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Alenka · 04-04-2013, 14:28

We all know it's bad luck to change a boats name but I believe there are a few rituals you can follow to appease the Gods that would otherwise dish out this ill fortune. A Swiss couple told me they sailed three 360 degree circles first to port then to starboard and it worked for them but I cannot help thinking surely there must be some alcohol or sacrifice involved for it to be truly effective!

BlackOak · 04-04-2013, 14:43

Boat Name Changing Ceremony - YouTube

romanos2b · 04-04-2013, 14:48

Rename your boat "Rabbit" and go sailing in a Friday...I'm convinced nothing will happen to you if you don't believe in this bad luck stories ...

sailorboy1 · 04-04-2013, 15:45

life is too short to have an ugly boat, or one that someone else named and you don't like!

smuggler · 04-04-2013, 16:48

Hi Alenka... we went with the following... Seems to satisfy all requirements

THE DENAMING CEREMONY

Sailors are a superstitious lot – and for good reason! Out at sea, you need all the help you can get and no one is going to consciously do anything to annoy or displease the ancient gods of the wind and the sea. Actually, it’s not so much being superstitious as being careful. It’s part of good seamanship.

Changing the name of a boat has long been considered to bring bad luck of the most ominous kind and something to be avoided at all cost. For various reasons, there are times when a name change is unavoidable, but it must be carried out in the proper manner and with due regard to the sensibilities of the deities.

Before the ceremony, remove all physical traces of the boat’s old name. Take the old log book ashore, along with any other papers that bear the old name. Don’t neglect to wipe the name out in the obvious places--bows, stern, dinghy, oars, charts, horseshoe buoys, and so on. If the old name is carved into a timber somewhere, it is not enough just to paint over it. Fill, sand, and repaint. There may be official papers with the old name on them, and those should be temporarily removed from the boat for the ceremony. The slate must be wiped clean in preparation for the renaming.

Finally, don’t place the new name anywhere on the boat before the denaming ceremony is carried out. That would be tempting fate.

The ceremony should consist of five parts: an invocation, an expression of gratitude, a supplication, a rededication and a libation.

Conduct this ceremony on the foredeck before a gathering of distinguished guests, or if you find these things embarrassing, you can mumble it down below on your own. The main thing is that you must say the word out loud.

The libation must be carried out at the bows, just as it is in a christening ceremony. Don’t use any but the finest champagne compatible with your budget -- and pour it all on the boat – don’t keep any for yourself. One of the things the gods of the sea despise most is meanness, so don’t try to do this bit on the cheap.

The Denaming Ceremony

--by John Vigor

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favour us with their blessing today. Ancient Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus, guardian of the winds and all that blows before them: we offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.
"Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known, insert old boat name, be struck and removed from your records.

"Furthermore, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized by you and shall be accorded once again the self-same privileges that she previously enjoyed.

"In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject, as always, to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea.

"In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea."

Now you can pop the cork, shake the bottle and spray the whole of the contents on the bow.

daddle · 04-04-2013, 17:42

I only go along with superstition and ritual for the libations.

Renamed three boats so far. Remove the old name, put not the new one, be liberal with the alcohol. That and some paperwork.

There are no Gods or demons to placate. But you knew that. Nothing but good times so far ...

Kache Walk · 04-04-2013, 17:52

I followed the Vigor de-naming and renaming. Made for a good party with our new neighbors at the marina. Been safe so far.

bobconnie · 04-04-2013, 17:55

If it's a wooden boat then burn some incense, pour a little rum and rename! If it's glass or metal, just re-name and go sailing !! Just my 2 cents (if it's wood ya need all the help ya can get !!)

**Cotemar** · 04-04-2013, 18:03

Boat Denaming & Renaming

First you must remove all physical traces of the boat's old name. Take the old log book ashore, along with any other papers that bear the old name. Check for offending books and charts with the name inscribed. Be ruthless. Sand away the old name from the lifebuoys, transom, top-side, dinghy, and oars. Yes, sand it away. And don't place the new name anywhere on the boat before the denaming ceremony is carried out.

The last part of the ceremony, the libation, must be performed at the bow, just as it is in a naming ceremony. Pour the whole bottle of champagne on the bow of the boat. Buy a second bottle if you want some.

What sort of time period should elapse between this denaming ceremony and a new naming ceremony? There's no fixed time. You can do the renaming right after the denaming, if you want, but I personally would prefer to wait at least 24 hours to give any lingering demons a chance to clear out.

Vigor's Denaming Ceremony

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor us with their blessing today.

"Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus (pronounced EE-oh-lus), guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:

"We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past. We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.

"Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known (_____), be struck and removed from your records.

"Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized and shall be accorded once again the selfsame privileges she previously enjoyed.

"In return for which, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the wind and the sea.

"In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea." Now you can pop the cork, shake the bottle of champagne and spray the whole of the contents on the bow.

Christening Ceremony

After a boat is denamed, you simply need to rename it using the traditional christening ceremony, preferably with Queen Elizabeth breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow, and saying the words:

"I name this ship ___________ and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her."

**Seaworthy Lass** · 04-04-2013, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

"Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus (pronounced EE-oh-lus), guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:

This won't cover all bases LOL. Poseidon is likely to be very miffed he wasn't included!