To name or not to name?

[thedinz]

Is it just a matter of preference or is it superstition? or something else entirely?

How do you guys feel about boat names, as in, should they be? I remember when i was younger it seemed that boats had names, thats just how it is. However im seeing less and less names on boats in my lake these days.

My new to me boat does not have a name on it, and im undecided as to whether or not i want to put one on, but, while im not usually superstitious if it were bad luck to have a no name boat i might add one

Thoughts?

 

[GA_Boater]

Superstition is in your head. Or the Admirals skillet if you don't use her name.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

For me it's about 80% preference and 20% superstition. A proper name simply makes it easier for others to recognize. I personally don't think names are necessary for smaller boats.
FWIW, my last 2 boats already had names and I decided to keep them (a 23 footer and 34 footer).

 

[mr 88]

I own a 4 boats and named 3 of them. One is charter fishing rig that is documented and a requirement for that is it must have a name and port on the transom. Would of named her one way or another.One is used for waterfowl hunting and the other one is a 1966 classic speedboat. The one I didn't name and don't care if I did is a 22' Bowrider used for water sports . So to me naming it is more about your love affair with her . After spending time on it she will give you her own feedback on what she wants to be named. Most newer boats under 21 feet or so IMHO look silly with a name on it. To answer your question, it's more about preference

 

[JoLin]

For me it's about 80% preference and 20% superstition. (a 23 footer and 34 footer).

For me it's 20% superstition, 20% preference, and 60% for the naming ceremony itself. Do it right and proper according to ancient custom, and you and your friends will have a blast!

http://www.commanderbob.com/art19.html

Linda and I performed a renaming ceremony for Escapade 2 years ago, during which we expunged the boat's previous name and rechristened her. We had a 12 boat raft-up and about 30 of our Power Squadron friends in attendance. I dressed for the occasion in a bedsheet toga, Burger King Neptune crown and carried a trident made from a 1x2 with a carboard cutout stapled to it. It was the most fun the members could remember.

Don't cheat yourself out of a great party!

My .02

 

[thedinz]

I own a 4 boats and named 3 of them. One is charter fishing rig that is documented and a requirement for that is it must have a name and port on the transom. Would of named her one way or another.One is used for waterfowl hunting and the other one is a 1966 classic speedboat. The one I didn't name and don't care if I did is a 22' Bowrider used for water sports . So to me naming it is more about your love affair with her . After spending time on it she will give you her own feedback on what she wants to be named. Most newer boats under 21 feet or so IMHO look silly with a name on it. To answer your question, it's more about preference

Yeah it's a 20' bow rider. Ski boat. So I think I fall into that silly to name it category. Unless I want to, but me, I'm undecided.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I don't name anything that can not respond to it's name being called. If you are not talking on the radio to other craft or bridges or locks no need to name. Then again if you spend over a $50,000 on a boat you can do what you want.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, most of the names I called my boat and especially the motor, are unprintable, at least in polite society.

 

[Davetowz]

I like a name because it makes radio work easier. When my last boat went wet, my buddies all wanted to know her name.. I told them a name must be earned. First trip out they named her The END.

 

[fhhuber]

Part superstition... part silliness (especially some of the silly names you'll see)

And 100% personal preference.

 

[Chris1956]

I did see a boat name I really liked. The name was "O-Fish-Al". I presume the owners name was Al.

 

[madman960]

I just picked up a 1986 Custom Craft bass boat. It is 16 ft and no name. Im thinking of "Happy Hookers" for the name.

 

[keith2k455]

I don't name anything I own. ..nothing. ...not cars, not motorcycles, not boats. I just call it what it is. I was lucky that my boat wasn't named when I got it. If it were already named, I'd be a little superstitious and either keep the name or rename it, but I'd probably never call it by its name.

 

[thumpar]

I named my last boat but only because the wife wanted to. She named cars and trucks too. The current boat doesn't have an official name and don't think I will name it unless it is "Knot Hers".

 

[mr 88]

IMHO ,played out names ,sorry but Happy Hooker is near the top along with anything that starts out Reel.... Knot.... Pier....Wet...Oar ....Sea/See...you get the drift. At least name it something somewhat original if your going down that branch of the river.

 

[Illinoid]

Tell us a little about yourself and your boat and we can spend the rest of the winter suggesting names...mine has had 2 since I bought it but it still has the last owners painted on it.

 

[JimS123]

Girlie girls name their cars, and sometimes other things too. Naming a boat is not superstition, nor is it a matter of preference. It is Tradition. It is Heritage. It's like flying an American Flag or Ensign on the stern of your boat. Names and flags are not an option.

If you are a boater (a guy with a boat), you just won't get it. If you are a Boatman, you will understand.

If you use a VHF radio, your boat needs a name, whether you paint it on the transom or not.

If you name the boat after your wife, be sure she's the one. Nothing worse than taking your girlfriend out on a boat that was named after your ex-wife!

 

[Rickochet]

I am a houseboater and all houseboaters name their boats. Most are USCG documented and a name is required. Many name their boats after their wives. A bud name his after his daughter thinking that she will always be his daughter. :lol:

We were thinking about a condo in Florida and while contemplating it a hurricane totaled that condo. So, we dropped back to plan b and bought a houseboat and named it the Plan "B."

 

[WIMUSKY]

Personal preference. I've never named a boat......

 

[tlombard]

I had never thought of naming a ski boat but people kept asking me what I was going to name it after I made the purchase and I think I've decided on Usain Boat just for an inside joke. A friend has been trash talking and wanting to race this spring and keeps telling me his boat is faster than mine. I honestly could care less about speed as long as I can cruise at a reasonable clip (basically anything faster than our pontoon that takes forever to get anywhere) but I keep playing along and decided on Usain Boat just to rub it in. Of course a race will never happen. One, the idea of racing is not something I would ever even consider but two... let's just say that there are some legal issues that have kept him away from the lake the last two years and probably this one again.

The other consideration is Sin or Swim.