Klay Thompson’s Axopar 37 Cabin Now the SS Stallion

The Axopar 37 Cabin with twin outboards delivering roughly 500 horsepower offers sustained cruising speeds north of 30 knots, making it a viable commuter and offshore dayboat for San Francisco Bay runs rather than a slow coastal cruiser.

From commuter runs to a celebrity marine statement

Klay Thompson’s decision to rename his custom Axopar 37 Cabin to the SS Stallion is a high-visibility example of how sport stars can shape recreational boating culture. Thompson began using the 37-foot Finnish-built hull to commute across the bay during his time with the Golden State Warriors, and the boat’s center-cabin layout and robust offshore ride made it a practical choice for daily transit in open water conditions.

The boat has worn at least two previous names — Nordic Knife and Splash Express — reflecting both the hull’s sharp ride and Thompson’s identity as one of basketball’s famed "Splash Brothers." The renaming to SS Stallion ties directly into mainstream headlines around Thompson’s personal life, yet it also spotlights long-standing nautical traditions around vessel identity and superstition.

Why Thompson’s Axopar is functionally significant

The Axopar 37 blends utilitarian and upscale features: an enclosed center console with modern electronics, practical deck ergonomics for passenger loads, and a hull form tuned for mixed conditions. Its twin outboards provide both redundancy and the thrust needed for brisk transits in tidal channels, making the design useful for both relaxed weekend cruising and efficient point-to-point movement in busy harbors and gulfs.

The ritual and the superstition behind renaming

Changing a boat’s name carries symbolic weight in maritime communities. Many skippers avoid renaming to sidestep perceived wrath from sea deities and to preserve the vessel’s documented history. When owners do rename a craft, the process is often ceremonial and performed with both humour and ceremony to “placate” the sea and maintain camaraderie among friends and family aboard.

Typical renaming ritual (popular among recreational boaters)

• Remove the old name from hull, paperwork, logbooks and all gear.
• Gather close friends and family, a bottle of champagne, and a small sprig of greenery.
• Recite an invocation or humorous ode to Poseidon to symbolically erase the old name.
• Break a bottle, pour libations, and reveal the new name on the transom.
• Complete paperwork changes with authorities and update registration records.

Practical advice for owners and renters

Whether you’re buying a center-cabin Axopar or renting a similar dayboat for an afternoon in a gulf or on the lake, follow these practical tips:

1. Verify engine hours and recent service logs; twin outboard platforms require documented maintenance.
2. Confirm capacity and safety gear for passengers; not all center-cabin models are configured identically.
3. Check electronics: chartplotter, VHF, and redundancy systems matter in busy marinas and low-visibility conditions.
4. When chartering, ask about the captain’s experience with local currents and tidal flows.

How celebrity culture affects boat demand

High-profile figures like Klay Thompson can shift attention toward certain models and boating lifestyles. The Axopar’s image as a fast, utilitarian, yet well-appointed commuter boat benefits from celebrity exposure: it can drive inquiries for weekend charters, influence private sale interest, and nudge buyers toward center-cabin layouts that balance seakeeping with comfort.

GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course, placing no limits on a good life while letting clients find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste.

Boating etiquette, safety, and the celebrity spotlight

Celebrity owners often remind the public that boating is both lifestyle and responsibility. High-performance dayboats require competent handling in chop and traffic; safety-first practices — lifejackets, proper lookouts, and sound communication — are essential. For renters and charter guests, a professional captain can mitigate risk and unlock a richer, more relaxed experience.

Renting vs. buying similar boats

Renting or chartering an Axopar-like model can be the most efficient path to experience the platform’s capabilities without the obligations of ownership. Charters typically include fuel, insurance, and sometimes a captain — factors that change the calculus for weekenders who want sea time without long-term upkeep.

Key takeaways and travel considerations

The renaming of Thompson’s vessel to the SS Stallion is a pop-culture moment for recreational boating, yet from a global tourism perspective it is modest. The event is meaningful regionally and in boating circles, as celebrity endorsement can elevate interest in specific boat types, foster local charter bookings, and inspire more people to explore marinas, bays, and coastal destinations.

Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process: you learn about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors, its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com

Short forecast: this celebrity rename is unlikely to redraw the global tourism map, but it will keep attention on boating trends, center-cabin utility designs, and charter demand in coastal hotspots. However, it’s still relevant to customers because GetBoat aims to stay abreast of changes and keep pace with the evolving world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.

In summary, Klay Thompson’s conversion of a high-performance commuter-style Axopar 37 into the SS Stallion highlights how personal narrative and vessel choice intersect. From naming rituals invoking Poseidon to center-cabin practicality and twin-outboard performance, the story blends lifestyle, seafaring tradition, and market influence. For those plotting their next charter or sale, whether seeking a yacht, a dayboat for fishing or clearwater cruising, or a superyacht-like experience in a smaller package, the options span rental, charter, or purchase across marinas and destinations worldwide. GetBoat.com offers a transparent, user-friendly route to book or buy boats, yachts, and sailboats—matching budgets and tastes while helping you set your course.