Renaming a boat

[s/v Moondancer]

The British Navy considered it unlucky to rename a ship so even when they captured a Franch Ship they kept the French Name. However, a boat should not have name that makes the Coast Guard laugh or cause confusion.

Our previous boat, when bought, was called 'Big Fat Fun" and my wife did not like hailing on 16 using that name for obvious reasons...she became "Shadowfax" since she was a white 18 knot thoroughbred. The present boat was called "Upsidedown" when we bought her.

" Securite, securite, securite, sailboat Upsidedown"
gave the Coast Guard and Sea Tow the wrong impression.

So our lovely Tayana 55 on which we now live and plan to start the circumnavigation next week is now called "Moondancer" to remind us of a fabulous night sail across the Little Bahama bank on our previous Corsair 31 doing 12 knots under a full moon. (dagger board up and rudder in kickup mode)

So if you see a blue hulled Tayana 55 called Moondancer come on over for a cold beer.

Phil & Nell

[MarkJ]

Getting the right name for your boat is important. Its needs to fit with you
Don't worry about the luck thing. Just give the boat a bottle of champers - and help her drink it!

Other than the 2 way radio is how your boat name sounds in another language.

Tayanas are beautiful boats, have a good trip

Mark

[David M]

I have no problem with renaming a boat. Why suffer or be embarrassed with a name you hate? Superstitions are fun but don't hold up to reality.

[markpj23]

Here's an old thread that has the 'proper' ceremony information....

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...med-11455.html

[sneuman]

There's no contest between living with a name you hate and risking the wrath of Poseidon. A boat is a beautiful thing, and the name should be too. Go through the motions of appeasement to Neptune and his wife and all will be well.

[David_Old_Jersey]

A far better name

The line between tradition and superstition is a fine one.......I have yet to finalise the full details of my re-naming ceremony, let alone hold the actual event (or file the paperwork )........am waiting for warmer weather as this could involve me dancing b#llock naked whilst covered in Guinness*.

Pictures to follow




* be nice to do that for a reason this time

[retclt]

I worked on a boat named "Pussy Cat" several years ago. I hated calling the bridges and locks . . . they all laughed. I had a friend who had to deliver a boat named "The Bitc*" once. He hated that trip. I wonder about the personalities of folks who come up with those names.

There . . . first post out of the way. This is a great site!


Bob T

[johnnyreno13]

My friend had to take a boat from Malaga Spain over to England it was called My Babe. lol

[shadow]

That's odd because I thought when you purchase a used boat, you should always rename her as it was unlucky to keep the name. It's funny how I keep hearing the exact opposite of every superstition and everyone is convinced that they are right...

I'm from the camp of renaming the yacht to my liking as I am the new owner and we are now connected. But I will be doing the proper ceremony when it does happen.

[Kanani]

When we bought our Passport 45, it was named "Red Witch"......Well...we didn't want to go cruising in a bright red yacht so we painted her a cream color and re-named her "Kanani".

Now.....having said that. I bought the boat because it had fallen over in the boat yard in Hawaii and was damaged pretty badly because she landed hard amidships on one of those roll-around boarding ladders with the big steel wheels. The wheels penetrated the hull and blew out a couple of bulk-heads resulting in the boat being totaled.

I owned the boat for 10 years without incident. After I sold her, she was blown over in a boat yard again in a hurricane in Mexico........kinda spooky........don't ya think.....

[Soundbounder]

My first boat was named Carina by the previous owner. I liked it so much that I kept the name.
My second boat was called Moonraker when I bought it. I hated it so much that I renamed it Carina.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

am waiting for warmer weather as this could involve me dancing b#llock naked whilst covered in Guinness*.

Pictures to follow

Of the boat I hope...

Superstitious people are just dumbheaded. I don't give two hoots what Neptune thinks.

However, we did the ceremony. You know? Just in case...

[Soundbounder]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Of the boat I hope...

Superstitious people are just dumbheaded. I don't give two hoots what Neptune thinks.

However, we did the ceremony. You know? Just in case...

I am Catholic, but I eat a kosher diet, and face Mecca when I pray.

Just to play it safe!

[johnnyreno13]

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king. Who cares change the name.

[miss-m]

We renamed our boat. Did a funny war dance and drank a lot- in honour of the Gods, of course! We wrote about what we did here if anyone wants a look....
Renaming a boat