Having your own boat allows you to escape the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature. Whether you like to venture out with friends and family, or if you prefer solo trips to fish and sightsee, boating is a great way to decompress. When you buy a boat, it becomes a part of your family, and it makes sense that you would want to do whatever you can to make it your own. If you bought a previously owned vessel that carries a moniker designated by someone else, or if your boat’s name no longer holds much meaning to you, you may find yourself wondering about changing the name of a boat. Aside from the superstitions that come with changing a boat’s name, there may also be some paperwork to complete with Transport Canada. Largely, the process of changing your boat’s name will hinge on what sort of documentation it carries. Read on to learn more about how you can rechristen your vessel the easy way with our forms.
If you have long been a marine hobbyist, or if you have spent any amount of time around seafaring individuals, you have probably heard that changing a boat’s name can come with bad luck. In truth, this is a superstition that dates back to Greek mythology. It is said that Poseidon, the god of the sea, maintains a ledger of every vessel on the water. By changing a boat’s name, you are disrupting his records, which can draw ire from the Greek god. Fortunately, if you are the superstitious sort, you can hold a renaming ceremony to make sure you are in the clear. The other good news is that this ceremony includes lots of friends and champagne. Once the party is over, however, you may need to complete some paperwork.
Changing the Name of a Boat with the Correct Forms
In Canada, any boat that has an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more requires a pleasure craft license (PCL). A PCL issues your vessel a registration number, which must be displayed on its exterior. With a PCL, there is no formal process for changing a vessel’s name, but you will want to scrub any mention of the previous moniker from your vessel before heading out on the water.
Boats that are traveling internationally under the Canadian flag, as well as vessels used for commercial purposes, must obtain a registration from Transport Canada. This is also true with any boat that is financed with a marine mortgage, which is fairly common. Because a registration assigns your boat a unique name, there is a process to complete in order to change it. By filling out Form 13—Application for Change of Name of vessel and/or Transfer of Port of Registry, you can update your boat’s name. You can use our online forms to complete this process with just a few clicks.
Set Sail Today!
Whether you need to change a boat’s name or register it for the first time, we can help. Browse our easy-to-navigate website today to find the forms you need. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
