From the Long John Silver and other famous pirate ship names, pretty much every well-known boat has a catchy namesake attached to it. Whether or not you choose to brand your vessel with a name is completely your choice but naming your boat is a long standing tradition and for many people something that can quite hard to do.

We’ve had boaters here at Holt Marine tell us that coming up with their boat name was more challenging than settling on a name for their first born child! So with that said, here’s a few tips how you can successfully name your watercraft.

Why do people name their boats?

Giving your boat a name is a century old tradition that came from superstitious. As history knows the storms and the seas of the world’s oceans can be very treacherous for those out on the water in a vessel, and early voyagers believed that blessing and naming their boat would protect them against potential harm when at sea. Nowadays it’s a tradition that’s become popular with boaties as it’s a way to refer to their boat and give a personalised sense of ownership. One thing all boaters will agree on is that their boat is always a SHE.

Top Boat Names in the USA

1. Island time
2. Seas the Day
3. It’s about time
4. Liberty
5. Serendipity
6. Second Wind

Tips for naming your boat

• Pick a name that means something to you and conveys the mood of your boat and what you want it to convey. Conventional people might be tempted to pick a popular boat name from a list of other vessels, but there’s something to be said for a completely unique name, and steering away from some of the popular names that have almost become cliché.

• Less is more and shorter is generally better when it comes to boat names.

• Avoid names already used in your marina to avoid having the same name as the boat next to you.

• Decide on the personality of your boat – smaller fishing boats will have a different (usually more understated) names than that off a luxury yacht.

• Don’t curse yourself or tempt fate with something like ‘Run aground’ or ‘on the rocks’ even ‘Tsunami’ is asking for trouble.

• Make it short and easy to say if possible. This will make it easier to communicate the boats name over radio to coast guard.

• If there’s a story behind your boat it can be a great idea for a boat name.

The letters of your boat name can be easily ordered from a sign making shop in vinyl or a lettering artist to hand paint on the vessel.

Give your new boat a name and a claim to fame

With a wide range of used and new boats on sale, Holt Marine is your team of marine specialists in Brisbane. Come in and see us at 25 Queens Road, Everton Hills or call us (07) 3353 1928.