As of October 23, 2018, Elsie N has a new name: HOBBIT II.
I was inspired by a visit to Hobbiton, North Island, New Zealand while touring with fellow JRA member Grahame Kenyon. That was a movie set for the films The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Beginning June 13, this year, I cancelled my boat's licensed name, Elsie N.
Then, I applied to register her as HOBBIT II. (There is another registered HOBBIT in Victoria, B.C.)
The builder had named his boat in honour of his girlfriend, Elsie Nadine Nickerson who died suddenly, of natural causes, at the tender age of 23. I met one of her teachers who said she was a lovely person with a promising future.
The name is so personal, with such sad connotations I decided to give the boat a new name.
Hobbit architecture bears a strong resemblance to the architectural style known as "Arts and Crafts" which flourished between 1880 and 1920 in Europe and America. Only recently did I discover I grew up in an Arts and Crafts house. Deja vu all over again. That's why I feel so much at home with my new boat.
The red tape took about 4 1/2 months.