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RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 11:38

So I am in the processing of buying my first sailboat. After doing the ground work on insurance, dock rental...etc my mind finally turned to a proper name for the boat. I have become a huge fan of the Travis Mcgee series by John MacDonald in the last couple of years. The series is an older one, the last book published mid 80's(i think 84 or 85). Its set in florida, and travis lives on a houseboat. I know thats not a sailboat, but motor boats and sailboats feature in several of the stories. I was surprised to find that on a search of coast guard records only four boats were named after his house boat, Busted Flush. I was shocked, because from my understanding this was a hugely popular series back in the 60's and 70's. Any body got any thoughts about the lack of homage to the series? Maybe time hasn't been kind to the series by the reading public? Anybody else out there love or have read the series? Also, what is the protocol for naming a boat, for example there is already a boat named the busted flush here in NC, but its a motor boat. Would it be rude or uncouth to name my boat the same? Just curious, got too much time on my hands today.
Thanks,

**zeehag** · 20-05-2012, 11:47

loved thee books--love em when ever i find em free in exchange libraries--good name for a boat!!

**captain58sailin** · 20-05-2012, 11:54

I love the series as well. There is another author out of Florida, Hiassen that writes in a similar style, very entertaining.

RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 12:00

Yeah captain I read hiassen's books first, and he mentioned the mcgee series in a interview, thats what got me started on them. After reading the series you can see a lot of derivative material on the market. Magnum P.I. , Burn Notice, The Jack Reacher series by Lee Child...etc. I can't read them one after or another because I get a lil burned out on mcgee's know it all tendency, but spread them out and they are great. The worst in the series(to me) The Turqouise Lament, features a sailboat prominently. Lame book, but cool sounding sailboat lol

atoll · 20-05-2012, 12:02

with a name like BUSTED FLUSH,you might get mistaken for a sanitation engineer in the anchorage

RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 12:07

Lol @ atoll. The thought had crossed my mind. Cornwall is an awesome place, I haven't been in several yrs, but maybe in september I will get a chance to visit while I am in the UK.

Tony B · 20-05-2012, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by atoll

with a name like BUSTED FLUSH,you might get mistaken for a sanitation engineer in the anchorage

ROFL

**captain58sailin** · 20-05-2012, 12:08

I like the Lee Child series also, and Preston & Lamont

RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 12:12

Captain I like the Jack Reacher series alot as well! Have you tried any of the Harvey Hole series by Jo Nesbo? He is a norwegian writer, and his work predates the whole girl with the dragon tattoo stuff by 15 yrs. Worth checking out!

**capngeo** · 20-05-2012, 12:17

I have a bunch of first edition signed copies of JD Mac's... we lived ion the same island (Siesta Key) back then and I was a huge fan...

BTW, I had a tug boat named "J.D. Mac"

RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by capngeo

I have a bunch of first edition signed copies of JD Mac's... we lived ion the same island (Siesta Key) back then and I was a huge fan...

BTW, I had a tug boat named "J.D. Mac"

Holy Cow! I have bought a few signed first editions from booksellers, but if you ever want to get rid of yours let me know, and I will make an offer! That is so cool, a tug boat named J.D. Mac!

**casual** · 20-05-2012, 13:23

Have read and reread every John Macdonald book ever written.The Travis McGee seris is a ONE of a KInd,Only ONE BUSTED FLUSH.Surley there must be other names you can use.

Noname · 20-05-2012, 13:28

If ya don't have a holdin' tank: "Straight Flush",
If ya got enough heads: "Four Flusher",
If ya got a big family or crew: "Full House"'
If ya got a big fancy head with lectra san and vacuum flush then go for: "Royal Flush."

RavenKing · 20-05-2012, 13:48

Hahaha thats awesome seaduction! Casual you are correct there will be only 1 Busted flush. It was just the first thing I thought of since I have become such a fan of the series. I was more surprised that there was only 4 vessels registered with the coast guard with the name. I was thinking that surely there would be dozens with the name but it really threw me for a loop that it was such a small amount.

**LoveMyWoodie** · 20-05-2012, 13:48

I worked as a gumshoe(P.I),in the big stink(GTA Toronto Ontario) ;for a few years in the 80,s ;back when Cocaine was king and Donna Summers was making me moove .

Long story ,sometimes as good as Travis.

Spent a well earned vacation down in Dunnellon FLA with my sweetie at the time,Nancy Hilts-first and best woman horse trainer,subsequently becoming the first-honest,woman Steward at Fort Erie racetrack.

That winter I fell into a Travis Ma-Gee paper back and got hooked and read the first one till the sun rose.Spent the winter at the infamous Golden Mile in FLA...(private mafia racetrack where millions of tax -free dollars were spent..)another story...feverishly buying more of Mr MacDonald's Ma-gee books.

I would name your boat The Busted Flush in honor of a good man....and maybe use his slip which I hear is empty?

Cheers fellow Ma-gee lovers

Travis McGee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PS-you wood have to name your dingy -the electric blue,too