What’s in a name?

July 8, 2021

On the first day of boating writer school, the teacher explains that writing about funny and interesting boat names is always the opening assignment. In fact, over the years I have played that card several times. Whenever I am searching for a guaranteed popular topic,  I (and most other boat scribes) reach for that gift-wrapped delight, the Boat Name List. The best part is that it never really gets old and everyone chuckles. You cannot lose!

The American owners association, Boat US, annually pulls the list out of the storage locker and invariably the results are delightful. You can read their most popular names all the way back to 2010 here https://www.boatus.com/products-and-services/boat-lettering/boat-names.

This year, owners have really had some creativity to draw on, thanks to the pandemic. I particularly love #2 Social Distancing: An affirmation of the times, physically separating by escaping to the water gives this boat owner the space they need to recover and rejuvenate during a crazy year of change. 

Also timely is #7.      Knot on Call: Moving up two spots, this is a name often chosen by medical professionals. It also likely appeals to a wider group of boat owners where technology has made them always available to the office.

You can check the list for yourself, but perhaps it’s time for our own Name That Boat list.  There are lots of witty ones but original and up-to-date input is always appreciated.

Send the name and some backstory if applicable along. Even better – is a photograph – we will happily publish them and perhaps even rifle through the prize bin and come up with Big Bumper or some such as a reward.  Just send them to us at cyonboard@kerrwil.com and put Name Game in the subject line.  I look forward to what comes in!

John Morris
Online Editor
Canadian Yachting Magazine
CYonboard@kerrwil.com

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