Part of the fun of owning a Manitou pontoon is choosing a name for your boat. There is a lot of tradition behind naming a boat. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your new Manitou pontoon boat.
Keep It Short
Ideally, a good boat name should be one or two words, and never more than three. It needs to fit on the back or side of the boat without looking silly, and it will also be the name you use to identify yourself on a VHF radio call. Try saying the name out loud as you would on the radio to make sure it’s easy to understand and that you like the way the name sounds.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
A boat name can be inspired by your profession or your passion. Here are a few fun examples:
- A musician: “Perfect Pitch,” (this name also works for a retired ball player)
- A doctor: “Knot on Call”
- An attorney: “My Alibi”
- A firefighter: “Flame Out”
- A teacher: “Teacher’s Pet”
- A Carpenter: “Nailed It”
- A Librarian: “Bookworm”
Puns are Fun
Inject a little humor into your boat name. Because your boat is a Manitou pontoon, there are many ways to create a pun using Toon, such as Toonful, or Toon Me In, Loony Toon or Good Toons. A few other pun examples: Seas the Day, Squid Pro Quo, and Happy Ours.
Tradition
Naming a boat for the love of your life has been popular for centuries, hence Magnificent Martha or Lovely Linda. Other traditional names evoke a place or a state of mind, such as Memory Maker, Serenity, Grace, Freedom or Down Time.
Match the Boat
The name could also match the boat. A Manitou LX model with V-Toon® technology could have a name that reflects its performance, such as Blew By You, Zephyr or Seeing 60. Into watersports? Name your boat “Tow Time.” A luxurious Manitou XT model deserves a name like “Liquid Asset” or “Plush Pontoon.”
Topical Names
A name that reflects a favorite song, movie or cultural moment can be fun, but may also quickly go out of style or lose its relevance. No doubt every marina in the country now has a boat named Social Distancing, for example. Pirate fans may favor Black Pearl, and Margaritaville has become such a common boat name it’s almost cliché.
The easy way to display your boat name is with vinyl lettering. You can order custom boat lettering online, or your Manitou dealer can probably provide the name of a local sign shop specializing in weather-proof lettering suitable for boats.
The tradition of naming a boat can be a lot of fun, even if you’re not especially interested in nautical customs and ceremonies. Naming your Manitou pontoon is an activity that can involve your entire family and friends. It’s a great way to start making memories on the water. Don’t forget to share your boat’s name with us and a picture by using the tag #ManitouMoments and you’ll have a chance to be featured on our channels too. Happy Naming!
