Association Forum - Naming the boat before we launch...

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Naming the boat before we launch...

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

BFTEagles
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/01/2008 : 11:44:02

I've been reading the posts on this forum for several months now, but have never registered. I'm ready to start contributing now. We've owned a Precision 21 (and still do if anyone is interested) and loved it dearly. We decided to upgrade and can't wait to use the Catalina 25. My dad owned a Catalina 22 way back in the day and loves the design of a Catalina boat. Our 1981 C25 is sitting on the trailer in my driveway, ready to be splashed. We bought it in Charleston, SC and have been working to seal up the cabin. We've removed the swing keel's pin and bolts, checked them and reinstalled everything. New zincs. Fresh bottom paint. Reinforced the motor mount from the quarter berth. It's all ready to go...we just need to name it. I have a hard time naming a boat. I've got a fishing boat in the driveway too that has been used for a year now without a name. Will my sailing world be cursed if we don't get a name on it first?

1981 Catalina 25 "unnamed"
2006 Key West 2020 cc "unnamed"
1987 Precision 21 "The Jazz"
Old 14ft Jon boat "The Fishnutz"

Beaufort, SC

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 12:01:28

Sailing your boat without a name is certain DOOM, akin to bringing a woman on board or leaving port on a Friday.

I sailed without a name on the boat for three years. I kept writing names on a piece of paper, but could not decide. One sheet became two, then three, then four sheets of names.

Very difficult process. One test for us, was, what does it sound like to a bridge tender after you hail him fast three times.

Good Luck

Edited by - Davy J on 05/01/2008 12:27:27

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

Members Avatar

USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 14:59:54

If it helps, I never really named my San Juan 21, the previous owners called it "Juan Quixote", but that really never did it for me. When I referred to it, it was by it's sail number, or "the San Juan". I sailed that boat for about six years like that, and the worst thing that ever happened to me was on my first or second trip back into the marina when the engine conked out. Not a very impressive display of seamanship for my then new girlfriend at the time. We spent a while trying desperately not to play bumperboats and fortunately it was a cold day in April, so there wasn't anyone in the peanut gallery. After a few more outings in the boat, I learned that where the engine conked out on that occasion was pretty much where I could shut it off & scull in anyway. Live & learn.

On our C-250, we spent months trying to come up with a name that we both liked. We sailed it a number of times without a name, but decided on one before we put it in the marina. You can read about it [url="http://ritaho.blogspot.com/2007/07/whats-meaning-got-story-behind-from.html"]here[/url] if you're interested.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 15:23:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Will my sailing world be cursed if we don't get a name on it first?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No, but birds will roost in your rigging.

Welcome to the Forum. Sounds like you have a head start on most Newbies, so I expect I'll be asking your advice before too long.

If you edit your profile to include your boat details, you will get more qualified responses. I take it you have a standard rig Swing Keel, same year as mine. I'd like to see pictures.

When we bought our boat, we didn't like the name so we peeled the old vinyl off and picked a new name - EL Barco - but on our way out to the dock (on our way back from the liquour store where we procured a bottle of Dom to christen the boat with) we saw that the commodore of the marina had a boat named El Barco, so we named it La Barca...which in the end seemed a more fitting name. We have had nothing but good luck with this boat....even though we defied all the naming conventions. (a boat with three names in one day)
Welcome, we look forward to hearing all about your sailing adventures on a boat made in Catalina's best ever year.

Edited by - stampeder on 05/01/2008 15:24:07

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 15:27:13

The time to put a reef in is when you first start thinking that you might need one because it might get worse while your thinking.

The time to name the boat is when you first start thinking that not naming it will bring bad luck...Why tempt it....

Edited by - Champipple on 05/01/2008 15:28:11

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 15:49:21

A nephew of mine has a Striper fishing boat and while out on the Atlantic fishing, he developed engine problems and required assistance. When on the radio, he was asked what his vessel's name was, but he had never named the boat, so he replied, "this is um...er...Striper". From then on, he refers to his boat as Striper.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 15:50:45

My new one was called Whatsername for her first several months--radioing bridge operators and such. Some folks were lobbying me to name her Dark Side (for where I had gone)... I finally decided on something with great significance within my family--it's a mystery to the bridge operators, one of whom says it should be Chief.

Just don't name yours Ecsta Sea --please.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/01/2008 19:35:59

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 17:21:03

Here are a few thousand to consider.
http://www.boatus.com/boatgraphics/names/Fnames.asp
http://www.namethatboat.com/popular-boat-names.htm

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 19:57:59

I just named my boat , in aobut a five foot long lettering on the side, and its called "Don't Panic" but the best part is that it is written upside down,,
think about it,,lol

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 20:12:33

Good one! Have you heard of Derek Crawford's famous C-25 in Texas: ^ This Side Up ^

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/01/2008 20:13:19

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 20:36:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">"Don't Panic"<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Keep your towel handy.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 21:06:10

The name of my boat was named by the previous owner: Obsession. I know I shall change the name, but haven't decided on the name yet.

I am more distracted by the sail numbers:911

Edited by - on

filmsomething
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2008 : 21:40:24

Congrats on the new boat. Oddly enough I sold my P21 and upgraded to a C25 also. And I'm also in the same "boat" as you and cannot decide on a name. Good luck on your first sail and finding a name.

ps. I wanted to name it "dont panic" and write it up side down, but it just seemed like it would curse it

Edited by - on

quilombo
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
301 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 05:44:23

Im not superstitious Jon, just thought it was funny,,, lol, hope Im right

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 07:05:24

We settled on a name for ours after my wife told me that the PO's name wasn't her cup of tea. "Iris" will be splashed in a week or two. Her namesake is found here: http://hunter.apana.org.au/~gallae/pantheon/myth/iris.htm

For us the challenge was not finding a name, it is getting the boat to "forget" its old name which was 11 letters long written in 6" block letters on the side of the boat. our new name, 4 letters long in 12" letters doesn't have nearly the same footprint.

I have been out every night with rubbing compound trying to get the wax off the hull and to blend out the gelcoat so the old lettering doesn't show. If I get one letter out in a night I consider it a success. If I buy another boat, I will be sure I like its name, because I NEVER want to do this again.

While i don't consider it bad luck to rename a boat, I am a little superstitious in that I feel your boat should not "remember" its old name.

(If anyone knows of a faster way to remove wax down to gelcoat, my arms would appreciate the tip)

Edited by - Prospector on 05/02/2008 07:48:53

Renzo
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 08:22:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">[i](If anyone knows of a faster way to remove wax down to gelcoat, my arms would appreciate the tip)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
If it is truly a WAX and not a polymer compound, full strength commercial grade ammonia (available at HD or Lowes as a floor wax stripper will remove most of the wax. Any remaining wax will be easier to remove with the rubbing compound because it will have been softened by the ammonia treatment.

PS: I assume you are using a motorized buffing wheel with your rubbing compound.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 09:27:42

The only way to completely remove ghosting is to remove some gelcoat.
I sanded my topsides gelcoat to remove 25 year old remnants of vinyl and stick-on crap. I removed a miniscule amount of gelcoat, using a light touch with 200 grit sanding discs on a random orbit sander.
Some boat owners think this is a completely stupid idea, some think it is a good idea if you've got sufficient thickness of gelcoat. I believe that my boat has a sufficient thickness of gelcoat. After having spent an entire week sanding off 25 years worth of accumulated paint off the bottom, I was in tune with my sander and had a good feel for things. I decided to sand the topsides after careful consideration and the gathering of many opinions. My topsides now look like new, I don't think I sanded off as much as an ounce of gelcoat dust.

Edited by - on

cat1951
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 09:55:24

We will be renaming our C25 this Fall when we take her out for a new bottom job. Nothing wrong with the present name, but the Admiral wants something in Italian..since that is her heritage. We have been considering things like: on the wind, with the wind, seabreeze, fresh breeze, all in Italian of course.

There are two names that I have always liked for those with a sense of humor:
Name the boat "After You" then when someone asks you can always say I named it after you.

The other one that I think is pretty clever is "Knot for Sail"... I have seen that at our location, so it is not a choice for us.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 10:20:47

Boat names that we giggled at (or at least I did) included:

"Mary" - so we could tell folks to "Hail Mary" on the VHF
"What" - So when folks said "What's your Boat's name" we could answer "Thats right"
"Pop-Pop" with a graphic of popcorn on the stern - Then when folks hailed us - "pop-pop, pop-pop, pop-pop" they would make a bowl of popcorn.

There were others, they slip my mind now. Lost genius.

Edited by - on

BFTEagles
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2008 : 17:37:33

Thanks for all the great responses. Lots of funny stories...we hope to launch her on Memorial Day Weekend. By the way, are most people on this board from the Northeast or what? Just curious...I'm loving life down here in the Sunny South...

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2008 : 09:02:02

Hi Brian,
Welcome to the forum.
Brian asked;<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">By the way, are most people on this board from the Northeast or what? Just curious...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not at all. There are sailors from every corner of the country and many from Canada as well. Check out the Cruising forum and you'll see stories and pictures from all over. I especially like to hear stories/see pics from the Seattle-Vancouver area, just beautiful!

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 08:44:02

We've been lucky in that the names of our boats have really just sort of come to us. Our only criteria has been that the name must be short-ish (less than maybe 10-12 letters and no more than 2-3 syllables) and easy to understand, which might be important in an emergency when you're identifying yourself over the VHF radio.

Our first boat was a used Capri-16, which the previous owner had named Blue. She was about 17 1/2 feet long overall, but her beam was about 7 1/2 feet - she looked round to us. My wife took one look at her and laughed: "She looks more like a BlueBERRY, than a sailboat!" So, the name stuck.

(By the way, the Capri-16 actually had a small cabin with a porta-pottie, cooler, and two quarter berths; we regularly "camped out" in her for a couple of days at a time. Also, she was surprisingly fast despite her short waterline and chubby beam. Finally, she was very, very simple: halyards, mainsheet, jibsheets, downhaul, outhaul - no winches, no furling, no traveler, etc., and I think that this made her very NON-intimidating for someone new to sailing like my wife. This was my wife's first sailboat and first serious experience with sailing; she fell in love with this little boat and sailing in general, and we've been messing about in sailboats ever since.)

Our second boat - a 2007 Catalina 18 mk II - was purchased when we were living in a town on Lake Tahoe. Although we had loved Blueberry, we thought that our new C-18 was much more beautiful and sleek. When we took possession of the boat in the spring, the wildflowers were in full bloom, especially the Lupines. Since the (new and beautiful) boat's arrival had coincided with the (new and beautiful) spring Lupine flowers, we named the new boat Lupine.

So, now we find ourselves the proud new owners of a 2008 C-250wk and we've been casting about for a suitable name. Since this all started with our C-16, we wanted to pay homage to the little boat, and so we've named the new boat Bluebell. This gives us a reference to our first ever boat and contains a floral element connection to the first new boat that we ever owned. We're happy, and we hope the sailing Gods are pleased.

So, there you have it; more than you ever wanted to know about the nomenclature lineage of the Wallace's sailboats.

Happy sailing and good luck finding a suitable name,
(Kali &) Martin

Edited by - MartinJW on 05/10/2008 08:49:37

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 10:23:25

Our first boat, a CLark 14, made by the Clark Boat Company (San Juan 21, 24, etc) was named MADAKAT, for my brother and co-user MAtt, DAvid (me), and our mother KAthryn, who put up the purchase money. Later, in 1977, Matt and I bought the C-22, (I bought him out a few years later and still own and race her) which went unnamed until about 4 years ago when we named her Shadowfax, after the wizard Gandolf's white stallion in Lord of the Rings. We named the C-25 RECESS, which is a throw-back to grade school referring to going out to play. Seemed a nice fit!

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/10/2008 10:23:47

Oksky
1st Mate

Members Avatar

Canada
40 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 10:32:26

We will be doing our boat nameing cerimony this Wednesday before we launch her for the season. Now I'm not superstitious, just looking for a reason to waste a little whiskey:-)The new name is Occum's Razor.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.