Changing the name of a 69yr old wooden boat?

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Belzoni-AintSo@reddit

I've changed the name of a plastic production boat. i know she's had at least 3 names. I'm not conflicted about it.

BUT that beautiful boat is not yours to rename. You're merely it's caretaker. All others have respected her original name. Why wouldn't you? I'm sure you wouldn't consider putting an arch over the cockpit either. So why insult her by undoing a name that's literally carved into her grain? Show her respect. Care for her and pass her along to her next caretaker with her history intact (some day). Meanwhile enjoy her, you lucky bastard.

Some things are better left unmolested.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

I agree. I don't feel like it's my right to rename her.

The only modifications I'm considering are minimal solar, mount for a deck dinghy, upgraded electrical system, watermaker, and composting toilets. I don't currently plan on long excursions, but I do want the ability to do at least a week-long in comfort.

I am retiring next year and was originally looking for a liveaboard vessel. She's a bit cramped for longhaul living. No place to put my 3D printer and soldering station. ;)

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nolahoneyman@reddit

What’s her name? She a beauty.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Attila

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tordoc2020@reddit

Maybe inspired by the last verse of the Bob Dylan song “You Ain’t Going Nowhere “ from 1968:

Atilla the Hun

Could not keep

All his kings

Supplied with sleep

We’ll climb that hill

No matter how steep

When we get up to it…

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glanked@reddit

Bro why was this even a question, badass name for a boat

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

It was less about me changing it personally and more about the general concept of changing a name when it came up in conversation. My friend said just change it, I felt it was a crime to.

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glanked@reddit

Tell your friend that when he owns his own 70 year old handmade boat he can name it whatever he wants

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ZoidsTurtle@reddit

As in the Hun?

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hilomania@reddit

No, Attila the short order cook.

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xicougar106@reddit

I was on the fence until you dropped this lore. Now 100% Team Keep Her Name

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artwin-inc@reddit

Oh my god don't change it that's badass

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Inevitable_Brush5800@reddit

You paying money for the boat? You get the title to the boat? IT'S YOUR BOAT! Those who built it, and had it before, gave it up and sold it like an orphaned elephant.

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manzanita2@reddit

You are under the mistaken belief that wooden boats have positive financial value. They don't.

Now they're often sold. But I think this is essentially an insurance to the seller that the buyer has money to continue to maintain the boat after the seller can no longer do so due to age, finances or other circumstances. I'm sure some more complicated financial instrument could be utilized, but a simple sale fits in with the rest of the world's understand of how other things work.

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Inevitable_Brush5800@reddit

Purchasing a vehicle of any kind that will see use is a bad investment. You don't buy a Ferarri with a plan to hold onto it for 10 years, get it to 200,000 miles, and sell it for a profit.

Once you get to that level of capital holdings, there are far better investment vehicles than a vehicle, unless you can deduct depreciation which I doubt is a factor with a 70 year old boat. You could easily take the money used to buy this boat and go buy a speculative plot of land 10 miles outside of a growing area. Value is unlikely to decrease there and could potentially see massive increases.

So you buy this boat to sail it, not as an investment. It's yours. You have the title. You are free to proceed as you wish. The state doesn't own it. The community doesn't own it.

11 downvotes for capitalistic principle which is what allows most of you the freedom and financial ability to sail, at all. Fantastic.

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toastmatters@reddit

...found the Jonah

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Shorelines1@reddit

Very well said.

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Negative_Exit_9043@reddit

All this, plus all the bad luck that comes with changing the name of a boat.

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ArborealLife@reddit

I like this take. Humans are weird animals. 😁

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Ahlarict@reddit

Sailors are an interesting mix of practical and emotional

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Nobody2be@reddit

Unless it’s “the murder yacht” don’t change the name.

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Nobody2be@reddit

Found it

Located in San Diego California Not on the Yachtworld market .... Here is your chance to negotiate the purchase of a Stunning 1967 Sutton Ketch. She is 75' LOA, bilge keeled, draws 6 feet, and will sit on her own bottom in the estuary.This vessel has had 2.7 million invested in an extensive refit and will be priced to start at $975k. She has been featured on Showtime, Discovery ID, Womens' Channel, The Daily Caller, and NBC Dateline"Who Killed the Radio Star" plus extensive coverage in the media websites for the murder of Steven B Williams famous drive time radio host of Denver's "Steven B and the Hawk."

https://m.sailboatlistings.com/view/92776#google_vignette

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bajjiblitzzz@reddit

i went thru this. decided to not change. glad i didnt. boats are tricky as is... a wooden one with a carved name, u will end up being committed or MIA.

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Linesledaft@reddit

My boat has had the same name for 50 years. I’m not changing it.

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Lakeside@reddit

Unless the name is something like "Wet Dream"

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fuckin_atodaso@reddit

"Wet Dream" is definitely a power boater name.

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Pluperfectionist@reddit

There’s a sailboat down the road from me with this name. It hasn’t moved in the 5 years I’ve been here. I agree it is a power boater’s name.

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jenilynne@reddit

Bellingham?

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Pluperfectionist@reddit

A subdued wet dream…

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Pudawada@reddit

Dry dream.

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BaggyLarjjj@reddit

“Wet Nightmare”

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Superb_Ad3962@reddit

There is a sailboat with that same name down the road from me as well 😆

Although it looks like someone with no sense of humor scratched the "t" off so it's "We Dream". Not as good.

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gotcha640@reddit

Yeah but what did he name his boat?

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Safe_Chicken_6633@reddit

The question we all have. And what does OP want to name it?

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

I'm leaving its original name, but my next boat will be AEON.

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Mode_Historical@reddit

Probably something really original like "WHY KNOT". I swear I'm going to puke the next time I see that on a boats transom.

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EmuSmall5846@reddit

Always a center console with a wrap

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ExtraTallBoy@reddit

82ft Maxi called "Spank Me" begs to differ

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LateralThinkerer@reddit

Try the Chicago waterfront sometime. "Shocker" with the appropriate hand icon was one of the better ones.

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Barnylo@reddit

I had to look this up as a foreigner. Guess you learn something new every day lol.

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thatsnotideal1@reddit

So glad to hear that “two in the pink, one in the stink” can transcend borders and bring people closer together

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wrongwayup@reddit

First-time powerboat owner boat name

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Telekomiker69@reddit

I am looking forward to buy a boat which name ich sailing alligator... I am really thinking about changing its name.....

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BBorNot@reddit

Lol I am just imagining how a gorgeous boat like this would get named that. I was moored adjacent to a Wet Dream powerboat for awhile -- always made me shake my head.

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FalseRegister@reddit

Mine had it for about 45 years, but I didn't have any connection to it, nor it didn't ring a bell or was easily understood if you are not British or Scottish.

I like the new name much better.

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JanGirl808@reddit

It’s historic keep the name and the legacy. This isn’t about you.

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Frodillicus@reddit

My favourite boat name is still, and has always been "Unsinkable II"

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SadAppCraSheR@reddit

What happened to the "Unsinkable one". Lol

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SadAppCraSheR@reddit

My family owes a federally documented vestal once named olas altas it was named by the builder who spent over 30 years building this master peace. And for a while my family thought about changing her name to ?? . And after I discovered it takes a disendent of yellow beard or one nun two priests and a18yr old vergin and a blood outh to change the sail boats name.
i found a loophole to all of the vergin & priests and holy water blood outh thing I translated her name in to (High Waves) it is close or lusly translated from. (olas altas) so inside she bars on a brass plackherd year launched and the builders name and olas altas and the federal reg # high waves with my name.

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mimentum@reddit

Isn't renaming boats bad luck?

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Illustrious-Tea3954@reddit

I could be wrong but it may be bad luck to rename a boat, unless you make significant changes to it

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Rowdyflyer1903@reddit

Only if you have the blessing of a virgin. Not The Virgin but a virgin of a proper legal age. Good luck.

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Potential-Elephant73@reddit

Superstitious folk believe changing the name of a boat is bad luck.

I am not one of those people. However, this boat, in particular, is mildly historical. I don't think you should change it because it's part of its story.

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Telekomiker69@reddit

Renaming your boat brings bad luck ...

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The_Saint_01@reddit

Everyone knows changing the name of a boat is bad luck. She’s had such a good run. Don’t change it unless you want to lose it.

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2x2cycles@reddit

Bad luck to change. The boat is beautiful and you as the new caretaker you should pay respect to the lineage

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vincaskudirka@reddit

That's definitely "Morning Wood".

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63pelicanmailman@reddit

drools in teak.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Cries in sandpaper callouses.

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Extreme_Map9543@reddit

I personally find it bad luck to change a name. But hey you committed to the boat good work! Saw your post before about being on the fence!

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Yeah, after spending several hours on her, multiple times, I just couldn't walk away. I wasn't looking for her when I found her, but now I'm enamored. Luckily, I have the skills, time, and money that she needs. Everyone keeps trying to convince me to walk away. Lol

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Hertigan@reddit

Is the name terrible?

She looks stunning btw!!

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Her name is Attila.

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Hertigan@reddit

Great name! I’d keep it

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DEATHbyBOOGABOOGA@reddit

Just don’t change the name. You got this.

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Shorelines1@reddit

It looks like everyone here is trying to convince you to buy her, keep the name, and take care of her. This is the answer

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

I am doing all of the above. Unfortunately, I'm competing with one other interested party and the current owner is waiting to see what the other guy's counter offer is.

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Extreme_Map9543@reddit

Awesome! You can do it. I feel like the there’s very little support for the wooden boat world, expect other wooden boat owners. Everyone else just says it’s going to be too much time and too much work and too much money. But I take that with a grain of salt because they’ve never owned one. All the guys I know that actually own one say it’s not so bad because “you’ll always figure it out”

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pab_guy@reddit

This is not just a personal belief! I’m not a particularly superstitious person, but this is one of those things where it costs nothing to avoid tempting fate…

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Some_Ride1014@reddit

I didn’t change the name of my used boat, bad luck. My friend bought a boat , changed the name it burned up. Next boat , changed the name, got struck by lightning, boat totaled by insurance company. Third boat, kept the name , still sailing.

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millijuna@reddit

Boats sometimes need to find the right name. Friends of mine bought a nice welded aluminum powerboat to commute to/from their island property. It came with a silly/punny name, which they didn’t initially change. The boat had all sorts of troubles… eventually they renewed it, and all the bad luck washed away.

In my books, changing the name changes the luck. If the name is good and the k luck is good, then changing it is bad luck. But the reverse can be true too.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

That's all the anecdotal evidence I need. Definitely keeping the name.

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SeveralPen5697@reddit

I did not like the name of mine when i get it. But with time it's ok. Also you will probably not be the last owner.

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Zealous___Ideal@reddit

“Cursed”

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IanSan5653@reddit

I've always renamed my boats, but they've always been fiberglass production boats.

I wouldn't rename this boat either. It would feel like a crime. Especially a 1 of 1 - this boat's name is practically its model.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Agreed. I'm not changing it.

I'm looking at a second boat to sail while I'm working on this one. It's one that I'm less inclined to spend much on, and it's had its name changed several times already.

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oldmanhowie1@reddit

don’t do it. it’s bad luck to rename a boat

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Oldskywater@reddit

Add to all of that, it’s bad luck to change the name of a boat without a proper ceremony including stepping the mast and putting a lucky coin under it . Keep the name enjoy this beauty !

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blacklassie@reddit

I mean, if the name is carved into the boat, I’d say that makes the decision for you.

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Opcn@reddit

You can fill it with putty, paint a "placard" behind the new name, and stick a new name in vinyl over that. No damage and easy enough for the next owner to reverse.

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buttsfartly@reddit

Yeah I guess, may as well just put white gelcoat over all the timber and punch a kitten.

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elticoxpat@reddit

To hell with cats. Just saying.

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POCUABHOR@reddit

“UNSINKABLE II”

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PaulKNE@reddit

Please — more pictures. She’s beautiful.

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Zealousideal_Bar3517@reddit

Looks similar to Leah-Sofie, a Slaabye-Larsen that's for sale in Hobart and was at the most recent wooden boat festival. Gorgeous boat! Keep the name and enjoy!

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iffyhip@reddit

Saw her in Oslo in 1975, absolutely stunning, got to keep varnish.

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youbreedlikerats@reddit

King Neptune will be pissed. but I think the answer is clear : two boats!

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azarza@reddit

carved name that has never been changed? i don't need that sort of stress lol

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Ya, I'm taking on enough just with the amount of varnish that needs to be reapplied and repairs needed. The teak deck alone is going to take over 100 hours to repair and re-seal. Last thing I need is to anger the ancestors.

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ppitm@reddit

I mean, I would discourage you from changing the name, but very much encourage you to slather paint all over that hull.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

It's the very first thing I'm doing as soon as I get it to It's new berth. The varish on the stern is toast. I'm on the fence on a fully painted hull. Or just waterline/antifouling. The Molich X-Meters have painted hull with similar teak decks, and they're all beautiful.

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OldBowDude@reddit

I have always thought wooden boat with a brightsides finish are the most beautiful.

Have you heard of "Bristol Finish"? https://masepoxies.com/products/bristol-finish-traditional-amber-urethane-varnish It is a two-part urethane varnish that can have multiple coats quickly applied. It is more abrasion resistant than traditional varnishes. I've used it on my boats with great success. Make sure to wear a good respirator when applying. The fumes are pretty bad.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Thank you for the recommendation. I'm definitely going to look into it. I prefer brightside too, but will have to make the decision between time to sailing and painting. I'm somewhat of a purist for most things that require restoration. Cars, plains, boats, etc.

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Active_Engineering37@reddit

What goes into restoring plains? Do you just tamp the land flat?

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Opcn@reddit

I always heard that 10 coats of lovingly applied spar varnish done by professionals that cost an arm and a leg as hourly employees will provide about as much protection over two years as two coats of the cheapest white house paint from a big box store applied by a minimum wage employee will over 10 years.

The wood is gorgeous, but paint is so much easier. Maybe leave the transom as varnished wood, much smaller area, still shows off that she isn't a plastic fantastic. You've still got a lot of wood on the interior to enjoy the beauty without having to deal with the nasty things the sun is trying to do to it.

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diekthx-@reddit

No one is putting shitty big box interior latex on a boat like this.

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Opcn@reddit

I would think exterior paint (which they also sell at the big box) and that doesn't really matter to my point. Well applied marine paint like EZpoxy, Wet Edge, Epifanes, Brightsides, or Interlux Enamel would all work better than house paint, but house paint still protects the boat loads better than any clear finish.

If you look the boat up it needs a lot of work (the price it was listed at, I'd say it's right at the edge of being so cheap to buy that it's gotta be an expensive nightmare to own) putting a coat of any paint on her to hold the hull in good condition for 3-5 years while everything else is brought up to snuff then deciding to go back to exposed wood brightwork would be a totally reasonable approach.

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flyingmountain@reddit

Nooooooo don't paint it!!! The varnish is gorgeous. Show off that wooden hull!

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azarza@reddit

it is gonna be worth it! only time i have been on one was for an afternoon up in Haida Gwaii

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ishkibiddledirigible@reddit

Remember how the Greek and other Gods have tended to punish Hubris…

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ishkibiddledirigible@reddit

Changing the name of a boat is super dicey even when it’s NOT carved into its flesh. Not advised, even after the traditional ceremonies and offerings to Poseidon.

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seizurebygarnishment@reddit

Good Ol’ 69

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Hertigan@reddit

I was always told that changing boat names is terrible luck

Not a big luck believer, but I still see it as a part of sailing/nautical culture

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ottis1guy@reddit

When my grandfather sold his fishing boat, the buyers changed her name to Gaff Rock. Later that summer in a storm she crashed onto, Gaff Rock. Its bad luck to change a boats name. Don't do it.

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djjolicoeur@reddit

Keep the name. I think your caretaker mentality is correct.

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Poopy_McPoopings@reddit

If it’s 69 years old, I vote you call it “Nice”!

Next year come back and we canoffer other names like “Dave” or something…

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Bozhark@reddit

If you change the name it’ll sink

Get replacement insurance

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artwin-inc@reddit

Swear it's super unlucky to rename any vessel?

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kwajagimp@reddit

Unless the name is totally offensive, never.

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Weekly_Onion5195@reddit

Name it woody!

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Any_Reporter_7426@reddit

Yeah that would be a crime to change it

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KevMenc1998@reddit

There's a lot of tradition and superstition that goes into that. Personally, I wouldn't. Centuries of sailors can't be all wrong. The opportunity to use your chosen name will probably come along at some point, so you can save it until then.

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Puzzleheaded_Tip_412@reddit

What's the name?

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nO0b@reddit

I decided to buy a proper ocean going boat, but that was when I was considering a mid 70s or 80s production fiberglass boat. Not a 1 of 1 wooden boat built in 1956.

it's beautiful but a 69 year old wooden boat for offshore sailing?

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The_Noosphere@reddit

The sea has known her by that name for 69 years.

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capt_leo@reddit

History has well demonstrated that dishonoring those by the name of Atilla can have dire consequences

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unibathbomber@reddit

Don’t

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cdrn83@reddit

BBB: Big Beautiful Boat

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Paddler_137@reddit

What is her name?

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Luthais327@reddit

Attila

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flyingron@reddit

The most beautiful name in the wide world.

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sadmanwithacamera@reddit

Atiller the Hull.

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Les_Ismore@reddit

The Implication

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Low_Individual7789@reddit

I too want to know this

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Opcn@reddit

Attila is the name of the boat.

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jankenpoo@reddit

Pussy Magnet

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guacamoletango@reddit

Floaty McBloatFace

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Ferret8720@reddit

Slartibartfast

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eternalmomentcult@reddit

“I said it wasn’t important”

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whyrumalwaysgone@reddit

The Dawg House

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astrosail@reddit

You’re not buying it. You’re simply buying the rights to be the next steward. Take care of her.

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jonnohb@reddit

"She's not your boat, it's just your turn"

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Not_starving_artist@reddit

I would really love to find my father‘s old Boat. It would be a shame if someone’s renamed it and I never find it. It’s a pre war, wooden twin mast ketch called Dorcas.

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TechnicianFar9804@reddit

My dad built a 42' motor boat, named it after his mum. We had it for about 5 years or so in the mid 1980s, but upkeep was physically too much in the annual slipping. My grandfather (a boat builder) was getting too old, and I was too young. So it was sold and renamed (we kept the name board).

Fast forward maybe 30 years, Dad gets contacted by a bloke asking him about the boat he'd just bought - it was the old boat. I went down as well and met the new owner (who is the nicest guy you can imagine), and he promised me that my kids would be able to go out on their Grandad's boat.

But the best part - he changed the name back to the original name "Olive J". Did the full renaming ceremony, my mum and dad were there, and Dad even offered the name board.

He's done a lot of work since and the book is in the most recent edition of a book called "Moreton Bay Cruisers".

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astrosail@reddit

Not your boat, but I love pre war ketches. Look up Dreamer from Erie, PA

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indimedia@reddit

Id leave it.

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frak357@reddit

Technically you could change the name of the boat but, there is a process.

1) must remove the name of the boat everywhere on the boat. 2 you must formally ask Poseidon for permission with an offering and ceremony. 3) perform the christening ceremony with the new name 4) thank Poseidon for the opportunity and blessings

Good luck! 🤗

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yotortellini@reddit

Although we like to pretend it is not, a boat is just an object that you own. Do whatever the hell you want with it.

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iheartrms@reddit

You ask whether to change the name but never even tell us what the current name is? Don't change it.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Attila is the current name.

I didn't mention it because I was trying to keep it unbiased. The name is really good, it just conflicted with what I was originally going to name my next boat.

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iheartrms@reddit

I see. I like the name. I would still keep it. I understand wanting to go with your original idea but buying a very old classic boat means buying the name also as far as I am concerned. It's your boat, do as you please, but you asked for opinions so you've got some now. :) Happy sailing and congrats, it's a beautiful boat!

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joesquatchnow@reddit

I am more superstitious on boat names that a lot of other things so I suggest keep it …

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uapredator@reddit

It's bad doojoo to change the name of a boat. Considering it's age, and material. You need all the good luck in the 7 seas.

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WatThaDeuce@reddit

Before I knew the name, my thought was to keep it - if it's nothing egregious. After seeing the name, my thought is to keep it.

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jaymemaurice@reddit

My boat is Harmony III

I changed the decals so it kinda looks like it's corrected to

HAR-MONEY-PIT

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SkiMonkey98@reddit

You can change it but it's not something to take lightly. If it's a decent name I would keep it, if it's really bad I would change it with some ceremony and do a rechristening

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SkiDaderino@reddit

"...I think of myself as more of the next caretaker at this point..."

Then why is this a question?

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

To open a dialog and create a conversation and confirm my bias.

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AllHailTheHypnoFloat@reddit

Isn’t it bad luck to change the name of a boat?

Good Luck 🫡

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anteup@reddit

What is the current name, and what do you want to name it?

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linxdev@reddit

Bad luck. Stay away.

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petaahah@reddit

Changing the name on a boat is considered bad luck , keep the name .

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freeportme@reddit

Keep it

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ztupeztar@reddit

Bad, baaaad juju

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SodaPopPlop@reddit

Do not change the name!

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Master_Xenu@reddit

Name it "The Implication"

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AdExciting337@reddit

That’s a gorgeous boat, what’s the make?

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hesmysnowman1@reddit

Do what you want. There is no mysticism in changing a boat name. I bought one named Paladin. I’m not old enough to remember the tv show. Meant nothing to me, so I changed it. Sailing bad luck is just people not wanting to admit they are not properly prepared.

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John-C137@reddit

Out of curiosity do you know it was named after the TV show character for sure?

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hesmysnowman1@reddit

Yes

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McCaber@reddit

They could just be a D&D player shouting out the best class.

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adeptresearcher-lvl1@reddit

It's become more common for modern ships, but back in the day, it was considered tremendously bad luck to change a ship's/boat's name or recommission her if she hadn't been drydocked for extensive repairs.

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wrongwayup@reddit

For most of the points you've already made (69 year old boat, wooden, built by legendary designer, you're a caretaker for the next owner, you like the current name enough), I'd be inclined to keep it unless the name was really bad or you had your heart really set on something.

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jackspinnaker@reddit

is it a cutter? can’t see all the way to the bowsprit

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ReasonableAd1809@reddit

So, whats the names.?

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Illustrious-Fox4063@reddit

Attila is a great name and lends itself to a great nickname for the boat, Hun or Honey.

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ChazR@reddit

If she's had the same name through several owners for 70 years, and it's carved into her, the Gods are going to need a *lot* of persuading.

She's lovely. Do you care more about the name or the boat?

I'm about to change the name of a boat that is 12 years old, that I bought from the first owner, and the original name wasn't very significant to him. I'm still wondering if it's OK to do it.

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Illustrious-Fox4063@reddit

Yeah appeasing King Neptune for that name change would require a lot of rum and a ritual that would make "Crossing the Line" for pollywogs look like a Sunday School outing.

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TenYearHangover@reddit

Don’t do it

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EllieVader@reddit

You’re the next caretaker, you’re absolutely right and that’s a good way to put it.

Wooden boats are so much more alive than fiberglass or steel.

Besides, what are you going to do? Put a plaque over the carved name? That’s bad juju af, just about as bad as it gets. I’m only a half superstitious sailor but that’s a line I wouldn’t go near.

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Super_Presentation13@reddit

Aren’t you supposed to write a poem to Poseidon or something?

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Opcn@reddit

If you change the name, even if you do it without damaging the boat stripping off the old one, the paperwork will always reflect your name choice. When the next owner changes it back it's not going to be "Attila" anymore, it's gonna be "Attila ex. Bubbles" or whatever name you toss on there. Save your favorite name for the next boat you buy, or put it on a tender, this boat should keep her name for as long as she is a boat.

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starkruzr@reddit

personally I reserve the right to change the name of a boat if I'm putting significant work into rebuilding or refitting her. if you're adding something to her soul, I think it's more than fair to commemorate that.

yes I'm sentimental, why do you ask

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DUIRduje@reddit

I see you're in my neighbourhood... :D

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Infinite-Land-232@reddit

It is unlucky to change the name of a boat.i k ow this sounds stupid, but do not change her name.

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Pstrap@reddit

It is definitely considered bad form (and bad luck by some) to change the name of a boat, especially a boat like this. Obviously, it is done, but I wouldn't and I don't think you should either.

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senseiii@reddit

Such a beautiful boat. I’m probably seeing things, but I feel like I recognize some 12m in the lines.

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gc1@reddit

I don't feel like I have enough sage boater wisdom to weigh in with a vote on this, but I would point out that I commonly google the names of interesting boats I come across, usually wooden ones. If your beautiful wooden boat is sitting in some harbor somewhere and someone wants to know what it is, do you want them to find the rich history of people who've written about this before, races she's been in, the designer, etc., or to find either nothing, a bunch of other boats with the same name as your new one, or maybe, if they're lucky, a "formerly known as" reference somewhere.

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ppitm@reddit

Wooden boats are people too. You need to ask permission.

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FlexuousGrape@reddit

Keep her original name, but let her reveal her own nickname to you. You can share that with her while staying true to her legacy

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Throwaway_carrier@reddit

I wouldn’t change it, it’s bad luck in my opinion even with a proper christening.

We’ve had three guys drown in my club, and allegedly all of them changed the name of their boats. Also, none of them were wearing life jackets; but still, superstitious me says keep the name.

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biginhard@reddit

It bad luck to change a boats name

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Federal_Cobbler6647@reddit

In classic racing yachts (metre boats) names are not changed even when boat does not even have name anywhere in it. Boats are known by their name, not by the owner.

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eternalmomentcult@reddit

“69 forever”

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pixelpuffin@reddit

Beautiful lines. I wouldn't change the name, and with a name that old, it is unlikely to be such a bad name that it would need changing. A boat like this, you really want to keep the name.

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

Her name is Attila.

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Cheap-End8721@reddit

And that is a awesome name

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ReactionKooky5886@reddit

Many believe it's bad luck changing the name of a boat.

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K_the_farmer@reddit

Keep the name, it's got history by now.

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petelo73@reddit

I'd keep the original name, but this is definitely a case of "a rose by any other name would still be the best-looking boat in any marina." Congrats on a stunning boat.

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stblack@reddit

Few things matter less than the name on a boat.

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scriminal@reddit

as long as it's not called some name that's rude or insulting, I wouldn't change it.

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yadius@reddit

Currently reading a John Le Carre novel called 'The Night Manager', in which there is a discussion between Oxford educated British spies about a boat named Persephone.

Persephone was the ancient Greek goddess of the underworld, and is correctly pronounced /pərˈsɛfəniː/ with 4 syllables.

However, the new American owners of the boat understood that almost nobody in the current era would know the correct pronunciation, and decided to rename her Lolita.

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International_Pea@reddit

You can but it’s way cooler to keep the legacy alive. Buy an old Sunfish for your own name.

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cinemkr@reddit

I think you should name a boat what you want. But I also see the side of those commenting that you are a caretaker and the name somehow holds more value as it a one off build and not a production boat. But there are plenty of historical vessels that have held multiple names. Boats that fought in wars with one name and given an another in peacetime. Even the boat for which won the first America's Cup and for which it was named was changed.

At the risk of downvotes, I find it a bit a bit audacious -- perhaps even narcissistic -- that the original owner had the name carved into the boat. I have seen many a wooden boat and cannot recall that ever before. The name may be carved but it is usually on a plate or banner -- either wooden or brass -- that can be removed or swapped.

There is a rich history of changing the name of a boat. As well as a rich history of declaring it "bad luck." That is why there are "methods" found all over the Internet about how to change a boat's name without incurring the wrath of Poseidon or the ghost of Carl Alberg. All of them involve striking mention of the name from everything on the boat -- logs, paperwork, etc. If you believe in that superstition, it would be impossible to do on your new boat as it is carved into the hull. You could only cover it and tempt the (future) ghost of Robert Perry.

This is all to say if you are asking for permission, half of us will say go for it and the other half will say don't.

It is your boat and you had a dream of sailing a boat with a certain name and perhaps this your last chance to have that dream. Had you never written this post no one but a handful would have even known. And now that number is only up to a couple dozen.

But the real questions is this: is the name you want to use any better than the name it already has?

If not, then name the dinghy that and fair winds to you.

PS Perhaps post a poll with both names without letting us know which is yours and which is the original and let's see which wins. Because when it comes down to it -- we all hate seeing a boat with a bad name. (I am looking at you WET DREAM and KNOTTY BUT NICE)

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punkosu@reddit

I would not change the name of that boat. Too much history, and it's bad luck 😀

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Significant-Row-9900@reddit

Pretty cool etymology: ‘little father’ and in some places ‘the oceanic, universal ruler’ Plus all the reasons others have said. I would not change it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila_(name)

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ChaserCO@reddit

Is there any creative or classy way of combining the two names? Like when two people get married they more often than not share a last name. Is there a boat version of this? Like how the boat is registered works with the name carved on the bow?

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Creepy_Connection_62@reddit

Attila is an interesting name for a boat- this said, as everyone knows the boat as such, you by all means should keep it. Nice anecdote: a few years back we restored a classic Carter 33 in Malta and kept her name. The amount of positive recognition we got in the community who remembered good times with her was amazing. Would not have happened otherwise.

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Creepy_Connection_62@reddit

Attila is an interesting name for a boat- this said, as everyone knows the boat as such, you by all means should keep it. Nice anecdote: a few years back we restored a classic Carter 33 in Malta and kept her name. The amount of positive recognition we got in the community who remembered good times with her was amazing. Would not have happened otherwise.

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buildyourown@reddit

It's considered bad luck to change the name of a boat. My FIL did it twice and sank both of them (he named them both after my wife which is an endless joke) I'd leave it.

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iratecommenter@reddit

I wouldn't

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RegattaTimer@reddit

How bad could the current name be?

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iNapkin66@reddit

I'd agree to keep the name of its carved in. If it was painted or decals, that would be different.

If someday the boat needs repairs/maintenance anyway that entail removing that section with the name, I think then you could consider a name change.

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ruprectthemonkeyboy@reddit

To change the name of a boat you first need to remove ALL instances of the old name on board before giving the boat a new name. If it’s carved in the bow and stern that sounds hard.

I’d just skip ahead to the fun (re)christening part with the current name which should include copious amounts of alcohol and some pagan ritual like sacrificing a virgin or something.

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siretsch@reddit

Keep her name.

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IndieFarmer317@reddit

Bad luck to rename a boat

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_okbrb@reddit

Nice

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Ahlarict@reddit

Some boats you can own, others you merely serve as caretakers. Sounds to me like this is one of the latter, personally. Enjoy!

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bendersfembot@reddit

Don't

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Loud_Impression_710@reddit

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

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olddoglearnsnewtrick@reddit

Unless its Titanic, don’t

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teoula@reddit

Or Hamlet

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haagiboy@reddit

Wow, that picture is an old picture from the town I currently live in, Holmestrand, Norway!

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corporateespionista@reddit (OP)

She's currently beached in Nøtterøy, as soon as I get this car sold and out of my garage (hopefully today or tomorrow), I'm signing the paperwork. It's going to take a few weeks to resoak the hull and float it, but the plan is to motor her back up to Oslo in August.

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haagiboy@reddit

Good luck! It's a beautiful boat 😊

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neohlove@reddit

If it was given the respect, and done in a good way I don’t think the old gal would mind.

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n0exit@reddit

You'd have to butcher her to change the name. There's no respectful way to do that.

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DalaiLuke@reddit

I had to download you despite your honest and respectful perspective... but the name's been carved into the boat and live that way for its whole life.

Forget about the Sea men's lore. Tradition is as such

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kerberos824@reddit

Nice.

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outdoors_guy@reddit

I’ve changed a couple boat names… but they weren’t carved in! Makes it hard to ‘remove’ the old name.

Seems the lore on this boat is strong. I would probably not change it…. But I also don’t know what it is!

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