That which we call ‘Windbag’ by any other name would be as sweet….. (apologies to Mr. Shakespeare!)
Deciding to get a new boat; searching for the ‘one’; inspecting; haggling; budgeting; waiting for the survey: these are all the easy parts of the new to you boat buying process.
The hard part is coming up with the right name for your new vessel.
We, my wife and I, brainstormed and came up with about 75 potential names. Mine tended to be based more on traditional or historical lines such as ‘Griffon’ (the first ship to explore the Great Lakes) or mythological names. I included some names translated from other languages – especially Algonquin names as I have an affinity for the First Nations people. Being a Chef I also suggested some culinary focused ideas: ‘Mise En Place’ (‘everything in its place’) and so on. My wife’s ideas reflected her business (finance) with names such as ‘Tacks Evasion’, ‘After Tacks’ etc.
Once we had arrived at the 75 names we then each took the list and tossed out the names that we could not live with. When we came back together and compared our new lists we found that our list contained 25 potential names.
The next step was for each of us to list the top ten names of the 25 that were left. We figured that we should arrive at a winner. This was an incorrect assumption! We found that we didn’t agree on any of the top ten!
Now my wife and I have been together for about 30 years. We get along really well. One of the reasons that that we get along so well is that we came to the understanding that our brains seem to function in complete opposition. One is hot, the other cold; one goes left, the other right; one likes asparagus, the other Brussel sprouts. You get the picture.
So we were back at square one: no boat name!
Time is getting tight. The survey should be done in 3 – 4 weeks. Once that’s done we’ve got to remove the old name, wax, apply anti-fouling and paint the new name before launch – which I hope will happen in early May.
This past weekend we were sitting down watching some documentary or other when on the screen appeared an incredible animal, one that is high on my bucket list of animals I would love to see in the wild. It is graceful, very unique and in complete control in the water. It also has a pretty cool name: Sea Dragon.
My wife and I looked at each other and shared one of those very rare moments of thinking the same thought. We had hit upon the name!
The name of the boat must have significance. For many sailors like myself,the boat is an extention of themselves. Some of my friends have called me the Witchdoctor becuase I volunteer medical skills in the jungles of South America. My boat is also called the Witchdoctor. When I am on the radio or someone is calling me, I hear the name and I know it is me that is being called. The boat and I are one and the same.
With you and your wife, there must be a synergistic combination of the two that makes you a great couple. Your name should reflect that. Forget the names that others have made famous unless it has meaning to you. If the name of your boat is to be known throughout the world, it will be due to your seamanship (or lack there of) and the stories that are associated with your journeys.
Ask yourselves, who are we? What is our journey? What is it that allows us to hear the call of the sea? When you can answer those questions, you will have the name of your boat.
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Smell the sea and feel the sky.
Let your soul and spirit fly,
As we sailed into the mystic. .................................. Van Morrison
Our boat is You and Me. One of our friends gave us embrodered pillows and the y was coming undone. A fellow boater was commented that on certain days that could come in handy as ou n me if we got rid of a few more letters!
Ah, but have you decided on a spelling?
I like the pompous "Cedragon" maybe add a couple of extraneous accents for flavour
Or the vaguely obscene "Seed Raggin'" ( although this may lead to questions about earning your redwings)
Or the transvestite- focused B& B-esque "Sea Drag Inn"
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