Top 10 Weird Traditions in Boating Culture

Boating is steeped in centuries of downright quirky rules and superstitions. Here are some of the weirdest ones that have stood the test of time:

1. No Bananas on Board

Bananas are considered bad luck on boats. The superstition goes back to the 1700s when ships carrying bananas had to make quick trips due to the fruit's short shelf life. Shorter trips meant less fishing, so sailors linked bananas with poor catches. Another theory is that bananas attracted poisonous spiders, which definitely didn’t help their reputation.

2. Never Rename a Boat 

Renaming a boat is a big no-no. The idea is that changing a boat’s name could upset the sea gods, especially Poseidon, who ruled the oceans in Greek mythology. Without the right ceremony, it was believed the gods would get angry and bad luck would follow.

3. Avoid Whistling on Board

Whistling on a boat is thought to "whistle up the wind" and bring storms. This superstition comes from the old days when sailors feared unpredictable weather. While whistling won’t summon a hurricane, some captains still don’t like it on their boats today.

4. Step Aboard Right Foot First

Stepping onto a boat with your left foot first is said to bring bad luck. This goes back to old European beliefs, where the right side was seen as lucky and the left as unlucky.

5. The Naming Ceremony

Naming a boat is a special tradition, complete with champagne, speeches, and a bit of ceremony. The most important part? Smashing a bottle of bubbly on the boat’s hull for good luck.

6. Don’t Kill an Albatross

Albatrosses are considered good luck for sailors. Killing one was believed to bring bad weather or even death. This superstition became famous from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

7. Don’t Set Sail on a Friday

Setting sail on a Friday is thought to bring bad luck, partly because Friday was the day of Christ’s crucifixion. While most sailors today don’t worry about it, some still avoid starting trips on Fridays, just in case.

8. Keep Coins Under the Mast

Placing coins under a boat’s mast is an old tradition meant to bring good luck and ensure a safe journey. It goes back to Roman times when sailors offered coins to the sea gods. Today, it’s just a nice gesture for a new boat.

9. The Mariner’s Cross

Sailors used to carve crosses into their boats to protect them from evil spirits and rough seas. You’ll still see decorative crosses on some boats today, though now they’re more about style than superstition.

10. The First Catch Belongs to the Boat

When you're out fishing, the tradition is to throw the first fish you catch back into the water. It's said to bring good luck. A lot of anglers still follow this tradition, mixing respect for the old ways with a bit of eco-friendly thinking to keep the waters thriving.


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