If you're lucky enough to live to 100, the years between 50 & 75 are your third quarter. That segment in life could be the waning of your physically agile years, so it's a good idea to stay active. It's also a good time to challenge your brain to keep things limber up there - by mastering something new. We decided to go sailing, and this is a chronicle of our journey.

6/18/12

Re-naming your Boat: a Ceremony

s/v Florian with her new name on her transom in Maine
Re-naming your boat isn't required when ownership changes hands, but as Don explained in this post, after lots of consideration, discussion, and thought, we felt pretty strongly that we wanted to change our boat's name to Florian (the Patron Saint of Firefighters).  
Don waving an empty champagne bottle after dousing
Florian's bow with celebratory bubbly
Some folks say re-naming your boat is bad luck, and others insist it's no big deal. Boating and ocean-lore are full of superstitions and ritualistic remedies, so most of the seasoned & salty sailors we spoke to thought it was best to be safe rather than sorry. As is required by tradition, we removed all evidence of her previous name, and took her out on a beautiful sunny Saturday, packed with a bottle of champagne, and John Vigor's denaming text. After reading the entreaty to the Gods of Sea & Wind for safe passages, fair winds and following seas, Don went forward, shook the champagne, and gave Florian's bow sprit, anchor and foredeck a shower of ticklish bubbly.
Sailing Florian off the coast of Ventura, California
We enjoy tradition, and this observance felt like one more coat of wrap-around love to make Florian truly ours.  Did you re-name your boat, and if so, did you have a ceremony?
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