While I'm still many months away from Christening the SCAMP, I started thinking ahead to the future and wondered about what kinds of spirits would be appropriate, to Christen the little boat.
We used Cold Duck for Urchin, since her purchase left us unable to afford Champagne, at that time. :'(
And a kayak is DEFINITELY not a Champagne Christening kind of vessel. :P
I used a beer, specifically, Corona Gold on the Wet Willie back in 2002, and also later on, on the Mango Smoothie.
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But what to do with the SCAMP? ???
STILL not really a Champagne-worthy boat, but much more than a Corona Gold kind of boat; after all this effort to date, I feel like she's more of an upscale beer kind of boat. ;D
So I ask all of you:
Whaddaya think?!? ???
Beck's?? ??? St. Pauli Girl?? ???
Harp perhaps, for her namesake: The Irish Pennant?? ???
Open to any ideas (and it's not like we don't have a LOT of time, :'( to kick the idea around) until it's time to do it for real.
Thanks,
Charles Brennan
I can't remember what elixer we used to christen S R Cat, but it may have been champagne. It may have been a good vintage wine, I just don't remember. We didn't bust the bottle but we DID wet her whistle. And a few good slugs for us to boot! The tiller didn't fit correctly and I fashioned a shim out of practically nothing, the sail wouldn't go up, and the wind was whistling out of the north that day just like it was yesterday at the same spot. I didn't have a clue but finally figured out we had to be starboard quarter to the wind to even have a chance. Sonya was along at the helm on that trip, and we finally got some canvas in the wind after fighting off the lee shore. I chose a lee shore in case we had to let the wind blow us right back in. And of course reefing as a future skill I would acquire. WAY too much up in the wind. But I couldn't keep the grin off my face! Somewhere there is an actual PHYSICAL picture unless one of the hurricanes got it. So she got wet, we got a buzz, and I went back to the shop and started fixing the stuff gone wrong. And still fixing this day, 28 yrs later ;D
Well, Guinness is the most consumed Beer in Ireland. Then Jameson Irish Whiskey is the most consumed Whiskey. I have considered a Port or Rum as an appropriate boat christening beverage for obvious nautical reasons. I don't think Grog is high class enough. ;)
I bought 2 bottles of Vintage Dom Perignon Champagne for $25 each to celebrate our honeymoon in 1972, and 2 bottles to celebrate my Dad's parents 50th. Our youngest daughter gave us a bottle for our 50th. I didn't ask the cost. I don't think I could justify using it on a boat.
Simply the beer or wine that you personally enjoy the most. That makes sharing the drink most enjoyable.. Never break the bottle on anything not made of steel.
Quote from: Krusen on Sep 09, 2025, 10:50 PMSimply the beer or wine that you personally enjoy the most. That makes sharing the drink most enjoyable.. Never break the bottle on anything not made of steel.
What he said. I've never broken a bottle on any of my previous boats, too much glass to clean up or dump into the water, doesn't seem right. Now, I've been tempted to break a sledge hammer over auxiliary outboards because I consider them an accessory, not part of the soul of the sailing vessel they have latched onto. And, of course, they are the work of the devil.
Harp is actually my favorite beer of all time, but very hard to find. If you know a reliable source, you'd be doing me a service as well as contributing to my occasional buzz. I think a nice rum and coke is a great way to celebrate the launch, but I wouldn't try to break the rum bottle over any part of the boat. Even though you're building it like a tank, it's inviting the next repair. Those rum bottles are also built like tanks, and they really hurt when they hit you in the head (don't ask me how I know!) You could always open the bottle and bless the boat as a priest blesses the congregation with the (don't know the proper term) wand as he walks up and down the aisle slinging holy water all over everyone. You could always pour it in your cupped hand, and spritz the boat, then at least you can lick your fingers clean.
Well, that makes a good case for Harp. I was also going to suggest Guinness.
Noemi and Doug, My only problem with Guinness is that I don't like having to use a fork, to consume beer. All the twigs floating around in it and whatnot, tends to put me off. OK maybe it's not THAT thick, but to my palate, it tastes like it!! ;D
Kruise'n and Frank, Even though I know where to get the bags they use on boat Christenings to contain the glass, breaking a bottle is still highly problematic on boats and damn' near impossible on kayaks!! :P
It would be easy to smash the bottle on the bow chock or bow eye, but I never got the concept of using the destruction of one thing, to celebrate the creation of another thing.
Besides, then you can't drink the leftovers!! ;D
Riley, taking your advice to heart:
Quote from: Riley Smith on Sep 09, 2025, 05:17 PMSo she got wet, we got a buzz,
Chris: Harp, it is!! ;D
Thanks to you all,
Charles Brennan
Home made boat..... Home brew ? :)
David, Interesting idea, but I'm pretty sure ONE MORE Hobby, might cost me my marriage!! :o
We do have several local craft breweries and I might look into that some more.
Just purely for research, ya understand. ::)
Thanks,
Charles Brennan
Who says a SCAMP isn't a champagne-worthy boat? Last year my son and I, after a full year of work finally finished building our 6 foot WoodenWidget Origami "Eyas", and we had a real launching party for her with good Napa Valley sparking wine. Of course, we didn't break the bottle, because we also wanted to drink it.
Not being a drinker at the time, I scored a tiny plastic bottle of rum, think airline bottle, tied a cord to it and had my wife swing it at the bow of my Compac.
It took several attempts, but it finally ripped open when it struck the anchor.
I have a bottle of Full Sail beer waiting for the renaming ceremony. It will be shook up and sprayed against the hull.
You know, it also occurs to me that the liquid of choice should reflect the tastes of the captain... Virgil's root beer???
Quote from: casioqv on Sep 11, 2025, 05:07 PMWho says a SCAMP isn't a champagne-worthy boat? Last year my son and I, after a full year of work finally finished building our 6 foot WoodenWidget Origami "Eyas", and we had a real launching party for her with good Napa Valley sparking wine. Of course, we didn't break the bottle, because we also wanted to drink it.
Didn't imply a Scamp wasn't champagne worthy! Just that I'm a sailor and too cheap to spend the kind of money that a bottle of Dom Perignon cost today plus the tariffs on French wines. :o
However, I like Chris's idea of Root Beer. I always loved A&W root beer in a frosted glass mug! No need to break it as it is already open and that is certainly in my price range! 8)
It was ME, that said the SCAMP was more of a Beer type for Christening, vessel.
To illustrate, this is Champagne worthy.
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This is Beer worthy.
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Any questions?
Hope this clarifies,
Charles Brennan