Here’s a fun and salty dive into the quirky, spooky, and often head-scratching world of boating superstitions. Whether you’re a salty old sea dog or a fresh new cruiser, chances are you’ve heard at least one of these time-honoured tales. Some are charming, some are absurd, and a few might just make you rethink your choice of snacks or fashion on board.
Let’s raise anchor and cruise through some of the most legendary boating superstitions—where logic takes a back seat and lore runs the helm.
1. Never Rename a Boat (Unless You Do It Right)
Renaming a boat is considered one of the biggest nautical no-nos. Legend has it that every boat’s name is recorded in the “Ledger of the Deep,” which is kept by Poseidon himself. If you dare to change a boat’s name without following the proper ritual, you risk a lifetime of bad luck—and possibly bad weather, bad fuel filters, and worse.
How to break the curse? There’s a formal “denaming” ceremony that involves purging the old name from every item on board, toasting Poseidon (preferably with champagne), and properly introducing the new name to the gods of the sea. Basically, it’s like inviting Poseidon to your boat’s rebranding party. Don’t forget the bubbly.
2. Bananas Are Bad Luck
This one’s bananas—literally. For centuries, boaters have avoided bringing bananas on board, and the reasons range from hilarious to horrifying.
Some say it’s because banana boats in the 1700s traveled so fast that fishers couldn’t catch anything else en route. Others believe that bananas attract bugs or that their ethylene gas causes other fruit to spoil on long voyages. Oh, and there’s the small issue of spiders hiding in banana bunches. Giant, boat-invading spiders? Yeah, that’s a solid nope from me.
To this day, many seasoned boaters will side-eye your banana muffin or refuse to let you board with a smoothie. Some even avoid Banana Boat sunscreen just to play it safe.
3. Whistling Invites the Wind
Love a good whistle while you work? Not on a boat, you don’t.
Whistling is said to “whistle up the wind,” which might sound romantic until you’re heeling hard in 35 knots with a dragging anchor. Ancient sailors believed whistling angered the wind gods, inviting storms, rough seas, or even mutiny. So keep the tunes in your throat silent and save your serenade for land.
4. Women on Board—It’s Complicated
This one has some seriously outdated roots. Back in the day, it was believed that women were bad luck on boats because they distracted the crew and angered the sea. (Insert exaggerated eye roll here.)
But here’s the twist: ships themselves were always referred to as “she” and were often adorned with female figureheads to calm the waters and keep the vessel safe. So… women were bad luck, unless they were made of wood? We’ll chalk this one up to old-fashioned nonsense and move on. Fortunately, today’s boats—and boaters—are proudly woman-owned and operated. 💪
5. Don’t Set Sail on a Friday
Sailing on a Friday? Tsk, tsk. Mariners have long avoided starting voyages on Fridays, especially Friday the 13th. This superstition is so strong that there’s even a legend about a ship called HMS Friday. The British Navy allegedly built her on a Friday, launched her on a Friday, and had a Captain James Friday at the helm. It set sail… and was never seen again. Spooky.
Whether or not the story’s true (spoiler: probably not), I spent most of my working career leaving the dock on Friday after work! Most trips went well, so this is perhaps a tall tale.
6. Pour One Out for Neptune
Before your first voyage—or a new boat’s maiden trip—it’s customary to make an offering to Neptune (Roman god of the sea) and Aeolus (Greek god of the winds). This gesture is about asking for smooth seas, gentle breezes, and no engine trouble, please and thank you.
The modern take? Pouring a bit of rum or champagne into the ocean while offering a toast. Just try not to use the good stuff. Rumour has it Neptune doesn’t mind a bargain brand.
7. No Redheads Before Departure
Okay, this one’s just wild. In old seafaring days, spotting a redhead before setting sail was considered a surefire omen of doom—unless you talked to them first. This gave the crew a small window to reverse the bad luck, as long as they were the first to speak.
You know about my LOVE for Irish Setters, so redheads are always welcome aboard (as they should be), but it’s still one of those superstitions that gets whispered about in the galley over cocktails.
8. Tattoos and Piercings = Protection
Old-school sailors were inked for more than just style. Tattoos were believed to offer spiritual protection—think of them as wearable good luck charms. A pig and rooster tattooed on the feet were said to protect a sailor from drowning, because those animals often survived shipwrecks (they floated in their wooden cages).
As for gold earrings? They were not just bling—some believed they could improve eyesight, pay for a proper burial if you washed ashore, or protect against seasickness. So if you’re inked and pierced, congrats—you’re extra safe out there.
This is a hilarious book that I was given with over 150 pages of superstitions!!!
Whether you're a salty sea captain or a starry-eyed newbie, Never Say P*g is your ultimate pocket guide to all things nautical, mystical, and slightly absurd. Reading Never Say P*g may cause uncontrollable laughter, sudden fear of bananas, and an irrational need to salute every albatross you see. Proceed with charm. ⚓🍌📖
Final Thoughts from the Floating Peanut Gallery
Are boating superstitions totally irrational? Yup. Are they ridiculous? Absolutely. But they’re also part of what makes life on the water so rich in tradition and full of personality. Whether you believe in Poseidon’s ledger or just don’t want spiders stowing away in your bananas, these tales connect us to centuries of sailors who watched the same horizon—and hoped for fair winds and following seas.
So go ahead, knock on teak, salute the first mate, and keep that forbidden fruit on land. Because when you’re out on the water, a little superstition just might be your best crewmate. ⚓🍀
