How to Name a Small Boat

The process of naming a boat is shrouded in superstition.

Whether you've acquired a new small boat for business or pleasure, once you've bought all the accessories you'll need to make her water-worthy and safe, the most pressing priority will be to select an appropriate name for her. It's worth taking your time over the process and putting some thought into it as the name your vessel carries will say a lot about you and could, if superstition is to be believed, affect your fortunes once waterborne.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bottle of champagne

1. Establish whether or not your boat already has a name. An old sailor's superstition has it that renaming a boat will bring nothing but bad luck and incur the wrath of the gods that rule the elements. If you subscribe to such beliefs, you might want to stick with the name that your boat came with. It is said however that a renaming ceremony with the smashing of bottle of campaign across your boat's bow will purge any potential negative energy that may attach itself to your boat

2. Discuss possible name options with friends, family and those who are likely to be travelling in your new small boat. It's popular to name a vessel after children or a partner but it's a good idea to run the idea past the person whose name you're thinking of using to make sure they're agreeable. You might also want to consider a name attached to the profession you're in or something that reflects aspects of your character.

3. Draw up a list of possible options and revisit it after some thought and contemplation. Your list can include clever names that involve word play, such as "Aquaholic" or contemplative names that illustrate your love of the sea: "Siren Call." You may want to give her a name indicative of your profession, such as "Doc's Holiday," or a hobby like "UnderPar." Turn to the Internet's translation devices to come up with foreign names or titles. Let your imagination be your guide.

4. Select the name you've decided upon after your period of reflection and have a sign maker produce a plaque displaying the new name of your boat.

5. Choose the position your plaque will take and secure it to your boat's hull in line with the instructions provided by your sign maker.

6. Arrange a naming ceremony regardless of whether you've re-named your vessel or not. Get a group of friends and relatives together to christen your boat by smashing a bottle of champagne across it's bow and giving a brief speech.

References

• First Boat: Choosing a Boat Name