Sea Superstitions and Good-Luck Charms: Tales From Sailors Who Tempted Fate

Sailors are a superstitious bunch—always have been, always will be. Whether it’s tossing coins to Neptune, banishing bananas from the galley, or side-eyeing a whistler on deck, the sea has a way of inspiring quirky rituals and long-standing taboos. In North America, generations of boaters—from Nova Scotia lobster haulers to Pacific salmon trollers—have passed down salty traditions meant to protect their crew, their boat, and their luck.

Ready to test your maritime mojo? Let’s dive into some of the oddest, funniest, and oddly reassuring superstitions that still ride the waves today.

🍌 Bananas: The Bad-Luck Fruit of the Sea

Ask any seasoned North American skipper about bananas and you’ll likely hear a variation of: “Not on my boat!”

This age-old superstition is believed to date back to the Caribbean trade routes. Ships carrying bananas often had to travel fast to avoid spoilage—and many mysteriously vanished at sea. Naturally, sailors blamed the bananas. Over time, bananas also got linked to onboard accidents, slipping tools, and even bad fishing days.

Fisherman Gord Pyzer once joked, “Bananas are the root of all sea-faring evil.” One West Coast sailor recalls nervously sneaking a banana muffin aboard, only to have the wind die within the hour. Coincidence? Maybe. But try telling that to the old-timers with “No Bananas” stickers slapped on their tackle boxes.

🎵 Whistling: A One-Way Ticket to a Storm

Thinking of whistling while you work on deck? Don’t. Just… don’t.

Sailors traditionally believe whistling on a boat invites the wind—and often a little too much of it. You’ll still find crews who go quiet the moment someone starts whistling during a calm. Florida shrimp captain Shep Owens chuckled when asked about it: “You don’t whistle for the wind,” he said. “You’ll get it all right.”

Of course, there’s the occasional rebel. One East Coast sailor tried to “whistle up” a breeze in the middle of a dead calm. The wind returned—after a full day of engine trouble. Coincidence again? Perhaps. But superstition wins when the sea is the judge.

🙅‍♀️ Women on Board, Figureheads, and the Notorious “Jonahs”

Historically, women were considered bad luck aboard ships—a belief rooted in outdated ideas and salt-soaked folklore. A woman onboard was thought to anger the sea gods, distracting the crew or upsetting Neptune himself.

Strangely enough, naked female figureheads carved into ship prows were believed to calm the sea, perhaps because they “shamed the stormy seas into submission.” Talk about mixed messages.

Today, women are everywhere in sailing and commercial fishing—but echoes of this old superstition remain. Some boats still joke that a woman onboard becomes a “Jonah,” a term for someone who brings misfortune. Thankfully, the phrase is mostly used with a wink these days.

🐷 Pigs, Coins, and Tattoo Power: Luck in Your Pocket

Superstitions don’t stop with people and fruit. For many North American mariners, luck comes in the form of pocket charms, tattoos, and unspeakable meats.

Sailors have long favored certain tattoos—like roosters and pigs—to keep them from drowning. These animals were known to survive shipwrecks by floating in wooden crates. Horseshoes, stars, and anchors are also popular lucky ink.

Carrying a lucky coin is another common charm. Tossing a coin overboard before a voyage is seen as paying your dues to Neptune for safe travels. Some captains still toss a quarter into the sea before heading out, just in case the gods are listening.

And as for pigs? You still won’t find pork on many boats. Some captains won’t even let you say the word “pig” on board. One Nova Scotia lobster boat insists on calling it “the curly-tailed animal” instead.

🧭 Naming a Boat? Better Do It Right.

Ever renamed a boat? According to nautical lore, you’re flirting with disaster.

The gods of the sea, particularly Poseidon (or Neptune, depending on your coast), are believed to keep a ledger of every ship’s name. Change it without warning, and you’re begging for a storm—or worse.

That’s why renaming a vessel involves ritual: erase the old name from logbooks and hulls, offer a speech to the gods, and pour champagne on the bow and into the sea. Then, and only then, can the new name be christened.

One Gulf skipper tells the story of renaming her shrimp boat Master Les to Addiction. The engine promptly died… repeatedly. “Should’ve left well enough alone,” she laughed. Lesson learned.

🐈 Cats, Feathers, and Fishy Signs

In older sailing days, ship’s cats were considered excellent luck—keeping rats at bay and storms away. Some believed the cat’s ability to sense weather made them a barometer with whiskers.

Today’s mariners still treat boat cats with the utmost respect. And if one jumps overboard? Expect concerned glances and maybe a canceled trip.

Feathers also carry meaning. Finding one on deck is often seen as a good omen. Shep Owens, our shrimping friend from Florida, keeps any seagull feather he finds before casting off. “You keep that feather,” he said. “That’s your sign.”

Likewise, spotting seabirds like terns or pelicans with fish in their beaks is taken as a sure sign the fish are biting. And if they’re flying away from your spot? Might want to move the boat.

🎣 East vs. West: Superstitions Across the Map

From the craggy coasts of Newfoundland to the misty harbors of Puget Sound, superstitions vary—but they’re everywhere.

In Atlantic Canada, sailors still coil rope “with the sun” (clockwise), believing counter-clockwise coils invite bad weather. Some even avoid certain boat names or colors they consider jinxed.

On the West Coast, stories circulate about “jinkers”—crew members who never catch fish. If a jinker boards your boat? Expect light catches and side-eyes. Better to leave them at the dock and blame them in absentia.

One Vancouver angler tells of accidentally bringing a banana onboard. The engine sputtered, the crab traps came up empty, and the day ended with a full cooler—of nothing but soda.

🍾 Neptune’s Toast: Blessings Before You Cast Off

Whether it’s a grand launch ceremony or a quick nip of rum before the motor starts, sailors love a send-off. These traditions are part respect, part ritual, and part party.

A coin to Neptune, a toast of champagne to the gods, and even a silent wish to the sea before setting out—these small acts connect generations of mariners. Some see it as a way to ask permission to enter the sea’s domain. Others just don’t want to jinx a perfect weather window.

And hey, if a little superstition keeps your boat safe and the fish biting, why not?

💬 Share Your Superstition!

Now it’s your turn. Have a funny, weird, or beloved superstition you follow on the water? Maybe your granddad always tied his boots a certain way. Or you once whistled on deck and swore the wind left out of spite.

Drop your story in the comments—whether you sail a skiff on the Great Lakes, troll for salmon in Oregon, or cruise the Gulf with a lucky mug in hand. These traditions, tall tales, and rituals are what bind sailors together, one superstition at a time.

Fair winds, following seas, and may your bananas stay safely on land.