Naming Your Boat

Don't casually name your new boat…NAME IT CAREFULLY. Remember, other boaters will know you by the name of your boat. You do not want others referring to you as the guy on I'M WITH STUPID. You will also be using the boat name over the VHS radio. My husband thought it was "cute" to name our first boat SWEET CHEEKS, as that was his nickname for me. I was delighted, but I cannot tell you how embarrassed he was when ever he had to use the boat VHS radio and announce to the boating world, "Sweet Cheeks calling ABC Marina." He quickly changed that announcement by adding. "Motor craft Sweet Cheeks calling ABC Marina," but he never again felt comfortable with that boat's name. Needless to say, we gave our next boat a no nonsense name, but at that time we thought we were still stuck with that original name.

However, all was not lost, we did discover that the only cost to change the boat name was the new lettering graphics for the stern. It cost nothing to notify the Coast Guard for documentation of a boat name change. This is something that is done automatically when you purchase a boat and change its name at the time of sale.

The name of your boat will be plastered across your stern for the world to see, so be absolutely positive, it's a name you love and can live with for a long time. Nothing is worse than a 6' 4" man checking in at a new marina and telling them he is arriving on Sweet Cheeks.

BoatU.S. Top Ten Boat Names

Boat names can reveal much about the personality, lifestyle, passions or experiences of a boat owner. The BoatU.S. list of Top Ten Most Popular Boat Names is particularly revealing:

1) Black Pearl: The name of a fast, stealthy and intimidating fictional ship from the Disney Pirates of the Caribbean films, a recreational boat with this moniker was probably named by the kids.

2) Liberty: A patriotic name that first appeared on the Top Ten List just after 9-11, the owner of this vessel is clearly passionate about the freedoms enjoyed in the U.S.

3) Second Wind: Perhaps this boat owner has had a life changing experience and feels that their boat now gives them a second lease on life.

4) Amazing Grace: It could be that this boat name borrowed from a hymn provides the boat owner with a new spiritual outlet.

5) Aquaholic: This name illustrates a boater’s chronic love for the waterways. This boat is probably the first one out of the slip in the morning and the last one back in at the end of the day.

6) Knot on Call: Perhaps named by a boater in a professional field or industry with non-traditional work hours, this boat name affirms a desire break away from work pressures.

7) Second Chance: See #3, Second Wind.

8) Wanderlust: Defined as “A very strong or irresistible impulse to travel,” this boat owner clearly has a passion to cruise and explore the waterways.

9) The Dog House: Being in one (Dog House) isn’t necessarily bad for this boat owner as their vessel likely provides a “walled-off” escape away from the distractions of everyday life.

10) Carpe Diem or Seas the Day: This boat owner likely believes that boating allows them to enjoy life at its fullest.




Undoubtedly, there is indeed much in a name, and a boat, especially one large enough to be a liveaboard vessel, must be christened after careful thought.

- BOAT NAMES RESOURCE LINKS -


Boating Magazine PDF of Boat Names

10,000 boat names

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