Let the process begin

There are many nautical traditions, some would say superstitions, none more sacred than the naming tradition. The more conservative among us would shout sacrilege at the thought of changing the name of any vessel. We are of the more reformed persuasion and while we feel there are required elements to the renaming ceremony, we feel certain that there is only one correct name for a vessel and why should we have to suffer just because the previous owners screwed up and misnamed the boat.

Now I have to admit Chocobo was a great name for Roger and Danielle, considering their penchant for video games and how the mythical bird carried the player to the next world.
Just not for us.

Escape Velocity works for us and perfectly describes how difficult it’s been to achieve the speed needed to escape the sucking gravity of landlubber life.

How can the name change be accomplished, you ask? Well, first the incorrect name must be completely expunged from the vessel. Not an easy task because one writes the boat’s name on everything in the vessel, just in case. Doing this has actually saved lives by allowing SAR people to more accurately estimate drift and find survivors in case of a shipwreck. But how can one be sure you’ve found every example of that misguided name in your vessel?

Next there are incantations beseeching Neptune to forgive the errant name and asking forbearance in setting things right. Then the proper name is introduced and affixed to the vessel, once again beseeching Neptune, Thor, and Aeolus to moderate the path before this vessel. Smash the Champagne bottle and I say, close enough.

Come to think of it, a lot of the traditions are to calm the seas, which is why a comely lass bares her breasts to the sea (in the form of a figure head). A dollop of wine offered to Neptune attempts to safeguard a voyage while the crew gets the rest. It seems to help. Not enough wind? All one need do is to rub the foremast or whistle. Never start a journey on a Friday. There must be a thousand of them. It goes on and on, we’re not sure why we do it but we damn well do it. All I know is that while those Ralston sisters were scraping the name off the yacht, the largest manatee I ever saw surfaced inches from the dingy, and quietly swam around the boat.

Let the process begin!

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4 Comments

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4 Responses to Let the process begin

  1. Anita

    Hey – how do you get mail? For now, can I send something to the marina? But, in the future, what will be the way that snail mail gets to the Schulz’s?

    • Anita, we will mostly be on the move, except occasionally when we will have to park ourselves for a while for repairs or reprovisioning. We’ll have a forwarding address; right now we’re using Nancy and Dave’s. We’re trying to convert everything we can to electronic delivery.

  2. Jennifer Johnson

    Sounds like you are settling in. The renaming process is a strange one,… we cavorted and spilled champagne, and removed everything with her prior name (by far the hardest part, but Royce was adamant) Have a friend in Suart who loves it there and raves about the place, hope you are enjoying it. We are on the other coast, but hoping to leave next summer. Will continue to check on you from time to time, so glad you are getting settled on your Manta
    Take care
    Jennifer

  3. Stan W

    U really did it. Looks wonderful and I am happy for both of you. Hard to see this on phone but will check on real computer. Best of luck!!!!!!! Stan

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