On the 10th August 2024 we sailed Yanula Blue to Lymington and joined the PYRA fleet on their stopover, following their race from Poole that day. PYRA always have a “rendezvous” at the end of the racing on day one and so we invited friends we had made in the years of racing with PYRA, prior to buying Yanula Blue, to our naming ceremony before they went to the RV.

We had been saving champagne for this special occasion in the months beforehand and, with a diverse mix of flutes and plastic cups, we poured out the champagne for a toast during the ceremony.

In the days and weeks running up to the event we had been diligent in ensuring there were no more references to the boats old name of Blue of Hamble, even covering over the old name on the EPIRB and purchasing a new name plate to adhere with the rules set out when registering a yacht on the ships register.

So why Yanula Blue? As we were doing our research and completing the purchase of our yacht we learnt that she had a series of names.  Initially she was known as Marianne of Plymouth (2002 – 2004), then Yanula (2004 – 2013), then Blue of Hamble (2013 – 2023).

The name blue felt a little masculine to us and also made us think about being blue, so whilst we’d had a long held idea to call her Cooey Two (a different story we will explain at the end) we decided to honour the boat and retain parts of both names – Yanula Blue was born!

Yanula is a very uncommon name and the little research that was available told us that the name Yanula when originating in Sri Lanka means good sense,  as a surname it seems to come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Other sources suggest that personality traits of people with the name Yanula are loving & domestic. They love tranquility & comfort. They are artistic & like quality. They work well with others & love to discuss things. They love music, tidiness & attires. They are confident & also a good healer. They are charming, intelligent, serene, generous & co-operative.

Most of the ideas above come from websites where the provenance may be a little suspect, however there a few consistencies where Yanula is likely to be derived from the Greek language and is a form of Joanne and means “God is gracious” or “gift of God.“ We discovered that the daughter of the owner who called her Yanula was called Joanne.

We also found that there is a Yanula or Yanyuwa tribe of aboriginal descent in northern Australia (see Wiki ), maybe we’ll go there one day.

So the crowd was gathered and we set about naming her using a ceremony we found on the internet. You can read the full narrative below.

The ceremony:

Now, you must call for Poseidon (or Neptune) as he keeps records of all boats and knows them personally.  You are going to request him to remove the previous name from his books.

“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name Blue of Hamble which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea.” (At this point, drop the metal tag from the bow of the boat into the sea.)

“In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.”

[Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be shared with your friends.]

Now, your boat is officially “unnamed” in the eyes of Poseidon. Some people choose to wait 24 hours; I think while you have his attention, go on and rename the boat.  Make sure you have the other bottles near-by, as there are a few deities expecting a little nip of the bubbly, as well.

Again to Poseidon,

“Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as Yanula Blue, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.”

“In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.”

[At this point, one bottle of Champagne, keeping out one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.]

You are not finished just yet; now speak to the Wind God’s to make sure the vessel will be protected in high winds.  Keep in mind the God’s of Winds are brothers and though you can do it all at once, you must speak their names each separately to appease them.

Here we go:

“Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Yanula Blue the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.”

[Facing north, pour a generous amount of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you speak]

“Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.”

[Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West and say..]

“Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.”

[Facing east, repeat and fling to the East]

“Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.”

[Facing south, repeat and fling to the South]

“Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.”

The remaining Champagne can be consumed as the celebration continues.  Do not display the newly painted transom with the new name until AFTER the ceremony.  At this time you can also begin to bring on board all the new items with the new name on them.

So by the time Chris had poured most of the contents of a bottle of champagne overboard and we had raised our glasses to Yanula Blue’s new name the deed was done and we could now attach the new name on the transom and the horseshoe buoys, as well as mount the new naming plate.

Pleasingly, we think Poseidon approves of her new name and we’ve had many happy sails since her naming. Long may it continue.

PS: when we were dreaming of a second boat we always thought it would be fun to have a boat called Cooey. Once, during a foreign beach holiday Jenni left her top on the back of a chair in a beach bar after a rather tipsy afternoon drinking Sangria. A German lady shouted after us “Cooey, you’ve forgotten your top!” We’ve called out Cooey to each other as we come in the door from work ever since. Then our brother-in-law suggested that Cooey Two (QE2) would be a great name for a second boat, but as we said above, we decided it was more important to honour the boat and hope she will continue to look after us!