Boat Names

[BobW]

Cmdr Pete,

Do you know what kind of boat SMUGA is?  Interesting shot of the outboard in the well with a plug.

[s/v Faith]

Cmdr Pete,

Do you know what kind of boat SMUGA is?  Interesting shot of the outboard in the well with a plug.

Don't know about the kind of boat, but Smuga is the title of an obscure Polish (?) sailing movie

  John will surely be able to tell us more.   

[Godot]

Smuga:    STREAK;  STRIP;  TRAIL;  STRIPE

from the poltran free polish/english translator at http://www.poltran.com/odp.php4?q=2&direction=2&word=SMUGA

Funny name for a boat.  Maybe it loses something in translation?

[AdriftAtSea]

One thing that I found very nice, was the guys who did the lettering on my boat sent me an electronic EPS file of the artwork, which I plan on using for boat cards and such, as well as getting some shirts/hats embroidered up for the boat.

[Norm]

A couple of quick stories. 
Be careful about naming your boat after "miss-right-now!"  It's harder to change boats than lovers.  I knew a guy who had lots and lots of money and lots and lots of wives.  His designer and builder were always employed on a new "last boat project."

My training boat, Melissa, is named after a young woman who was murdered on Cape Cod.  I see her father around the Center once in a while.  My motivation to care for the boat is certainly raised because of the circumstances surrounding the boat's name.  i never met the woman, Melissa.  Her dad and I never speak about it.  I have a couple of daughters. 

On a happier note:  mom and dad bought a boat in '58 for the family cruise.  Her name was OMA, a dutch word for a house-frau and implies slow and fat (or so we were told).  My mother heard the meaning, smiled at dad and said in her special voice, "we'll have to change the name to something pretty, don't you think, Pete?"  My mom, a house wife, was drop dead gorgeous... and a kick-ass sailor.

[Cmdr Pete]

Cmdr Pete,

Do you know what kind of boat SMUGA is? Interesting shot of the outboard in the well with a plug.

That photograph of "Smuga" was from an advertisement I came across somewhere. It's either an Ariel or Commander. We never did learn anything more about the motor well modification.

Let's see.....I saved another picture of a Commander. Not bad, but it illustrates how a long name on the back of a small boat presents a challenge.

[sailor]

Smuga:    STREAK;  STRIP;  TRAIL;  STRIPE

from the poltran free polish/english translator at http://www.poltran.com/odp.php4?q=2&direction=2&word=SMUGA

Funny name for a boat.  Maybe it loses something in translation?

It does literally mean "streak", but as a boat name is most commonly used as in "Smuga Cienia", named after Joseph Conrad's boat.
I've seen it translated as "The Shadow Line" (cienia == of shadow) or "A Touch of Shadow", but these translations are still lacking, the original meaning is probably referring to an image of boat disappearing from the view in the shadows of dusk.

[Captain Smollett]

And then there is ]Jimbo, C22, #9717 Pog Mo Thoin, Loch Lanier for a similar example of a foreign language named boat.

The translation of Pog Mo Thoin is "Kiss My A$$."

Not a very friendly attitude and certainly not radio-friendly for cruising Irish waters!   

[jmwoodring]

Boat names are an interesting concept. They can give insight into the personality and philosophy of the owner. Sometimes they are named after loved ones, or family members. Other times they are magic words that are an attempt to sum up an ideal, a goal, a dream. Some boats have names that personify them as much as any part of the design; famous names that are embedded in our minds.

And then there are those names that make us laugh, shake our heads in embarrassment, or exclaim, "What were they thinking???"

Like this one:



This one takes the cake as the weirdest name I've seen. What have you come across?

[maxiSwede]

'Nausea' comes to mind...

[Oldrig]

Shouldn't they be flying a Quarantine flag?

[Captain Smollett]

This one takes the cake as the weirdest name I've seen. What have you come across?

There's a boat in this marina named Breaking Wind.  Maybe that's a cliche; I don't know.  I certainly don't think it's the most INVITING boat name.   

There was a guy posting regularly on TSBB for while whose boat was named Pog Mo Thoin, which is Irish for "Kiss My A$$."  Again, not very friendly, but I guess he thought no one would 'get it.'

[Jim_ME]

John, I think that Pog Mo Thoin could be a reference to the lyrics of the song If I Had A Boat by that famous Celtic singer, Lyle Lovett. In that context, it may seem friendlier...   (The song is inspiring and could even be our SailFar theme song/anthem...?)

Lyrics here: http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/lovett-lyle/if-i-had-a-boat-872.html

Song audio here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4evzpIVnMVs

-Jim

[Captain Smollett]

John, I think that Pog Mo Thoin could be a reference to the lyrics of the song If I Had A Boat by that famous Celtic singer, Lyle Lovett. In that context, it may seem friendlier...   (The song is inspiring and could even be our SailFar theme song/anthem...?)

Lyrics here: http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/lovett-lyle/if-i-had-a-boat-872.html

Song audio here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4evzpIVnMVs

-Jim

Eh, I still don't like it.  But that's just me and my personal opinion.

I could see someone innocently asking, "So, what does your boat name mean in English."  "Kiss My A__" would not be a very friendly answer, and could certainly be taken as offensive.

I'm not a big fan of crudeness in what maybe should be socially conservative situations.  But again, that's just me.

[Jim_ME]

Well that boat owner would probably be wise to avoid sailing to Ireland, where many might not get the Lovett reference, and he might have to fight continuously while attempting to explain...  


It's not on my short list for my next boat name either... Could well be one of those ideas that seems funny initially but doesn't wear so well over time--or is a clever quip, but not necessarily worthy of being engraved in granite, made into a tattoo, or painted across a transom...

I do like the song though, and in it Tonto is my hero. Lyle Lovett is such a hoot. 

[Captain Smollett]

 sailing to Ireland ... might have to fight continuously

That part might be true no matter WHAT your boat name is...   

Anyway, Grog for posting the Lovett lyrics and discussion in general.

[Steve Bean]

In Florida some years back there was a boat named "NGDPCOB" which I was told was short for "No God Damned Potato Chips On Board."

[CharlieJ]

Used to race against one named "DAMIFINO"

Dam if I know

[marujo_sortudo]

Saw one named Elimination and I know they were thinking of winning races and all, but...

[Oldrig]

In Florida some years back there was a boat named "NGDPCOB" which I was told was short for "No God Damned Potato Chips On Board."

Steve,

Can you imagine trying to hail them on the VHF?

--Joe