What can't I name my boat?

[TrentePieds]

Sannyasi: Perhaps "Swaraj"? Or even "Ahimsa"?

Or, if you are a live-aboard sannyasi, simply "Bhavan"

TrentePieds

[Terra Nova]

Unsubscribed.

[Don1500]

I have seen DILLIGAF as the name of a boat. Thought it cute, but not for me. And maybe some day the Coast Guard will realize what it means.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by Don1500

I have seen DILLIGAF as the name of a boat. Thought it cute, but not for me. And maybe some day the Coast Guard will realize what it means.

Good point but still funny as heck!

[basenay]

1. If USA based might want to check out Office of Science and Technology to be sure lots of others have not already used your clever name.
2. Shorter is generally better but don't have to take to extreme of Capt. Lou Kennedy-The Last Schoonerman who named his commercial vessels with 3 letter names from Rye, NY to save on paint.
3. Be sure name doesn't mean something different to no English speaker &/or is hard to pronounce.
4. Remember your boat name is frequently 1st impression others will have of you. Years ago my elderly mom liked a motor boat named Priapsim until I explained what it meant.
5. Google boat names and you will find loys of sites & names to avoid.

[SailingFan]

Originally Posted by Don1500

I have seen DILLIGAF as the name of a boat. Thought it cute, but not for me. And maybe some day the Coast Guard will realize what it means.

I must be out of pop culture touch even more than I had assumed. I have no idea what it means either...

[Cheechako]

Name it "Row vs Wade"

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by SailingFan

I must be out of pop culture touch even more than I had assumed. I have no idea what it means either...

I had to look it up.

Last boat we had for what seemed like forever, never named her, just kept calling it "The Boat" after a year or two, I finally named her, her name was "Das Boot" which of course is German for the boat

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by thinwater

But I still have mine and I'm stuck with... I mean I love her very much!

I know you are just kidding around, but my wife of 30 years recently left me. You are a lucky man, with a good sense of humour. Just don't forget to tell your wife how you feel, especially if she's nice enough to sail with you. You don't know what you've got till its gone.

[goat]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Unsubscribed.

That's a great name!

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by basenay

2. Shorter is generally better but don't have to take to extreme of Capt. Lou Kennedy-The Last Schoonerman who named his commercial vessels with 3 letter names from Rye, NY to save on paint.

I was going to name my boat MISERLY, but they charge for any letters after 6, so i shortened it to MISERY.

[guyrj33]

I know of a DILLIGAF in Gloucester MA.

[Lancerbye]

The boat I have had for 10 years is Federally documented D.O.T. in Canada "CHAIM". Luckily I was given the proper pronunciation from the previous owner, but have problems every time I use it one the radio. I have to phonetically spell it out. I thought of changing it, but the frugality of my ancestry prevented it. The Canadian government wanted $75 10 years ago. So chose wisely. CHAIM is pronounced K'HIM.

[coastalexplorer]

Walking around marinas or puttering through in a dinghy looking at boats has always been an enjoyable pastime, Especially when one finds a small local dock or anchorage full of classics. However when it comes to boat names it often occurs to the mind "what were they thinking" There are names out there that seem to be inspired by those who think it an opportunity for humour and jokes. Frightening to think that perhaps this could be an indication that those owners do not take being a mariner seriously? were they painted on by newbies who did not know that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

The VHS radio call sign aspect is a point well taken?

Frankly IMHO it is even poor taste to name ones vessel after any Very famous ship; Especially museum vessels still in existence. Like 'Victory', Cutty Sark, or 'Constitution' reusing the names of some vessels that are no longer in existence would also seem ill advised To: such as 'Titanic' unless you were building an exact replica?


Considering vessels are traditionally referred to in the feminine. Traditional girls names are of course very popular. How ever names such as 'Jane' have become so common as to have become a generic reference. Such as the law at Lloyd's is: 'That the Jane is still the Jane no matter how many times she may be made new' Thus if looking for some originality choosing a slightly more obscure girls name has merit?.

Other thoughts on vessel names have been inspired by the region of intended use, Such as arctic poles, or island archipelago's. or alternatively inspiration from references to the romance of the sea, The vessels hoped for sailing qualities, and sometimes references to sea shanties or maritime inspired poems. Although I would think the name 'sea Fever' has been over done to death by now?

A final point is that some folks get quite adamant about the bad luck of changing a vessels name. which it seems is the reason many vessels hold the same name from launch to destruction. thus far this has been the case with my vessel so that will continue as long as I own it. originally the topsides were clear finished african hardwood so the name in Arabic means bright or brilliant. hence trying to restore to the point were we can avoid the paint pot. and use varnish instead.

[demacsea]

I had so much trouble trying to find a unique name for my sailboat that I wrote to the UK Registration Authority asking them for a list of all the names they hadn't got.
Strangely, I didn't get a reply!