Bananas and boats...

[Michael Shaner]

Light hearted topic...can someone enlighten me as to why bananas on boats are taboo? Is this just a racing thing or will Poseidon frown on the cruisers too??

best regards,

[Joe Kern]

I have heard it was because bananas are prone to carrying tarantulas.  I have also heard the oil in banana skins leaches into the water and fish don't like it so you can't catch any.  As with all these things no one probably knows for sure and there are lots of practical and silly explanations floating around.   Google "bananas bad luck on boats" and I bet you get a ton of hits.

[waterdog]

Most superstitions have their roots in some practical thing.   Must have something to do with the peels.  No good can come of banana peels and ships' decks...

[John Langford]

A beautiful bunch a' ripe banana
Daylight come and me wan' go home
Hide the deadly black tarantula
Daylight come and me wan' go home