mjcoon
Well-Known Member
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7 Most Common Superstitions of Seafarers
- Thread starter Koeketiene
- Start date
Hydrozoan
Well-Known Member
Scratching the backstay for wind - but not too hard, I guess?
johnalison
Well-Known Member
These superstitions are just so old-fashioned. It is surely time to invent some new ones.
It is unlucky to have three mobile phones on board
If two people meet on the companionway it is unlucky if the one leaving the cabin goes first
Always fill the diesel tank with an even number of litres
A small bird landing on deck brings luck (but not pigeons, which bring trouble)
Always say "Hail, Poseidon" when dropping an anchor (except a Fisherman)
It is unlucky to have three mobile phones on board
If two people meet on the companionway it is unlucky if the one leaving the cabin goes first
Always fill the diesel tank with an even number of litres
A small bird landing on deck brings luck (but not pigeons, which bring trouble)
Always say "Hail, Poseidon" when dropping an anchor (except a Fisherman)
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
"Sailing has been instrumental in the development of human civilization. The earliest representation of a ship under sail appears on an Egyptian vase circa 3500 BC.
• Vikings sailed to North America approximately 1000 years ago." (From your site.)
The Irish went there about 500 years before that. Brendan the Navigator went there because others had told him about the land to the west.
A Japanese superstition: When eating a fish do not turn it over to eat the other side. This will cause a boat to capsize. Lift the backbone out.
Another : Do not change a boat's name without a liberal libation to the wind gods. (I believe that it should first be purified through one's kidneys.)
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Leighb
Well-Known Member
Thank you, we have a dark green hull which we like, however when we bought her, the Berthmaster at the club marina - ex RN - said "The only thing that should ever be painted green is a shed"
We were not that keen on the name, but thought that if changed the name as well we would be doubly damned.
I will add a modern one to the list, one of our friends will only pump the heads an odd number of times!
johnalison
Well-Known Member
No good for me. I do everything in sets of four. That includes coiling rope, winding/unwinding the backstay and pumping the heads.
Oldhairy
Well-Known Member
This I have come across all over Asia. Observe Chinese banquets at your local.
NOHOH
Well-Known Member
So.... a proliferator of Pre-Historic Mumbo-Jumbo eh?......and you used to come over as a reasonably intelligent bloke..
Many surveys find what they set out to prove....funny that!
prv
Well-Known Member
Exactly. To possibly be cautiously attempted in a calm, but verboten at any other time.
In this instance it was the master looming out of the darkness on the bridge with the words "Stop fekkin' whistling, or I'll break your face! We've got all the wind we need, don't be tempting providence for more!"
Pete
Jim@sea
Well-Known Member
The boat I have bought is green, green hull, upholstery, green spray hood. But its not really green, underneath its red, the previous owner had it changed from red to green. Where colours are concerned I am not superstitious but I will NEVER change the name of a boat again.
Seajet
...
I always pour a tot of the best thing available over the side for Neptune when launching for a new season, and always kiss my boat goodbye when leaving.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Is that a full-blown smacker, a ground peck a la Pope, or just a blown kiss?
Seajet
...
A full smacker of course 
mjcoon
Well-Known Member
A full smacker of course
On the transom?
(## "... kisses on the bottom; I'll be glad I got 'em" ##)
Mike.
Boreades
Well-Known Member
The right turn left in the morning.
