Changing a Boats Name can bring Bad Luck!

Unless you perform a special ceremony. This was the advice of the yacht broker who sold us our new boat called “Clare”.

Well this could all be a load of nonsense, and we are not normally superstitious, but why take chances. So we decided to change the name of our yacht. We learnt that well known sailors such as Richard Branson have performed such a ceremony.

According to Legend, every vessel is recorded by name in the Ledger of the Deep and is known personally to Poseidon, or Neptune, the god of the sea. It is logical therefore, if we wish to change the name of our boat, the first thing we must do is to purge its name from the Ledger of the Deep and from Poseidon’s memory. This is an involved process beginning with the removal or obliteration of every trace of the boat’s current identity which we religiously undertook.

In our ceremony, the final item, a small ingot bearing the boats name “Clare” was thrown into the sea. At the same time we called upon Poseidon to remove all traces of “Clare” from the Ledger of the Deep. Of course, a generous glass or two of bubbly was offered to him, pouring it into the water.

Secondly, came the Renaming Ceremony. We offered Poseidon more wine calling on him to guard “Dawn Chorus” with his mighty arm and trident, ensuring her safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys.

And finally there were the gods of the winds to appease, accompanied by some liberal pouring of wine all round. Each of the gods of the winds was addressed in turn to assure us of fair winds and smooth seas:

Great Boreas ruler of the North Wind
Great Zephyrus ruler of the West Wind
Great Eurus ruler of the East Wind
Great Notus ruler of the South Wind

Now the ceremony was complete it was safe to unveil the new name of our yacht.

A good number of CYC members came to witness the event and help us perform these onerous tasks. There was a toast to “Dawn Chorus” and all those who sail in her.

So if you are considering changing your boat’s name, it can be done without incurring the wrath of the gods!

by Helen Jupp