Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
How to Christen a boat?
Spring is coming and its time to get the new boat on the water. The launch date is March 27th but I don't know how to christen a boat.
What are your rituals?
Stories?
Photos?
Are there dory specific steps I should be doing?
I need your help!
-Kelly
Views: 1240
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on
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Kelly,
We kept our boat christening short and sweet.
Launched for the first time last summer on the Big Manistee here in MI.
(Keep in mind this is really the first time I had ever really rowed a drift boat - so I am a tad nervous about the whole affair) Put in around 8am below the dam to row/fish a 7 mile stretch.
We christened the boat with some appropriate regional libation... each took a drink and put in a quick word with the higher power. Felt like it was to the point and an appropriate way to bring a new boat into the world.
Jason
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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on
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Ukalady: It all depends- sort of like how long is a string. And also how much you want to spend. While at the Woodenboat School some years ago we were invited to a christening of a Brittish 50-60 ft ocean going sailboat. The bugger was so big the builder had to get a very high tide to get her launched. The bow got the champaign bottle shot and then the party started. All manner of wine, food etc. Ladies in big fancy hats and some guys with brass buttoned blazers. Nobody allowed on board unless in proper yacht shoes or barefoot. Us common folk stayed on the pier. It was really a beautiful boat.
Another launch was years ago in Wyoming at the Green River Lakes- the headwaters of the Green River. I had just recieved a Sawyer Canoe and a buddie and I went up there. He was a rancher's son and brought a big mess of rockymountain osters,I suppled the Coors . After "lunch" and several drinks we poured a can over the bow- and as he was bording the bow seat he overshot his mark and landed on the other side of the canoe. All hands had a good time.
The drift boat was christend in the Yellowstone- just up stream from Jason's shop- at Mallard's Rest I think. After lunch we poured a little Merlot on the bow, drank the rest and my wife and I with 3 sons took off down river. Just at the first bend there was a vidio crew from the Montana Fiish and Game. They asked us to pull over to the bank- and I thought here it comes- some jerk from Maine launches a boat and dosen't have MT registration. To the contrary- they were very impressed with the boat but more so that all hands had on lifepreservers. They said the cut would be used in a "safety" program.
So there is no right ritual-gather family and friends- have a picnic- use Coors, Merlot,- whatever and admire your work. Good Luck
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Christensen on
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Of course it is traditional to smash a bottle of booze against the hull to christen a new ship, but this seemed a tad inappropriate for the put in at Desolation Canyon, or any other stretch of river, what with the shards of broken glass and all. But I think booze is generally an important part of the proceedings.
We also re-christen our boats before every (major) trip, with a few drops of Baby Jesus Oil - "Thank you sweet Baby Jesus!" It's a long story.
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Permalink Reply by Robb Grubb on
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Kelly, The first trip in my 16x48, I was with my girlfriend and friend (both fellow river guides), I made sure that someone else rowed first so that they would put the first ding in the chine... it worked. Absolutely need some sort of watery libation cast upon the bow. If it is a dory, maybe you should roll it over on purpose just to see how it does. Great stories people! Cheers, Robb
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Peak on
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yea... what Jeremy said...i prefer the frequent "every time i spill a beer i bless thee boat" approach in addition to a christening before every trip, and of course, the inaugural dousing. all are equally important.
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Permalink Reply by Marc Tittle on
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Ukalady,
Good friends, family, marginal sparkling wine, & most importantly, a successful takeout!
Marc
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Combs on
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The ancient custom of Greek and Roman boatbuilders was to place a coin in the hull or under the mast (heads up of course) to appease the water gods and if things went sour you had something to pay the boatman in order to cross the river Styx . Three thousand years later the US Navy and other ship builders still practice it.
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Permalink Reply by Darrell Lyons on
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Mamosa all the way; check out pic
on my page (Darrell Lyons)
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Mamosa and lots of it
Darrell Lyons
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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on
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Man, we didn't christen any of them. Maybe other than the first time I dropped a smallmouth bass under the floorboards. Fish Slime!
I think there are still some crushed beer cans floating under the floorboards of at least two of my boats!
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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on
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Christening a boat with wine, cervesa or other libation is something my buddies and I have done, BUT it has always seemed a waste of good drink to apply it directly to the bow. Instead, we conclude our first voyage, and at the end of the day we filter our libation before application.
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