Maiden voyage...take two..

Hello - what a great find this site is! Though I found it two years ago and have read/reread most of it I have never introduced myself or my boat. I've learned a lot from this site and everything shared - and I really appreciate it! It has been invaluable.

Long intro post warning

Purchased our 1995 370 Sundancer 2 years ago this week. We bought it in Pompano Beach,Fl and spent 6 days bringing back to Florida west coast, Bradenton area. Though it was a wonderful trip(6 of us total - all family) and fantastic experience I wouldn't mind taking again, we had engine troubles (both engines) on separate days during the trip. This combined with a complete lack of experience with a boat this size made for a few very tense moments. But we made it

Once at our home dock, we were able to take the boat out 3 times over the next 6 most or so. Twice we were towed back. The last time our starboard engine puked its guts out and we limped back on the one engine. The boat has sat for more than a year as frustration, logic, emotion, lack of a bigger bank account and a host of other feelings and discussions conflicted each other as we weighed the options. Long story short we purchased 2 used 454 motors and had them installed just before Christmas. Like any other project it turned out there was more needing addressed than just the initial problem. Both transmissions were leaking and the starboard shaft seal had to be replaced.

Finally picked the boat back up last weekend. Fired right up immediately, sounded great, sea trial went great and the 1-1.5 spent on the water that day afterwards had me grinning from ear to ear I am still like a kid waiting on Christmas ...itching for another trip on the boat. Luckily we vacation in the near future. The plan is to spend the week on the ICW along the gulf coast. Initially the plan was to relocate the boat to Punta Gorda area but think we have settled on a marina in Ruskin,Fl. So the weeks itinerary is yet to be finalized but regardless...it will be on the boat!

Back to the initial reason for the post - although I am not a superstitious person generally - we never re-named the boat. It has been without a name for two years now as we have struggled to find the most fitting name. The marina seems to think my "Indecision" possible suggestion is fitting.

Without a doubt this has been way over thought - but it is what it is - lol. In any event we are hoping to commit to a name and get it on the boat if possible before this second maiden voyage...and hope that the gods will be more forgiving as we intend to follow the ritual as found here in many different threads.

Little background - married 30 years - kids all grown and gone though most are close enough that we see them at least weekly if not daily often times. Tile contracting and real estate have provided well for us though we've had ups and downs as all self employed experience.

A few name choices I am hoping to get some feedback on

Knotch - Troweling. A notch trowel being the #1 used tool in tile setting. Nautical take on this could include several variations such as Knot Troweling - Nauti Troweling - Knotch Trawler - etc

Dots Knot Inn - reference to my better half and being out of the office or traveling.

Also very fond of

Euthymia - a state of internal calm and contentment. Seneca describes it as essentially being at calm with your self and trusting the path you have chosen. I really like this but hesitate for fear of being another Greek cookie cutter boat name....no offense to anyone but huge part of my dilemma is in wanting to maintain individuality. I don't think I've seen this one though.

So - how did you settle on your boat name -Easy peasy obvious or as difficult and over thought? I'd love to hear others stories and feedback.

Our boat's name, "Beachcomber" comes from my CB handle (remember those in the 70's???) and it just seemed to fit our boating style so that's how she got her name.

Two Boston Whalers, "Little Beach" for the one we use as a dinghy on the Sea Ray, and "Sunny Beach" for the Whaler we keep down in AZ to go on the lakes down here.

Keep in mind that whatever name you pick should be one that's easy to say and easy to understand when said over the VHF. When being hailed by another boat (or marina, etc.) they should say your boat's name 3 times before they say the name of the boat they're on or the marina they're calling from.


**Thanks Woody!!**

Whatever you chose, make it as unique as you can. far to many Carpe Diem's out there. Its like hailing Nick at a Greek Wedding. (I like "Indecision". One word, hard to mishear, mysterious enough to start a conversation with people you meet).

You need to do the formal renaming ceremony in order to appease Poseidon. Here it is from a web site:

The Boat Renaming Superstition, and how to get around it…
According to legend, every vessel is recorded by name in the ‘Ledger of the Deep’, and is known personally to Poseidon, or Neptune, the god of the sea. To change the name of a vessel without consulting Poseidon is to invoke his wrath, so in order to change a boat’s name, a traditional ceremony is used to appease the gods of the seas.

The first thing that must be done when renaming a boat is to purge its old name from the Ledger of the Deep, and from Poseidon's memory. This will involve wiping out every trace of the old boat name, and reciting a short ceremony to remove the boat’s name from Poseidon’s records.

The renaming ceremony can then begin, and should take place as soon after the purging ceremony as possible. Finally, the gods of the winds must be appeased with another short ceremony, which will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas, wherever you sail.

Boat Name Purging Ceremony
This is an involved process beginning with the complete removal of every trace of the boat's current identity. This is essential and must be done thoroughly.

You may use White-Out to cover the boat's name in log books, engine and maintenance records ships library books etc., but it is much easier to simply remove the offending document from the boat and start afresh. Don't forget the life rings. Do not under any circumstances carry aboard any item bearing your boat's new name until the renaming ceremony has been completed! Once you are certain every reference to her old name has been removed, you have to make a metal tag with the old name written on it in water-soluble ink.

Buy a bottle of good Champagne & invite your friends to witness and party.

Begin by invoking the name of the ruler of the deep as follows:

Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name (here insert the old name of your vessel) which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea. (At this point, the prepared metal tag is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.)

In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be passed among your guests.)

You must conduct the renaming ceremony immediately after the purging ceremony. For this you will need more Champagne.

Boat Renaming Ceremony - Begin by again calling Poseidon as follows:
Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as (Here insert the new name you have chosen), guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.)

The next step in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony; you must address each by name.

Boat Naming Ceremony - Appeasing the Gods of the winds:
This version is for the Southern Hemisphere. For the Northern Hemisphere swap around the atributes of the wind Gods, eg:

Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind would have frigid breath instead of scalding.

Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel (Insert your boat's new name) the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

(Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.

(Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.

(Facing east, repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

(Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.

Of course, any champagne remaining will be the beginnings of a suitable celebration in honor of the occasion.

Once the ceremony has been completed, you may bring aboard any and all items bearing the new name of your vessel. If you must schedule the painting of the new name on the transom before the ceremony, be sure the name is not revealed before the ceremony is finished. It may be covered with bunting or some other suitable material.

Full disclosure, I did not rename my boat after I bought it. But I have had 9 1/2 very trouble free years with my boat so I feel the gods of the sea have looked favorably on her, so why mess with it. My boat is named "Gratitude". I kind of like it and every spring when I see her and take the shrink wrap off, that is what I feel.

Gofirstclass said:

Keep in mind that whatever name you pick should be one that's easy to say and easy to understand when said over the VHF. When hailing another boat (or marina, etc.) you should say your boat's name 3 times before you say the name of the boat you're trying to reach.

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What?

LUnaCY...our daughters name is Lucy. Go original...its an ice breaker with fellow boaters and also meaningful to your personal situation. Also the Coast Guard registery has lists of names if youre looking for ideas and avoiding cliche or redundancy.

I would name it "Get a Survey"

Woody said:

What?

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Woody’s correct. You say the name of the boat you are hailing 3 times, but your own boat name once. ie, Penny, Penny, Penny, this is Sheldon on Channel 16.

Yeah, I caught that and went back and made the corrections in my post. <<BLUSHING>>

Thanks for the replies!
GoFirstClass - love the way those names tie together - nice touch.
Creekwood - that is the exact ceremony we've decided on. As much as Indecision started as a joke it is growing on us yet there is the hesitation for wanting to be known for not being able to make a decision...
Lunacy - that is a great name and love the thought of including family. 4 kids and have tried every version of acronym, initial etc we can think of but no winners.

Brewster16 - ouch...lol - truth can hurt sometimes, eh? Thats gotta be the best reply yet and well deserved. In full disclosure, I fell in love with the boat and accepted a survey PO had done a couple months earlier. Also accepted a sea trial of 10 mins in ICW, no wake zone. Hind sight? definitely not one of my smartest decisions. But with many first loves...logic wasn't present that day...

I did look for several months before purchasing and saw many boats. Most were either in poor condition or way out of my expected budget. This one walked the line or so I thought. Visually in much better shape than anything else close in price. I had also already fallen in love with the boat in general. Sellers broker seemed honest and put me at ease that the PO had it maintained with open check book at their marina for decades. Short story - I fell in love and was blinded to my own naivety.

All water under the bridge at this point. But your point is dead on - touche'!!

I did a sea trial on my first boat that went like this. Boat was not in the water. Needed to be launched. Would meet the owner in the AM at the dock. Got there, and he had the bilge pumps running. Said "all boats have a bit of water in the bilge. Its normal." Spidey sense starting. I had a mechanic with me that was going to do the survey also along for the sea trial. He arrives and the owners says he only has 20 minutes before he has to leave so we need to be quick. He does not come with us. We take her out on the lake for a run. It works only OK, with a lot of stumbling going on plane, and when we get back to the dock the bilge pump is still running. Open the hatch and the bilge is higher than before we left. Mechanic finds a bunch of stuff including a complete bellows replacement, outdrive re-seal carb rebuild etc. I get his estimate for a fix of everything, take that amount off the agreed price and got all the work done. (the P.O. didn't clue in that the "mechancial survey" was on his dime too since it was part of the "estimate" as diagnose repairs needed.

Surveys do not cost money, they save money.

Gofirstclass said:

Keep in mind that whatever name you pick should be one that's easy to say and easy to understand when said over the VHF.

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My Dad was a Poultry Specialist for IFAS and U of F. His boat was “Chicken Ship”. Say that fast three times.

We re-named our boat Viva la Vida .... live the life... our mantra.....

Good morning - update...5months later and still nameless...seems there is always some excuse to keep from committing. Lol

On a good note, we did enjoy an amazing week on the boat mostly at Caladesi Island just north of Clearwater. This is a state park with marina and only accessible by boat. Not overly crowded while we were there as tour boats run from 10am-4pm. We actually had the marina to ourselves 3 full days/nights followed by only 1-2 other boats the remaining nights. Amazing sunsets/sunrises. We also did the 3mile kayak trail thru thick mangrove trees. The path is barely wide enough for 1-2kayaks but it was a great few hrs. Very peaceful and serene. Definitely would recommend it to anyone looking to get away from the crowds.

Boat has run great since the repower. Currently replacing the Garmin 3010C with a new 1042XSV. Really confused on electronics in general but am assured this will be a huge difference. If nothing else peace of mind for me in terms of having electronics that actually work the whole trip.
I am also ready for new canvas. However my selected canvas guy is 4mos out so maybe that waits until this fall/winter.

Continuing to tinker with the many different items needing to be addressed or replaced. Seems as never ending as a typical home but everything costs double

Anyway - just wanted to take 2mins to share how pleased I still am with the boat regardless of my steep learning curve.

Enjoy your weekend!

So "Indecision" it is.

Typical maintenance on a 20+ year old boat. It's part of the "fun."

Indecision is so fitting...lol - just can’t accept being known for that

I do enjoy the “fun” in replacing these things though it drives the wife crazy.