Our boat is Jarrow Lily, a 2007 Island Packet SP Cruiser. It had had only one previous owner who neglected it terribly. Good thing too - we could not have afforded it otherwise.
As soon as the transaction was complete the previous owner asked me, very directly " Will you change the name? "
I asked him why she was called Jarrow Lily, quite an unusual name for a boat. His reply was enlightening. " Unlike most men I had a great relationship with my Mother in Law, who was a wonderful woman. I told her that should I ever buy a new boat I would name it after her. Her name was Lily and she was from Jarrow. "
First Mate and I thought it was such a lovely story, Jarrow Lily she remains.
We keep a steel Hartley 32 yacht in Wellington Harbour NZ.
She is called Ella after our Grandaughter.
I concur that boat names should be feminine if possible.