Top Ten Boat Naming Tips

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Here are some really simple, useful tips to consider when naming your boat.  Your boat's name is more important than it may seem; it becomes your identity on the water, reflects who you are, your values and your character.  Choose wisely and seriously take into account the Top Ten Boat Naming Tips listed below before permanently affixing your new moniker to your stern.

If you are considering renaming your boat, solemnly heed tip #10.  Forgetting to do a proper christening could bring on all sorts of unpleasant, unexpected happenings with a vengeance.  If you feel you need the facts on renaming your boat and the surprising consequences of failing to observe the mandatory ceremonial liturgies go to:  Renaming Your Boat - Ceremony Required?   You'll be glad you did!

Top Ten Boat Naming Tips 

Article from FirstBoat*

1. Less is More 

The shorter the better, especially in an emergency, as every second counts when you are calling for help. In addition, many in the sailing community feel you should try to limit a boat name to one word.

2. Tempting

You don’t want to tempt the gods of the sea one way or the other. Names like “On the Rocks” or “Bottoms Up” may turn out to be more appropriate than you ever intended. By the same token, if you name your boat “Titanic”, or anything else that implies un-sinkability, are just asking for it.

3. Women and Children

Guys: yes, your boat is a “she”. But before you name her after your wife, think about this: What if, even after that grand gesture, she still doesn’t appreciate the boat? Or, if she shares your love of boating, what if she is simply uncomfortable with the idea of sharing her name?

4. NSFW 

NSFW is a term born on the Internet to describe content that is inappropriate, as in “Not suitable/safe for work”. Is your boat name appropriate for kids to see? Will your boss or clients be on the boat, or will they be put off if they get wind of the name? Will friends and family be embarrassed or offended by the name you choose?

5. Honor Thy Neighbor

You don't have to be totally original, but avoid names already used in your harbor, or at least in your marina. There are no rules currently in the US about re-using boat names, but having the same name as the boat next to you is just silly.

6. The VHF Test 

Imagine repeating your boat name several times over the VHF radio in a call to the Coast Guard or dockmaster, and all other boats within listening range. How do you sound? Now, add static and other background noise. Repeat.

7. Turn a Sail into a Sale

That’s so clever, we’ll say it again. A boat name related to your business can help you turn a sail into a sale ™.If you own a business or work for one that you’re proud of, name your boat something related to the company name and you’ll have a billboard on the water, or at least a conversation starter about what you do for a living.

8. Dot Calm

Is the dot-come domain name available to match your boat name? This could be of interest if you are a cruiser, live-aboard, race your boat, share it with other fractional owners, or if you simply want a blog about your boating adventures.

9. The Aqua-Holics

Your boat name will be YOUR name. People you meet may not remember your name, they will remember you by your boat name. This is exaggerated for cruisers and live-aboards. The owners of the Mary-Jane become known as “the Mary-Janes”, the owners of the Jenny become “the Jenny’s”. You get the picture. Do you really want to be known as the Aqua-Holics?

10. Re-Naming a Boat

It is not bad luck to re-name a boat… as long as you christen the boat properly. In fact, whether you buy a new boat or a used boat, always christen her with the new boat name. There are various boat naming ceremonies available on the Internet, but all you really have to do is pop open a bottle of champagne, splash some on the hull, and toast the new boat’s name with at least one witness. Oh, and make sure you say something nice and respectful about Poseidon and/or Neptune.

*For over ten years, FirstBoat has been providing both new and experienced boaters with information about the basics of boating. Whether you are researching new yachts, trying to come up with a boat name, or looking for the latest boating news, check FirstBoat first to find answers fast. 

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Freedive to Freedom

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Spring is a season most of us water enthusiasts long for in the winter doldrums; it heralds that boating time of year. To begin the warm up process for the run through the season, many seek relaxation and adventure on far away tropical islands like Honaunau Bay, Hawaii. This couple did.

Here's a video set to reggae island music that is as relaxing and spellbinding as it is rejuvenating. It should hold your attention for at least its 3 1/2 minutes duration, probably more. Don your virtual snorkel, mask and fins for a freedive with the sea turtles, dolphins and tropical fish.

If you need more time recharging this Spring you can Chill Out on a Tropical Island Paradise or Take a Trip to Eden. Enjoy the break!

Double click on the video for full immersion.


William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Top Boating Photos of 2013

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Last year BoatU.S.Magazine* sponsored a photo contest in August, 2012 where entrants could earn prizes for the best "on-the-water photographs". In the February/March 2013 issue the finalists and winners were revealed along with their entries.  Here is just a sampling of some of the most artistic, lifestyle and scenic photos of the lot.  More can be found in February/March issue. Enjoy.

                     Left click on the photos once for a black background and improved contrast!                 

Winner of Artistic

         "White on Black Water", by Tom McCandless of Georgetown, ME

Winner of Lifestyle

"The Next Chapter", by Christian Suchecki of Drexel Hill, PA

Winner of Scenic

"Sunset in Key Largo", by Elvisay Vazquez, Key Largo, FL

*BoatU.S.Magazine is a bimonthy publication of the Boat Owners Association of the United States.  It's an award winning magazine that keeps you up-to-date on the issues that affect every boater. 

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Preview To Offshore Powerboat Racing

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Most everyone who spends time on the water has seen them at one time or another, those ear splitting, brightly colored powerboats that skip across the water at break neck speeds.  They can be the most dangerous and powerful racing machines known to man in large part due to the speeds they can attain, the highly volatile fuel needed to power the craft and the unique design and balance of the hulls built to withstand ever changing elements of wind  and water. A finely tuned balance needs to be maintained to max out speed to the point of possible wipeout.

Offshore powerboat racing has been around since 1904 when the first race took place from the southeast coast of England to Calais, France.  Today, it's as popular as ever with classes of boats ranging from single, twin and four piston engine V-bottom boats and catamarans to turbines in various hull configurations.  The races have become more spectator friendly lately, but endurance offshore races are what give the sport it's name.

In this video, Marc Granet, driver of the powerboat Miss Geico, describes his passion for powerboat racing; his desire to build the fastest boat with a greatest team that knows how to compete and win.  Miss Geico is a 40 ft turbine powered monster. Grant describes the boat this way, "This boat is beyond extreme.  We hit 210 mph (338 km/h) in seconds," he adds, "There is nothing like it on the water."

Double click on the video for a HiDef full video presentation.



William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's Log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here. Lubber's Log

Xtreme Wakeboarding

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

Wakeboarding
A water sport briskly gaining in popularity among boating enthusiasts is wakeboarding (see video in this post).  It's been around since the mid 1980's and has really caught on lately, providing new challenges on the water; thrills and spills to the boarder and an amazing spectacle to the viewer if done with knack and flair. 

To the uninitiated, wakeboarding is really a melding of snow boarding, water skiing and surfing. The board looks like a broad water ski with boot bindings affixed fore and aft according to the rider's preference. 

Boarders are pulled behind a "wakeboard boat" which is different from a "ski boat" in that it is more often stern driven with more weight in the rear to create a larger wake for jumping and other fancy maneuvers like, "bigwings", "whirlybirds", "dum dums" and "fruitloops" (the sport, sports its own language...).  

The Boats
Wakeboard boats have a tower attached to a towrope, typically 7 feet (2 meters) off the water's surface, to make jumping easier. The boat is often an open bow with radial seating up front and in the cockpit. It operates at slower speeds than most ski boats, usually in the range of 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 kph) to facilitate the timing of maneuvers and provide a larger wake. Another characteristic of most official wakeboard boats is that they have a variable ballast system where water can be pumped into and out of a ballast tank to effect weight distribution and wake size, helping to facilitate "tricks". 

The Video 
The video in this post is of the Xtreme variety featuring some of the best wakeboarders in the world. Produced by Network_A, this video is a teaser for the movie, DEFY featuring extraordinary wakeboarders, Danny Harf, Parks Bonifay and Dean Smith. Their stunts are  amazing and artfully done using floating rails, drain pipes and helicopters. Hang on to your towrope, this video will capture the imaginations of the amateur and the respect of the proficient.

This is a Hi Resolution video.  Double click on it for a full screen production.
 


William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

Chill Out - A Tropical Island Paradise Beckons

Introduction by William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

It's January and if you long for longer, sunny, warm days this time of year a tropical paradise is never too far away; a place where life slows down, lush verdant tropical foliage abound from the mountains down to the soft coral sand and calm, teal tropical sea.

Imagine yourself in another time and place where cares drift down peaceful waterways and soft breezes waft through your hair bringing a refreshing calmness and renewed spirit.

If this is where you want to be even if it's virtual and transient, you've come to the right place. Grab your favorite beverage and chill out in Tahiti for eight minutes. If that's not enough, take a trip to Papua New Guinea. We went there last year, remember? Trip to Eden - a Tropical Paradise.  The tropics beckon.

 It's in high definition (HD). Double click on the screen for a full view video immersion.

Wonderful Chill Out Music Nature Videos

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.

              

Five Boating Safety Tips for the Timid Docker

Are You Terrified of Docking Your Boat? Take These Top Five Docking Safety Tips and Conquer Your Fears!

Introduction by 
William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill

In two previous popular posts with video presentation, A Boater's Worst Fear - Docking and Example of Boat Docking Finesse! we recognized docking as a major cause of apprehension for some boaters and then demonstrated how it's done with confidence and apparent ease.  The following article by Barbara Day, provides some practical advice on docking to quell one of a boaters principal fears.



Article by Barbara Day 

While many boaters boast about being great captains, only a few can claim to be masters at docking.

Just like learning how to operate and steer a vessel, docking is another essential skill for all boaters. Like parallel parking with cars, however, docking is something that many new boaters are very uncomfortable with, some terrified of.  It takes a lot of practice and time to become skilled at anything - and docking is no exception.

Here are some helpful hints for those who don't want to ruin their expensive toys when they’re finished on the water.

1) Slow and Steady

Slow and steady wins the race, but it also leads to successful docking. It is never a good idea to approach a dock at anything over a turtle's crawl.

Lower the boat's speed as much as possible, but ensure that it is still possible to steer and maneuver. If the boat is approaching too quickly bow to, go into reverse to stop the acceleration away from the dock. Just the reverse is true when maneuvering stern to.

2) Watch the Wind

The wind will surely affect how the boat handles when docking.  To determine which way the wind is blowing and how hard, pay attention to the flag, pennant or burgee on your boat or the flagpole at the dock or other boats. While the current also causes the boat to move in a certain direction, it is more likely that both the wind and current are going the same way.

For a wind that is blowing against entry, it is easiest to go head-on into the breeze until the last moment to prevent being pushed back out. When the boat is an ideal distance away, turn at a sharp angle to align the boat with the marine dock. When the wind is blowing the boat towards the dock, simply stop the engine or put it in neutral with the boat parallel to it, and let the breeze take the boat in.

3) Go with the Flow

The water current behaves much like the wind, but it can cause more of a problem because it bounces back when it hits a barrier. This can throw off timing and planning, so watch the waves, and study its patterns before making an attempt to dock.

4) Pay Attention to the Surroundings

Docks can be tight and filled with other boats, so make sure to pay close attention to the amount of room surrounding the boat. The positioning of other docked boats can greatly affect the difficulty of docking.

When maneuvering into a narrow space with a single entryway, make sure there is sufficient room when turning the boat to avoid colliding with the dock or another vessel.

5) Prepare the Boat for Contact

When approaching the dock, be ready to use the stern lines and bow lines. Timing is key during docking, so the boat needs to be tied down quickly and correctly.

Remember to also attach fenders to the boat to shield it from colliding with the dock. Concrete docks can cause extensive damage on impact if they're not equipped with dock bumpers and pads.

Boat Docking Video: See How It’s Done In a Small Boat
Same tips apply for larger boats.

There you have it, Five tips that should reduce your anxiety about docking! Have any tips of your own? Please share in a comment. Want more info?  Here’s some additional boat docking detail from Boat/US.   

Article by Barbara Day, 

Contributing author and experienced boating enthusiast.

William L. Gills aka Bos'n Bill, webmaster of this site, is the author of the book Lubber's log, published by Llumina Press; a boating journal and adventure story of the author's first time experiences in the preparation, maintenance and piloting of a new, unfamiliar boat. You can visit his website here.