bad luck or good luck

[gunsmith]

What is the deal about changing the name of the boat you just bought? I just purchased a boat and over the next two years it will under go a complete transformation from commercial fishing boat to motor sailor. Can I safely change her name without incuring bad luck. And don't tell me all I have to do is send someone ten dollars and the curse of possibly changing a name will be removed. I'm ten bucks shy now on another deal and I won't bite again on that one. :D

[Hughman]

It's quite common in the old records of commercial ships that whenever they were rebuilt, refitted, or reregistered, the name was changed. Check the search function for the many suggestions on the proper ceremony.

(Hope you are a drinking man...)
:D

[Ian McColgin]

On our side, changing the name is considered an ill thing but they can be more lighthearted about it over there. I knew a Scot who was having a bad season. He changed the name of his fishing boat a half dozen times in a futile effort to change his luck.

Take the time to find and recognise the boat's true public name and the change will be fine. You don't need the blood of fatted virgins for this, but sharing some ardent spirits with your boat will help.