Re-Naming the Boat
There are many superstitions about re-naming a boat. However,
it is believed that if you follow the proper protocol, your new name will be
accepted and protected by the gods of the seas. The original name of
our boat was Willow. We followed protocol and performed a customary
ceremony and re-named her "Yippie Ky A Plus 1". Now, most of you know
our previous boat, a 1972 Cris Craft Sportfish, was named Yippie Ky A.
Perfect name for a Sportfish...we soon learned it was not so perfect for a
sailboat. After she was re-named Yippie Ky A Plus 1, things went
downhill. I had to have surgery on my bladder. Harry fell into
the boat from the cockpit and tore his rotator cuff and biceps tendon, which
required surgery. He then tore a disc in his back. He also got
gout and later food poisoning. We both broke our toes on the portholes
about a hundred times (of course this is probably because we can't seem to
bring ourselves to wearing shoes - but I must say I don't believe either one
of us have broken a toe since we named her Gypsy Wind). Anyway, the
straw that broke the camels back was when we busted the rudder in the middle
of the channel at John's Pass. Now I have to be honest here, I never
thought Yippie Ky A Plus 1 suited this boat. So after the rudder
incident, I said to Harry, "I think we should consider changing the name".
There was no hesitation from him when he responded, "I agree". It took
some time for him to let go of Yippie Ky A, but we thought about it, and
decided to name her after a song written by one of our favorite trop rock
musicians, Jack Mosley. Jack has written so many songs that relate to
what we are doing, and describe us to a tee, that we went with the song that
defines us. We are gypsies on the water, sailing with the wind to who
knows where. Gypsy Wind is a beautiful song and seemed a perfect fit
for us and our boat. As such, we promptly notified the Coast Guard of
the name change and,
through our friends Mel and Jackie, found a wonderful artist to design the
name. Dave, of Signs by Dave located in St. Petersburg, FL did a
wonderful job with the signage. I must say I believe our boat is very
happy with her new name.
Dave displays the new name.