Renaming Boats

I am not normally superstitious but one thing I am always wary of is the renaming of a boat with little consideration for tradition or history.

There seem to be a lot of different theories about the ceremony or routine that should be followed when renaming a boat. Don't get me wrong there are some boats out there with some really hideous names, and I'm sure you are often doing the boat a favour by giving it a better name!

Someone always pipes up about getting a virgin to piss in the bilge and what a shame they're so hard to find these days! But..... by all accounts there are some serious traditions that provide appeasement to the gods of the sea. Neptune (Roman) or Poseidon (Greek)-depending on what kind of mythology you're into - are supposed to be toasted with good quality booze - ie tip a good serving into the sea. The gods of the four winds are also supposed to take part in the celebration so make sure there's no one downwind when you toast them! Boreas (North), Zephyrus (West), Eurus (East), and Notus (South) all deserve a tipple as well.

Tags: Boat Tradition Superstition Legend History Curse Bad_luck