famous sailboat names

Have Fun With History

13 Most Famous Sailboats

For generations, sailboats have been a vital form of transportation and a source of entertainment. Several sailboats have gained notoriety because to their historical significance, outstanding speed and performance, or association with famous persons or events.

There are several renowned sailboats that have made an indelible effect on history and popular culture, ranging from the legendary ships that took explorers over the seas to the high-performance yachts that compete in prestigious races.

This article will look at 13 renowned sailboats, from historic ships to modern racing yachts.

Famous Sailboats

1. america’s cup yachts.

America’s Cup sailboats are high-performance sailboats that compete in the America’s Cup, a renowned yacht race that has been held since 1851. Teams from all around the world compete for the prized trophy, which is named after the first winning boat, America.

The America’s Cup boats have grown over time to become some of the most advanced sailboats in the world. Foiling monohulls are the most recent iterations of the boats, which use innovative technology to raise the boat out of the water and reduce drag, allowing for higher speed and performance.

Also Read: Famous Yachts

The AC72 Oracle Team USA, which was used in the 2013 America’s Cup and had hydrofoils that allowed it to reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, is one of the most famous America’s Cup boats.

Another outstanding boat with modern technology and engineering is the AC75 Emirates Team New Zealand, which was used in the 2021 America’s Cup.

Aside from these modern boats, the America’s Cup has a long history of iconic sailboats, such as the J Class yacht Ranger, which competed in the 1937 America’s Cup and was noted for its amazing speed and elegance.

The America’s Cup boats are among the most creative and remarkable sailboats in the world, and their history and legacy inspire sailors and sailing aficionados all over the world.

2. Endeavour

Endeavour is a notable sailboat that was built in 1934 after Sir T.O.M. Sopwith commissioned it. The yacht was designed by naval architect Charles E. Nicholson and built in Gosport, England by Camper and Nicholsons.

Endeavour was a J Class yacht, which was a type of large sailboat used in the 1930s America’s Cup races. The J Class yachts were among the most opulent and elegant of their period, and Endeavour was no exception. The yacht was famous for its stylish lines, fast speed, and sumptuous cabin.

Endeavour was designed to participate in the 1934 America’s Cup, but was defeated by the American boat Rainbow. Despite its demise, Endeavour became one of the most famous and iconic sailboats of its era, racing in a variety of regattas and events during the 1930s.

Endeavour went into disrepair after WWII and was eventually abandoned. But, in the 1980s, Elizabeth Meyer and her husband refurbished the yacht and returned it to its former beauty.

The Endeavour Foundation now owns Endeavour, which is utilized for sailing charters and events, as well as racing in regattas and other sailing competitions.

3. Cutty Sark

The Cutty Sark is one of the most famous clipper ships in history. It was constructed in Scotland in 1869 and was primarily used to transport tea from China to England. It gets its name from Robert Burns’ poem “Tam o’ Shanter,” which features a mythological character.

The Cutty Sark was known for her speed and competitiveness, frequently racing other clipper ships across the ocean to transport cargo. It visited China eight times, and on one of them, it broke the record for the fastest journey from Shanghai to London, lasting only 107 days.

After its cargo-carrying days were through, the Cutty Sark was used as a training ship and, subsequently, as a museum ship. It is currently on exhibit in Greenwich, England, where visitors can inspect the ship’s decks, cabins, and cargo holds.

The Cutty Sark has become both a symbol of British maritime tradition and one of London’s most well-known tourist attractions.

4. HMS Bounty

The HMS Bounty was a British Royal Navy ship most remembered for the 1789 on-board mutiny. The Bounty was built in 1784 to transport Tahitian breadfruit to the West Indies as part of a British effort to cultivate a new crop for enslaved workers.

Conflicts between the crew and the ship’s commander, William Bligh, arose during the voyage to Tahiti, and in April 1789, a gang of mutineers led by Fletcher Christian seized control of the ship, leaving Bligh and many of his fervent supporters alone in a tiny boat.

After the mutiny, the Bounty continued to sail, with Christian and the mutineers eventually settling on Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific. To avoid detection, the ship was burned and sunk.

For many years, the fate of the mutineers and their successors on Pitcairn Island remained unknown, but academics were able to piece together the story of the mutiny and its aftermath in the twentieth century.

The narrative of the HMS Bounty and her mutiny has inspired countless books, films, and other works of popular culture, and the ship has become an iconic emblem of the dangers and perils of exploration and adventure.

5. Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria

Christopher Columbus utilized three legendary sailboats on his maiden voyage to the Americas in 1492: Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. These were caravels, which were small, nimble sailing ships popular among European explorers during the Age of Discovery.

The Nina was the smallest of the three ships, with a length of roughly 50 feet. The Pinta was slightly longer, measuring around 70 feet, while the Santa Maria was the longest, measuring around 85 feet.

While these ships are well-known for their involvement in Columbus’ expedition, their exact specifications are unknown. Historians and archaeologists, on the other hand, have made educated judgments regarding their design and construction based on historical records and archaeological evidence.

Replicas of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria can now be found in ports all over the world, and they are frequently employed as museum ships or for instructional purposes. These ships are significant in the history of exploration and the advancement of sailing technology.

6. Gypsy Moth IV

Gypsy Moth IV is a legendary sailboat that was sailed alone around the world by British sailor Sir Francis Chichester in 1966-67. Chichester became the first person to sail solo around the world, passing via the three capes of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn.

Gypsy Moth IV was a 54-foot ketch designed by John Illingworth and built by Camper and Nicholsons in Gosport, England in 1966. The yacht was named after Chichester’s original Gypsy Moth, a small dinghy he used to sail solo across the Atlantic in 1960.

Chichester encountered various problems during his round of the globe, including equipment failures, storms, and extended periods of isolation. He was able to finish the expedition in just over nine months, breaking the previous record for the fastest solo circumnavigation.

Gypsy Moth IV became an icon of sailing and adventure after the expedition, and it was used for other voyages and events throughout the years. The boat was restored extensively in 2004, and it is now housed in the National Maritime Museum in Cornwall, England.

Gypsy Moth IV is now a symbol of the bravery, determination, and adventurous spirit that lies at the core of sailing and exploration.

7. HMS Victory

HMS Victory is a well-known British ship built in 1765 that played an important role in naval history. The ship is best remembered for its role as the flagship of Admiral Horatio Nelson, a famed British naval leader, at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The HMS Victory was a 104-gun first-rate line ship with a length of 69.3 meters and a weight of 3,500 tons. It carried roughly 800 warriors and was well armed with cannons.

The ship was essential in various naval wars during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, notably the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars.

The British victory over the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar was aided by the HMS Victory. Nelson famously led the British fleet from the deck of the HMS Victory, instilling courage and leadership in his men.

Despite this, Nelson was killed in the battle, and the ship was severely damaged, with over 100 crew members killed or injured.

The HMS Victory was repaired and returned to service following the fight, but it was eventually retired in 1812.

The ship is now kept as a museum at Portsmouth, UK, and is one of the most famous and well-known historic ships in the world. It is a memorial to the United Kingdom’s naval legacy, as well as a symbol of the country’s long and prosperous maritime history.

8. The Mayflower

In 1620, the Mayflower transported the first English Puritans, also known as the Pilgrims, from Plymouth, England to the continent of North America.

The Mayflower voyage and the passengers on board played a significant part in the early colonization and settlement of the Americas. The Pilgrims set off for the New World in pursuit of religious liberty and a better way of life.

The ship went out with the intention of mooring in northern Virginia, but due to terrible weather and navigational errors, it ended up in what is now the state of Massachusetts, in the location that is now home to the city of Plymouth.

The Pilgrims created the Plymouth Colony, the first successful and long-lasting English settlement in New England. Plymouth was in the southeastern part of Massachusetts.

The voyage of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ settlement of the New World are significant events in American history, and they are commemorated each year on Thanksgiving.

9. Jolly Roger

The Jolly Roger is a well-known pirate ship that is typically associated with the classic pirate ship image, complete with black sails and a skull-and-crossbones flag. While the Jolly Roger is a made-up character, it has become a symbol of piracy and adventure.

The Jolly Roger’s origins are unknown, however it is thought to have been employed by pirates in the 18th century to frighten their foes. A white skull on a black backdrop was frequently depicted on the flag, with crossed bones beneath it.

The Jolly Roger became a symbol of pirate life, with numerous stories and legends surrounding the flag and the ships that flew it. While pirate ships were generally small, quick vessels capable of navigating shallow seas and surprising their targets, the image of the Jolly Roger has come to represent the larger-than-life pirates of popular culture.

The Jolly Roger is still an iconic picture in the world of sailing and adventure today, and it is frequently used as a symbol of revolt and independence.

10. Bluenose

Bluenose is a well-known yacht that was built in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1921. The boat was utilized for both fishing and racing, and it went on to become one of the most successful racing schooners of its time.

Bluenose was designed by Nova Scotia naval architect William Roué and built at the Smith and Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The boat was named from the moniker given to Nova Scotians, who were often referred to as “bluenosers” because to the blue noses caused by the cold Atlantic air.

Bluenose was mostly used for fishing, although it also participated in a number of sailing races during its lifespan. The boat was noted for its speed and performance, and it was a multiple winner of the International Fishermen’s Trophy for schooner racing.

Bluenose was sold to a Caribbean rum-runner after many years of service and was eventually wrecked off the coast of Haiti in 1946. The boat’s legacy, however, continues on, and it is an important emblem of Nova Scotia’s maritime tradition.

The Oland Brewery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, created a copy of Bluenose in 1963, and it has been utilized for numerous occasions and promotions since since. The Bluenose II is now a prominent tourist attraction in Nova Scotia, and it is regarded as one of Canada’s most famous and cherished sailboats.

11. HMS Beagle

The HMS Beagle was a British Royal Navy ship most known for its role in Charles Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos Islands from 1831 to 1836. The Beagle was a 90-foot-long and 24-foot-wide two-masted brig.

Darwin was a young naturalist at the time, and his voyage on the Beagle allowed him to collect a tremendous amount of data and specimens that led to the formation of his theory of evolution.

Throughout its journey, the Beagle also conducted shoreline surveys throughout South America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.

The Beagle’s trip was not without incident, with the ship becoming aground on several occasions and suffering hazardous weather conditions.

Notwithstanding these challenges, Darwin’s voyage was a success, and his observations and discoveries revolutionized scientific understanding of the natural world.

After her return to England, the Beagle was used for a variety of purposes, including as a coastguard vessel and a customs ship. It was eventually sold and demolished in 1870.

The HMS Beagle is known today for its role in one of history’s most important scientific expeditions.

A replica of the ship has been built in the English town of Woolwich, and additional monuments and museums dedicated to Darwin and his work can be found all over the world, most notably the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum in London.

12. Shackleton’s Endurance

Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance is a legendary sailboat that he utilized on his 1914-16 Antarctic expedition. The ship became engulfed in ice and eventually sank, but the crew survived and returned to civilization.

Endurance was built in Sandefjord, Norway in 1914 by the Norwegian shipyard Framnaes. The ship was built to be durable and powerful enough to resist the terrible Antarctic conditions, and it was called after the Shackleton family’s slogan, “Through Endurance We Conquer.”

Endurance became caught in ice in the Weddell Sea during the mission, and the crew was forced to abandon ship after many months. The crew then lived on the ice for several months before going out in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island, an isolated island in the South Shetland Islands.

Shackleton and a small group of crew members set out in a lifeboat from Elephant Island to South Georgia Island, where they hoped to find relief. The crew was eventually rescued after a perilous trek across the Southern Ocean to South Georgia Island.

Notwithstanding the loss of Endurance, Shackleton’s mission is regarded as one of the most incredible feats of endurance and survival in exploration history.

Over the years, the narrative of the Endurance and its crew has inspired many sailors and adventurers, and it has become an iconic symbol of the spirit of exploration and adventure.

13. Bounty II

Bounty II was a replica of the HMS Bounty, a British naval vessel famed for its 1789 mutiny against its captain, William Bligh, headed by Fletcher Christian.

The replica was built in 1960 for the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty,” which starred Marlon Brando as Fletcher Christian and Trevor Howard as Captain Bligh.

MGM Studios in California developed Bounty II, which was supposed to look like the original HMS Bounty. The boat measured 120 feet long and was outfitted as a three-masted square-rigged ship. Bounty II was used for many events and promotions after the film was completed, including sailing in the Tall Ships Race.

Bounty II was purchased in 1985 by a consortium of investors who intended to utilize it as a floating museum and tourist attraction. The boat was modified and used for a variety of competitions and sail training programs.

Bounty II was caught in Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina in 2012 and sank, killing two crew members. The ship’s sinking was a tragic incident, but it served as a reminder of the risks of sailing and the significance of water safety and readiness.

100 Great Sailboat Names

• On June 15, 2023
• No Comments

Choosing a name for your sailboat is an opportunity to express your personality, your boat’s character, and your aspirations as a sailor.

A good sailboat name should be distinctive, easy to pronounce, and filled with charm. It should resonate with you, spark interest in others, and create a deep connection with your vessel.

Here, we’ve curated a list of 100 great sailboat names inspired by nautical terms, nature, mythology, and personal experiences.

Wind and Sea-Inspired Names

• Wind Dancer: A name that captures the grace and elegance of a sailboat dancing with the wind.
• Sea Spirit: This name reflects the boat’s connection with the spirit of the sea.
• Ocean Whisper: A poetic name that evokes quiet and peaceful moments at sea.
• Nautical Dream: Ideal for those who dream of adventures on the high seas.
• Wind Chaser: Perfect for a sailboat that loves to race with the wind.
• Sea Serenity: A name that captures the tranquil moments spent at sea.
• Siren’s Song: A mythical and enchanting name inspired by the sirens of Greek mythology.
• Wave Runner: A dynamic name for a sailboat that loves to cut through the waves.
• Neptune’s Trident: A powerful and majestic name inspired by Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.
• Sea Breeze: A light and airy name that evokes a sense of freedom and relaxation.

Adventure and Exploration-Inspired Names

• Ocean Odyssey: A name that promises grand adventures across the oceans.
• Sail Away: A simple yet evocative name that invites one to leave the shore behind and embark on a sailing journey.
• Wind Whisperer: A poetic name that suggests a deep connection and understanding of the wind.
• Sea Explorer: Ideal for a sailboat that’s always ready for new discoveries.
• Ocean Pearl: A name that suggests a precious and rare find in the vast ocean.
• Wind Rider: A dynamic name for a sailboat that moves effortlessly with the wind.
• Sea Drifter: A name that captures the freedom and tranquility of drifting at sea.
• Siren of the Sea: A mythical and captivating name inspired by the enchanting sirens of the sea.
• Wave Dancer: A playful and energetic name for a sailboat that loves to dance with the waves.
• Neptune’s Chariot: A majestic and powerful name inspired by Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.

Names That Evoke Wanderlust and Tranquility

• Sea Wanderer: A name that captures the spirit of exploration and wanderlust.
• Ocean Voyager: Ideal for a sailboat that’s always on a journey, exploring new horizons.
• Sail Seeker: A name that suggests a constant quest for perfect sailing conditions.
• Wind Wanderer: A poetic name for a sailboat that loves to wander with the wind.
• Sea Adventurer: A name that promises exciting adventures at sea.

Poetic and Romantic Sailboat Names

• Siren’s Call: A mythical and enchanting name, inspired by the irresistible call of the sirens.
• Wave Rider: A dynamic name for a sailboat that loves to ride the waves.
• Neptune’s Quest: A majestic and adventurous name, inspired by Neptune’s quest to rule the seas.
• Sea Journey: A name that captures the spirit of a sailing journey.
• Ocean Dreamer: A poetic name for a sailboat that’s always dreaming of the next voyage.

Unique and Creative Sailboat Names

31.Sail Drifter: A name that captures the freedom and tranquility of drifting with the wind. 32. Wind Voyager: A poetic name for a sailboat that loves to journey with the wind.

• Sea Voyager: Ideal for a sailboat that’s always on a journey, exploring new horizons.
• Siren’s Voyage: A mythical and captivating name, inspired by the enchanting voyage of the sirens.
• Wave Seeker: A dynamic name for a sailboat that’s always seeking the next wave.
• Neptune’s Journey: A majestic and adventurous name, inspired by Neptune’s journey across the seas.
• Sea Dreamer: A poetic name for a sailboat that’s always dreaming of the sea.
• Ocean Seeker: A name that suggests a constant quest for the vast and mysterious ocean.
• Sail Voyager: Ideal for a sailboat that’s always on a voyage, exploring new waters.
• Wind Drifter: A name that captures the freedom and tranquility of drifting with the wind.

Names That Reflect the Joy of Sailing

• Sea Seeker: A name that suggests a constant quest for the sea and its many wonders.
• Siren’s Dream: A mythical and enchanting name, inspired by the dreams of the sirens.
• Wave Voyager: A dynamic name for a sailboat that loves to voyage across the waves.
• Neptune’s Voyage: A majestic and adventurous name, inspired by Neptune’s voyage across the seas.
• Sea Voyager: Ideal for a sailboat that’s always on a voyage, exploring new horizons.
• Ocean Voyager: A name that promises grand adventures across the oceans.
• Sail Dreamer: A poetic name for a sailboat that’s always dreaming of the next sail.
• Wind Seeker: A name that suggests a constant quest for the perfect wind.
• Sea Dream: A poetic name that captures the dreamy and tranquil moments at sea.
• Siren’s Journey: A mythical and captivating name, inspired by the journey of the sirens.

Names Inspired by Nautical Terms and Sailing References

• Starboard Serenity: A name that combines a nautical term with a sense of peace.
• Wind Warden: A name that suggests a deep connection and understanding of the wind.
• Horizon Hopper: Ideal for a sailboat that loves to chase the horizon.
• Celestial Sailor: A name that captures the connection between sailing and celestial navigation.
• Gale’s Grace: A poetic name that suggests moving gracefully even in strong winds.
• Aquatic Aria: A name that combines the elements of water and music, reflecting the rhythm of sailing.
• Zephyr Zealot: A name that suggests a passion for the gentle west wind, known as Zephyr in Greek mythology.
• Mariner’s Muse: A poetic name that suggests inspiration drawn from the sea.
• Vortex Voyager: A dynamic name for a sailboat that’s not afraid of challenges.
• Tempest Tamer: A powerful name for a sailboat that can handle storms with ease.

Names That Evoke a Sense of Wanderlust and Freedom

• Azure Adventurer: A name that captures the spirit of adventure in the azure waters.
• Breeze Bound: A name that suggests being bound for wherever the breeze may lead.
• Current Catcher: A name that reflects the skill of using currents to navigate.
• Driftwood Dreamer: A poetic name that suggests dreaming and drifting with the sea.
• Ebb and Echo: A name that captures the rhythm of the sea.
• Foam Follower: A playful name for a sailboat that loves to cut through the foamy waves.
• Gust’s Glory: A name that reflects the glory of sailing with the gusts.
• Harbor’s Heart: A name that suggests a deep connection with the harbor, the sailboat’s home.
• Island Illusion: A name that captures the allure of distant islands.
• Jetstream Jumper: A dynamic name for a sailboat that loves to ride the jet streams.

Names That Reflect the Unique Experience of Sailing

• Kite’s Kiss: A playful name that suggests the sailboat’s sails kissing the wind, like a kite.
• Lagoon’s Lullaby: A poetic name that captures the peaceful moments in a lagoon.
• Mist’s Mystery: A name that reflects the mystery and allure of sailing in misty conditions.
• Nautical Nomad: A name that captures the nomadic lifestyle of a sailor.
• Ocean Oracle: A name that suggests wisdom and knowledge of the ocean.
• Pinnacle’s Pride: A name that reflects the pride of reaching the pinnacle of sailing skills.
• Quay’s Quest: A name that suggests a quest for new quays and harbors.
• Ripple’s Rhapsody: A poetic name that captures the music of the sea’s ripples.
• Sea’s Symphony: A name that reflects the symphony of sounds in the sea.
• Tide’s Treasure: A name that suggests the treasures that the tides may bring.

Names That Resonate with Personal Connection to the Sea and Sailing

• Undertow’s Utopia: A name that captures the sailor’s utopia, even in challenging undertows.
• Vessel’s Vision: A name that reflects the vision and dreams associated with the vessel.
• Wave’s Whisper: A poetic name that captures the whispers of the waves.
• Xebec’s Xanadu: A unique name inspired by Xebec, a historic sailing vessel, and Xanadu, a place of great beauty and luxury.
• Yacht’s Yearning: A name that captures the yearning for the sea that a yacht often symbolizes.
• Zenith’s Zest: A name that reflects the zest at the zenith of a sailing journey.
• Aft’s Affection: A name that suggests a love for the aft, the back part of the boat .
• Bow’s Bliss: A name that captures the bliss of standing at the bow, looking out to the sea.
• Current’s Charm: A name that reflects the charm of navigating with the currents.
• Deck’s Delight: A name that captures the delight of spending time on the deck under the open sky.

Names That Reflect the Joy and Romance of Sailing

• Estuary’s Euphoria: A name that captures the euphoria of sailing into a beautiful estuary.
• Fathom’s Fantasy: A name that reflects the fantasies of fathoming the depths of the sea.
• Gulf’s Grace: A name that captures the grace of sailing in the gulf’s waters.
• Helm’s Harmony: A name that reflects the harmony between the sailor and the helm.
• Inlet’s Inspiration: A name that captures the inspiration drawn from beautiful inlets.
• Jib’s Joy: A playful name that reflects the joy of handling the jib, a type of sail.
• Keel’s Kindred: A name that suggests a kinship with the keel, a crucial part of a sailboat.
• Luff’s Lure: A name that reflects the lure of the luff, the edge of a sail.
• Mast’s Melody: A poetic name that captures the melody created by the wind in the mast.
• Nautical Nirvana: A name that suggests achieving a state of perfect happiness and peace through sailing.

Choosing a name for your sailboat is a deeply personal and creative process. It’s about finding a name that resonates with you, reflects your experiences and aspirations, and captures the spirit of your vessel. Whether the wind and sea inspire you, the joy of sailing, or the unique experiences of a sailor, we hope this list of 100 great sailboat names sparks your imagination and helps you find the perfect name for your sailboat. Happy sailing!

You might also be interested in reading:

Funny Boat Names

What Does BOAT Stand For

Boat Name Placement and Lettering Requirements

Lake Boat Names

The Iconic Jaws Boat Name

Steve Momot

Steve is an accomplished professional photographer and marketer who specializes in the Fishing, Yacht, and Boating industry. With a strong presence as an influencer and marketing expert in the Marine Industry, he has made a significant impact in the field. Additionally, Steve is the original creator and co-founder of Sportfishtrader. Prior to his career as a marine photographer, he gained extensive experience as a licensed boat and car dealer in South Florida.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You might also like.

Who Makes The Biggest Sport Fishing Boat?

Fishing Memes

What is Sportfishing?

The Top 3 Boat History Report Websites Reviewed

Sportfish Hub was founded with a clear and unwavering mission in mind: To provide boaters and fishermen with the highest quality content, offering invaluable insights, tips, and resources.

• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy

SOCial Media

Get in touch, © 2023 | all rights reserved.

‍When you become the proud owner of a boat, one of the first and most exciting tasks is choosing the perfect name for your new vessel. It’s not just about picking a moniker, it’s about setting the personality of your boat and making it an extension of your own. This guide will aid you in finding the ideal name for your boat, inspired by popular choices, humor, uniqueness, class, and much more.

Why Do Boats Have Names?

Boats are traditionally named for identification purposes. It’s easier for people to recognize and describe a boat by its name than by its physical appearance. Naming your boat is also a way of giving it a unique personality and character.

“What a ship is…what the Black Pearl really is…is freedom.” — Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean

Popular Boat Names

There are certain boat names that are more common than others. Some of these names include:

• Serendipity

These names might inspire you in your quest to find the perfect name for your vessel.

Creative Boat Names

When it comes to naming your boat, you have the freedom to be as creative as you want. Here are some suggestions:

• Seas the Day
• Sea-licious
• Sea King Adventure
• Venus Reel Magic

These names have a clever twist that might just be what you’re looking for.

Funny Boat Names

Humor can play a big role in picking a boat name. After all, a boat ride is all about having fun. Some funny boat name ideas include:

• Happy Hours
• Shore Thing
• Up To No Good
• Knot Working
• Get Your Fish On

These names are sure to get a few chuckles and start conversations.

Unique and creative boat names.

For those who want a truly unique name for their boat, you might consider these options:

• Graceful Dancer
• Comfortably Numb
• Ding A Ling
• Virgin Mary

These names are not only unique but also tell a story.

Majestic Boat Names

If you want your boat to reflect grandeur and elegance, consider these majestic boat names:

• Pacific Bliss
• Black Pearl

These names have a certain majesty and beauty to them that is sure to make your boat stand out.

Classy Boat Names

For a touch of class, consider naming your boat after something or someone you hold dear, or choose a name that reflects your personal tastes and values. Some suggestions include:

• Champagne On Deck

These names exude a sense of sophistication and elegance.

Fishing Boat Names

If you’re a fishing enthusiast, you might want a name that reflects your passion. Some fishing boat name ideas are:

• Gone Fishin’
• Bait Master

These names are fitting for a boat that’s all about the thrill of the catch.

Best Yacht Names

If you’re the proud owner of a yacht, you might want a name that reflects its grandeur and luxury. Some of the best yacht names include:

• Summer Melody

These names have a certain grandeur and majesty that’s befitting of a yacht.

Boat Names for Families

Boating is a wonderful way to bring families together. A suitable family boat name should represent the unity and bond of your family. Some family boat name ideas include:

• Family Time
• Cracker Jack
• The Good Life

These names reflect the love and unity of a family.

Famous Boat and Yacht Names in History

Boats have played significant roles in history. Here are some famous boat names that have left their mark:

• USS Arizona
• Santa Maria
• HMS Virginia
• HMS Victory

These names carry a piece of history with them.

Naming Your Boat by Type

The type of boat you have can influence its name. Here are some suggestions based on different types of boats:

• Bass Boats: Fish Tales
• Motor Yacht Boats: Pegasus
• Houseboats: La Dolce Vita
• Cabin Cruise Boats: Dream Weaver

These names reflect the unique qualities of each type of boat.

Choosing a boat name is a personal and exciting process. Take your time, consider your options, and pick a name that truly resonates with you. We hope this guide has inspired you and helped you in your quest to find the perfect name for your vessel.

If you already have a boat and are looking to make your next marina reservation, MarinaReservation.com is here to help. You can book your berths among our partner marinas across Europe, including France, Monaco, Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro.

Happy boating and naming!

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

The Yachting World hall of fame: 50 yachts that changed the way we sail

• Helen Fretter
• May 13, 2020

We asked historians, round the world race winners and legendary sailors to name the yachts that changed the sport for good. In no particular order, these are the 50 yachts that shifted how we sail...

Photo: Guido Cantini / Panerai / Sea&See.com

1. Mariquita

Built: 1911 Design: William Fife III

Mariquita is a living link between the ‘Big Class’ behemoths, such as Britannia , the J Class and all that went after, including the hugely popular 12-metres. The 125ft gaff cutter was launched as part of a new 19-metre class designed to pitch matched yachts against one another.

Just four were built. Mariquita performed well, particularly in light airs. She also, uniquely, survived. Having been used as a houseboat for many years, she was discovered in the mud in 1991 and lovingly restored to relaunch in 2003, and she still races today.

Photo: Oskar Kihlborg / Volvo Ocean Race

2. ABN Amro One

Built: 2005 Design: Juan Kouyoumdjian

Two Volvo Ocean Race -winning skippers nominated Juan Kouyoumdjian’s ABN Amro One , the 5.6m beam, aggressively chined winner of the 2005-06 race. Her skipper Mike Sanderson comments: “I am biased, but I think ABN Amro One was very special and really did change people’s thinking about what made a good offshore race boat.

“As this was the first generation of Volvo 70s it was always going to be an interesting time seeing how people translated the rule,” says Sanderson. The other factor was many of the team’s involvement in Open 60 sailing.

“We very much looked at the concept of the boat differently: no spinnaker pole, furling No.4 Jibs, twin rudders, lazyjacks, snuffers on spinnakers… They all went from being equipment that was only used on single-handed boats to our team thinking it could make us faster around the world, day in day out.”

Article continues below…

Yours for €2.75 million – Mariquita, the elegant and glamorous 125ft Fife design

Not very often does a yacht come on the market that has such a storied history behind her. Marquita, the…

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s…

Ian Walker , winner of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, recalls: “This generation of boats smashed the previous 24-hour records and made the 600-mile day possible. ABN Amro was quite radical structurally but the key thing was she prioritised stability over anything else – such as wetted surface area.

“The Farr boats were lower wetted surface area and even started out with spinnaker poles! Asymmetric spinnakers meant sailing higher angles and more often needing righting moment.

“ABN Amro One also had twin rudders and more transom immersion, which meant it was slow in light winds but fast at high speed. There was some doubt when it was last in the first in-port races and because much of the race is in light winds, but it was so fast reaching that it negated any weaknesses.”

The black boat went on to win six of the nine offshore legs. Sanderson adds: “In all the Volvo 70s that where built – and to be honest in all the offshore boats that have followed ( Rambler , Comanche etc.) – you can see a bit of ‘Black Betty’ as we nicknamed her.”

Photo: Thierry Martinez

3. TP52 Patches

Built: 2007 Design: Reichel Pugh

Originally created to produce fast yachts for the Transpac Race, the TP52 class developed into an owner-driven inshore circuit which continues to attract the world’s best monohull sailors (these days as the Super Series). One development refined on the TP was the change to wide aft sections.

“We started off with quite narrow sterns and the working deck stopping well over one metre forward of the stern,” comments class manager Rob Weiland. “We now see an almost continuous width of the working deck from Beam Max aft and the working deck continuing to the stern.

“The ‘powerful stern’ is now the norm in offshore racing. I’m not sure whether we started it, but for sure, we were the test bed for how to refine that hull shape concept for windward leeward performance.”

First to have a working deck all the way aft was the 2007 Reichel Pugh Patches , a style then taken a stage further by ETNZ (2009), which added slab-sided topsides with a knuckle to create more hull stability when heeled. ETNZ also saw refinements in deck layout, elements of which have filtered down to more mainstream designs, such as transverse jib car tracks.

Photo: Ivor Wilkins Offshore Challenges / DPPI

4. B&Q Castorama

Built: 2004 Design: Nigel Irens

‘Mobi’, as she was affectionately known, was the 75ft trimaran designed by Nigel Irens specifically for Ellen MacArthur’s solo round the world record attempt in 2004.

B&Q Castorama was highly optimised, being longer, narrower, and with more freeboard than the ORMA 60s, reducing the risk of a pitchpole.

She was also, uniquely, custom built for a petite female skipper, with a full-scale mock up of the cockpit created at Offshore Challenges office. The trimaran took over a day off Francis Joyon’s record to finish in 71 days and 14 hours.

5. J/24 Ragtime

Built: 1976 Design: Rod Johnstone

It took 18 months for Rod Johnstone to build this 24-footer in his garage in Connecticut. It was designed to be simple to sail, with few rig adjustments, and light enough to be trailable. Rod’s family helped sand and finish the boat, and she was called  Ragtime . Competing at their local race series in the summer of ’76, Ragtime was so successful that many people asked Rod for a sistership. He quit his job, and with brother Bob Johnstone set up J-Boats.

Their confidence proved well placed. Just two years later the J/24 class had its own one-design fleet at Key West in 1978, with 20 boats on the line. Now over 5,500 boats have been built and sold worldwide.

The J-boat line expanded to include one-designs like the J/70, as well as cruiser-racers such as the J/109. It has since has become synonymous with asymmetric sailing, doing much to popularise the use of asymmetric spinnakers on big boats.

• 1. Introduction

List of 50 Popular Sailboat Brands (With Examples)

Every industry has its allstars - showbusiness, sports, cars, clothing brands… This article talks about 50 of the most popular sailboat brands. Feast your eyes!

So what are the most popular sailboat brands?

Nautor's swan, baltic yachts, hallberg-rassy, sparkman & stephens, island packet yachts, c&c yachts, pacific seacraft, tartan yachts, hans christian yachts, amel yachts, marlow-hunter, alloy yachts, bowman yachts, ericson yachts, melges performance, oyster yachts, mirage yachts, aloha yachts, dragonfly trimarans, aegean yachts, alsberg brothers, bristol yachts, cavalier yachts, jensen marine, grampian marine, pearson yachts, tanzer industries, jeremy rogers, holland jachtbouw, seacamper / if, have a look at what we've got for you.

Already I hear the screams of those whose favorite brand I have not listed. I plead for mercy - if I made such a list of cars, it would be the same. Boat preferences are such a personal matter that although I think this list is a crowd-pleaser, I still expect a few stones being thrown my way.

This list goes in no particular order - although I have reserved the first ten places to the most popular brands around. That being said, keep in mind I sail mostly in Europe. Thus a certain bias is to be expected. For instance, in the Adriatic sea, the most popular brand is Bavaria, Jeanneau, Beneteau and such, whereas I haven't seen a single Catalina so far.

Anyway, let's get into it.

Oh Wally. Subjectively the most beautiful sailboat designs out there. Each custom made, each a unique, gorgeous concept. Their sailboat Angel's Share, built in 2009 will take your breath away with the deck couch design alone. The rest is just as good.

Sailing made the Finnish way. The idea here is to offer both luxury and performance. They've been successful at that so far, if you ask me. If you spot one, count yourself lucky. Since 1966 only 2000 have been made.

Finns again. Similar idea to Nautor's Swan, though they do specialize in bigger sizes, starting at 50ft, all the way up to almost 200. And when it comes to the luxury to performance ratio, Baltic yachts kind of lean towards speed.

The Bavaria is the mainstream king. They are good at making affordable midsize cruisers of reasonable quality. Though a dedicated sailor would find plenty to criticize, as moderately priced holiday cruisers they do a fantastic job. Their Bavaria 46 is among the most sought after models.

Great quality mainstream - a step up from Bavaria. Though both of these brands are oftentimes considered by soon-to-be sailboat owners, since they are somewhat in the same area, Hanse offers more in terms of build quality and performance.

Beneteau sits at the same table as Bavaria, Hanse and the no.7 - Jeanneau. Beneteau has a few lines, the First focusing on racing, Sense being semi-luxury cruisers and Oceanis, the everyday cruiser. They are among the oldest brands, being established in the 1800s.

Feel free to mistake Beneteau for Jeanneau, as many do - they are essentially the same thing, as they are manufactured by the same company. They differ in their design team, that's about it. But it could be argued that Jeanneau is a bit more sporty.

Dufour is a French brand that has a better reputation than Beneteau and Jeanneau (both French too), but if one looks under the skirt of these, one finds that they are all owned by the same company. Dufour is a bit more expensive but not significantly better or worse.

Let's get back to the Baltic region with the Danish X-Yachts . They produce three lines of sailboats, cruisers, racers and performance cruisers. They were nominated for the European yacht of the year award, so if you decide to buy or charter one of those, you will be in good hands.

Considering that Slovenians have only 29 miles of coastline, their sailboat producer Elan has a respectable place in the sailing world. You will spot this brand in many European marinas as it offers good quality considering its relatively low price.

Back to Europe. Scandinavians know how to make good quality bluewater boats, given their geographical position they kind of have to. Owned by the Rassy family, Hallberg-Rassy does exactly that.

If it is true that people with large boats compensate for something, then the Perini Navi builders … well, let's just say they seem to have a penchant for enormous boats. Their most famous one is none other than one of the world's most recognized sailboats, the Maltese Falcon.

Simple, affordable, good. Catalina is a U.S. based behemoth that has produced tens of thousands of boats. It is similar to Bavaria, sometimes dubbed its overseas counterpart. Though they aren't the prettiest, they do the job.

Hinckley produces beautiful, stylish sloops. Not one is like the other since both the interior and exterior is built in a way so that it is customizable by the owner. They resemble classical designs and are for the true connoisseurs of elegance.

Sparkman & Stephens is a naval architecture firm that has its fingers in many famous designs. These designs have brought them quite a few victories in sailing cups. By the way, they were involved in military activities, designing amphibious jeeps, for instance.

Hylas yachts are set on their center cockpit designs with wooden lining and huge space in the aft. Oddly enough, they claim their boats are, thanks to the use of a special kind of fiber material, bulletproof. Make of it what you will.

The Floridians are extra in every way, including their own Island Packet Yachts . Easily recognizable by their signature Full Foil Keel, a modern take on traditional designs, which provides enormously spacious accommodation units.

When an ambitious project designing a fighter jet failed, two Canadians named George became unemployed. So they formed C & C Yachts and soon gained a reputation thanks to their success in racing. No wonder plenty of C&C's sail the oceans of the world.

Though famous for luxurious motor yachts, Sabre , an American company, made its name building recreational sailboats. Taking their motor yachts know-how to sailing, I gotta admit they know a thing or two about comfort.

The beautifully named Pacific Seacraft make seaworthy cruisers that are a bit … overbuilt. Their noticeable overhanging stern makes it obvious that relaxation and pleasure is the name of the game for them.

Tartan Yachts make classically looking fiberglass monohulls. If you feel like getting transported a few decades back in style when sailing, this brand is for you.

Heavy, slow, comfortable, solid. Hans Christian Yachts . If you are looking for a boat to live on, this would be easily made into a home. Their goal is to make 'ultimate cruising sailboats,' and if they aren't already there, they are on a good path.

Najad specializes in boats that can go anywhere and are operational with a two-person crew. Calling their boats 'mini superyachts' they want to put the name bluewater, or seaworthy, to the test.

Let's stay in Europe for a while and look at the French Amel Yachts , who make bluewater fiberglass ketches. Modern looking, notable for their raised bridge, they focus on bigger size boats around 50 feet.

Marlow-Hunter sailboats have a minimalist, distinct design. They make sailboats in the 30-foot range. You will recognize them by their signature steel cockpit arch. This one is definitely a looker.

Alloy Yachts are a famous manufacturer of superyachts. As long as 67 meters, their products catch your eye no matter if you want it or not. And yes, they are made of aluminum.

This is an interesting one. Cal Yachts specialized in fiberglass monohulls aimed at performance, and although they are out of business since 1989, their boats are still racing to this day. Way to keep the name alive.

The first Brits on the list! Bowman Yachts produces high-end sailboats. Nothing unusual so far - but they do it by hand. Handcrafted, old school looking, fully customizable by the owner who determines the layout.

Columbia sailboats are produced in sunny California. This company was once the largest fiberglass sailboat producer in the world. One of its leaders then left to form the aforementioned Catalina shipyard.

Remember Hanse? No. 29., Dehler , is owned by them. Germans make great cars and good boats, Dehler is no exception. Dehler focuses on performance cruisers, and although these words are oftentimes just a phrase, in case of Dehler it actually makes sense.

So you know how I mentioned fiberglass boats a couple of times? Ericson Yachts was among the first to use this technology and helped to pave the way for the rest of the world. They are no longer in business, but their designs are still the foundation of boats of other shipyards.

Well, you probably won't sleep on any boat made by Melges Performance since they are made purely for racing. They were founded by the father of the former Olympic sailor Buddy Melges and the racing genes clearly show in the company.

Vanguard sailboats are mostly known for their small (around 20 ft) performance dinghies. The Vanguard 15 is their iconic model oftentimes used in sailing schools or as a leisure sailboat great to learn on.

This is a big one. Oyster Yachts are luxury superyachts. This British icon is a name recognized anywhere in the sailing world in the big boys league. And by the way - deck saloon is their invention. Without Oyster, today's sailboats would likely look quite different.

Mirage Yachts was founded by a salesman of the aforementioned C & C Yachts. He didn't like that C & C doesn't offer anything below 27 feet so he created his own company that filled that gap. Though they were doing great in sales, it was a company based on business, not a passion for boats, and so as soon as the owner sold the firm, they went out of business within a year.

Aloha Yachts is one of many sailboat companies that didn't survive the 1980s crisis and went out of business. But before it did, it became a love brand for its owners and is a sought after brand for prospective buyers up to this very day.

At least one spot should be dedicated to a trimaran builder. Dragonfly Trimarans make boats that can operate as a triple hull sailboat and thanks to their patented SwingWing, they can shrink to a monohull so that it is marina friendly. Talk about the best of both worlds.

Huge, double or triple mast behemoths the biggest of which is over 160 ft long. That's Aegean yachts. This Turkish boat manufacturer prides itself in custom designs so whatever the buyer dreams of is possible.

The Alsberg Brothers were in it for the speed from the very beginning. They founded their company just to make one racer with their revolutionary vacuum bagging building process. People liked what they saw, and so a shipyard was born.

The fact that Bristol Yachts was one of the first companies to produce fiberglass sailboats with commercial success and still went out of business eventually just goes to show how tricky these ventures are. They had a great thirty-year run though, producing cutaway full keel and keel centerboard boats for the mass market.

Cavalier Yachts, a New Zealand born company, was once the largest production boat builder in the southern hemisphere. Their Conquero won the 200 miles half-ton South Pacific Trophy ocean race. It's a pity a new tax surcharge policy of New Zealand rendered the company bankrupt eventually.

Although Jensen Marine sailboats are out there, enjoyed by many seaworthy humans, make no mistake, it is actually the same company as Cal Yachts, or rather it's the original name it got after it's founder Jack Jensen.

Grampian Marine was a successful fiberglass monohull producer with boats ranging from dinghy sized to 30 feet. It refused many offers for mergers and acquisitions but eventually went out of business due to competitive pressures.

Nauticat , born in Finland, produces traditional designs built in a way so that they can withstand a trip to any destination. Though they were famed for their great quality builds, they went out of business in 2018.

Starting as a garage company making dinghies in the founder's backyard, Pearson Yachts made a 28-foot long boat literally in their garage, borrowed money to transport it to the New York Boat Show and returned home with seventeen orders. Talk about a rocket start.

Tanzer Industries was a Canadian manufacturer, building 8000 boats over its lifespan. Ranging from 16 to 31 feet, their fleet was quite impressive. The model Tanzer 22 was the most popular one and many of them still sail to this day.

Another Dutch star here - with boats in sizes from 66 to 160 feet, Jongert makes luxurious, custom sailboats. You won't find fiberglass here. These beasts are mostly made of aluminum or steel. Though they have been through some financial issues for many years, to this day they are still operational.

Jeremy Rogers is a boat manufacturer from Britain, making handmade, seaworthy designs. Their most famous creation is the Contessa 32, the most successful one-design cruiser and racer ever, which is known for its ability to withstand cruel weather.

Holland Jachtbouw go big and beautiful. Though this Dutch producer dipped their toes in a smaller 46 ft model, they usually stay within the 100 ft range and make modern, great looking designs. This one is a true eye-candy.

Let's close this list with custom boats. There are many sailboat designers who operate without a shipyard behind them and this flexibility gives birth to fantastic designs oftentimes. Let's list the Young Yacht Design here as an example. Look at those beauties.

Saffier is a Dutch Yacht Builder that designs beautiful classic boats that handle really well.

In Conclusion

Many of the names mentioned here went bankrupt eventually. Selling boats is a tough cookie and it is impressive for a brand to stay alive for more than a couple of decades. Competition is tough, price pressures high, new innovations can render a whole company obsolete within a year. Even the mighty Bavaria came close to demise. Luckily, boats last for a long time. So even if the name is not in the business registry anymore, the offsprings still cruise the seas of the world for many years after.

Leave a comment

You may also like, how much sailboats cost on average (380+ prices compared).

Turns out that owning a sailboat is pretty affordable. OK, it isn't cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. In this article, I'll show you exactly what to …

The 15 Most Remarkable Sailing Schools in the World

What Type of Hull Handles Rough Water the Best?

17 Sailboat Types Explained: How To Recognize Them

Own your first boat within a year on any budget.

A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates . I don't like spam - I will only send helpful content.

Ready to Own Your First Boat?

Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to:

Boat names: the best and most famous yacht names

Are you passionate about sailing and decided to take this pleasure to the next level by purchasing a boat? If the answer is yes, be aware that a difficult challenge is lying ahead: choosing the boat name .

You got here wondering why ships and boats have names? The main reason for boats having names is for identification purposes, to identify other boats at sea, for people is more easily to identify which boat they would board and describing a boat by using its name is a lot easier than trying to describe it by using a physical description.

This beauty that just entered your life needs to be named and it’s up to you to shape its personality and allow it to highlight yours. We love boating as much as you do, so we decided to do some research to help you choose the best boat name . Here are some tips that will help you name your boat.

What are the most popular boat names

On a top ten list of the most common boat names that stuck to our mind, we included the following.

• 1. Serendipity
• 4. Blue Moon
• 7. Carpe Diem
• 8. Serendipity
• 9. Relentless
• 10. Aquaholic

How about you, do these names ring a bell? We’re sure they do and we’re also sure it’s already becoming easier to brainstorm and try to come up with a perfect name for your vessel.

In addition to the tips above, here is a short list of boat names that fall into the following categories which might facilitate your endeavor. Our boat name suggestions are:

Clever boat names

In addition to the tips above, here is a short list of  yacht names  that fall into the following categories which might facilitate your endeavor. Our boat name suggestions are:

Your choice should be one that feels most comfortable. Make a shortlist, sleep on it and speak about your options with friends and family before deciding. You will be surprised how helpful such a brain storm is when making such a long-lasting decision. After all, is them also who will enjoy your new vessel.

Funny boat names

Having a cool, clever, or funny name for your yacht, sailboat, or other water vessel is practically a requirement to remain in good standings with the others. A funny name it says the people inside are fun people, they are enjoying themselves.

The funniest boat names

Are you curious about the funniest boat names? These amused us the most:

• Water You Lookin’ At?
• The Codfather
• What’s up Dock?
• Sea Señor or Sea Señora
• Knot on Call
• Seas the Day
• My Option II
• Whatshername
• Kids’ Inheritance

Talk about a conversation starter! These hilarious boat names are sure to have their attention and get a few laughs!

Cool boat names

The great boat names give folks pause as they think of the cleverness or humor of the selected choice. It seems that nearly everyone loves to relax on a boat on the water.

And, these same folks appreciate a well-chosen word or two. A good boat name brings a smile or a chuckle, and a great boat name really makes an impression

Unique and creative boat names

Boating can teach you a number of things: resourcefulness, independence, geography, cooking and of course, a wealth of information about fantastic legends, eerie seafaring stories and more.

When choosing a name, consider the image it creates to others. Take your time and consider, most of all, what fits your boat, your values and your lifestyle.

Majestic boat names

• Graceful Dancer
• Pacific Bliss
• Black Pearl
• Serendipity

Famous boat names

Naming or renaming a boat is not a task to be taken lightly; it requires thought and careful consideration. Looking to famous legends is a fantastic way to find a name.

In case you’re wondering, these are the most famous boat names .

Classy boat names

Remember that classic names don’t have to be boring. In our opinion some of the classiest boat names are the ones named after owner’s loved ones, idols, from art, literature or appreciated characters in history. This says a lot about your personality, your heritage, and education package.

Fishing boat names

You have many options if you’re choosing a name for a fishing boat. You’ll either have it for personal use or for charter, you can go for terms associated with fishing tackle or simply the pleasure of fishing.

Best yacht names

Everyone loves a great yacht, so who wouldn’t love a list of the best yacht names? We’ve scoured the internet in search of the best names for yachts.

Boat names for family

Boating is a great way to bring the families together. A family boat is a vehicle that brings your family closer and ensures the mental well-being of everyone. The name must be associated with the family, which completely represents your family’s significance and the connection between them.

“It’s not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails, that’s what a ship needs but what a ship is…what the Black Pearl really is…is freedom.”

— Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean

What are the most famous boat and yacht names in the history

Boats have always fascinated making since remote times. Moreover, they often paid a crucial role in milestone events like battles and expeditions. Here are some inspiring names that made history:

• USS Arizona : this boat witnessed the Pearl Harbor attack that occurred in 1941
• Mayflower : this boat carried the Pilgrims on the American Continent in 1620
• Santa Maria : Columbus discovered the New World sailing in this renowned vessel
• Mighty Mo alias USS Missouri : this is the boat that witnessed the end of World War II
• HMS Virginia : the famous ship guided by Lord Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar
• HMS Victory : one of the oldest vessels, it hosted European fleets in the 18 th century
• USS Maine : another historical vessel that was subject to a mysterious explosion in 1985
• Titanic : this iconic ship needs no further presentations. If you haven’t seen David Cameron’s most famous movie, it’s worth to give it a try at least for the vessels’ replica.

Naming your boat by boat type

Whoever knows a little bit about sailing is aware that boats come in a vast range of shapes and styles designed to serve different purposes. To give weight to your boat and emphasize its unique qualities, you must choose a proper name according to its features. Here are some of our ‘pairing’ suggestions.

• Bass Boats : these slim vessels used for fishing ought to state their function. Fish Tales is a common name that can inspire you, but I’m sure you’ll find plenty other great names that ‘have fish’ in them. Check out fishing tips here.
• Motor Yacht Boats : these fast and modern beauties deserve a name that reflects their qualities like Pegasus, Zephyr, Freedom, Carpe Diem, Wind Seeker, Tide Runner, Escape.
• Houseboats : utterly luxurious vessels that can make you feel like lodging in a 4-stars hotel so why shy from showing it? La Dolce Vita, Dream Weaver, Serenity Now, The Good Life are some boat name suggestions.
• Cabin Cruise Boats : these are some of the coziest and most charming vessels you simply fall in love with. This feeling is prone to show through a personal touch, so they are often named after someone or something you truly hold dear.

Everyone wants to show they are skillful and serious about being on the water, so choose a name for your boat that reflects how comfortable you are on the water.

We hope you enjoyed this post and that now you feel more inspired in choosing the best boat name . If you are also interested in other topics related to boating, don’t forget to check out the rest of our articles .

If you already have a boat, we could help you in making your next marina reservation .

MarinaReservation.com  is here to help you book your berths among our partner marinas across Europe:

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety

The Pressure of Picking Sailboat Names

• By Gary Jobson
• Updated: December 13, 2011

Sailing World: October 2009

Coming up with sailboat names is always a challenge, especially for anxious new owners. It’s an undertaking that should be handled with great care. Sailboat names, as trivial as it may seem at first, define the essence of a boat, its owner, and often its legacy. As I travel around the waterfront I am sometimes intrigued by boat names. Other times I’m mystified. I’ve named many boats over the years, and the approach that I always take is to first make a list of categories: patriotic, geographic, legacy, bold, whimsical, from literature, movies, science, lifestyle, and a person to honor. A dictionary is a good place to start, but for inspiration there are lists of sailboat names found in yacht club registries, Lloyd’s Registry, and history books, to name a few.

The graphic presentation and typeface should fit the word or words being used, and for this, a graphic designer will be your best asset. It is nice to have a unique look or logo that might also be used on a spinnaker or the hull. I particularly enjoy seeing boats that coordinate hull, sail, and crew clothing graphics. All professional sports teams work at making bold statements, and so, too, should we. A club’s burgee and hailing port can also be integrated into the graphics as a way to promote your local sailing scene at away regattas.

Naming a boat can be more complicated when partners are involved, so be patient, the process can take months. I was once part of a group of four owners trying to name a boat, and we never could agree. Once we reached a deadlock, we decided to have an outside party come up with a name. It worked.

Many owners carry over a name from one boat to the next, which helps create a history that new and old sailors can appreciate. Two high-profile owners from England, for example, have owned more than 30 boats in their careers— Yeoman and Oystercatcher —and most everyone on the Solent instantly associates these boats with their owners and the many crew that have crossed their decks. Tom Hill’s latest Titan is No. 15 in the Titan pedigree. That’s a mighty impressive run.

Legacy names prevail long after their heydays. Several come quickly to mind: Merrythought , Gem , Nitemare , Palawan , Thunderhead , Kodiak , Ondine , Kialoa , Donnybrook , Matador , and Pyewacket . Other owners have themes for their boats: one of my favorites is that of Jim Swartz, who named his boats afer James Bond characters like Moneypenny and 007 . George David has had fun with Idler and Rambler . Two-word names seem to add to the importance of a yacht: Running Tide ,_ Northern Light_, Stars & Stripes , and Blue Yankee are boats that come readily to mind.

There is often the question of whether a boat should be renamed when a new owner acquires it. I believe a new name isappropriate. Ted Turner’s Tenacious was originally named Dora IV afer the wife of its original owner. Ted was a ladies’ man, but that would never fly. Plus, Tenacious better suited his dynamic personality. Ted owned two boats named Tenacious .

I have named my last three boats in honor of great yacht designers of the past. I owned two boats named Whirlwind , a name that aptly describes my lifestyle, but more importantly was a tribute to L. Francis Herreshoff, who, in 1930, designed a double-ended J Class boat of the same name. The crew only won one race that America’s Cup season, but they kept trying. My first Whirlwind was an L. Francis Herreshoff-designed knockabout from 1932, the second was a Sabre 402. My most recent boat, a NYYC Swan 42, is Mustang , a name I borrowed in honor of Rod Stephens’ series of personal yachts.

Over the years, trends have greatly influenced the names of legendary boats. The 12-Meter era featured bold names such as Vim , Valiant , Intrepid , and Courageous . Then there was the patriotic era of the America’s Cup, with names like Stars & Stripes , Freedom , Liberty , Australia II , New Zealand , and America3 . The exponent following Bill Koch’s America3 was a fun nod to science.

The America’s Cup has since been taken over by corporate branding; this is a trend I hope goes away so we can get back to more memorable names. Thomas Lipton challenged for the America’s Cup in part to promote his Lipton tea, and yet he called his boats Shamrock for good luck. He was Irish, after all. During the Great Depression, owner Harold Vanderbilt named his J Class boat Rainbow , letting the public know that brighter days were ahead.

Geography provides relevant names for boats. Olin Stephens raced the legendary Finnestere , named after a point of land in Spain. We had Easterner , a 12-Meter, from the Eastern YC. There is, of course, Atlantic , which set a record in the 1905 Transatlantic Race under skipper Charlie Barr. Even the founder’s of the New York YC were smart in naming their revolutionary schooner America before sending it to challenge the British.

Today, it seems, there are many offbeat names attached to boats. In my hometown of Annapolis, one Etchells sailor was so grateful for the use of household funds to buy a boat he smartly named it My Wife’s the Best . And on the flip side, who can forget the famous 50-footer named FUJIMO ? If you haven’t heard the origin of that name, ask around. Perhaps it’s a story best told on the rail.

Be careful with some names that might be too boastful if things do not work out. For example, in 1958, the 12-Meter Columbia was originally going to be called Swift , but the syndicate decided against it in case the boat was not as fast as its name implied. Defender was another name that appeared twice for the America’s Cup (1895 and 1983). Perhaps the name was a little too presumptuous. Aggressive names can be dangerous, too. In 1987, the America II syndicate nicknamed its boat The Eliminator , which sounded good until it was eliminated from the trials earlier than expected.

A name can be made up as well. In 2003, Ernesto Bertarelli showed up with Alinghi , a curious name that rolled off the tongue nicely. Today the word is a brand name of its own, but at first it seemed kind of whimsical. It is a word that Bertarelli made up in his youth. Later, he created a definition for it: “joy, dreams, a certain lightness, but also speed and action.” After the multihull challenge we are scheduled to see for the 33rd America’s Cup, I wonder if Alinghi will take on a different meaning.

Movies and entertainment can provide the inspiration for a name, but be careful of trendy names that may fade in meaning as the years roll by. Still, they can be playful. I recently cruised on a 90-foot Fife built in 1914 named Sumurun . The name comes from a popular English play from the period. Sumurun was the mistress of the Sheik in a play.

During a recent Newport to Bermuda Race, I made note in an Internet report that there were some strange names of boats in the race: Zippity Doo Dah ,_ Nasty Medicine_, The Cone of Silence , Fat City Too , Better Than…. , and Euro Trash Girl . It’s great to see there are owners who appreciate fun and interesting names such as these.

Once you decide upon a name, make the most if it with crew clothing, stationary, and maybe even stickers for the car. A well-named boat can quickly attract a following, and soon crew might be sailing for the experience and the gear. People like to name lots of things. We give nicknames to our friends and foes, and we name our children and our pets. In some places, like Bermuda and Nantucket, people even name their houses. Boats are special and deserve good names that fit the owner’s persona.

• More: Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Nautor Swan Has A New Pocket Rocket

Pogo Launches its Latest Coastal Rocket

A Deeper Dive Into the Storm 18

2024 Boat of the Year Best Recreational Racer: Z24

Brauer Sails into Hearts, Minds and History

Anticipation and Temptation

America’s Offshore Couple

Jobson All-Star Juniors 2024: The Fast Generation

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

SailingEurope Blog - Sailing, Yacht Charter and Beyond

Famous Sailboats to Have Ever Sailed

Throughout the history, there have been a lot of famous sailboats. Winds carried some pretty magnificent boats which were doing some extraordinary things. Some of them will be forever remembered in history because they managed to do something for the first time. Others are remembered because of their high-end luxury characteristics , and others because they are covered in the veil of mystery.

We have already written a few words about the latter in our article about famous shipwrecks , so feel free to check it out if you are interested in that topic. We want to dedicate this article to historic vessels that gained their fame by being extraordinary, by being able to do something that had never been done before, or simply because they are number one in something in the world.

Also, this article is to correct certain injustice because history remembers only sailors, rarely sailboats. So, we are about to make this right. Without further ado, these are some of the most famous sailboats to have ever sailed.

Famous Sailboats

Famous sailboat to Have Ever Sailed

Christopher Columbus Ships

The first voyage over the Atlantic Ocean took place in 1492 by no other than Christopher Columbus. Christopher Columbus ships names were La Santa María, Niña and Pinta. The largest one was La Santa María which was also known as La Gallega. The ships sailed under the Spanish flag.

The names of the ships Niña and Pinta are pretty much certain. Historians do not have much doubt about them as Christopher Columbus referred to the two ships by those names. The problem for the historians is the biggest ship, La Santa María.

Some historians believe the ship’s name is La Gallega, not Santa María. They say that ship’s original name was La Gallega , named after the province in Spain where the ship was made, and that Columbus decided to change it to Santa María when he took the ship. The biggest problem in this situation are two things. First being that Columbus’ original journal did not survive and second that the abstract written by a historian Bartolome de las Casas never calls the ship by its name.

However, it will be forever written in history that Columbus was the first captain to sail across the Atlantic with his three ships: Niña, Pinta and Santa María. At least for now.

Ships of Ferdinand Magellan

It would be ludicrous not to mention the first ship to have ever sail across the globe. The first person who did this was Ferdinand Magellan . Although, a lot of historians would say it was actually done by Elcano, Magellan’s co-captain, because Magellan was killed on the way back home.

The five ships Magellan started his voyage across the globe were: Trinidad, San Antonio, Conception, Victoria and Santiago . Ferdinand Magellan commanded Trinidad.

The journey started with 251 men in total. The ships were caravels, most common ships at the time. They were broad-beamed ships that had three masts with square sails and a triangular sail. Even though five ships started the journey, only one returned. Santiago was lost at the sea, San Antonio abandoned the expedition, Conception was abandoned, Trinidad tried to return to Spain, and Victoria was the only ship that survived. Of 251 men, only 18 of them returned to Spain led by captain Juan Sebastian Elcano . If not all five, then at least Victoria deserves to be on our famous sailboats list.

If you’re curious about famous explorers, check out our article about circumnavigation .

Charles Darwin’s Ship Beagle

Not only explorers sailed the world, but also scientists. Darwin’s famous sailboat called Beagle enabled Charles Darwin to sail the world. And that voyage resulted in scientific findings that remain relevant to this day. So, there is no doubt why Beagle is on our list of historic sailboats.

Sailing out in 1831 from Britain to South America and then across the globe, Charles Darwin studied the nature and animals. And so the natural selection theory was born. Darwin gained fame by publishing his journal called ‘The Voyage of the Beagle’ which is only to prove what his boat meant to him. One of the most famous quotes from Darwin’s diary says: “It’s not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one that is most responsive to change.” Seems like Beagle adopted pretty well.

Laura Dekker’s boat Guppy

Guppy is another boat that has managed to sail the world. But what is important here is who was it carrying. Guppy was a boat that belonged to Laura Dekker . And Guppy was the boat that enabled Laura to become the youngest sailor to have ever sail the world on her own.

Laura started her journey when she was 14 and circumnavigated the world when she turned 16. And Guppy was there with her the entire time. So, Guppy is on a list of famous sailboats for being the boat that helped a person to conquer the record of becoming the youngest sailor to sail the world.

Maltese Falcon Yacht

Maltese Falcon is a full rigged ship which uses DynaRig technology. The most luxurious boat in the world was built in Italian shipyard Perini Navi in Istanbul, Turkey. The first owner of the boat was Tom Perkins. Maltese Falcon yacht is the world’s most complex and biggest sailing yacht spanning 88 meters. It sailed under BVI flag for many years, and then it was bought by Pleon Ltd. The company put the boat in commercial chartering use.

The good news is you can sail Maltese Falcon . The bad news is that it will cost you a couple million dollars. That is the reason charterers of Maltese Falcon sailing yacht were Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks or Google co-founder Larry Page. However, this yacht remains one of the most famous sailboats in the world.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

399+ Sail Boat Names (BEST Ideas)

Tom derbyshire.

Posted on: March 20, 2023

Updated on: September 18, 2023

Table Of Contents

Share this post:

As a boat owner, naming your vessel is an important step in the process of buying a boat .

A boat name is more than just a label, it’s a reflection of the personality of the vessel and its owner. A perfect boat name can be catchy, memorable, and can evoke emotion.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of 399+ sail boat names to help you find the perfect name for your vessel.

Let’s dive in.

Best Sail Boat Names

• Ocean Dreamer
• Blue Horizon
• Aqua Marine
• Ocean Whisperer
• Oceanic Explorer
• Seaside Escape
• Sea Serpent
• Island Hopper
• Sea Explorer
• Sea Voyager
• Ocean Voyager

Good Names For A Sail Boat

• Wind Dancer
• Ocean Cruiser
• Ocean Jewel
• Ocean Pearl
• Ocean Quest
• Sea Trekker
• Ocean Rover
• Aqua Explorer
• Ocean Seeker
• Wind Seeker

Cool Sail Boat Names

• Blue Thunder
• Sea Thunder
• Ocean Thunder
• Wave Thunder
• Aqua Thunder
• Sea Warrior
• Ocean Warrior
• Aqua Warrior
• Wind Warrior
• Ocean Rebel
• Sea Guardian
• Ocean Guardian
• Aqua Guardian
• Wind Guardian
• Sea Maverick
• Ocean Maverick
• Aqua Maverick
• Wind Maverick
• Ocean Blaze

Badass Sail Boat Monikers

• Black Pearl
• Dark Knight
• Ocean Predator
• Sea Predator
• Ocean Demon
• Storm Chaser
• Sea Monster
• Ocean Monster
• Aqua Monster
• Wind Monster
• Ocean Viper
• Sea Assassin
• Ocean Assassin
• Aqua Assassin
• Wind Assassin

Unique Names For A Sail Boat

• Mystic Mermaid
• Wind Whisperer
• Ocean Nymph
• Ocean Sprite
• Aqua Sprite
• Wind Sprite
• Ocean Queen
• Ocean Witch
• Sea Enchantress
• Ocean Enchantress
• Aqua Enchantress
• Wind Enchantress

Catchy Sail Boat Monikers

• Sea N Stars
• Sea Ya Later
• Sea Batical
• Wave Catcher
• Ocean Motion
• Aqua Vision
• Wind Chaser
• Seas the Day
• Ocean Drive
• Ocean Breeze
• Aqua Escape
• Aqua Paradise

Famous Names For A Sail Boat

• Black Magic
• Golden Gate
• Stars & Stripes
• Mari-Cha III
• Morning Light

Romantic Names For A Sail Boat

• Sea of Love
• Wind of Love
• Sea Romance
• Ocean Romance
• Aqua Romance
• Wind Romance
• Sea Charmer
• Ocean Charmer
• Aqua Charmer
• Wind Charmer
• Ocean Heart
• Ocean Lover

Funny Sail Boat Names

• Ship Happens
• Seas the Moment
• A Boat Time
• Sea Horsing Around
• Sea N Double
• Seas the Cheese
• Seas the Wine
• Seas the Beer
• Sea U Later

Stylish Sail Boat Monikers

• Ocean Style
• Ocean Class
• Sea Elegance
• Ocean Elegance
• Aqua Elegance
• Wind Elegance
• Sea Sophisticate
• Ocean Sophisticate
• Aqua Sophisticate
• Wind Sophisticate

Aquatic Sail Boat Monikers

• Whale Watcher
• Dolphin Dive
• Shark Attack
• Crab Crawler
• Squid Squirt
• Seagull Soarer
• Pelican Perch
• Jellyfish Jig
• Manatee Mover
• Lobster Lure
• Swordfish Swash
• Seahorse Sprint
• Eel Evasion
• Kraken Krawl

Nature-Inspired Sail Boat Monikers

• Stormy Weather
• Sunset Sail
• Sunrise Cruiser
• Rainbow Rider
• Moonlight Sonata
• Northern Lights
• Southern Cross
• Aurora Borealis
• Summer Breeze
• Autumn Leaves
• Winter Wind
• Spring Fling
• Purple Haze
• Golden Beach

Legendary Sail Boat Monikers

• Blackbeard’s Revenge
• Flying Dutchman
• H.M.S. Bounty
• Jolly Roger
• Mary Celeste
• Queen Anne’s Revenge
• Red October
• Santa Maria
• U.S.S. Constitution
• White Pearl

Nautical Sail Boat Monikers

• Anchor’s Away
• Port Starboard
• Buoyant Beauty
• The Skipper
• The Admiral
• The Captain’s Crew
• The First Mate
• The Navigator
• The Helmsman
• The Deckhand
• The Coxswain
• The Lookout
• The Masthead
• The Rigging

Maritime Sail Boat Monikers

• Atlantic Voyager
• Pacific Explorer
• Indian Ocean Odyssey
• Mediterranean Maven
• Baltic Beauty
• Caribbean Cruiser
• Gulf of Mexico Getaway
• North Sea Navigator
• South China Sea Seeker
• Tyrrhenian Treasure
• Aegean Adventure
• Black Sea Beauty
• Bay of Biscay Bliss
• English Channel Challenger
• Irish Sea Intrigue
• Norwegian Nightmare
• Red Sea Rascal
• Sea of Cortez Serenade
• Tasmanian Treasure
• Caspian Cruiser
• Gulf of Guinea Glory
• Labrador Lark
• Bering Strait Beauty
• Sea of Japan Joy

Creative Names For A Sail Boat

• Sea Serenade
• Ocean Odyssey
• Sea Whisperer
• Ocean’s Eleven
• Ocean’s Jewel
• Ocean’s Treasure
• Ocean’s Bounty
• Ocean’s Majesty
• Ocean’s Roar
• Ocean’s Fury
• Ocean’s Grace
• Ocean’s Promise
• Ocean’s Pride
• Ocean’s Glory

Vintage Sail Boat Names

• Yankee Clipper
• Constitution
• Chrysanthemum
• Southern Belle
• Belle of the Bay
• Lady of the Lake
• The Mermaid
• The Flying Fish

Colorful Names For A Sail Boat

• Purple Rain
• Yellow Submarine
• Pink Flamingo
• Orange Crush
• White Diamond
• Silver Streak
• Scarlet Fever
• Lavender Lady
• Citrus Splash
• Midnight Blue
• Emerald Isle
• Sapphire Sea
• Amber Waves
• Turquoise Treasure
• Aquamarine Adventure
• Jade Journey
• Coral Crush
• Pearl of the Sea

Adventurous Sail Boat Names

• Trailblazer
• Pirate’s Booty
• Treasure Hunter
• Swashbuckler

Name Inspiration

If you’re struggling to come up with a name for your sailboat, consider these sources of inspiration:

• Your favorite places: Think about places that you love or have special meaning to you. Maybe you want to name your boat after your favorite beach or your hometown.
• Your favorite things: Consider hobbies, activities, or interests that you love. For example, if you love to fish, you might want to name your boat after a type of fish.
• Your boat’s characteristics: Take a look at your boat and think about its color, shape, or features. Maybe you want to name it after its sleek design or its bright red sails.
• Famous sailors: Consider naming your boat after a famous sailor or explorer who inspires you.
• Personal connections: Think about people or things that are important to you. Maybe you want to name your boat after a loved one or a pet.

Help Choosing the Perfect Name

Choosing the perfect name for your sailboat can be a daunting task.

Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:

• Consider the size and style of your boat. A sleek, modern boat might warrant a cool or stylish name, while a classic wooden boat might call for a more traditional name.
• Think about the location where you will be sailing. A sailboat that will be used primarily in the tropics might inspire a name that evokes sun, sand, and sea, while a boat used in colder, northern waters might warrant a name that evokes strength and endurance.
• Consider the personality of the boat’s owner. A fun-loving sailor might want a name that is playful or humorous, while a more serious sailor might want a name that is strong and classic.
• Brainstorm a list of potential names and then narrow it down. Ask friends and family for their opinions, and consider how the name will look on the side of your boat.
• Remember that the name of your boat will be with you for a long time, so choose a name that you truly love and that reflects your personality and style.

Naming your sailboat can be a fun and creative process. Whether you choose a name that is traditional, adventurous, or playful, the right name can make your boat feel like an extension of your personality and style.

Use this list of sailboat names as inspiration and remember to take your time in choosing the perfect name for your vessel. Happy sailing!

Related Posts

• Small Boat Names
• Speed Boat Names
• Pontoon Boat Names
• Irish Boat Names

About the author

© Blog Of Tom

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!

• Pinterest 4

• Boating with Kids
• Sign in / Join
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
•  Affiliate Disclosure

Top 180+ Most Famous Boat Names For Your Next Boat

Best Famous Boat Names

Famous boat names in movies, famous boat names in literature, famous boat names in history, famous viking boat names, famous pirate boat names, famous fishing boat names, famous american boat names, famous river boat names, famous irish boat names, famous female boat names, famous sailboat names, tips for choosing a famous boat name.

Pick a boat name inspired by a famous boat when you name your new boat! There are actors, characters in art and literature, historical figures, movies, and more.

There are so many famous boat names to choose from you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your all-star boat.

We’ve compiled a list of the top famous boat names to help you start the process of picking a good name .

Here Are the Top 180+ Most Famous Boat Names

You can name your boat after a famous movie or cartoon character. Naming a boat is just like naming a child. You have to think of a good name that suits your boat.

Here are some famous boat name ideas that you can use for your boat:

• Titanic : The infamous cruise ship tragically sunk in 1912.
• Mayflower : Carried Pilgrims to the New World in 1620.
• Santa Maria : Christopher Columbus’s flagship for his 1492 voyage.
• Queen Mary : British ocean liner turned floating hotel today.
• USS Constitution : Oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat in the world.
• HMS Victory : Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
• SS Edmund Fitzgerald : American freighter that sank in Lake Superior.
• USS Arizona : Sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Nautilus : First submarine to journey beneath Arctic ice.
• Enterprise (Star Trek) : Iconic starship from the popular Sci-Fi series.
• Black Pearl (Pirates of the Caribbean) : Fictional cursed pirate ship infamous film.
• African Queen : Star of the classic Humphrey Bogart film.
• HMS Beagle : Carried Charles Darwin on his scientific journey.
• Endeavour : Captain Cook’s ship on his first voyage.
• Viking : Representing ships used by Viking seafarers, and explorers.
• Golden Hind : Sir Francis Drake’s ship; circumnavigated the globe.
• SS Great Britain : Once the largest vessel afloat in 1845.
• Ghost (Game of Thrones) : Yara Greyjoy’s ironborn longship in popular series.
• Moby Dick : The white whale from Herman Melville’s novel.
• Orca (Jaws) : Fishing boats used to hunt the infamous sharks.
• The Perfect Storm
• The Deadliest Catch
• The Life Aquatic
• Thelma & Louise
• The Poseidon Adventure
• The Perfect Getaway
• The Titanic Experience
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• The African Queen
• The Ghost and the Darkness
• The Revenant
• The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
• The Old Man and the Sea
• The Call of the Wild
• The Sea Wolf

The boat names in literature are very famous. They have been used for centuries and have become a part of our culture.

Here are some famous boat names from literature.

• Die Another Day
• African Queen 
• Hispaniola 
• HMS Bounty 
• Jolly Roger 
• Noah’s Ark 
• Queen Elizabeth 
• Santa Maria 
• Yellow Submarine

Historical boat names are a great source of inspiration for boat owners. Here are a few historical boat names for you. 

• The Carl T. Myers
• The Delta Lady
• The Island Queen
• The Natchez
• Spirit of the Mississippi
• HMS Victory 
• USS Constitution 
• USS Nautilus 
• HMS Ark Royal
• Santa Maria
• Queen Mary 
• Rainbow Warrior
• Clipper Windjammer 
• Constitution

There are many different Viking boat names. In this section, we will focus on the ones known to us through history.

• Sognefjord 
• Osterfjord 
• Hjeltefjord 
• Hardangerfjord 

There are different kinds of pirate boat names in different countries. Some people call them “pirate ships”, and some others call them “pirate boats”.

• Adventure Galley 
• Anne Bonny 
• Bartholomew Roberts 
• Black Bart 
• Blackbeard 
• Black Swan 
• Bloody Mary 
• Calico Jack 
• Charles Vane 
• Ching Shih 
• Christopher Condent 
• Edward Teach 
• Emanuel Wynn 
• Francis Spriggs
• Henry Jennings 
• John Rackham 
• Joseph Baker 
• Samuel Bellamy

There are many fishing boats in the world. They’re usually used for fun, and their names mean a lot. In this article, we will look at some of the most famous fishing boat names.

• Fishin’ Fool 
• Hook, Line & Sinker 
• Sea of Dreams 
• Blue Water 
• Fish Tales 
• Shark Bait 
• The Big One 
• No Regrets 
• Bait & Switch 
• The One That Got Away 
• Lucky Catch 
• Tight Lines 
• Reel ’em in
• Little Fish

American boat names are a source of inspiration for many boat lovers. Here are some of the most famous names.

• Africa Queen
• Black Pearl
• Flying Dutchman
• Flying Scud
• Lone Voyager
• The War Eagle
• The Eagle Spirit
• America’s Cup
• Captain Ahab
• The City of Wilmington
• Lady Bird II, 
• The Heavenly Days
• Molly Brown III
• The Triton II 
• Liberty Belle and Skylark II
• Jolly Roger

We are looking for famous riverboat names. If you want, I can suggest some names. 

• Aquatic Queen
• Belle of Louisville
• Delta Queen
• Empress of the North
• Gateway Clipper
• Hurricane Deck
• Isle of Capri
• Jungle Queen
• Mississippi Queen
• Mystic River Bateaux
• Paddlewheel Queen
• River Bluff
• Riverboat Twilight
• O’Brien’s Blizzard
• Fitzpatrick’s Flood

The Irish boat names are some of the most famous and well-known boat names in the world. Many films, TV shows, books, and other media use them.

• Erin’s Isle
• Celtic Mist
• O’Malley’s Pride
• Finnegan’s Rainbow
• Murphy’s Law
• Doyle’s Destiny
• Kennedy’s Dream
• O’Neil’s Odyssey
• McCarthy’s Miracle
• Gallagher’s Gamble
• Fitzgerald’s Fancy
• Brennan’s Blessing
• Murphy’s Mermaid
• O’Reilly’s Rainbow
• Ryan’s Rascal
• McKenna’s Mistake
• O’Donnell’s Dream

Are you looking for a unique name for your boat? Would you like to carry on the legacy of a boat named after a famous woman? Choose from a number of examples.

• Queen Elizabeth
• Southern Cross
• King Edward VII
• Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse
• Emperor of India
• Angel in Disguise
• April Fools
• Bajamar (Bah-haha-MAR)
• Bella Donna
• Calliope (Kuh-LIE-uh-pee)
• Chiquita (“kee-kee-tah”)
• Cleopatra (Klee-oh-PAT-ruh)
• Corazon (Corr-ah-ZONE) 
• Crystal Blue Persuasion
• Dancing Queen 
• Day Dreamer
• Diamond Girl
• Captain Blood

When choosing a famous boat name, you want it to resonate on numerous levels. It should not only identify your vessel but also reflect your personality or captivate those who hear it. Here are five key tips to consider:

• Reflect Your Personality : Choose a name that mirrors your character, interests, or aspirations. It personalizes your boat and makes it an extension of who you are.
• Historical Significance : Think about using famous names from maritime history. This can pay tribute to momentous seafaring events or legendary vessels.
• Pop Culture References : Names from iconic movies, books, or TV shows can give your boat a hip aspect and spark conversations.
• Prioritize Readability : The name should be easy to read, spell, and pronounce. This is crucial for seamless identification, especially in radio communications and safety scenarios.
• Keep It Unique : Aim for a distinctive name that sets your boat apart. A unique name adds an element of intrigue to your vessel and distinguishes it in a crowd.

We hope one of these famous boat names will inspire you to name your new boat. If you enjoy it, you can share this article and let us know your top choice in the comment section.

Want More Tips?

Sign up for our boating guide newsletter  and stay up-to-date with the latest content in your inbox weekly!

Read More Name Ideas:

• Dirty Pirate Ship Names – Our Top 50+ Picks!
• The Best 100+ House Boat Names We’ve Ever Heard
• Top 100+ Gangster-Inspired Boat Names
• Funny Pirate Ship Names – Our Top 50+ Picks!

I am a freelance writer passionate about watersports and the great outdoors. I have many years of experience in the marine industry, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise with others so that they can get the most out of their boating experiences. I like fishing, kayaking, and exploring new destinations by boat whenever I have time. Contact Us: Linkedin

Kaosar Ahamed

owner and writer, mylovelyboat.com

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Best 100+ orange kayak name ideas, top 120+ catfish boat names ( funny, unique, more), top 120 cajun boat names for your unique vessel, top 90+ farmer boat names: make your vessel stand out, 120+ unique viking ship names: best & uncommon names, top 100+ unique dragon boat names, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Mylovelyboat is a participant in several affiliate programs and earns from qualifying purchases through affiliate links, which supports the upkeep of the site. This includes the eBay Partner Network and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

RECENT POSTS

Essential boat accessories: top 22 must-haves for every boater, top 12 best ski boat brands for water sports enthusiasts , top 15 best fishing boat brands (2024 update list ), popular posts.

• Articles and Guides

The Top 10 Famous Classic Ships in History

18th may 2023 by samantha wilson.

“The more you know of your History, the more liberated you are.” – Maya Angelou.

Every ship that travels, has a story to tell. More the people on it, more are the stories and many more are the lessons we learn from their experiences. Because that’s what history does: it informs us about all the victories and failures of the past, so that we live a wiser life. Most of the beautiful crafts ever built over hundreds of years are historic and it lets us enjoy, investigate and study their brilliant past. Each failure was a stepping stone to success for the next craft and each one is a classic in its own way. If classic cars are worth gazing, classic ships are astounding and amazing. The feeling is like an obsession that cannot be put in words and one cannot erase its image from their memory. The timeless vessels are very attractive, beautiful and in a few cases still functional and hold the mysteries of ages. They are the accumulation of maritime secrets and old-world workmanship.  

Here in this article, we present you the top 10 famous ships of all time. There are many out there, but these ten names out of the many stand out with its own uniqueness. 

Santa Maria

Hms victory, uss constitution, flying cloud, rms lusitania, rms titanic, uss arizona, battleship bismarck.

Photo credit: Wikipeda

Launch year: 1460

Builder: Juan de la Cosa

Length: 24 m

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”, said the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus who sailed in a tiny, slow paced, hideous Spanish ship named Santa Maria from Spain to the “New World” in 1492. The vessel earned a permanent place in the history of ships and in the same year on Christmas Day, it ran aground. But not all was lost, another famous ship named La Navidad was built with its salvaged wood.

Photo credit: Encyclopedia Britanica

Launch year: 1607

Builder: Christopher Jones  

Length: 33 m

The ones who trust the magic of ‘beginnings’ are the ones who have the courage to put a full stop to their suffering. And that was how the Pilgrims set out to start afresh in the New World, wishing for a better life. The cultural icon in the history of the United States - Mayflower, carried the English Separatists and Puritans (Pilgrims), from Plymouth, a port on the southern coast of England to the other side of Atlantic - Massachusetts, their “New World.” This journey made the Mayflower an icon of European colonization. The Mayflower crew spent the winter with the pilgrims, living on the ship, and sailed back to England on April 5, 1621 and arrived on May 6, 1621.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Launch year: 1765

Builder: Chatham Dockyard

Length: 57 m

The HMS Victory is regarded as one of the greatest wooden warships ever built, to serve both the French and Spanish fleets in the last decades of the eighteenth century, and is still commissioned by the Royal Navy. She is best known for her role as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 where it’s flags gave Nelson’s famous signal “England expects that every man will do his duty.” After the end of Napoleonic War, it was restored heavily by the British government in 1922 and began serving as a museum ship in Portsmouth, England.

Launch year: 1797

Builder: Edmund Hartt’s shipyard, Boston

Length: 93 m

It was the longest serving battleship in the US Navy and world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel - United States Constitution was named by George Washington, the first president himself after the United States Constitution. The main duties of the USS Constitution were to protect American merchant ships against French fleets and to fight Barbary pirates.

She gained the biggest fame during the war against Great Britain in 1812 when she managed to capture several merchant ships and defeated five British warships. The fame and the nickname earned after defeating HMS Guerriere, ‘Old Ironsides’, helped her from not being scrapped after the war. The “Old Ironsides” serves as a museum ship in Boston, Massachusetts.   

Launch year: 1820

Builder: Woolwich Naval Dockyard

Length: 28 m

Charles Darwin says, “It’s not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one that is most responsive to change”. And so, he set out on a voyage in HMS Beagle, the British naval vessel, to South America and around the world (1831–36) that lead to the beliefs we hold today along with religious theories. He gained fame by publishing his diary journal, best known as- ‘The Voyage of the Beagle’, and his discoveries played an important role in the origination of his scientific theories on evolution and natural selection.

Launch year: 1851

Builder: Donald McKay of East Boston, Massachusetts

Length: 69 m

Never wait for a perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect. That’s what Eleanor Creesy, wife of Josiah Perkins Creesy did on Flying Cloud that set the world sailing record for the fastest passage between New York and San Francisco in 89 days and 8 hours. She was the ship's navigator, a position never heard of for a woman in the mid-19th century. The ship held this record for over 100 years, from 1854 to 1989.

Launch year: 1906

Builder: John Brown & Co‎, ‎Clydebank‎, Scotland

Length: 240 m

At the start of the World War I, the United States remained an immobile presence, but the destruction of Lusitania gave way to the American entry into the war, changing the future of the world history. The Lusitania, owned by the Cunard Line, was built to compete for the highly lucrative transatlantic passenger trade. Although luxurious, the Lusitania was noted more for its speed. It won the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing, averaging nearly 24 knots.

Launch year: 1911

Builder: Harland and Wolff shipyard for the British Shipping Company White Star Line

Length: 269 m

The unsinkable that became unforgettable. The RMS Titanic was the product of powerful strife among competitors in the first half of the 20th century. It sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912, off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic after sideswiping an iceberg during its maiden voyage. Of the 2,240 passengers and crew on board, more than 1,500 lost their lives in the disaster. It ranked among the most sophisticated and luxurious ships of that time with one of the most devastating maritime disasters in history. Designed to be the epitome of style, comfort, and luxury, the passengers aboard Titanic were some of the wealthiest people in the world. And over a thousand emigrants from Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia too, seeking a new life in North America. In 1985, the wreckage of the Titanic was located on the floor of the North Atlantic. After this tragic accident, more safety-improvement measures were established, like the number of lifeboats on board a ship should reflect the entire number of passengers.

Launch year: 1915

Builder: Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York

Length: 185 m

The USS Arizona battleship was one of the U.S. Navy’s most heavily armed vessels and the largest ship in navy’s fleet. Arizona’s return to its base at Pearl Harbor was on 12-06-1941, next morning, approximately at 7:55 am, Japan launched a surprise attack on the naval base. For nearly two hours, more than 350 Japanese aircraft dropped bombs on U.S. vessels. Around 8:10 am, Arizona was struck by a 1,760-pound projectile, it reportedly lifted the battleship out of the water. Even while sinking, the ship was struck by more bombs. While approximately 334 crew members survived the death toll on Arizona was 1,177. Arizona was among four battleships that sank during the attack. The attack unified the American public and on 12-08-1941, the United States declared war on Japan and effectively entered World War II. The ship could not be salvaged, but remains as a paradigm in Pearl Harbor as a war memorial, which is visited by millions of people from all over the world.  

Launch year: 1939

Builder: Blohm & Voss shipyard, Hamburg

Length: 251 m

Battleship Bismarck, named after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, was the first of two Bismarck-class battleships built for Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine. It is considered as one of the largest battleships ever built by Germany whose design was finalised by Hitler’s Navy after they rose from the ruins of the First World War. It was almost the length of three football grounds put together with seven decks above the waterline and seven below it. The biggest Battleship Bismarck was set to fight the Second World War, aiming at taking control over the open waters along with the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, raid Allied shipping from North America to Great Britain. Over nine tense days in the year 1941, after many attacks, Bismarck suffered sufficient damage from three hits that forced an end to the raiding mission. The dramatic battle crippled life swallowed the majestic Battleship Bismarck. In no time, the short and brave attempt by the German masterpiece created ripples within the British. In 1989, American oceanographer Robert Ballard located the wreck of the Bismarck.

In a world full of trends, remain a classic – Keep sailing.   Rightboat has 100’s of beautiful classic boats and yachts listed for sale.  Explore a rich and historic look back at some of the most beautiful craft ever built over hundreds of years.  Start your Boats for Sale search today...

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

Related Articles and Guides

12th Mar 2024

What Is a Good Boat Name? Over 200 of the Best Boat Names

23rd Oct 2023

Yacht Maintenance Cost. The Real Costs of Owning a Superyacht

1st Oct 2023

Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico: Popular Fish To Catch

10th Aug 2023

Living on a Houseboat: Is It Right for Your Family?

• Explore Rightboat
• Boats for Sale
• Boating Articles
• Buyers Guide
• About RightBoat
• Sell Your Boat
• Boat Selling Advice

Enter your email to keep up to date with the latest news

Join for free

Sign up now for free and discover how easy it is to keep up to date with THE latest boats for sale. Find your right boat, and tailor your voyage to finding your next boat.

Benefits of becoming a member:

• Set up tailored alerts
• Personalise your experience
• Download full specifications and broker details
• Keep tabs on your favourite boats

Are you a broker? Join as a Broker

Rightboat - join for free.

Do you have an account already? Login

Save this search

Save your search and receive new boats in your email..

You can unsubscribe from your alerts whenever you like. By pressing the button you accept the Legal Terms and conditions

• Science Fiction
• All the Rest
• Recaps & Reviews
• Tabletop Games
• Video Games
• GGA Crush of the Week
• Anime Roundup
• Millennial Misremembers
• Mobile Game Monday
• Most Anticipated Video Games
• New Release Radar
• Tavern Talk Thursday
• Trek Tuesday
• Saturday Morning Webtoons
• Indigenerd Wire
• List Articles
• Mental Health
• Think Pieces

Select Page

Home » Stuff We Like » 43 Iconic Fictional Boats and Yachts From Movies and Television

43 Iconic Fictional Boats and Yachts From Movies and Television

Posted by Betty Bugle | Mar 10, 2022 | Stuff We Like | 0

Whether it be on television or in movies, we’ve been introduced to so many fictional boats and yachts of the sea, and there’s nearly something in every fandom that is memorable for someone. From Staten Island Yacht Sales comes this infographic that has something for everyone, with a comprehensive collection of 43 yachts from pop culture .

This infographic from Staten Island Yacht Sales breaks these ships, boats and yachts into three sections – those which are under 100 feet, those that are over 100 feet, and those that are over 1,000 feet, although the latter doesn’t include much. On this guide, there are just three ships that are massive compared to the rest, as these checked in at over 1,000 feet each.

• SS Anne, Pokemon : The renowned luxury cruise line was first seen in the original Pokemon titles, Pokemon Red and Blue , for the Nintendo Game Boy in 1998. Each year within the Pokemon universe, the SS Anne is known to stop in Vermilion City, Kanto.
• RMS Poseidon, Poseidon : The RMS Poseidon is a large luxury ocean liner that met a terrible fate in the 2006 film Poseidon, being capsized as a result of a massive rogue wave.
• Ark, 2012 : The destruction film known as 2012 saw nine ships brace the chaos in an attempt to preserve humanity, fine arts, animals and world history as the Apocalypse unfolded. Each of the nine arks in the film was able to hold more than 100,000 people each.

While they may not be big in size, there are several classic ships, boats and yachts that measure in at under 100 feet that are also featured, including these ten classics:

• The Death Boat, Clash of the Titans
• The Riverboat, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
• Jenny, Forrest Gump
• John Rambo’s Boat, Rambo IV
• Argo, Greek Mythology
• The Aurora, The Adventures of TIntin
• Spinacher, Popeye
• Stealth Ship, Tomorrow Never Dies
• S.S. Minnow, Gilligan’s Island

Of these 43 different ships, boats and yachts from these many different fandoms across pop culture, which is your favorite? You also check out the infographic, here . 

10 Creative Women Behind Incredible WEBTOON Series

• Recent Posts

• The Midnight Sky – A Must Watch Piece of Art - March 19, 2024
• Strategies for Effective Financial Management in Cricket Gaming - March 19, 2024
• Economic Strategies in CS2 Trading: A Comprehensive Analysis - March 18, 2024

About The Author

Betty Bugle

Betty Bugle writes promotional pieces for Geek Girl Authority.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Pricing Plan
• Superyacht Insight
• Product Features
• Premium Content
• Testimonials
• Global Order Book
• Tenders & Equipment

Are these the 8 most beautiful classic sailing yachts of all time?

Moonbeam of fife iii, 1903.

The 30 metre, gaff cutter Moonbeam of Fife III epitomises beautiful classic yachts at their finest. Launched in 1903, Moonbeam of Fife is still going strong on the classic yacht regatta circuit despite being more than a hundred years old. The William Fife-designed yacht is constructed in wood with an oak hull and superstructure, while her interior joinery is well-kept mahogany. The historical yacht Moonbeam of Fife III is currently for sale .

Tuiga, 1909

Built by the renowned William Fife shipyard in Fairlie on the Clyde estuary in Scotland, Tuiga was commissioned by the Duke of Medinaceli, a close friend of the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, and has had 10 owners in 106 years. HSH Prince Albert II decided to buy her in 1995.  Tuiga  has been participating in classic yacht regattas ever since and is now the flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco, crewed by YCM members.

Mariette, 1915

The classic 42 metre twin-masted schooner _ Mariette of 1915  _was built by Herreshoff in the United States 100 years ago. Age has not withered her, but  Mariette of 1915  has undergone a few refits in the Pendennis yard at Falmouth in recent years: in 2010 and again in 2012 in preparation for the Pendennis Cup, in which she took first prize in the St Petroc Traditional Class as well as being crowned overall winner. In 2014 she returned to Falmouth once more for minor works.

Creole, 1927

Now owned by the Gucci family, this beautiful wooden schooner has had a colourful history. Commissioned by wealthy American Alan Cochran and launched in 1927,  Creole  has had a number of different owners and also been called Vira. When she was known as  Magic Circle , she was transformed into a minesweeper during the Second World War, having previously competed in a number of regattas and attended previous America’s Cup events. In the 1970s she was used by the Danish government for sailing training in the rehabilitation of drug addicts before being bought by the Gucci family in 1983.

Endeavour, 1934

Arguably the world’s most famous J Class,  Endeavour  was the British challenger in the 1934 America’s Cup , but was beaten by the Harold Vanderbilt-owned Rainbow . Endeavour was commissioned by Sir T.O.M. Sopwith, who was keen to ensure that this yacht was the most advanced design possible. With his experience designing aircraft, Sopwith applied aviation technology to Endeavour ’s rig and winches and spared nothing to make her the finest vessel of her day.

She swept through the British racing fleet and into the hearts of yachtsmen around the world, winning many races in her first season. Though she did not win the America's Cup she came closer to doing so than any other challenger.

Since 1934, she has often led a perilous existence, even being sold to a scrap merchant in 1947 only to be saved by another buyer hours before her demolition was due to begin. In 1984, American yachtswoman Elizabeth Meyer bought Endeavour and she was transformed and rebuilt by Royal Huisman. Endeavour sailed again on June 22, 1989, for the first time in 52 years. J Class yacht  Endeavour  is now for sale .

Elena, 1910

In 1910, Morton Plant commissioned 55 metre  Elena to be designed by American naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff, the so-called “Wizard of Bristol”, who made his name designing sailing yachts for America’s elite. Plant's brief was to the point: he wanted a schooner “that can win”.

Herreshoff gave Elena a slightly deeper keel than preceding designs of that time, lowering her centre of ballast, which improved her windward ability. Elena won most of her early races against the cream of the American schooner fleet and in 1928 came her crowning glory, victory in the Transatlantic Race. In 2009, she was rebuilt using the original plans for the first Elena.

Black Swan, 1899

Originally designed by Charles Nicholson and built in 1899 at Camper and Nicholson in Gosport, England, Black Swan started life as Brynhild with a yawl rig. She won a number of races at the beginning of the 20th century, including the King’s Cup. Over the years, she has undergone several changes and different rig configurations, and at one stage she was renamed Changrilla . She was rechristened Black Swan in the 1960s and, today, after an extensive restoration project at the Beconcini yard in La Spezia, Italy, she is now carrying a gaff-rig, designed by the Faggioni Yacht Design Studio and built by Harry Spencer.

Mariquita, 1911

Another beautiful classic yacht from Fife, Mariquita was launched in 1911. The 38.16 metre sailing yacht was designed and built for the industrialist Arthur Stothert. As part of the 19 metre Big Class racing that re-emerged in 1911, this gaff-rigged cutter is said to have inspired the J Class yachts that came after her.

She raced competitively against her brethren from 1911-1913, but by the 1950s, Mariquita was the last in the 19 metre class remaining. She was restored in 1991 and received a further refit in 2004. A star on the classic yacht racing scene, Mariquita is now for sale .

Sponsored listings

100 Boat Names From History, Nature And Fiction

Historical Boat Names

Fictional boat names, classy boat names, funny boat names.

Are you looking for to learn about different boat names throughout history?

Or perhaps you want some boat name inspiration for your own boat? Well you should 'Seas The Day' and take a look at this great list!

This list of the best boat names from history, nature and fiction is bound to include a few choices that will inspire you, it is full of 100 boat names all categorised by type to make your life that little bit easier.

The most common boat name, unsurprisingly, is the punny moniker 'Seas The Day'. This is a great name, but you may be looking for something that stands out a little more, so look beyond 'Seas The Day' with this great list!

If you still need more ideas to name a boat, check out our lists of Pirate Ship Names and Funny Boat Names too.

There have been some boats that have made history and their names will always be remembered. Whilst they may not be the best boat names for your own boat, they have certainly made history and are so interesting to read and learn about. If you see SS in any of these names, it stands for Steamship.

1. American Queen (English origin) the largest river steamboat ever built.

2. Bacchus (German origin) a distilling ship built by William Hamilton in 1915.

3. CSS Hunley (English origin) the ship designed to sink Union Navy ships, this was built in 1863.

4. Golden Hind (Arabic origin) this ship was captained by Francis Drake.

5. HMAV Bounty (American origin) this small merchant vessel was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1787.

6. HMS Beagle (English origin) a Royal Navy boat launched in 1820.

7. HMS Victory (English origin) one of the largest wooden warships built to serve two fleets from Spain and France.

8. Mayflower (English origin) a ship that brought English pilgrims to the New World in 1620

9. Nina (Spanish origin) the name of a Spanish ship used by Christopher Columbus.

10. Noah’s Ark (Hebrew origin) this is the ship that saved two of every animal during the great flood in the Bible.

11. Pinta (Spanish origin) the fastest ship used by Christopher Columbus.

12. RMS Lusitania (Roman origin) a British ship that was sunk in 1915.

13. RMS Titanic (Greek origin) the famous cruise ship that sunk in 1912.

14. Santa Maria (Latin origin) a Spanish ship used by Christopher Columbus.

15. SS Edmund Fitzgerald (English origin) this ship was an American Great Lakes freighter. It tragically sank in a storm in 1975.

16. The Queen Mary (English origin) a famous British ocean liner.

17. USS Arizona (English origin) a US Navy battleship which was victim to an explosion in World War II.

18. USS Maine (French origin), the famous ship whos sinking sparked a war between America and Spain.

19. USS Missouri (English origin) also known as the ‘Mighty Mo’, this is the ship where some documents that ended World War II were signed.

20. Whydah Gally (African origin) built as a passenger, cargo and slave ship it became a famous pirate ship after being captured.

21. Yamato (Japanese origin) a leading Japanese battleship.

22. Queen Anne’s Revenge (English origin) this pirate ship from the 18th century also featured in the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’.

23. Flying Dutchman (English origin) this is another boat from the ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ that has historical origins in the real world.

A lot of famous ships have graced our screens and the pages of our favorite books. These fictional ships make the best boat names to learn more about. Enjoy this list of the best fictional boat names!

24. African Queen (English origin) from the movie ‘The African Queen’.

25. Albatross (Spanish origin) meaning “pelican” from the movie ‘The Sea Hawk'.

26. Andrea Gail (French origin) meaning “brave” from the movie ‘The Perfect Storm’.

27. Arabella (Latin origin) from the book ‘Captain Blood’.

28. Artemis (Roman origin) from the book ‘Voyager’, this makes for one of the coolest names for a boat.

29.  Aurora (Roman origin) meaning "dawn" from the comic 'Adventures Of Tintin'.

30. Bebop (English origin) from the manga 'Cowboy Bebop'.

31. Black Pearl (English origin) from the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’, one of the most famous names for a boat.

32. Blue (English origin) from the anime 'Blue'.

33. Borneo Prince (Sanskrit origin) means "water" from the 'Commando' comic.

34. Britannia (English origin) from the literature work ‘In Search Of The Castaways’.

35. Cornelia Marie (Roman origin) from the movie ‘Deadliest Catch’.

36. Dawn Treader (English origin) from the movie ‘Chronicles Of Narnia’.

37. Dazzler (English origin) from the book ‘The Cruise Of The Dazzler’.

38. Demeter (English origin) from the book ‘Dracula’.

39. General Grant (English origin)  from the book ‘Around The World In 80 Days’.

40. Gone Fission (English origin) from ‘The Simpsons’.

41. Grossadler (English origin) from the story 'Bright Blade Of Courage'.

42. HMS Dauntless (English origin) from the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’.

43. HMS Endeavor (English origin) from the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’.

44. HMS Interceptor (English origin) from the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’.

45. HMS Viper (English origin) from the comic 'Bright Blade of Courage'.

46. Maersk Alabama (English origin) from the ‘Captain Phillips’.

47. Pequod (English origin) from the movie ‘Moby Dick’.

48. Queen’s Gambit (English origin) from the series ‘Arrow’.

49. The Empress (English origin) from the movie ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’.

50. The Henrietta (English origin) from the movie ‘Around The World In 80 Days’.

51. The Inferno (English origin) from the movie ‘The Goonie’.

52. Sea Patroller (English origin) from the cartoon ‘Paw Patrol’. Young kids will recognise this boat name!

53. Sea Queen (English origin) from the 'Superman Returns'.

54. SS Minnow (English origin) from the movie ‘Gilligan Island’.

55. SS Ramona (Spanish origin) means "protecting hands" from the book 'The Red Sea Sharks'.

56. Vulkan (Latin origin) after the 'Commando' comics 'Flak Fever'.

57. Wizard (English origin) from the movie ‘Deadliest Catch’.

If you are looking for something simple and sophisticated for boat naming, the natural environment and the people around you it is the best place to get inspiration for naming your boat. These names for ships come naturally and never go out of taste. The best boat names that are classy are on this list. You might fancy calling your boat USS to sound like the famous ones, but sadly you can't - this prefix is only use for commissioned ships of the United States Navy.

58. Aristocrat (Greek origin) means "sea of Atlas".

59. Atlantic Pearl (English origin) refers to a precious pearl found in the Atlantic ocean.

60. Atlas (Greek origin) means "support".

61. Baroness (French origin) is a title for the wife or widow of a Baron.

62. Elizabethan (English origin) refers to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

63. Exodus (Greek origin) means "the exit of a large group".

64. Legacy (English origin) means "an inheritance".

65. Liberty (Latin origin) means "free" or "freedom".

66. Magnolia (Latin origin) means "Magnol's flower".

67. Oasis (French origin) meaning "a peaceful dwelling place".

68. Peridot (Arabic origin) meaning "a green gemstone".

69. Serenity (French origin) meaning "calm".

70. Splendour (Latin origin) meaning "magnificent appearance".

71. The Admiral (English origin) means "commander of the sea".

72. The Baron (French origin) a status denoting a person of rank.

73. The Duchess (Latin origin) means "commander" or "leader".

74. The Icelandic (English origin) refers to the country of Iceland.

75. The Olympian (Greek origin) meaning "a participant in the Olympic games".

76. The Sapphire (English origin) a jewel and the birthstone for September.

77. Twilight (English origin) means "dusk".

78. Watercrest (English origin) refers to a type of aquatic flowery plant.

79. Winchester (Latin origin) meaning "legendary camp".

80. Windsor (English origin) means "riverbank with a windlass".

Funny boat naming is a great way to express your sense of humor. Boat owners who have a luxury yacht can give their boats some out of the box names. Nothing compliments your sense of humor better than a clever name for your new boat or luxury yacht. Here are some funny names of boats to get you thinking of your unique yet fun boat name.

81. Bikini Bottom (English origin) the home of the cartoon character 'Sponge Bob Square Pants'.

82. Clam Dunk (English origin) like a slam dunk but with clams instead.

83. Codtastrophe (English origin) a funny play on the words 'cod' and 'catastrophe'.

84. Fish And Ships (English origin) a play on words from the meal fish and chips.

85. Knot On Call (English origin) for boat owners who want to relax when sailing the seas.

86. Looking For Fish (English origin) the perfect boat name for a fishing boat .

87. Missing Anchor (English origin) a funny boat name for beginners.

88. Nuclear Fishin' (English origin) for boats that are strictly for fishing.

89. Poseidon Probe (Greek origin) means "island of Atlas".

90. Seas The Day (English origin) we couldn't leave the most popular boat name off our list!

91. Reely Expensive (English origin) to show that your boat is very expensive!

92. Rubber Ducky (English origin) reminds you of your childhood.

93. Sea Senor (English origin) means "sea master".

94. Scuba Steve (English origin) for a boat used for scuba diving.

95. Sick Day (English origin) gives a giggle for those who suffer from sea sickness.

96. Sharkbait (English origin) this boat name can be given to a fishing boat.

97. Tax Refund (English origin) is this boat what you spent your refund on?

98. The Crusty Crab (English origin) the restaurant from the 'Sponge Bob' cartoon.

99. The Other Woman (English origin) if your boat also has your heart.

100. Therapy (English origin) for those who love to relax on their boat.

Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Boat Names from history, nature and fiction, then why not take a look at these Car Names For Girls , or for something different try these Top 100 Winter Storm Names For Your Baby.

We Want Your Photos!

More for you, 49 uniquely amazing names for boys, girls and pets, 91 super funky names that you haven't heard before.

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.

2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.

google form TBD