Kristian Ferrell
Naming a boat is a tradition as old as sailing itself. Ancient mariners of Greece, Phoenicia and elsewhere named their vessels, usually after one of the Gods, as a way of asking for favourable conditions and a long life at sea. These days, the naming conventions are more secular, although many still gravitate towards female names for their boats. But where does the name go?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement | The name must be permanently attached to the boat. It can be placed on a placard that is bolted or screwed in place on the hull or superstructure, or directly on the hull. |
| Visibility | The name must be clearly visible. |
| Size | The name should be at least 4" in size, with some sources recommending 5" or 6". |
| Colour | The name should be colour-coordinated with the boat's canvas or other colours. |
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What You'll Learn
The name must be permanently attached to the boat
The name of a boat must be permanently attached to the boat. This can be done by using a placard, bolted or screwed in place on the hull of the boat or on the superstructure. The name must be clearly visible and safely affixed. For vessels that are federally documented with the Coast Guard, the name and hailing port of the vessel must be marked together on a spot on the exterior hull that is clearly visible. Many recreational boat owners place this information on the stern and then place the boat name on both sides of the bow.
The name should be placed on the sides of an outboard-powered boat, with at least 4" numbers. Some boat owners use the largest decals, fonts or stickers to put the name of their boat on the side. However, this can be a problem when the boat is sold, as the new owner may not like the name or may be left with a differently coloured spot on the side of the boat.
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Name placement regulations differ for federally documented vessels
The name of the boat can be displayed on a placard, but this must be bolted or screwed in place on the hull of the boat or on the superstructure. The name must be safely affixed. Some boat owners use the largest decals, fonts or stickers to display the name of their boat on the side. This can cause issues when they come to sell the boat, as the new owner may not like the name or have to deal with a discoloured spot on the side of the boat where the sun hasn't faded the paint.
The name of a boat is often a personal choice, with some opting for puns or comedic names, such as Nauti-Bouy, The Codfather or Sea-Duction. Others choose to name their boat after their profession or a hobby. For example, lawyers might choose Sea Trial or Miss Demeanor, while doctors might opt for Doctor's Orders or Knot on Call.
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The name is often placed on the sides of the boat
The name of the boat is often placed on the sides of the boat because it is more visible than the stern. This means that the name of the boat is more likely to be seen by other boats and people on the shore. It also means that the name of the boat is more likely to be remembered by those who see it.
When placing the name of the boat on the sides, it is important to use a placard that is bolted or screwed in place on the hull of the boat or on the superstructure. This ensures that the name is clearly visible and safely affixed. The placard should be colour-coordinated with the canvas or any other colours on the boat.
It is also important to consider the size of the font or decals used for the name of the boat. Using a large font or decal can make the name of the boat more visible, but it can also be a pet peeve for some boaters. Large decals or stickers can be difficult to remove if the boat is sold, and they can leave a spot that is a different colour on the side of the boat.
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The name is sometimes placed on the stern
The stern is a less visible location than the sides of the boat, but it is still clearly visible and safely affixed. The name must be permanently attached to the boat, and for this reason, it is common to bolt or screw a placard in place on the hull or superstructure.
Some boat owners prefer to place the name on the sides of the boat, as this is more visible than the stern. However, this can cause issues when the boat is sold, as the new owner may not like the name or may have to cover it up if it has been in place for a long time and has caused discolouration.
For outboard-powered boats, it is common to put the boat's name in block graphics on the sides, with the hailing port below. The name and hailing port must be at least 4 inches in size, although some boat owners opt for larger sizes.
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Boat names are often inspired by the owner's profession or hobby
Other boat owners prefer to stick to tradition and name their boats after Greek gods or goddesses, such as Aphrodite, Poseidon, or Athena. In the ancient world, boats were often named after gods or goddesses to ask for their protection and bring favourable conditions at sea.
Some boat owners like to showcase their personality and interests through the name of their boat. For example, a singer might name their boat *Nightingale*, or a fisherman might name their boat after their favourite type of fish.
The name of a boat is not something to be taken lightly. Sailors have long believed that the spirit of a vessel is encapsulated within its name, and so it must be chosen with care.
When it comes to displaying the name of your boat, there are a few options. The name must be permanently attached to the boat, either by bolting or screwing a placard to the hull or superstructure, or by using decals, fonts, or stickers. Many boat owners choose to put the name on the sides of the boat, as this is more visible than the stern. For federally documented vessels with the Coast Guard, the name and hailing port must be marked together on a clearly visible spot on the exterior hull, often on the stern.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of your boat should be permanently attached to the boat. It is very common to put the name in block graphics on the sides of an outboard-powered boat. For vessels that are federally documented with the Coast Guard, boat name placement regulations differ slightly. The name and hailing port of your vessel must be marked together on a spot of your exterior hull that is clearly visible. Many recreational boat owners place this information on the stern and then place the boat name on both sides of the bow in the same way that it is required for commercial vessels.
You can use a placard to display the boat name, but the placard must be bolted or screwed in place on the hull of the boat or on the superstructure so that it is clearly visible and safely affixed.
You have to have at least 4" numbers.
