Top 10 Boat Names For 2019 Include 'SNL' Reference

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Sporting names like Forever Young and Squid Pro Quo, boating enthusiasts are expected to hit the high seas over the long holiday weekend for what is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year, even in states like Florida where the summer never ends. But picking a name for your floating home away from home may not be as easy as it seems.

"It's a challenge. It's not as easy as one would think," confided Scott Croft of the Boat Owners Association of The United States. "Naming a boat is different than naming your kids."

Boaters often wrestle with questions like should they name their boat after their child — what happens if they have a second or third? — or love interest — what if the love interest doesn't work out? — or even something that moves them like a wave of patriotism on the Fourth Of July as in the case of Croft's first boat.

"I named her Constitution," he said. "I'm not a lawyer. I don't follow law. I'm not a judge. I'm not a paralegal, but at the moment in time it was very appropriate. It was sort of to honor the country and feel patriotic long before 9/11."

You can imagine the wave of questions the name brought. In retrospect, Croft told Patch he found it easier to name his child.

"When my wife and I named our son ... it was sort of straight forward," he recalled. "We each had some ideas but we sort of knew what we wanted. But when it comes to a boat, what do you really want to name it after — how you feel, your family, your lover, your vocation, the day of the week, the timing, the current news events. There's a bunch of different ways."

Each year his organization puts out a list of the top 10 boat names based on the number of requests for boat name designs from BoatUS Boat Graphics.

Here are the top 10 boat names for 2019 along with an explanation of each name courtesy of the Boat Owners Association of The United States:

1. Aquaholic: After a four-year absence from the Top 10 list, this popular boat name returns. Its appeal is in its intoxicating wordplay about overdoing too much time on the water. This kind of imbibing, however, won’t give you a hangover – except maybe on a Monday morning when you have to go back to work.
2. Pearl: Sometimes a shortening of the name of the fictional ship in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series, folks who put Pearl on the transom likely know that their luxurious vessel has an understated luster.
3. Forever Young: While boating isn’t exactly like the Fountain of Youth, many boaters say the feeling of boating, sailing or fishing keeps them feeling young. A perfect name for maintaining a stress-free boating life.
4. Second Chance: This boat owner has likely had an opportunity for a do-over — be it with boating or a life challenge related to health, career or matrimony. It’s a reminder to take advantage of the chance to start over.
5. Squid Pro Quo: It’s clear this fishing vessel owner appreciates Latin, or at least perhaps understands that life is a game of give and take.
6. More Cowbell: A 2000 "Saturday Night Live" comedy skit featuring Will Farrell and Christopher Walken pokes fun at taking things too far. Perhaps this boat is a little over the top as well.
7. Pegasus: A winged horse from Greek mythology that was capable of creating water springs just by striking his hoof into the earth. This boat name that connects earth and sky is commonly found on both sailboat and powerboat transoms.
8. Feelin’ Nauti: Who says you can’t be amorous while boating?
9. Why Knot?: These owners appreciate nautical wordplay and realize sometimes you just have to jump into things without over analyzing it.
10. High Maintenance: This term, sometimes used to reference a boat owner’s spouse, can also indicate that this vessel also requires much time, money or effort. A good choice for a high-performance boat.

Croft said boaters needn't worry if they picked the wrong name for their boat since the vessel's official designation comes from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The name is just for fun.

"I will let you know I have renamed every boat I have owned," he said. "I know people who think it's superstitious and don't do that. I know people who think it's superstitious and the way to overcome it is do a renaming ceremony."

For a look at all of the BoatUS Top 10 Boat Names lists over the years go to BoatUS.com/Boatgraphics/Top-10-boat-names.

Here are some links to boating safety topics we found on the Coast Guard website:

• Accident Reporting
• Boater Education
• Vessel Safety Check
• Life Jacket Wear/Wearing your Life Jacket
• Going Paddling Know your limits!
• File a Float Plan
• Carbon Monoxide
• BUI Initiatives
• Shallow Water Boat Performance - FAQ
• Propeller Safety