I was going through some paper work on my boat recently and came across this page about flag etiquette published by Cruising World in 1988. I thought some of you might find this interesting.
Flag Etiquette
- Thread starter DArcy
- Start date
Thank you very much! I am a "flag fan," and try to observe the traditions, 'though I'm not a yacht club member.
I don't see a mention of the U.S. Union Jack or National Jack, which is a blue field with fifty white stars. This is flown at the stem on Sundays and holidays. I made my own, 'cause I couldn't find one the right size.
I don't see a mention of the U.S. Union Jack or National Jack, which is a blue field with fifty white stars. This is flown at the stem on Sundays and holidays. I made my own, 'cause I couldn't find one the right size.
Come to any lake in South Carolina. Anything goes.I hope to see the end of these "traditions".
This is an abbreviated version of flag etiquette. The starboard side is considered a position of higher dignity, and in this version port didn't make the cut. Check this:
http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html
lol US flag- backstay- any other? starboard spreader.
Works stateside, worked Bahamas, worked Mexico
End of it for me
Works stateside, worked Bahamas, worked Mexico
End of it for me
Because it would mean we've dispensed with the notions of "countries", "borders", visas, etc.
A highlight of our cruise to Canada was clearing customs, removing the Q flag, and hoisting the Maple Leaf on the stbd spreader. If you make your own 'Maple Leaf' (as I did), be aware that the Canadians are a bit touchy about the shade of red that you use. Definitely not pink or maroon!
71% of the globe are oceans. they are set up just the way you dream jsg.
we sailors tend to be big dreamers . i just don't see it happening on shore. but we sailors can just cast off and sail round and round out in the ocean feeling free.
Why does this discussion have to get dragged into politics? Isn't there a separate forum for that kind of discussion?
Here’s all we *really* need to know about flags. I’m pretty sure @Meriachee will agree.
Attachments
Flag display and flag etiquette is all part of the fun of sailing. To see it as only an "old fashion" activity of a bygone time is to deny that sailing itself is of a bygone time. Equatable to the use of horses to perform work and travel on land. Recreational boaters get to skip out on many of the requirements that commercial, government, or military boaters must follow so become lazy about them, even contemptuous of being asked to learn and practice a basic protocol, even one of courtesy. The once importance of "protocol" aboard sailing ships is well illustrated in Morison's biography of John Paul Jones--a good read.
The once importance of "protocol" aboard sailing ships is well illustrated in Morison's biography of John Paul Jones--a good read.
Last edited:
before a MAC race i would read JP Jones bio to get into the racers head.
"but sir, i have not yet begun to fight'
"but sir, i have not yet begun to fight'
Notice that flag etiquette precludes flying the US national ensign from your spreaders. Foreigners are free to do so as a courtesy, but you Americans need to have it on the stern, centered, to starboard, or 2/3 up the leech of your main.
And for god sakes get yourself a suitably large flag. There really is no limit. Go large, and then one size larger.
And for god sakes get yourself a suitably large flag. There really is no limit. Go large, and then one size larger.
Last edited: