Boat Naming Ceremony

Five O'Clock

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 24, 2005
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so I was reading here, http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=270234, and TD's link about RE-naming a boat and the ceremony that entails, but I bought a used boat, already on the water, that has yet to have any name.

Where can I find ceremonial instructions for a first time boat name? I already have the name picked out, and I'm ready to have the lettering company put the decal on, but I want to wait and make sure I'm doing every right.

Like I said, the boat is used (an '03, I bought it fall of '07), so I have actually already used it on the water without naming it... Am I too late?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

the naming ceremony is the latter have of that article.
 

krakatoa

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Cmon guys, are you serious about the ceremony thing?:rolleyes:
 

Five O'Clock

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 24, 2005
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

can't disrespect mother mother ocean or poseidon/neptune
 

erikgreen

Captain
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Jan 8, 2007
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Also, we can't pass up a chance to open a bottle of rum near a boat.
 
Joined
May 21, 2008
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

isn't there something about smashing a bottle of champaigne on the bow before the first launch? I guess that's better than drinking it, but I wonder.... which ticket causes more problems... driving a boat while intoxicated, or littering. hmm......
 

Five O'Clock

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

i assumed the breaking of a bottle on a ships bow is only for brand new boats that have yet to hit the water. i could be completely wrong though.
 

Labman

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Jun 30, 2008
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Odd, just this past weekend, I watched John G. of Ship Shape T.V. renaming his 57'. It was quite the process.
First he took a razor knife to remove the vinyl lettering of the boats name,second rename, cleaned and sanded the transom, then he had a couple of guys from a sign company put the new name, "Caught on Camera" on the transom.:eek:
NO WHERE did I see a bottle of Bubbly!:D
Just got to love those PAGAN rituals.:D:D
Hope this boat doesn't sink before he finishs showing how to install the saltwater ice making machine!:(
 

txmntman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 5, 2007
Messages
108
Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

here seems to be a good ceremony
:D

Vigor's Interdenominational Boat Renaming 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."

(At this point, you would pour a drink into the sea, from West to East. This is usually champagne or rum)

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

(of course, at this point, the rest of the "libation" should be passed around and all should toast the new ship. A cruise, short or long, should follow the ceremony)

I took this from here...
http://www.madmariner.com/tip/080608?page=2
 

MWBoatFan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 20, 2012
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111
Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Resurrecting a VEEEEERY OLD THREAD.
Question, I can apply the name safely on dry land and then hold the christening ceremony once we get her to the lake right? She does not have to be in the water when this occurs or does she?

Thanks all...
 

beaverliner

Seaman Apprentice
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Jun 9, 2011
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Great old thread... not sure the answer to your question... did it have a name before?... what happens when you buy a used boat that had no name?
 

MWBoatFan

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Jul 20, 2012
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Great old thread... not sure the answer to your question... did it have a name before?... what happens when you buy a used boat that had no name?

That's our situation, this is an un-named boat so we will be doing a fresh naming ceremony, nothing to destroy or remove from the boat. We have the name picked out and I had the custom vinyl cut today in metallic gold to match the Mariah markings and Shebah already on the boat.

So the plan is to get the name on there, take her to the lake and have the ceremony, just wondering if I do that prior to or just after launch. The ceremony I mean....
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
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Aug 18, 2007
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

That's our situation, this is an un-named boat so we will be doing a fresh naming ceremony, nothing to destroy or remove from the boat. We have the name picked out and I had the custom vinyl cut today in metallic gold to match the Mariah markings and Shebah already on the boat.

So the plan is to get the name on there, take her to the lake and have the ceremony, just wondering if I do that prior to or just after launch. The ceremony I mean....

Technically (if you want to call it that), all you need to do is cover the name so it can't be seen by Poseiden (or Neptune, if you prefer- I figure Poseiden was there first, so he gets my vote) until the ceremony, and you should be golden.

Yeah, it's a lot of hooey, but it's also a lot of fun. Wear a toga and wrap an olive branch 'round your head :rolleyes:
 

Captain Losten Confuzed

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Jul 10, 2012
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

I think you should do some more research before you have the ceremony. I beleave all evidence of the old name has to be removed and no evidence of a new name can be aboard the vessel until after the ceremony. Like I said do your own research before you offend the gods. Propriety renaming is very important
 

MWBoatFan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 20, 2012
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

I think you should do some more research before you have the ceremony. I beleave all evidence of the old name has to be removed and no evidence of a new name can be aboard the vessel until after the ceremony. Like I said do your own research before you offend the gods. Propriety renaming is very important

CLC,
Like I said, I asked the previous owner, he bought it new. It's never been named and he got a good chuckle out of me planning to name it officially and that I was concerned about the possibility of "offending the Gods" by not re-naming it if need be.

He's a 72 year old gentleman that took great care of the boat, always had fun with family but never bothered to trifle with a name.

So I guess, I will name her (put on the vinyl) then take her to the lake for the ceremony.

Thanks all!
 

Gybson

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Mar 25, 2012
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

Not to hijack a thread, but I recently found out that my boat "Erie Dancer" is a rename. The original owner named it something else (can see it ghosted when applying lens filters), second owner renamed. I know renaming a boat is bad luck, but is renaming a renamed boat 2x bad luck or the same amount of back luck you'd have anyway? LOL

How about keeping the same name and redoing the lettering/style? The vinyl is chipping a little around the edges.
 

V153

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 16, 2011
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1,764
Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

From what I understand it's not necessary to perform any kind of de-naming ritual. Believe that's covered during the re-naming ceremony?

Tbh I'm not a particularly 'spiritual' man. But I do posess a healthy respect for the Gods of the sea. They can be very unforgiving at times.

Suit yourself but around these parts the naming ritual is taken quite seriously.
 

MH Hawker

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Jul 13, 2011
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Re: Boat Naming Ceremony

If you have ever been stranded out on the waters you may reconcider naming a boat in the proper manner.
 
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