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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:01 am
by IRGuy
Are you saying bringing banannas onto a boat is bad luck? I always heard bringing women or umbrellas onboard was, but never heard of banannas. As most here know I was an active offshore sailor for many years, and as my friends and I got older we recruited strong young guys to do the heavy work, such as grinding winches and raising sails.. and we called them "deck apes". What are we supposed to feed them if not banannas?
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:21 am
by h2ojst
Bananas on board is an old superstition & I've heard several reasons over the years. The only plausable ones that I can remember are that fish can smell the banana oil on your hands if your handling baits etc. & be turned off; the other one was back in the "day" the crew would pack bunches of bananas on board & they of course would harbor insects which would ultimately find their way into the captains quarters. He would then tell the crew not to bring bananas on board because they were bad luck in order to keep the bugs off the ship. I know lots of fishing captains & mates that actually check lunches for bananas & request their customers to leave them on the dock. What's your take Larry? Joe Tomaini 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:16 am
by dougl33
Definitely no bananas on board!
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:47 am
by lwrenn
The insects were tarantulas that were in the bunches of bananas from the way I was told the story. Many times there have been bananas on board during the day and I will truly say that it make no difference in the fishing. Even my wife has brought bananas on the boat (I am doomed!!!). We have had box lunches supplied by caterers that each have a banana in them! I have heard the bananas, red lighters, women on-board(?), and many more bad luck items. My personal bad luck thing is the guys that tells you he must fill the cooler, or when setting lines the first fish is caught within five minutes (bad luck for the rest of the day)or the stinky cigar that is supposed to bring good luck. It is fun to tease the guy who brought the bananas!!!! Bring the bananas as it will not change a thing, but if slip on the peel you are to blame!