It is important for you, as the owner of a boat in Canada, to choose a name for your watercraft that is one of a kind and has some significance. When it comes time to choose the christening of a brand-new ship or the renaming of an older one, a few elements should be kept in mind. Naming your boat is a choice that should not be taken lightly. After all, the name of your boat will be seen by a great number of people and will be associated with your vessel for the whole of its existence. When picking out a name, there are a few factors you should take in mind before making a final decision. Names given to boats may be unique, inventive, and playful, yet, they must comply with certain regulations to be used. Here are some suggestions for naming your boat name, broken down into four categories:
Make Sure the Name Is Legal
It is of the utmost importance that the rules and regulations established by Transport Canada for registered boats be adhered to by your boat’s name. You won’t be short on time to mull it over, so you must get it right first. Make sure that the name you choose satisfies their standards, which include that it is not too lengthy, that it does not include any words or letters that aren’t permitted, and that it not be deemed offensive. Ensure to do some research on their naming requirements. Because of the laws in certain provinces regarding a boat name, you must be sure that the one you pick follows those regulations. For example, boats in the Canadian province of Ontario must have names at least six characters long and include at least one letter from the alphabet.
Keep The Boat Name Simple
Creating a memorable boat name doesn’t require much effort or creativity. They need to be enjoyable and easy to recall for you. Though you may choose to give your boat an amusing or creative name, remember that it must be readily read and spoken by other boaters. However, if you’re attempting to choose between two possibilities and one of them would be simpler to see on the rear of your boat or its registration information, you should probably go with that one. There’s no reason to give your boat a meaningless, drawn-out name if all you’re doing with it is getting from A to B. A lengthy name may be preferable if you want to compete in races or other events. Even if it seems little, you should pay attention to this! The name you give your boat will be with you for years to come, setting the tone for your whole experience on the water.
Avoid Controversial Topics
These may seem lighthearted ways to start a discussion, but in reality, they may quickly lead to awkward situations. You don’t want anyone to be offended by the name of your boat, nor do you want it to start a debate. It could seem a good idea to use the name of a subject on which all of your friends agree as the boat name, but what if one of your pals has a different perspective on the matter? It is possible that you and your pals may get tense as a result of this, or even worse, that an argument will break out between you and your buddies. And if you want to go with something more complicated, include information about how many engines or how much horsepower your boat has. Try limiting the details to just one or two key points, so people don’t get lost in unnecessary specifics. This will prevent people from becoming confused by the information.
The Name Should Reflect Who You Are as A Boater
For decades, the boating community has adhered to unspoken norms. You shouldn’t name your boat after a live person; you should also avoid naming it after a person you knew and loved who has since died away. These guidelines are only suggestions until you have amassed sufficient expertise to know what will work, and they may be violated with excellent results. If you can easily imagine the ship in your head from seeing it on screen or reading about it on paper, you should probably think about something else. Considering the name’s memorability is important if it will be seen or read in certain situations. In addition, it’s crucial that your boat’s name accurately represents who you are as a boater. The name you chose for your boat should reflect something about you and your time spent on the water, so if there’s nothing there, you may want to look for another.
It Should Be Unique and Creative
When picking out a boat name, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all available alternatives; however, the greatest part about names is that they don’t have to be endless choices. The first thing you should do is get some ideas down on paper and experiment with various permutations. If you have concluded that you do not like a phrase or term that was a component of something else that you have attempted, now is the time to think about easy replacements. Your choice of a name should reflect your unique personality and be as creative as possible. When you meet other boaters at marinas or anchorages, the subject of “what’s the story behind your boat’s name?” will come up at some point. This piece of information will help respond to that question.
If you’ve lost your boat registration card, you can get a replacement for free by calling the Canadian Vessel Registry at +1 (800) 419-9569. There’s no need to pay someone else to do it for you; they’ll be happy to help you over the phone. They’ll need your name, address, and vessel information to find your number, which will take up to five minutes.
