleep is: Six, but four of them better be very close friends.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

people judge you on everything, so of course

Well.... I am reminded of: "What you think of me is none of my business"

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

I find people judge the sailor (wrongly) more on size of boat rather than type.

Unless it's an Oyster of course

[CeesH]

As a Bavaria owner and not appreciate the endless discussions about production boats, I always answer a "plastic banana". Strange but for most people this is sufficient and no more questions are being asked.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Unless it's an Oyster of course

Or Boston Whaler!

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Don Lucas hit the nail on the head. The only other thing to remember is that you don't have to care. If it bothers you that they judge, all you have to do is adjust your attitude, because you are certainly not going to change them.

Changing one's attitude is easier said than done. As I've gotten older I've become less concerned about other people's opinion of me, but I'll always care. I suspect the only people who are able to live completely unconcerned with other people's thoughts and feelings are sociopaths.

The worst for me is when I'm forced to acknowledge that I own a Westsail and I see in the interrogator's eyes that brief struggle for self control and I think to myself "oh ****, here we go again"

...and since mine is kinda small, I feel a little anxiety when asked how big it is.

[Jane.Joy]

Originally Posted by DennisM

My answer to how many can you sleep is: Six, but four of them better be very close friends.

Or, depends on how drunk they are....