Renaming sailing boat

[Bob666]

Hi!

We bought our boat under the impression her name was "Felicia". We later learned her original name was "Lady".

I was under the impression you should not rename a boat. Also, I thought that if that was done by previous owner, it is "not my problem".

Currently reading "Long John Silver" by Björn Larsson, probably one of the best books ever written - a must read for every sailor of self respect.

In this book, John Silver states that a boat's name, the name by which she was christianed, must not be changed.

I really do not want to call her "Lady". We're Swedish and It sounds awkward/foreign.

What to do?!

[atlantical]

I read something that the reason it was unlucky to change the name, comes from back in the day before marine paint, the name was chiseled into the boat, to re name it, someone had to chisel out the old name, then chisel in the new name, make the wood a bit thinner at that point, and because its carved into the top strake which is important to the strength of the boat, you wouldn't want to weaken it.

[Dave_S]

Change it's name to anything you like.

[Grungy]

Do a search regarding boat renaming, with a name like yours Bob666, I wouldn't want to piss off Poseidon!

[JPA Cate]

How about Lady Felicia? Felicia means happiness. ...and it includes both her names.

Ann

[danielamartindm]

A yacht is a costly and personal asset. Name it as you wish, you'll enjoy the experience a little more. Fair winds and following seas.

[svrodeorm]

For what it may be worth, I have owned 8, or perhaps nine habitable boats over the years, and renamed all but the first one which was a classic woody, built 1923 and proudly wearing her name "Fyrväpplingen" ever since.

Would not embarrass an old lady whith such a history by renaming.

For the rest of them, well to me a my boat is such a vital part of my life and even my personality, that it must have a name that means something to me.

So, i rename them all....None has so far sunk or seriously encountered any mishap so leave superstition aside.

Jag är också svensk för övrigt ;-)

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Grungy

Do a search regarding boat renaming, with a name like yours Bob666, I wouldn't want to piss off Poseidon!

Google "boat renaming John Vigor"

Not an issue.

Your boat, your choice.

[Bob666]

Thanks guys. I reason like this. I did not rename her. So I haven't done anything wrong.

Felicia is nice and it'll do.

How awkward it must be to buy a boat, a real bargain, named "Donald Trump" or something. And not being able to rename it...

Cheers

[sagablu]

Originally Posted by Bob666

Thanks guys. I reason like this. I did not rename her. So I haven't done anything wrong.

Felicia is nice and it'll do.

How awkward it must be to buy a boat, a real bargain, named "Donald Trump" or something. And not being able to rename it...

Cheers

Whatever you do don't name your boat James Comey, it will most certainly "leak".

[oslokid]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

How about Lady Felicia? Felicia means happiness. ...and it includes both her names.

Ann

Great idea Ann!

I see too many boats where the shadow of the old name is visible. Doesn't look right.

[atlantical]

You get that on ships, I have been on so many ships, where you can read the old name under the new name, on I was on, the RFA Olwen, (cant remember the old name) they changed the name because a submarine was launched with that name, but the name was steel letters welded on, it had been changed about twenty five years before I was on it, and you could still read the old name, even though the letters had been chiseled off.

[Bob666]

Lady Felicia, albeit nice name, will not change to that.

However will extend the name, including the name of the bay where our home port is.

Ought to be ok, please? If one is to adhere to superstition. After all, sailors are superstitious, right?

Cheers

[Slaver]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

A yacht is a costly and personal asset. Name it as you wish, you'll enjoy the experience a little more. Fair winds and following seas.

I agree with you! When I got my first (and last at the current time) boat I decided to name it as I wish and I didn't care about some sailing "rules" and stereotypes. I think that the best name in this case is the one you really like
And I called mine Silver Star I always enjoyed with my choice!