Changing a Boat's Name.

[magictime]

I'd always planned to rename any boat we bought 'Ella Guru', after the Captain Beefheart song. Well, we finally found a nice, inexpensive boat that was already on a convenient local mooring, handed over the money, and set off proudly on our first cruise. We must have travelled all of 50 metres before spying, stuck inside the window of a fellow moorer about three boats down from us, a printed A4 sheet with the words 'Ella Guru' printed on it. An online check suggested that it's the only boat on the system with that name. Grr! Stole our thunder.

[patty-ann]

Choosing a boat name personalises it. One boater told me its one of the most important decisions you make and not to be made lightly and he's right. Many names churned in my brain before I settled on My Time.

As to being bad luck to change a name that depends on own belief.

[Keeping Up]

I remember reading that the difficulty with choosing a name is that somehow in just a couple of words you have to convey your age, social status, level of wealth, and whether or not you have read the Lord of the Rings.

[Ten]

"Even Lost":)

 

What was he imprisoned for, Boat theft?

Haha, good one

[Black Ibis]

I like place names as boat names, in the manner of the Big Woolwiches and Northwiches. I think they sounds very dignified and classic. Barwell, Selwyn, Chesterton would be on my list.

Edited January 29, 2014 by Black Ibis

[Guest]

I like place names as boat names, in the manner of the Big Woolwiches and Northwiches. I think they sounds very dignified and classic. Barwell, Selwyn, Chesterton would be on my list.

 

We were chuffed when we met 'Whitby' on the T&M once. Not only because it's a fine looking boat but because the town of Whitby is just up the road from us and miles away from any part of the connected inland waterways.

 

Not a particularly 'dignified and classic' name but it resonated with me.

[Henhouse]

it's fine as long as the new boat name is made up from the same collection of letters used for the old.

 

eg. Lovenest could be renamed, SloeVent

 

 

simples.

 

Slightly , but............................

Race Horses have to have their name registered with the British Horseracing Authority, and once given, a name can never be changed.

 

A name must be no more than 18 characters, including spaces. All names are vetted ( excuse the pun ), to prevent mischievous owners from creating names which may sound rude, or cause offence when pronounced at speed during a race commentary.

 

However, occasionally a name does slip through and is registered.

 

Julie Cecil (ex wife of the late Sir Henry) managed to name one Mary Hinge.

 

Another, in different ownership was called Wear The Fox Hat. (try saying it quickly).

[magnetman]

I changed the name of my boat and it has brought me nothing but good luck

 

Perhaps it is because I changed it back to the original name it was given when it first got a wet bottom.

[FadeToScarlet]

I like Classic RN style names- Ajax, Adroit, Warspite, Audacious, Repulse, implacable, Agamemnon.....

[magnetman]

I renamed one of my narrow boats 'INFLEXIBLE' (no longer own it) and my dinghy is called 'INDOMITABLE'

 

Both battle cruisers from WW1

 

[FadeToScarlet]

I renamed one of my narrow boats 'INFLEXIBLE' (no longer own it) and my dinghy is called 'INDOMITABLE'

Both battle cruisers from WW1

I quite like the idea of a rubber dinghy called "Inflexible".

[Radiomariner]

I've always wanted a boat called freedom or independence.

I once sailed on a ship called "British Freedom", bit big for Inland Waterways though

[Southern Star]

I think if I named a boat, I'd call it "Beefor".

 

Then when people said "Why is your boat called Beefor?" I could say...

 

B for boat.

[luctor et emergo]

sorrowly tempted to call my boat 'de Seven Provincien'....

[FadeToScarlet]

I think if I named a boat, I'd call it "Beefor".

 

Then when people said "Why is your boat called Beefor?" I could say...

 

B for boat.

http://beefur.blogspot.com

[MtB]

My fave boat name is on a narrowboat called ILLUSTRIOUS.

 

It's a terribly down-at-heel narrowboat that CCs around Braunston way. I'm sure the owners revel in the sheer inappropriateness of the name!

 

 

MtB

Edited January 30, 2014 by Mike the Boilerman

[luctor et emergo]

not really..

[Ten]

I think if I named a boat, I'd call it "Beefor".

 

Then when people said "Why is your boat called Beefor?" I could say...

 

B for boat.

Haha, I like it :-)

[MtB]

Puts me in mind of the "Surrealist's Alphabet", except they have 'B for mutton'...

 

http://monologues.co.uk/Sketches/Surrealist_Alphabet.htm

 

 

Similarly there is the Cockney Alphabet:

 

http://spitalfieldslife.com/2012/05/21/the-cockney-alphabet/

 

 

MtB

 

 

 

(Edit spelling.)

Edited January 31, 2014 by Mike the Boilerman

[Beaker]

R for crown!

[Emerald Fox]

Dog -> God perhaps?

All those who changed the name of their narrowboat 150 years ago are now dead, so, yes, it does bring bad luck.

[river dragonfly]

Do it when she is out of the water not superstitious but all sailors are true?

[Machpoint005]

Do it when she is out of the water not superstitious but all sailors are true?

 

Que?

[Ray T]

Do it when she is out of the water not superstitious but all sailors are true?

 

I have canoed a fair amount, raced sailing dinghy's for 12 odd years, spent many happy hours offshore sailing plus some unhappy ones, narrow boated for many a year. Sorry but I am not in the least superstitious.

 

But I do like tradition.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Ray T

[Machpoint005]

especially if it involves a traditional ale?

 

(Me too)