Electric company

June Casagrande

Watt’s in a name? A Duffy boat by any name would sound as sweet. But

don’t tell that to the neighbors of Duffy Boat Sales in Mariners

Mile. In this little nautical neighborhood, Duffy Boat names are an

institution.

“If we don’t have a name up on our sign or if we don’t change it

often enough, people start calling, saying, ‘What happened to the

boat names?’” said Kim Bolar, office manager for Duffy Boat sales.

For more than five years, the company has been posting the “Duffy

Boat Name of the Week” on its marquee sign on Coast Highway. Some of

them are real names of Duffy electric boats. Other names that appear

on the sign are mere suggestions sent in by just about anybody,

including people who don’t own boats. Some people just call to offer

their suggestions. Others, under the impression that it’s a more

formal process, will mail long, persuasive letters on why their boat

name should make the cut.

“It’s fun,” Bolar said. “Some people are really timid about it.

Some people are really, really creative with names.”

The boat names all have a few things in common: They’re cute and

clever and usually make some reference to Duffy’s trademark of

powering boats with electricity.

“Circuit de Soleil -- we had one little boy in here who loved that

one,” Bolar said.

Somewhere in the office, employees of the electric boat sales,

service and rental company keep a list of boat names that made past

billboards. And the cleverness keeps on coming.

“Knot Ohm” is one that stands out in Bolar’s memory. “Voltswagen”

is another.

“Even before I worked here, I loved going by and seeing the

names,” she said. “People love seeing them. It’s the public that

keeps us going.”