Is it easy to change a boat's name?

Question

I'm thinking of buying a boat but it has the most appallingly chav name. Can I just change it myself or are there tedious forms and procedures to register this please?

Answer 1

You in the UK? Then you can call it what you like, remembering that if it's registered anywhere (which it probably isn't) you need to tell them.

There used to be an old wives tale that it's bad luck to rename a boat, but as the commercial shipping world seem to get away with it on a daily basis . . .

Answer 2

A DOCUMENTED US vessel name change needs to be applied for at change of documentation via the US Coast Guard.

A STATE Registered boat is like buy or selling a car the name has no significance to the regulatory body.

Did you name your car? My first was Umpy, a 1950 Chevrolet Suburban

In 1979 I bought a 40' sailboat and changed the name. We rechristened it with the champagne and everything. Good time party!

We sailed across the Pacific Ocean spending years sailing between the islands and while we had some minor breakdowns we weathered two major storms and obviously never sank. The good old days.... We sold the boat in 1989 and the new owner still sails her WITH a new name he picked out.

Answer 3

Just start calling it a new name, I started calling my boat Reginald and giving it some oil everytime it answered to it. Within two weeks he would always come when I shouted.

Answer 4

I don't know what a "chav name" is... because I don't speak half words.

You don't need to go through any procedures unless the boat is DOCUMENTED... which I seriously doubt.

You DO know that if you change a boat's name and you don't do it correctly THE BOAT WILL SINK...  Anyone who knows ANYTHING about boats, KNOWS THIS and they take it seriously.... change the name without the proper ceremony to the gods of the sea... and that boat WILL sink.

Answer 5

If you just want to take off the vinyl lettering, I heard that oven cleaner will do the trick. If you mean registration name change, then you don't have to do anything.

Answer 6

yes very easy but sea folklaw says its unlucky to change the name, this i dont agree with as i changed the name of my boat and six months later i was divorced, so it can have a good side

Answer 7

Depending on who you talk to ,some say its bad luck to change a boat,s name and their is a long ceremony involved, but I feel if the boat was not Christened and registered with the name then you can change a name with out fear of upsetting the God,s, I do know that all evidence of the prier name must be removed from all documents, tag,s and hull, must be removed and renamed before unveiled to the general public.

Answer 8

Changing the name of a boat is fairly easy. Boats and ships are registered with the appropriate authority of your country of residence, though many countries allow non-residents to place boats and ships on their registers.

The Gods of the sea, whichever ones you decide to recognise, are perfectly happy for a new owner to change the name. In fact, they expect you to do so. What they don't like is the existing owner changing the name (all that extra paperwork you see).

As Nike are fond of saying; "just do it".

Answer 9

Simple !

Paint over it !!

That's what we used to do when I was in the Merchant Navy !!!

Mind you, it's said to be unlucky to change a boat's name.......so.....do be careful !!!!

Answer 10

Agree with Ed W.

Chav' notwithstanding UK title changes aren't complicated.

Contact Port Harbormaster to ease berthing paperwork.

Answer 11

What someone names their boat is purely a personal preference, unless the boat is used for trade reasons..  Registering authority does not care.  Change at your leisure.  Just make sure you follow the ceremony in the attached link to get the blessing of Poseidon.

Answer 12

Yes you can change the name but if it is already registered then you will have to go through a long process. It is said that it is bad luck to change a name of a boat if you believe that or not it is up to you.

Answer 13

For the first answer above...that the boat will sink...what a moron! Yet another walking waste of oxygen and dirt.

Ignore superstition...I have changed the names of about 20 boats and never sank or had any bad luck whatsoever.

Anyway...I can only speak to Canadian situations regarding this. In Canada a boat CAN be registered by name and that is done through Transport Canada...possibly the Coast Guard in the USA call them if this is the case for you.

IF THERE ARE NUMBERS ON THE BOW...it is not registered by name regardless of Country and you can do whatever you please without recourse.

If you're worried or superstitious...just douse it with some sparkling wine or bubbly as it launches and say okay everybody here she is...hope you like her ...blah,blah...

The fact is, there have been volumes written about changing boat names...just search

"Boat naming ceremony" or "boat" + "name change" + "superstition".......

But seriously...it's all bunk. I've had no problems.

****really? somebody gave me a thumbs down? **** I guess they don't like correct and well considered answers! Must have been the moron...

Answer 14

No tedious forms and procedures. Just delete the old and insert your new one. It's your boat, you name it.

No need for superstition, but if you are, then just re-christen her with an appropriate beverage of your choice (just pour a little over her bow) with the words: "I re-name this ship, (name). May good fortune smile on her and all who sail in her."

(I don't blame you).

Answer 15

Okay, so you've heard how to do the paperwork for a Documented boat.....

there's a lot more than just scraping and painting.

what they didnt tellyou was how to properly rename a boat and avoid ending up in Davey Jones' locker.

you must not change the name while in port.

take the boat out beyond the horizon (or far enough from shore as feasible) and remove the old name,  paint remover, scraping, whatever.  you must remove the old name and the masthead if you have one.

then you can repaint the new name and replace the masthead (repainted or replaced).

then you have a NEW boat.

Hey its a lot of trouble but you dont want all that bad luck (karma) from the previous captain following you around.. especially if he died on board.

wer

Answer 16

It is bad luck to rename a boat. And there is only one time to do that, and that is when you first purchase it. However, you must conduct a ceremony to remove the bad luck from the name change. Go to the website below to get the ceremony. Good luck, and have fun on the water.

Cheers

www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boatr...

Answer 17

you don't register a boat by name..........use use the serial number...........changing the name is as simple as removing the old name and putting on the new one.........some people say it is bad luck to change the name