changing the name of your boat

[Silverlode]

I asked her if changing her surname to mine would bring similarly disasterous consequences - only after previously mentioned Stongbow had been tested..

*snort* XD

I've just bought my first narrowboat, and am seriously considering renaming her, but only because her name is that of an old best friend who turned out to be a bit of a weirdo, and of whom I don't want to be reminded on a daily basis!

I'll probably have a little launching ceremony when the time comes (she needs a LOT of work) and splosh some fizzy wine on the bow or something, but that's about it. Would be fun to have a renaming ceremony though; I quite like the idea of it! (Or maybe it's just an excuse for a boozy party XD)

 

[louandkim]

we eventually managed to avoid the whole renaming dillema a we have bought our boat, and future (imminent) home.. she is called 'Trespass' which I for one think is mighty cool, especially as our buget will require the avoidence of Marina fees wherever possible. not that anchoring in secluded bays is trespassing, it just sort of fits.. as for the excuse to have a party,,,! quite agree. we will be thinking of many a reason to do so ourselves.

 

[BurnitBlue]

My question is, what is the general consensus regarding the bad luck that may be invoked and the general views on renaming.
cheers

The consensus from previous posts is to conduct a ceremony.

In my case I fail to see why superstition surrounds the name change. Therefore I just change the name and register the new name; job done.

As far as I'm concerned, the name of a boat is a fashion statement that can change as often as you need and in line with your present situation. For instance current girlfriends are very impressed changing the boat name to their name. A bit like "this ring belonged to my mother" chat up line.

 

[Carolwildbird]

No problem.. have fun with a ceremony,.. an excuse for doing creative things!

I renamed my boat. Setting off as a female skipper with mainly female crewmates on a boat called "Fair Game" didn't appeal. Instead she's now Wild Bird.. and of course we're often called "the Wild Birds".

I'm happy about that!

 

[nathanlee]

My question is, what is the general consensus regarding the bad luck that may be invoked and the general views on renaming.

You can't seriously be giving this thought, surely?

It's all proven nonsense. You can set sail on Friday, you can whistle on a boat, and you can rename one if you choose. It will not make a jot of difference.

 

[Grehan]

It is of course, nonsense. But if you believe it you will 'see' 'signs' that reassure you that it's true. Bit like religion or medical placebos, really. Humans have powerful imaginations that can easily be hoodwinked.
I didn't realise that green was so bad, why on earth would that be? For the last 11 years we've had a boat almost called 'green' (Grehan) although the name has nowt to do with the colour. Our yacht Grehan was superb, looked after us - and we survived!
Having said all that, as a fully paid-up human being (ha!), I am slightly superstitious, which probably feeds (or feeds on) my vague sense of perpetual potential doom and imminent calamity. My mother was a country girl from deepest Suffolk and full of things one should or should not do. We did have a naming ceremony and also an entry-into-the-Mediterranean ceremony, both of which were an excuse for some fun and (cheap) champers. Likewise, I salute magpies and am terrified of breaking mirrors. Mad, eh! The wood I touch is my own silly noddle.

I've just realised we've got some green wellies on board . .

 

[25931]

As one who changed the name of his fishing boat from Predator (really!) to Hilda Maud (my mum's name), I can attest to the fact that it is easy to do and that no bad luck has befallen us.

I'm sure that you know that the superstition runs from th time when they carved the name of the boat in the wood and that to rename meant taking some of the timber away thus weakening the boat.

I'm not superstitious but would never have a green boat or where green at sea, I certainly don't whistle and will avoid going to sea on Fridays and will say 'Good Morning' to a single magpie other than that I'm perfectly unsuperstitious

"Equinoxe" had her name changed quite a few years ago and no harm has befallen her and . as can be seen, she is green.
I started collecting silly superstitions (now have hundreds) when my brother-in-law who is a scientific type univerity don objected to having a whistling kettle aboard - he threw the whistle overboard.