Creative Fishing Boat Names: How to Choose the Perfect Name for Your Vessel
Creative boat names have been around for thousands of years. The first historical reference to a boat with a name was the "Praise of the Two Lands", which was recorded around 2613 BC in Ancient Egypt. This time-honored tradition is one of the most fun things you can do when you purchase a new boat, and you shouldn't take it lightly. In this post, we'll cover factors you should consider when naming your boat, how to come up with creative boat names, and how to not get in trouble with regulatory rules for naming boats.
The Tradition of Naming Boats
It's believed that the tradition of coming up with fishing boat names used to be steeped in religious beliefs. Sailors would name ships after various deities or saints, in hopes that the boat would carry them safely home again on their journey. Superstitions exist around boating naming to this day with many believing that it’s bad luck to rename a boat. Tradition also holds that a boat’s name shouldn’t begin with the letter ‘O’, and it’s considered a bad idea to tempt fate by naming your vessel after a tragedy, such as the Titanic.
Some boat names are so famous that ships are remembered for centuries to come. The Mayflower, for example, carried the first Pilgrims to the United States. Christopher Columbus made his most famous voyage with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. The HMS Beagle carried Charles Darwin around the world, and we also remember famous ships like the Queen Mary, the Black Pearl, and RMS Lusitania.
Factors to Consider When Naming Your Fishing Boat
When coming up with fishing boat names, you may want to think of something with personal significance and meaning to you. This can make your boat's name a good conversational icebreaker when you meet other people in the boating lifestyle. For example, if you see a boat with names like Reel Estate or Stocks and Blondes, you can already guess a little something about their profession and sense of humor. You might want to think about the boat's purpose and name it something close to that.
Strive for something unique and original, and keep the name easy to pronounce and remember. Most boat names are only one to three words. If someone needs to relay the name of your vessel on their VHF radio in an emergency, you want them to be able to pronounce it!
Creative Ideas and Inspiration
Names related to sea life, fishing, nautical terms, and humor are very popular themes when it comes to naming boats. When deciding what to name my boat, you can draw on pop culture, literature, mythology, or something else that interests you.
One thing you'll notice when you get out on the water is that many people use puns and wordplay to come up with a fun and catchy name. You may have a personal interest or hobby that you want to incorporate into the name. Some people name their boat after favorite sports terms that also are puns for fishing, like the Good Tackle (football) or the Strike (bowling).
Tips for Brainstorming Boat Names
Let your friends and family members know you're trying to come up with funny fishing boat names - someone might have a great idea that comes up first thing when you ask for help! You can also create a list of potential names and then narrow it down or refine some of them until you come up with the perfect name.
No rule or regulation says two vessels cannot have the same name, like with license plates on personal vehicles. If you are trying to come up with something original, however, you can search the Coast Guard's Boat Name Database to check for duplicates. If you're struggling to come up with an appropriate moniker, there are plenty of boat name generators that you can find online to help.
Legal and Practical Considerations
Both the name of your vessel and its hailing port are required to be registered with the Coast Guard's Vessel Documentation Management System. Names are required to use letters of the Latin alphabet, or Arabic or Roman numerals and must be at least 4 inches high for visibility purposes. In most cases, the new name has to be painted on the stern and the port and starboard sides.
The Coast Guard has some additional regulations that you need to keep in mind when naming a boat. As mentioned above, boat names need to be kept short. The Coast Guard only allows 33 characters, including spaces, for boat names. Profanity is strictly prohibited, and you can't use anything obscene or indecent in the name. Another important rule is that the name cannot match any nautical term used to call for help at sea, such as "Man Overboard" or "Mayday”, “SOS”, etc.
Showcasing Your Boat Name
Your boat's name should be applied in a durable format like a decal or paint, so that it won't fade away quickly. You might want to consider customizing your boat's accessories and gear with the new name.
A traditional boat christening ceremony is a fun way to "officially" launch your new vessel. Gather with some friends and family and something bubbly to drink, such as champagne or mocktails. A green and leafy branch is traditionally placed on the boat to signify a safe return to port. Name the boat with a toast and then take your guests out for an inaugural spin. You're now ready to share the name and story of your boat with the rest of the fishing community!
Get Out and Enjoy the Water with Gemlux
Take your time to come up with a creative boat name that is meaningful and memorable. Naming boats is a time-honored tradition and a part of joining the rest of the boating community. At Gemlux, we understand the importance of this tradition and encourage you to share your own story of how you named your boat in the comments!