"Tim" wrote in message
...
http://www.freep.com/article/2009071...rious-business

Some people take it really serious.

I don't . My boats are all named, "boat"

It can be serious business to a degree. Larger boats are usually documented
through the Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center. There are
specific requirements as to the maximum number of characters that can be
used in a name, as well as restrictions on certain words that can be part of
a name. The vessel's name and hailing port must be prominently displayed in
letters of a minimum size on the exterior of the boat. In addition, the
vessel's documentation number must be permanently affixed to a clearly
visible interior structural part of the hull in such a way that it is not
removable or alterable without being obvious.

In addition, common sense would dictate that you choose a name that can be
easily understood over a radio, although Digital Selective Calling is
perhaps starting to make that somewhat less of a concern.