Although there is plenty of history in the Cherub fleet of boats with male names, Charlie Don't Surf, Flat Stanley and Jonny Fartpants spring to mind, I've always considered boats should have a female name.
Traditionally boats (and steam engines) always took the female pronoun, even when given male names. If you're not used to the convention, which is less common now, then older books on the subjects can give an odd impression!
