I want to add a fix flag mast on the stern of my 33 Cherubini, from which I'll fly an American flag. With the boarding ladder locate on the center line of the stern - which side of the stern should the American flag be placed? I've asked many people and researched the internet and still don't have a firm answer. Confused!
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Starboard
I have a center walk through on my H36. The flag holder came from the factory on the starboard side.
I have a center walk through on my H36. The flag holder came from the factory on the starboard side.
Ensign/National
Anyplace on the stern is fine. On the center line would be the most collegiate location but I too have the center thru-way on my h380 and the Flag staff was factory installed/welded to the immediate port stantion.
Anyplace on the stern is fine. On the center line would be the most collegiate location but I too have the center thru-way on my h380 and the Flag staff was factory installed/welded to the immediate port stantion.
Clip to shroud?
My used Catalina came with a small American flag with clips to attach to a stay. The clips are too small to easily clip to the backstay; does flag etiquette allow clipping to a shroud? Jack
My used Catalina came with a small American flag with clips to attach to a stay. The clips are too small to easily clip to the backstay; does flag etiquette allow clipping to a shroud? Jack
Ensign
From the USPS: The fifty star, 13 stripe American flag is flown only between 0800 and sunset. It is mounted on the stern staff at center or on the starboard side.
From the USPS: The fifty star, 13 stripe American flag is flown only between 0800 and sunset. It is mounted on the stern staff at center or on the starboard side.
I clip mine to the split backstay
No idea which side is best, and didn't even think about it. I used these little 4-screw clamps you can buy that attach to cable (all sizes), then attach w/ a plastic wire tie. I would think lower on the stern would get dirty from diesel exhaust.
No idea which side is best, and didn't even think about it. I used these little 4-screw clamps you can buy that attach to cable (all sizes), then attach w/ a plastic wire tie. I would think lower on the stern would get dirty from diesel exhaust.
If clipped to a shroud...
...it must be on the starboard side. It may then be considered a "courtesy" flag. You will need to check on that. But when I had a C25, I put the American flag on the starboard burgee line under the spreader.
...it must be on the starboard side. It may then be considered a "courtesy" flag. You will need to check on that. But when I had a C25, I put the American flag on the starboard burgee line under the spreader.
FLYING THE FLAG
While in port the flag is flown on the stern mount between 0800 and sunset unless it is lit by a light that is dedicated to the flag. While underway the flag is flown from the yard arm (spreader bar) - (not on the stern mount) at all times while underway. No dedicated lite is required while underway. While flown from the yard arm it is the top most flag. No other flag (read burgee) is ever flown above the stars and stripes. God Bless America RD
While in port the flag is flown on the stern mount between 0800 and sunset unless it is lit by a light that is dedicated to the flag. While underway the flag is flown from the yard arm (spreader bar) - (not on the stern mount) at all times while underway. No dedicated lite is required while underway. While flown from the yard arm it is the top most flag. No other flag (read burgee) is ever flown above the stars and stripes. God Bless America RD
FLYING THE FLAG
While in port the flag is flown on the stern mount between 0800 and sunset unless it is lit by a light that is dedicated to the flag. While underway the flag is flown from the yard arm (spreader bar) - (not on the stern mount) at all times while underway. No dedicated lite is required while underway. The flag should not be flown from a stern mount while underway. The flag should not be flown from a shroud or other such line while in port - only from a stern mount. While flown from the yard arm it is the top most flag. No other flag (read burgee) is ever flown above the stars and stripes. God Bless America RD
While in port the flag is flown on the stern mount between 0800 and sunset unless it is lit by a light that is dedicated to the flag. While underway the flag is flown from the yard arm (spreader bar) - (not on the stern mount) at all times while underway. No dedicated lite is required while underway. The flag should not be flown from a stern mount while underway. The flag should not be flown from a shroud or other such line while in port - only from a stern mount. While flown from the yard arm it is the top most flag. No other flag (read burgee) is ever flown above the stars and stripes. God Bless America RD
No rules for flying the "colors"
Every now and then, this subject comes up on one web site or another. I have research this subject several times including checking in with the Library of Congress and my senator's staff. I know I will upset a number of person when I tell you there are NO rules for flying flags on your pleasure craft. There are rules for the military and for elements of the government but none for pleasure craft. Most guidelines come from Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling tomes but what most people don't know is that Franklin D. Roosevelt, then assistant secretary of the Navy during World War I was given the assignment to mobilize the then growing population of pleasure power boats. He then requested Chapman (who was editor of a new magazine called Motor Boating) to come up with some policies to mobilize our new fleet of power boats, probably our first Homeland Defense act. On a frontest page of a 1917 edition of Chapman's Practical Motor Boat Handline, Seamanship and Piloting, it states in part, "Adapted for the yachtsman interested in fitting himself to be of service to his Government in time of war." While there are no federal laws pertaining to flying a flag on your boat, many of the suggestions made in recent years are taken from both British and American tradition of early sailing ships. Hence, we show our "colors" from the stern of our ships. It is a signal and nothing more. We can also enjoy raising other signals such as our yacht club burgees, and courtesey flags when entering another country, You do not have to fly your colors (American Ensign) if you do not wish. Indeed in years gone by many clipper ships flew the flag of their owner so one could tell what boat was coming into the harbor. The tradition of flying a signal, as most flags are considered, from the starboard yards or spreaders comes from the time when ships lay their port side along a wharf and showed their signals on starboard to let incoming ships know who was in the harbor The 1917 edition of Chapman's on flags and Colors (colors are the US. Flag only) is entertaining since it writes about the owner's private signal (who owned the boat), the church Pennant (flown during devine services), guests flags, the owners dinner flag and the crew's meal pennant. Aha, I never wanted to eat with my crew either. There was also an owner's absent flag (damn, I forgot to put that up when I left my boat today). One signal which confuses me is a Night Pennant of which I have never found the reason for flying it--to tell me it was night? My oh my. The size of the flag flown on your boat also has no rules along with where you fly your "colors." When we had sailboats with gaff rigged mains, we flew the flag from the gaff because it was up and out of the way as well as where another boat could see it. But there was never a rule that said we had to fly it off our back stays at three quarters of the way up. That is only tradition. Flying your flags from 8 AM to dusk is another tradition that come from a peace time Navy that was borrowed by Chapman. While it is a traditon that I like it is only suggestive. The same goes with flying the flag at night--you do not need a light. Makes sense but is not required. Before you get upset with what I'm saying here about flying your signals, here is what Chapman said in 1917. "Yachting etiquette, including the proper colors to fly, and their correct locations, is largely governed by custom, but the fundamental rules in this respect were established many years ago before the advent of the motor boat. They are not in every instance well suited to the modern craft." I wonder what Chapman would think abour Hunter and the lack of a backstay. As an aside, it is interesting that Chapman said very little about sailboats in his 1917 edition except to suggest "...we (the power boater) stay out of their way. " I go for that. (Peggie, my luv, are you paying attention?) If you disagree with any of this, I would be perfoundly grateful if you would give me the resource or rule that prompts your disagreement. As I stated earlier, as of this moment, there are no federal laws pertaining to flying the flag on a pleasure craft. Les Blackwell
Every now and then, this subject comes up on one web site or another. I have research this subject several times including checking in with the Library of Congress and my senator's staff. I know I will upset a number of person when I tell you there are NO rules for flying flags on your pleasure craft. There are rules for the military and for elements of the government but none for pleasure craft. Most guidelines come from Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling tomes but what most people don't know is that Franklin D. Roosevelt, then assistant secretary of the Navy during World War I was given the assignment to mobilize the then growing population of pleasure power boats. He then requested Chapman (who was editor of a new magazine called Motor Boating) to come up with some policies to mobilize our new fleet of power boats, probably our first Homeland Defense act. On a frontest page of a 1917 edition of Chapman's Practical Motor Boat Handline, Seamanship and Piloting, it states in part, "Adapted for the yachtsman interested in fitting himself to be of service to his Government in time of war." While there are no federal laws pertaining to flying a flag on your boat, many of the suggestions made in recent years are taken from both British and American tradition of early sailing ships. Hence, we show our "colors" from the stern of our ships. It is a signal and nothing more. We can also enjoy raising other signals such as our yacht club burgees, and courtesey flags when entering another country, You do not have to fly your colors (American Ensign) if you do not wish. Indeed in years gone by many clipper ships flew the flag of their owner so one could tell what boat was coming into the harbor. The tradition of flying a signal, as most flags are considered, from the starboard yards or spreaders comes from the time when ships lay their port side along a wharf and showed their signals on starboard to let incoming ships know who was in the harbor The 1917 edition of Chapman's on flags and Colors (colors are the US. Flag only) is entertaining since it writes about the owner's private signal (who owned the boat), the church Pennant (flown during devine services), guests flags, the owners dinner flag and the crew's meal pennant. Aha, I never wanted to eat with my crew either. There was also an owner's absent flag (damn, I forgot to put that up when I left my boat today). One signal which confuses me is a Night Pennant of which I have never found the reason for flying it--to tell me it was night? My oh my. The size of the flag flown on your boat also has no rules along with where you fly your "colors." When we had sailboats with gaff rigged mains, we flew the flag from the gaff because it was up and out of the way as well as where another boat could see it. But there was never a rule that said we had to fly it off our back stays at three quarters of the way up. That is only tradition. Flying your flags from 8 AM to dusk is another tradition that come from a peace time Navy that was borrowed by Chapman. While it is a traditon that I like it is only suggestive. The same goes with flying the flag at night--you do not need a light. Makes sense but is not required. Before you get upset with what I'm saying here about flying your signals, here is what Chapman said in 1917. "Yachting etiquette, including the proper colors to fly, and their correct locations, is largely governed by custom, but the fundamental rules in this respect were established many years ago before the advent of the motor boat. They are not in every instance well suited to the modern craft." I wonder what Chapman would think abour Hunter and the lack of a backstay. As an aside, it is interesting that Chapman said very little about sailboats in his 1917 edition except to suggest "...we (the power boater) stay out of their way. " I go for that. (Peggie, my luv, are you paying attention?) If you disagree with any of this, I would be perfoundly grateful if you would give me the resource or rule that prompts your disagreement. As I stated earlier, as of this moment, there are no federal laws pertaining to flying the flag on a pleasure craft. Les Blackwell
From The Stern
Boats today fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best all-round visibility. It should be on a staff that is sufficiently long and angled, and that is offset to one side (traditionally the starboard side), so the flag flies clear of engine exhaust and rigging. For many years, until around World War II, most ensigns were flown from the leech of the aftermost sail—a sloop or cutter's mainsail or a ketch or yawl's mizzen. That position is still available. On a Marconi rig, the ensign may be flown about two-thirds of the way up; on a gaff rig, just under the gaff. In either case the flag may be sewn into the leech or hoisted on a halyard through a leech cringle (reinforced hole) so the ensign can be lowered to avoid chafe, say on a permanent backstay. Source: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=rousma0041
Boats today fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best all-round visibility. It should be on a staff that is sufficiently long and angled, and that is offset to one side (traditionally the starboard side), so the flag flies clear of engine exhaust and rigging. For many years, until around World War II, most ensigns were flown from the leech of the aftermost sail—a sloop or cutter's mainsail or a ketch or yawl's mizzen. That position is still available. On a Marconi rig, the ensign may be flown about two-thirds of the way up; on a gaff rig, just under the gaff. In either case the flag may be sewn into the leech or hoisted on a halyard through a leech cringle (reinforced hole) so the ensign can be lowered to avoid chafe, say on a permanent backstay. Source: http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=rousma0041
US Yacht Ensign
Piggybacking on Les Blackwell's comments, I've heard it said that the US Yacht Ensign should only be flown in US waters, and that in foreign ports one must resort to the US National Ensign. Does anyone know of a definative regulation regarding this? I also once read in a magazine that the only boats that were entitled to fly the US Yacht Ensign were documented yachts, and that they indeed are required to fly that ensign. True?
Piggybacking on Les Blackwell's comments, I've heard it said that the US Yacht Ensign should only be flown in US waters, and that in foreign ports one must resort to the US National Ensign. Does anyone know of a definative regulation regarding this? I also once read in a magazine that the only boats that were entitled to fly the US Yacht Ensign were documented yachts, and that they indeed are required to fly that ensign. True?
There was a rule about the U.S. Yacht Ensign
John, you are correct as usual. At one time the U.S. yacht ensign was mandatory for use on documented yachts. The reason was that most boats in the early 1900's whether they were working boats (commercial craft) or pleasure craft looked alike. Both had paid crew and were made of wood. No plastics yet. At that time, the ports had fees for the commercial craft much like airports charge commercial airlines today. But the ports couldn't tell the difference between the comercial vessels and the pleasure vessels and since almost all the pleasure vessels at that time were documented, they were required to fly the yacht ensign (the U.S. type flag with the fowled anchor on it. But in the late 1980s (I'm now trying to find out the exact date) congress receinded ALL the laws pertaining to the U.S. Flags including the Yacht Ensign requirement for documented vessels. Anyone now can now fly that flag. Let me put my head on the chopping block one more time. If I were traveling around the world in my boat at the present time I believe I would like to have a number of Flags from different countries that I could hang off my stern. In spite of how I (and other Americans) feel about our flag, there are a number of places in the world that do not like American boats. I might fly the flag of Iceland or Singapore until I could make eye to eye contact. This procedure has been done many times in the past, particularly between America and England. Maybe I would design my own personal flag instead of a pennent and fly that. There are many U.S. commercial tankers and freighters who fly "flags of convience" from small countries so as not to have to pay large taxes to U.S. Ports. I wonder where they got that idea, eh? Good point, John. Thanks. Les
John, you are correct as usual. At one time the U.S. yacht ensign was mandatory for use on documented yachts. The reason was that most boats in the early 1900's whether they were working boats (commercial craft) or pleasure craft looked alike. Both had paid crew and were made of wood. No plastics yet. At that time, the ports had fees for the commercial craft much like airports charge commercial airlines today. But the ports couldn't tell the difference between the comercial vessels and the pleasure vessels and since almost all the pleasure vessels at that time were documented, they were required to fly the yacht ensign (the U.S. type flag with the fowled anchor on it. But in the late 1980s (I'm now trying to find out the exact date) congress receinded ALL the laws pertaining to the U.S. Flags including the Yacht Ensign requirement for documented vessels. Anyone now can now fly that flag. Let me put my head on the chopping block one more time. If I were traveling around the world in my boat at the present time I believe I would like to have a number of Flags from different countries that I could hang off my stern. In spite of how I (and other Americans) feel about our flag, there are a number of places in the world that do not like American boats. I might fly the flag of Iceland or Singapore until I could make eye to eye contact. This procedure has been done many times in the past, particularly between America and England. Maybe I would design my own personal flag instead of a pennent and fly that. There are many U.S. commercial tankers and freighters who fly "flags of convience" from small countries so as not to have to pay large taxes to U.S. Ports. I wonder where they got that idea, eh? Good point, John. Thanks. Les
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