The Perfect Spot For Your Boat Name: Kayaks

Naming your boat is a fun way to make it your own, and kayaks are no exception. While it's not a requirement, giving your kayak a name can make you feel more connected to it and even inspire you to take better care of it. When it comes to deciding on a name, the possibilities are endless. You can opt for something nautical, or choose a name inspired by a movie, a colour, or even your own personality. Once you've chosen the perfect name, you can make it official by including it on all your kayak's documentation and giving your kayak a christening ceremony.

Naming traditions

Naming a boat is a longstanding tradition, and there are several superstitions and traditions associated with it.

The ancient mariners of Greece, Phoenicia and elsewhere named their vessels after one of the Gods, asking for favourable conditions and a long life at sea. The name was usually that of a Goddess, implying that the captain would cherish and nurture his boat in the same way he worshiped the female form. These days, the naming conventions are more secular, but many still opt for female names.

It is considered good luck to name your boat before its first launch. It is also considered bad luck to sail on a boat without a name. A boat's name should be short and sweet, memorable, and reflect the owner's interests, hobbies, or personality. It is also important to avoid hubris in a boat name—not by naming your boat 'Victory', but by avoiding names related to the sea or storms, like 'Hurricane'. Such a name might tempt the ocean to send its forces against you.

In the past, boats were only given the names of important female figures or women who were important to the captain. Nowadays, boat names can be phrases, places, creatures, puns, or anything else you can think of. They often relate to something personal to the owner or their family, or represent some point of regional or national pride.

There are a few steps to holding a boat christening ceremony: gather friends and family, pour everyone a glass of champagne, give a small speech about your boat, toast the boat, lay a branch of green leaves on the deck for good luck, and then break the champagne bottle, traditionally against the boat's hull.

Etiquette and rules

Naming your kayak is a fun way to make it your own and give it a unique identity. While there are no strict rules when it comes to naming your kayak, there are some etiquette rules and guidelines to follow to ensure your kayak has the perfect name.

Firstly, it is considered good etiquette to name your kayak before its maiden voyage. It is believed that this will bring good luck and ensure a fitting name for your vessel. When deciding on a name, it is important to keep it short and sweet, with a maximum of 33 characters. A shorter name will be more memorable, easier to paint or vinyl-print, and cheaper to produce.

The name you choose should reflect your interests, hobbies, or career. It should also suit the vessel and be easy to pronounce. You might want to consider a female name, as is traditional for larger boats, or a name inspired by the colour of your kayak. If you plan to take your kayak out to sea, avoid using any language that could be confused with distress signals or phrases used to solicit assistance. This includes terms like "Mayday" and other common emergency phrases.

In the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard has specific documentation regulations for vessel naming. For example, the name of the boat must not contain any obscene, indecent, or profane language, racial or ethnic epithets, or words used to seek help at sea. It is also important to ensure that the name is permanently affixed to the kayak, with letters that are visible and stand out against the colour of the boat.

Once you have chosen a name, you can make it official by including it on all documents related to your kayak and perhaps even holding a christening ceremony to welcome your newly named kayak.

Choosing a name

If you're looking for inspiration, you might consider a name that reflects your interests, hobbies, or career. For example, "Lawyers Guns & Money" or "Doctor's Orders". You could also opt for a nautical name, a movie name, or a name inspired by the colour of your kayak, like "Sunshine" for a yellow kayak or "Purple Haze" for a purple kayak.

You might want to follow the tradition of giving your kayak a female name, perhaps after a special woman in your life, or a fictional character like "Moana". Or, you could give it a human name, like it's one of your children, to help you take extra care of it.

Keep in mind that the U.S. Coast Guard has some regulations around boat names. The name must be no more than 33 characters, must not be identical or similar to words used to seek help at sea, and must not contain obscene, indecent, profane, racial, or ethnic language.

Some other name ideas include:

• "The Flying Peapod" for a green kayak
• "Old Yeller" for a yellow kayak
• "The Black Pearl" for a black kayak
• "Rapid Runner" for a whitewater kayak
• "The Ugly Duckling" for an unattractive but graceful kayak
• "Wave Runner" for a kayak that handles surf and rough water well

Deciding on a placement method

Naming your kayak or boat is a fun way to make it your own and there are several methods you can use to affix the name to your vessel. Firstly, you should consider the placement of the name. The U.S. Coast Guard requires that federally documented vessels include the name and hailing port of the vessel on the stern transom or on the side of the vessel. The name must be at least four inches in height and permanently affixed.

One option for displaying the name is to utilise the services of a local sign painter. They can paint the name directly onto your kayak or boat, ensuring it is both visible and permanent. This method can add a personal touch and be a fun way to involve local businesses in your boat's journey.

Another option is to use stick-on vinyl letters, which can be designed and ordered from a do-it-yourself online source or a specialist letter ordering service. This method offers flexibility in terms of font, colour, and size, allowing you to customise the name to your liking. It is also generally more affordable than hiring a sign painter.

If you are feeling creative and want to try your hand at painting the name yourself, you can purchase the necessary materials from a local craft store or hardware store. This option gives you complete freedom over the design and can be a rewarding experience.

Finally, for those who want a more subtle or temporary approach, you could consider using a decal or sticker with the boat's name. This method is easy to reverse if you decide to change the name or remove it altogether. Decals and stickers are also widely available and can be found at most marine supply stores.

Each of these methods offers a unique set of advantages, and the best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and the amount of customisation you desire.

Finalising the process

Now that you've chosen a name for your kayak, it's time to finalise the process and make it official. Here are the steps you need to take:

• Check the regulations: Before you proceed, it's important to ensure that your kayak's name complies with the local regulations. For example, in the United States, the U.S. Coast Guard has specific guidelines for boat names, including a maximum of 33 characters and restrictions on the use of certain language. Make sure your kayak's name meets these requirements to avoid any legal issues.
• Choose a location: Traditionally, boat names are displayed on the hull, and this is a good option for kayaks as well. Consider placing the name on the side of the kayak, where it will be easily visible to others. You can also place it on the stern transom or the forward side of the boat, as per the U.S. Coast Guard regulations for registered recreational boats.
• Select a method: There are a few different ways to display the name on your kayak. You can opt for painting the name directly on the kayak, or you can use stick-on vinyl letters or decals. Painting can be a more permanent option, but vinyl letters offer more flexibility if you ever want to change the name.
• Design and installation: If you choose to paint the name, you can either do it yourself or hire a local sign painter to ensure a professional finish. For vinyl letters or decals, you can design and order them online, or work with a local sign shop to create custom lettering that fits your kayak's style and colour scheme. Make sure the letters are the correct size and are permanently affixed, as per the regulations.
• Documentation: While not always required, it's a good idea to include your kayak's name on any official documentation related to the boat. This helps to establish your ownership and can make it easier to recover your kayak if it is ever lost or stolen.
• Christening ceremony: Finally, consider holding a small christening ceremony to officially welcome your kayak and its new name. Invite your friends and family, pop open a bottle of champagne, and perhaps include some traditional rituals for good luck, such as a branch of green leaves on the deck or a speech to bless the kayak.

By following these steps, you can finalise the process of naming your kayak, ensuring that it complies with regulations, looks great, and is officially recognised. Enjoy your time out on the water with your newly named kayak!

Frequently asked questions