The banana superstition has been explained a few ways, but perhaps the most plausible is related to the Caribbean banana trade during the 1700s. Bananas float, so often when one boat would come across the remains of another boat (sunken, shipwrecked, or burnt to the waterline), the bananas would be the only visible cargo, floating in the water like ominous detritus. Sailors decided that if the boat hadn’t been carrying bananas, it would not have sunk.
The story might be true, or it might be false. All I know is that the skipper who told it to me derived way too much pleasure from throwing my banana nut muffin overboard. That was completely unnecessary.
There are quite a few other boaters’ superstitions, some you may have heard of, some that might be new to you. We’ve included them along with an explanation so your muffins won’t be sacrificed in the same way that mine was.
Avoid Red Heads
Anyone who knows a red head understands this one. But yes, avoid red heads, don’t take them out on your boat, certainly don’t let them drive your truck. That’s a horrible idea.
Always Wear the Same Hat
A good fisherman has a lucky boat hat that is a permanent fixture on his head for every grip and grin. This is because that hat smells like fish guts and bald man sweat, and his wife will not allow him to wear it in the house. It’s now known as “Dad’s boat hat,” and no, you don’t want to borrow it.
Christen Your Boat with Wine
Absolutely never waste your beer on something so trivial as a boat christening. Wine coolers, soda, and even malt liquor will work in a pinch, too.
No Whistling Onboard
It’s said that you could “whistle up a storm,” but really you shouldn’t whistle onboard because it is such an annoying habit. Also, don’t smack your gum, chew with your mouth open, or be a mouth breather. The mouth-breathing superstition is really, really bad.
Throw Back Your First Fish
This is said to be for luck, but really, it’s just to save face. If you throw back your first fish and you don’t catch another, you come back to the dock empty handed and can tell all your buddies you threw them all back because you have standards. Come back to the dock with one scrawny fish, you just look like you should have applied yourself more.
Don’t Rename a Boat
Unless it’s a really awful name. As much as I got a kick out of “the Seadeucer,” the next guy doesn’t have to keep that name. Buck tradition.
Don’t say the words “Good Luck”
The first rule of fish club is that there is no fish club.
Don’t Allow Women Onboard
Women actually created this superstition. Funny: they didn’t enjoy inhaling diesel fumes and fish guts, drinking light beer for hours without a head. But now that boats are quite a bit nicer, everybody’s on the “My Limit is One” plan, and wine comes in boxes, they’re changing their tune. Apparently the new superstition is “Always have one woman and her BFF Barb on the boat.” Go figure.
by Duffy Perkins
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 - 14:24
We’ve all been warned not to bring bananas onboard a boat. It’s one of those superstitions everyone is supposed to know and follow, usually with a graphic story from a skipper whose whole crew was once ravaged by a flesh-eating banana bacteria that brought on a storm that threatened to sink his ride and entire crew. I’ve personally heard more than one of those ‘banana bacteria’ outbreak stories.
The banana superstition has been explained a few ways, but perhaps the most plausible is related to the Caribbean banana trade during the 1700s. Bananas float, so often when one boat would come across the remains of another boat (sunken, shipwrecked, or burnt to the waterline), the bananas would be the only visible cargo, floating in the water like ominous detritus. Sailors decided that if the boat hadn’t been carrying bananas, it would not have sunk.
The story might be true, or it might be false. All I know is that the skipper who told it to me derived way too much pleasure from throwing my banana nut muffin overboard. That was completely unnecessary.
There are quite a few other boaters’ superstitions, some you may have heard of, some that might be new to you. We’ve included them along with an explanation so your muffins won’t be sacrificed in the same way that mine was.
Avoid Red Heads
Anyone who knows a red head understands this one. But yes, avoid red heads, don’t take them out on your boat, certainly don’t let them drive your truck. That’s a horrible idea.
Always Wear the Same Hat
A good fisherman has a lucky boat hat that is a permanent fixture on his head for every grip and grin. This is because that hat smells like fish guts and bald man sweat, and his wife will not allow him to wear it in the house. It’s now known as “Dad’s boat hat,” and no, you don’t want to borrow it.
Christen Your Boat with Wine
Absolutely never waste your beer on something so trivial as a boat christening. Wine coolers, soda, and even malt liquor will work in a pinch, too.
No Whistling Onboard
It’s said that you could “whistle up a storm,” but really you shouldn’t whistle onboard because it is such an annoying habit. Also, don’t smack your gum, chew with your mouth open, or be a mouth breather. The mouth-breathing superstition is really, really bad.
Throw Back Your First Fish
This is said to be for luck, but really, it’s just to save face. If you throw back your first fish and you don’t catch another, you come back to the dock empty handed and can tell all your buddies you threw them all back because you have standards. Come back to the dock with one scrawny fish, you just look like you should have applied yourself more.
Don’t Rename a Boat
Unless it’s a really awful name. As much as I got a kick out of “the Seadeucer,” the next guy doesn’t have to keep that name. Buck tradition.
Don’t say the words “Good Luck”
The first rule of fish club is that there is no fish club.
Don’t Allow Women Onboard
Women actually created this superstition. Funny: they didn’t enjoy inhaling diesel fumes and fish guts, drinking light beer for hours without a head. But now that boats are quite a bit nicer, everybody’s on the “My Limit is One” plan, and wine comes in boxes, they’re changing their tune. Apparently the new superstition is “Always have one woman and her BFF Barb on the boat.” Go figure.
by Duffy Perkins
The banana superstition has been explained a few ways, but perhaps the most plausible is related to the Caribbean banana trade during the 1700s. Bananas float, so often when one boat would come across the remains of another boat (sunken, shipwrecked, or burnt to the waterline), the bananas would be the only visible cargo, floating in the water like ominous detritus. Sailors decided that if the boat hadn’t been carrying bananas, it would not have sunk.
The story might be true, or it might be false. All I know is that the skipper who told it to me derived way too much pleasure from throwing my banana nut muffin overboard. That was completely unnecessary.
There are quite a few other boaters’ superstitions, some you may have heard of, some that might be new to you. We’ve included them along with an explanation so your muffins won’t be sacrificed in the same way that mine was.
Avoid Red Heads
Anyone who knows a red head understands this one. But yes, avoid red heads, don’t take them out on your boat, certainly don’t let them drive your truck. That’s a horrible idea.
Always Wear the Same Hat
A good fisherman has a lucky boat hat that is a permanent fixture on his head for every grip and grin. This is because that hat smells like fish guts and bald man sweat, and his wife will not allow him to wear it in the house. It’s now known as “Dad’s boat hat,” and no, you don’t want to borrow it.
Christen Your Boat with Wine
Absolutely never waste your beer on something so trivial as a boat christening. Wine coolers, soda, and even malt liquor will work in a pinch, too.
No Whistling Onboard
It’s said that you could “whistle up a storm,” but really you shouldn’t whistle onboard because it is such an annoying habit. Also, don’t smack your gum, chew with your mouth open, or be a mouth breather. The mouth-breathing superstition is really, really bad.
Throw Back Your First Fish
This is said to be for luck, but really, it’s just to save face. If you throw back your first fish and you don’t catch another, you come back to the dock empty handed and can tell all your buddies you threw them all back because you have standards. Come back to the dock with one scrawny fish, you just look like you should have applied yourself more.
Don’t Rename a Boat
Unless it’s a really awful name. As much as I got a kick out of “the Seadeucer,” the next guy doesn’t have to keep that name. Buck tradition.
Don’t say the words “Good Luck”
The first rule of fish club is that there is no fish club.
Don’t Allow Women Onboard
Women actually created this superstition. Funny: they didn’t enjoy inhaling diesel fumes and fish guts, drinking light beer for hours without a head. But now that boats are quite a bit nicer, everybody’s on the “My Limit is One” plan, and wine comes in boxes, they’re changing their tune. Apparently the new superstition is “Always have one woman and her BFF Barb on the boat.” Go figure.
by Duffy Perkins