5 Interesting Boating Superstitions
Madelyn Mills
Seafaring is one of the oldest occupations in the world, with many interesting superstitions and omens. It is said that the more you get involved in boating and fishing the more you believe in them! Below are 5 interesting, historical superstitions about boating and where they came from:
BANANAS ARE BAD LUCK ON FISHING BOATS
If you are not a boater there is a good chance you have never heard of this one! Bananas on board a boat are considered bad luck for fishing. This superstition is actually one of the oldest and most controversial. It is believed to date back to the 1700s, with several historical reasons. Firstly, ships on long voyages would often have to speed up their travel if they were carrying bananas. This was due to the ethylene released in bananas causing the other fruits and vegetables to ripen or go rotten quickly. If they did not reach their destination quickly the crew would go hungry. Additionally, the speed of the boat would often mean the crew caught very few fish. There were also reports at the time of vessels carrying bananas to disappear or sink. These days, bananas are prohibited from fishing boats as they are believed to cause the fish to avoid the hooks due to the smell of the bananas.
NO WOMEN ON BOARD!
This may seem sexist by todays standards, but historically women were not allowed on boats. Women were considered a distraction to sailors which could cause them to neglect their duties. This would anger the sea, causing it to take revenge on the distracted vessel. Interestingly however, naked women were said to calm the sea. This is why so many ancient ships had carved figureheads of women with bare chests.
PLEASE DON’T WHISTLE!
When you hop on a boat you should not whistle or sing into the wind. This action was believed to bring upon strong winds or “whistle up a storm”. No one really knowns when or where this superstation began. However, it is believed that by whistling you are challenging Mother Nature, who will whistle back with a great wind or storm. This is also why you shouldn’t clap, as you might summon a thunderstorm!
CATS ARE GOOD LUCK
Interestingly, finding a cat on board is actually good luck. This was for several reasons; cats help to keep vermin under control while also predicting the weather. This isn’t too far from the truth either. Cats have very sensitive inner ears, which can alert them to changes in the atmospheric pressure. However, if the cat fell overboard it would summon a great storm and the ship would face years of bad luck.
DON’T RENAME YOUR BOAT
This is quite a well-known superstition that dates back centuries. Legend says that Poseidon keeps a “Ledger of the Deep” with the name of every single vessel. By renaming your boat, it is said that you are trying to fool the gods, who will then punish you for your attempted depict.
If you do absolutely need to rename the boat, you must go through the time-honoured renaming ceremony. This involves removing all traces of the current name, completing several recitals and finishing off with a good bottle of champagne.
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