Whether it’s summer, fall, winter, or spring, spending time on the water is popular. Not only is Canada beautiful, but the law also makes safe boating a priority. Therefore, many people are looking for methods to enjoy time on the water while staying within their budget. Some boats have to be registered and others require licences. Registered boats in Canada require registered boat names.
Whether you’re an experienced boater or just getting started, one of the best ways to save money is by registering your pleasure craft.. By taking this initiative, you can save on insurance and fuel and contribute to increased safety on the waterways.
Naming Your Registered Boat: Some Tips to Get Started
Also, you need to give your registered boat a name so that it can be identified during a search and rescue. You can demonstrate your pride in ownership by naming your boat and giving it a personality.
So, how do you decide on a suitable and memorable seaworthy name? The following tips will guide you on how to make the process easier.
1. Brainstorm Ideas and Nautical Themes
When choosing a name for your boat, start by brainstorming words, phrases, or ideas that resonate with your specific bathing interests, such as fishing, relaxing, or skiing, or surfing. Take your time and consider hobbies, favorite locales, or inside jokes among family and friends.
You can also draw inspiration from pop culture themes, nautical ideas, or anything that makes you smile or laugh.
Whether you’re exploring the picturesque coastlines, fishing in a serene lake, or enjoying a leisurely day on the water, your boat is an extension of who you are as a person. So, what you name it is as personal as it is creative.
Examples of Creative Names
Let’s look at some unique and memorable names to inspire the naming process:
- Serenity
The name, “Serenity,” or a reasonable facsimile, reflects the calming effect many people find while they sail or take their boat out on Canadian waters. This name is reminiscent of serene landscapes, quiet anchorage ports, and quiet moments spent adrift in nature’s solitude.
- Aquaholic
Combining a sense of humor with a passion for boating, “Aquaholic” brings to mind someone who is almost obsessive about boating. It mirrors the colloquial terms such as “shopaholic” and “workaholic,” underscoring the addiction that many boaters experience.
- Second Wind
The words, “Second Wind,” capture the revitalizing energy often found when boating or sailing across an open and large body of water. It symbolizes the “second wind” or mental strength boaters experience from their boating and sailing adventures..
- Carpe Diem
Derived from the ancient Latin phrase “carpe diem, quam minimum credula posters,” which means, in English, “seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow,” this name tells boaters to seize the moment during their boating adventures.
- Knot on Call
A seaworthy pun, “Knot on Call” mixes a nautical word and the liberty that boating gives anyone who works 9 to 5 during the regular work week. The name reminds boaters that there is more to living than working. You can also set sail or boat over the waters and leave the world of work for a while.
Boat naming customs will always be a significant aspect of maritime culture. The names of pleasure boats express their owners’ personalities, passions, and sense of humor in various ways – from humorous puns to deeper or more profound meanings.
They also give a vessel its unique personality. While choosing a name, consider the meaning behind it or how it might further the history of your boat.
2. Keep the Name Simple and Easy to Pronounce
Keep in mind that boat names have to be simple to spell, speak, and recall. An easy-to-understand name will make it simpler for others to recognize your watercraft. The name should be simple to comprehend on the radio. Choose names with a maximum length of three words.
3. Check a Name’s Availability
Before finalizing your selected name, it’s essential to ensure its uniqueness among other registered Canadian vessels. You can do this by checking the Canadian Register of Vessels through its online database. Multiple boats with the same name create confusion among search teams during emergencies, thereby defeating the purpose of naming a boat in the first palace.
A unique yet simple name makes it easy to find you and your boat in case of a crime or an emergency.
4. Follow Canadian Display Regulations
Once you’ve selected a name for your pleasure boat, you need to follow Canadian regulations for displaying the name. According to Transport Canada, pleasure boat markings for names should be shown, as follows:
- Display the vessel’s name prominently on both sides of the bow.
- Ensure that the letter height is at least 7.5 cm (3 inches) high.
- Use a contrasting color for the letters to ensure optimal visibility against the boat’s exterior
5. Be Creative with the Lettering
Generally, the font for the lettering for the boat’s name should be a block style or preferably Arial black. Locate the name on the forward hull portion of the vessel.
6. Use Durable Marine-Grade Materials
To ensure that your boat’s name withstands harsh weather conditions while boating or sailing, choose high-quality, marine-grade vinyl decals.
These materials are designed to resist fading, peeling, and saltwater damage. Trusted manufacturers often provide guarantees that support the decals’ strength and stability.
Whether you’re an experienced sailor or a novice boat owner, choosing the ideal name for your registered boat is a chance to showcase your uniqueness and ingenuity.
Make the name of your boat stand out in a way that makes it memorable and simple to read. Just make sure you also follow Canada’s display regulations and requirements.
Registered Boat Names With Us
If you need to register your boat, contact the Canadian Vessel Registry. online and begin the registration process now. Make things easy and go through the Registry website.
