To Rename Or Not Rename A Boat?

[boatingnewbie]

When you buy a used boat it already has a previous name.

What's the etiquette/rule of thumb with renaming the boat?

Do some just keep the previous name because of its 'history' or do most people rename the boat since it's theirs now and... well... they want a new name and fresh start for the boat since they now own it?

If it's a bit of a unique boat that others have known/seen, is it in bad taste to rename it?

Just curious as to people's thoughts.

[BobFromColorado]

While I've heard arguments both ways, I believe freshwater sailors are much more liberal than others...

I have seen renamings done, but not without rituals! Then the discussion begins about the spiritual orientation of the person performing the ritual, the Diety or Dieties which must be appeased, whether the primary element of focus should be air or water (and then some yahoo mentions earth or fire...), whether offerings should be made in two axes (East, South, West, North) or three (toss in "up" and "down"), and then what of the other cardinal points? It's complex, and in the end, it's your call. This is your floating temple, bang your gong any way you like.

[Shrew]

Rename it, it's yours. Rituals are for those that believe in ghosts, goblins, and ghouls.

[BobFromColorado]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Rituals are for those that believe in ghosts, goblins, and ghouls.

Nice! My favorite ritual is the opening of the Crown Royal... So I guess I believe in "spirits"!

[Nicholson58]

Rename. Look up the rituals on line and pick the most fun. Ours involved appeasing Neptune and drinking lots of champagne with fellow participants.

[syPhilos]

I didn't like my boats name, so I renamed her. No ceremony or anything, and she's still afloat years later

My BF was fine with his boats name so he kept it.

In other words: your boat, do what you want

[sailorboy1]

I just scraped the old name off and applied the new name to both my boats!

[boatingnewbie]

Originally Posted by Shrew

Rename it, it's yours. Rituals are for those that believe in ghosts, goblins, and ghouls.

HAHA!

[Captain Bucknut]

We kept Havens name as it fit her well. Our sunfish had ALF on the transom when we got her. Not sure if that was the name or some other identifier. As to keep within the rules of Neptune and Poseidon, we decided to use that in her new name, Alfie.

As for renaming..... I do believe in good energy and the spirit world, so I would follow a ritual. Most of that involves removing any sign of the old name (including buffing down the gel coat to remove the shadow of the name) and then paying homage to the gods of both wind and sea.

You can find several online.

[LoudMusic]

I think if the boat has something special about it such as a custom build or performed some amazing feat, then it should retain its name - it earned it. If it's just another mass manufactured boat then rename the damn thing. Make it your own.

[lfalco]

Re-name!
I wrote a blog about this several years ago at boatinginct.blogspot.com
Go for the fun of it!

[barnakiel]

If you do not want the existing name, you change it. I think this is the basic rule.

If you are superstitious then you missed a whole generation and have the mentality of our grandparents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g

Cheers,
b.

[akprb]

Rename it after a bar!

Then you get all the logoed napkins, coasters, tee shirts and hats you can stand!

Our college era Hughes 40 was named Scarlett for just that reason (Scarlett O’Hara’s St. Augustine)

[Woodland Hills]

We just painted over our transom and put the new name on. No service, no shaman, no voodoo. It’s about as spiritual a moment as the last time I drove through McDonalds......

[alaskaflyfish]

Your possessions are for your pleasure. If the name does not please you then change it. Rituals are for your pleasure as well, whatever they may be. My ritual was: scrape, sand, paint, pee on a tree and launch the boat. Its been floating flawlessly for 2 years.