View from the Marina: A Look Back
How do you highlight a trip that began more than 33 years ago and is still going on? My husband Vic and I began our “voyage” July 13, 1984, when we started our business here in Southwest Florida.
We are most grateful for the wonderful people who began as customers of our business and we now consider friends. Along the way we have had many highs and a few lows, but when asked what causes us to smile the most and sometimes shake our heads, it’s a pretty simple thing that I have talked about before in “The View” and that’s the names people give their boats.
Our friends at Boat U.S. keep track of names and annually publish a list of the most popular names the prior 12 months. That’s pretty interesting with a number of repeats over the past few years like Seas the Day, Aquaholic, Happy Ours and this year’s #1 – Serenity. But, there’s a lot more to this that I’ve experienced over the years.
Some of it is downright scary, other name choices make me laugh and there are some that just make you wonder, especially when you meet the captain and crew.
Just think about Bow Movement and Helmroid. Both of those offer a lot more information than any of us care to know. How about the message the captain of Eat Drink and Re-marry sends. If he’s single or about to be, I would think prospective female first mates would take a pass on a chance to cruise with him.
A few years ago Mojo made the list and I thought that was pretty clever when you consider it suggests magic power. No argument from me, anytime on board and at sea gives us all some magic that we need to recharge and recoup from time on land.
There are some that I would call practical. Lackamoolah, A-Loan Again and What College Fund? Can’t and won’t argue with any of those, there’s probably good reason why they were chosen.
I don’t know if there’s a right or wrong way to go about coming up with a name for your boat. My suggestion is pretty simple and straightforward. Develop a list of possibilities, share it with friends and family and see what they all have to say. If you can’t reach consensus, consider what your mother would say. If your choice would pass muster with her, it should with anyone.
I like creativity, but I also have an appreciation for reality. The name of the boat, type of boat and captain all ought to mesh. You don’t name a cockapoo puppy, Duke or Brutus, even if they behave that way.
What’s in a name?
I guess at the end of the day, the name you pick will be the name you have chosen. Just remember, it’s almost like the web, whatever you post will be there forever, that is, unless you sell the boat and buy another or change the name, but that’s kind of cheesy.
I’m pleased to note that the vast majority of names I have seen since beginning our voyage in 1984 have brought a smile to my face. I hope that continues as we cruise on.
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The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women.
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