Why do UK yachts have their name on the side

[tudorsailor]

On returning to sail in the UK having sailed the Med for the past 4 years I was struck by the fact that most UK yachts have their names emblazonned on fabric that goes around the cockpit. I wondered why this is. Is the fabric there to protect the helmsman, and then someone thought it would be a good idea to put the yacht name on the blank canvas

An example of what I am on about is here

Not a major question, just a winter curiosity

TS

 

[sarabande]

safety, or an identity crisis so that you can see which is your benjenbav on the moorings ?

 

[Zagato]

There really good on some boats for scooping water into the cockpit!

 

[Searush]

In busy areas with lots of boats looking very similar it allows the Lifeboat to quickly identify the boat that has run out of Tonic or lemon for the drinks & been forced to call for assistance.

I like the fact that people see me & drop by to raid the fun box with a comment like "You are Sea Rush off YBW forum & I claim my free beer" Or if in a MoBo, they zoom past at high speed to carry away a layer of paint and shout "Why don't you like MoBo's you grumpy old git?"

 

[snooks]

The bits of cloth are called spray dodgers, and they afford the cockpit a bit of shelter from the wind, and erm spray. so that's why the cloth is there, now about the name.

What's the name of the boat nearest the wall?

And now the one rafted along side her?

I think you have your answer.

Med boats will generally moor stern to, so it makes sense to have the name there. UK boats don't

 

[Scillypete]

Mine is set up just that way

Certainly makes it easier to tell which is which amongst all the white boats. Have yet to scoop any water in there and set up correctly it should spill quickly.

 

[tudorsailor]

Boat name position

My yacht's name is on both sides of the boom, but I have inmast furling so it is not obscured by the dropped sail. When we had the yacht MCA coded, they insisted on having the name on either side of the bow.

In the Med not only did we moor stern to, but had no need of spray dodgers. Sunshade/bimin is more useful

Thanks

TS

 

[Ubergeekian]

Med boats will generally moor stern to, so it makes sense to have the name there. UK boats don't

Those of us with properly registered UK boats are obliged to have the name on the stern, dear boy.

 

[benjenbav]

If I were Bluebell I'd be mildly irritated that the boat with no name was just hanging off me with no lines out to the dock.

 

[Searush]

Those of us with properly registered UK boats are obliged to have the name on the stern, dear boy.

Well I never knew that! So that's why that faded smudge is on my stern, & I was going to scrub it off!

 

[Quandary]

I have never had a boat with dodgers, most of the spray I have problems with comes from ahead.
Seriously though, do they really add anything to comfort at sea or are they mainly to hide behind in harbour?

 

[Searush]

I have never had a boat with dodgers, most of the spray I have problems with comes from ahead.
Seriously though, do they really add anything to comfort at sea or are they mainly to hide behind in harbour?

Yes, they definitely do reduce spray from breaking waves - but some will often come over the top. They also offer shelter from the breeze for people in the cockpit & this can reduce the risk of hypothermia in bad conditions.

And, yes privacy in marinas might also be a benefit, but I wouldn't know about that, I don't use marinas. In my harbour, the gongoozalers are 20' up in the air on a quay wall so they don't help privacy much there.

 

[Lakesailor]

If I were Bluebell I'd be mildly irritated that the boat with no name was just hanging off me with no lines out to the dock.

If you were Blubell perhaps you had said to your mate "Just put some lines to my cleats"

We'll never know.

 

[benjenbav]

If you were Blubell perhaps you had said to your mate "Just put some lines to my cleats"

We'll never know.

No, honestly. I can assure you I would be mildly irritated and I don't have any mates.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

''Why do UK yachts have their name on the side?''

Because if they were underneath you'd only be able to read it when they were capsized.

 

[NormanS]

Only those poor unfortunates who are ashamed of their boats hide their names.

 

[Cantata]

Names on spray dodgers was IIRC a recommendation that came out of the enquiry into the Fastnet Race disaster, as an aid to the search and rescue authorities.

 

[Spyro]

I have never had a boat with dodgers, most of the spray I have problems with comes from ahead.
Seriously though, do they really add anything to comfort at sea or are they mainly to hide behind in harbour?

Yes they do. More so keeping the wind off rather than the spray. I wouldn't be without them.

 

[Lakesailor]

No, honestly. I can assure you I would be mildly irritated and I don't have any mates.

Apparently you have 5 mates.

 

[benjenbav]

Apparently you have 5 mates.

Shh, don't tell anyone. I've got my reputation to consider