Burgee

[Cabasa 83]

I want to fly my burgee correctly, but the line is not tight so the burgee doesn't fly right. What is the line called that the burgee flys on and how do I make it right? I have a O'day 272.

 

[djplatt]

I use a pigging stick as shown in the attached photo. You can attach it directly to a stay or a halyard. The flag is always stretched to the correct tension.

 

[djplatt]

oops - here is the attachment

 

[Cabasa 83]

Thanks, photo shows it perfectly. I have flag hooks on the line already, just can't tighten it like every other line.

 

[Capn Pete]

Thanks, photo shows it perfectly. I have flag hooks on the line already, just can't tighten it like every other line.

On both my previous boat (a 272LE) and my current 322, I pop-riveted a small eye strap to the underside of one of the spreaders and attached a small block. I reaved a line (1/8" ought to do) through the block, and attached a flag clip or small snap shackle at each end. Clip on the burgee, and secure the flag halyard to a shroud cleat. The burgee can be flown as tight as you want it.

Pete
s/v EmmieLou (O-322)
Little Silver, NJ

 

[Cabasa 83]

I will try that thanks

 

[Joe11688]

I want to fly my burgee correctly, but the line is not tight so the burgee doesn't fly right. What is the line called that the burgee flys on and how do I make it right? I have a O'day 272.

You could mount a cheek block on the Starboard side of your mast near the mast head for a flag halyard which you can send up a pig stick with the burgee attached to it, and cleat it off down on the mast.

The pig stick will allow your burgee to fly above the radio antenna and wind indicator. flag staffs or "pig sticks" as they are called, can be noisy at night with a wind blowing.

The Starboard spreader on my mast has a hole in it about in the middle where a small sheave could be attached to it for flying a burgee, and I don't think a flag staff would be needed but I could be wrong on that.
The halyard could be cleated off on a shroud horn cleat. This may be a better way to rig it on your boat, and on mine as well.

 

[Cabasa 83]

Thank you I like them when they are on the spreaders, and I will try it.

 

[Joe11688]

Thank you I like them when they are on the spreaders, and I will try it.

It's easier to run it up on a spreader than to run up a pig stick to the top of a mast. It's probably going to be a lot quieter on the spreader too. A burgee on a pig stick is noisy, especially at night with a wind blowing.

 

[emergpa1]

could we get a photo or line drawing of that? thanks

On both my previous boat (a 272LE) and my current 322, I pop-riveted a small eye strap to the underside of one of the spreaders and attached a small block. I reaved a line (1/8" ought to do) through the block, and attached a flag clip or small snap shackle at each end. Clip on the burgee, and secure the flag halyard to a shroud cleat. The burgee can be flown as tight as you want it.

Pete
s/v EmmieLou (O-322)
Little Silver, NJ

 

[Indysailor]

Sailcare sells a kit for exactly what Pete is describing- small block with an eye strap and rivets, a shroud cleat and about 40 feet of line (3/16ths I think). Jerry's selling them for far cheaper than the Johnson Marine kit, maybe half the price. It may not be in the catalog, but give them a call.

I'm putting one on my boat this weekend and will take a pic of it.

 

[Cabasa 83]

I thought I had a photo of currant set up. Will take some today when we go sailing. It is very important to fly my wife's Clemson paw in a sea of red and black!

 

[Cabasa 83]

I just released I didn't take any of the bottom of the mast. Will get some Sunday if I get up there.

 

[emergpa1]

Sailcare sells a kit for exactly what Pete is describing- small block with an eye strap and rivets, a shroud cleat and about 40 feet of line (3/16ths I think). Jerry's selling them for far cheaper than the Johnson Marine kit, maybe half the price. It may not be in the catalog, but give them a call.

I'm putting one on my boat this weekend and will take a pic of it.

Thanks, I'll Check into that! Sounds like just what I need.

 

[Joe11688]

http://www.nfccsail.com/Flag Etiquette.pdf

 

[emergpa1]

http://www.nfccsail.com/Flag%20Etiquette.pdf

Very good info.

 

[ruidh]

"State registered vessels are not allowed to fly the yacht ensign." BS.

 

[Jackdaw]

"State registered vessels are not allowed to fly the yacht ensign." BS.

Used to be true. About 100 years ago.

Actually the link is full of crap. Go here.

http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html

 

[Cabasa 83]

I have to have the headsail repaired so burgee project on back burner for now. Thanks for all the tips and information. This site makes owning a sailboat much more manageable than I thought ownership would be!

 

[ruidh]

Actually the link is full of crap. Go here.

http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html

The USPS has their own agenda. I *like* my yacht ensign and, since I sail within the US coastal waters, I'm quite happy to fly it from the flagpole aft on the starboard side. I don't know why they feel the need to disparage it.