How To Give Your Boat a Name
Owning a boat can be a bit like owning a pet: you have to take care of it and you have to give it a name. While it might just seem like a fun thing to do, naming a boat is infinitely practical because it can help you to be found if you’re lost and it gives you a way to identify yourself to other mariners on the radio. But you don’t want to be too hasty with the process and end up with a marine moniker that’s embarrassing, off-color or difficult to say or hear.
Yankee Boating Center, with two dealership locations near Lake George, is proud to be your Upstate New York boat dealer. Here is some information on why people name boats in the first place, along with some tips on how to name yours!
A Long-Storied Tradition
People have named their boats since they began making boats thousands of years ago. Human nature means that we like to personify and anthropomorphize things, i.e. give inanimate objects human-like traits. Naming a boat is part of that, as it helps to express ownership and to personalize the boat and make it feel like it’s truly your own. However, that’s not all there is to naming boats.
In ancient times and even up to a few hundred years ago, sailors were extremely superstitious since going out on the water could spell ruin if you came across a sudden storm or your boat was damaged. So sailors did what they could to ward off bad luck. They often named their boats after gods, goddesses and saints to gain their protection. A formal ceremony took place with sailors pouring wine on their boats as an offering.
If you renamed a boat during these superstitious times, this was seen as a slight against the deity for whom you had named it, which was bound to bring bad luck. A thorough purge of the old name in record books and on the boat itself needed to take place before you could rename it.
How Easy is the Name?
When you think about a name for your boat, make sure it’s pronounceable. This might seem like silly advice, but think about how often common words and phrases are misheard, especially through a radio or a phone with spotty service. You’ll want a name that’s not too long and not too challenging to say and not a pun that can be misheard.
How Appropriate is the Name?
Some names are going to be somewhat adult and profane in nature. It might seem funny now to give your boat an inappropriate name, but consider how you’ll feel trying to say that name during a crisis, or when you invite your elderly aunt on board. Also, consider your internet presence and whether you want to use a profane name as a social media hashtag or handle. Keep your name PG-rated so that it’s safe for all ears and eyes and not a huge embarrassment to you later on.
What Does the Name Say About You?
Finally, you should think about what the name says about you. You shouldn’t choose something that doesn’t suit your personality just because you think other people will like it. Everyone will know and hear your boat name in the marine community, so you want it to say something good about you. Do you want to make a joke to reflect your sense of humor? Or do you want to honor a deceased relative? Would you like to use a majestic name that communicates your sense of adventure? Put some thought into it so you can come up with an original name that’s significant to you.
When it comes to naming your boat, there’s no major rush, so take your time and choose something that’s going to represent you and your boat well to others. Searching for a new boat to christen? Visit our website to see the vast selection of new and used boats for sale at our two Lake George, NY, locations. Yankee Boating Center proudly serves the city of Clayton, NY.