Re: Boat Names
Here in Ontario you register a small boat and get a registration number or you license a large boat and get a name. Jurisdiction is determined by the boat, gross weight I think.<br /><br />Regardless, I think names are pretty good too so we're naming our boat, the only proviso is we have to keep the registration number visible as well. Fine by me.<br /><br />Since you're thinking of naming your boat too I thought I'd pass on these simple rules to "test" your name with. I can't remember where I got them but they seem pretty good nonetheless.<br /><br />Will your boat name weather this storm? <br />1) The Explanation Test. How often do you want to explain what the name means?Bizarre Greek gods, in-jokes, and foreign words _usually_ fail this test.Names that are difficult to spell fall in this category. <br />2) The Non-cute Test. How sappy is the name? Puns, childhood nicknames,and in-jokes _usually_ fail this test. <br />3) The Brevity Test. "Brevity is the soul of wit" and the soul of boatnames. Imagine repeating your boat name 3 times, preceded by a "Mayday"(or is that "M'aidez", Pierre?). Still sound like a good name? <br />4) The Hubris Test. If you're racing, try not to pick names like "MagicBullet", "Blew By You" (see test 2), or "Clear Ahead", unless you feel you can live up to them. <br />5) The "Been There, Done That" Test. Don't name your boat after a type of wind (Zypher, Sirroco, Breeze), a mytho- historical boat (Dawn Treader, Ra, Spray) or an alcoholic beverage. Unless, of course, that's what the boat tells you her name is. <br />6) The Embarrassment Factor. Imagine explaining your boat's name to someone you don't like, and who doesn't like you. If grudging respect is not a possible outcome, you may wish to reconsider. <br />7) The Corruption Test. What will your 'friends' call your boat? e.g. White Hawk=White Cloud or Serenity=Senility. <br />8) The Omen test. Followed a boat cutely named 'Das Broke' out one day. He promptly drove over a submerged section of break wall at high speed and sank. <br />9) The radio Test. "Over and Out" would be a bad name. ... "This is Summertime calling Over and Out. Do you copy?" Huh?? <br />The above rules should be weighted by how much, if at all, you care about what others think of you and your boat.
