Are you flagging?

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May 10, 2004
182
Catalina 30 Puget Sound
Flags

On my Cat 30, I fly a 3x5 Old Glory 2/3rds up the backstay with a POW flag 3 feet below it. I don't know of a way to attach a flag to the mainsail , so this works for me. I also sometimes fly a 3x5 Grand Union flag instead of Old Glory. The Grand Union is the first flag of the United States. It was flown in 1775.
 
Dec 2, 2003
1,637
Hunter 376 Warsash, England --
Hooray for the Canadians!

They do it right. BTW try dipping your ensign the next time you pass close to a surfaced submarine. Its great fun to watch a little sailor climb out of the fin and rush along the casing to dip their flag in response. Little things please little minds!
 
Feb 6, 2006
249
Hunter 23 Bay Shore, LI, NY
The yacht ensign

flies from the starboard split backstay from sunrise to sunset; any others (courtesy, etc.) fly from the starboard spreader. Flag etiquette is fun and keeps a tradition alive.
 
M

March Hare II

The Hare

Whenever we are underway we fly a 3'x5' ensign off the stern. The ensign gets retired at night. Additionally, whenever we on board, relaxing, (not working on the boat) we fly our "battle" flag, a 2'x3' of the March Hare and a 2'x3' Conch Republic flag from our starboard spreaders. If out of the country we fly the appropriate host flag from the port spreader.
 
Feb 1, 2006
32
Beneteau 361 Chicago
From the Spreader

we fly two Jolly Rogers. One says "No Quarter Given" and the other: "Surrender the Booty". I know, kind of childish, but we are having fun.
 
F

Frederick Cornman

Flags, Burgees, or Small Sails?

When cruising, flying your national ensign is important for identifying the vessel's home port and country. Additionally, the national flag of the country you are visiting should be flown while in their waters. But to fly our flag when underway in US coastal waters seems rather redundant, or 'landlubberish'. On the other hand, flying yacht club burgees, officer flags, and other related 'small sails'helps to identify the vessel while in local(or not-so-local)waters, and is appropriate. Flying kites, silly Walmart banners, and other stuff is what powerboaters do...Just remember, if you have to hoist the flag up something, be sure that you can get it down again!
 
Jun 15, 2004
3
S2 9.2A Colton's Point, Md.
Long may It wave!

I fly the Flag while I am underway. Even at night. Proper procedure I believe is for the flag to be taken down at sunset. Further the flag is suppose to be hoisted on a mast, staff, off of the gaff, or 2/3 the way up the sail on the leach. Now all though I now have a small staff to hoist my sail prior to obtaining I also flew the flag from the backstay and see nothing wrong with it. JS Moore Corvina
 
Apr 26, 2005
286
Beneteau Oceanis 390 Tsehum Harbour, BC, Canada
Canadian Eh??

I'm not into flying pirate fags or my former girl-friends underwear on Tula. Before leaving our slip we raise and lower on return: 1. Maple Leaf from the small pole on the radar arch at the stern 2. Starboard spreader signal halyard 4 burgees(order varies), Bluewater Cruising Association, Club Flag (SNSYC),New Zealand Red Ensign (I was born in NZ) and the Provincial flag of British Columbia (live in Alberta). 3. When visiting the Excited States, we fly the Stars and Stripes from the starboard signal line as a courtesy. I respect these flags each for different reasons and keep them below when not in use. I think this is all right, maybe not but who cares? Tula's Dad
 
Jun 7, 2004
19
Catalina 380 84 Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Yacht Ensign and Conch Republic flag

I mostly follow Chapman's instructions for my 27' documented sailboat, and raise the ensign at the stern as soon after 8:00 AM that I can wake up, and solemnly strike the colors at sunset. I also fly the flag of the Conch Republic on the starboard flag halyard, followed by the tilting martini flag. I have not been out of the country with my boat to the best of my knowledge. However, I have been good and lost a few times. My next door neighbor used to fly the jolly roger alone on his Zodiac. However, he has been dressed down a few times by the Coast Guard for racing it past the local sub base. Can't say I blame them.
 
J

jimg

Flags

U.S. Flag or Yacht Ensign: Always appropriate Yacht Club Burgee: Appropriate Owners signals: If you have one, ditto. State Flags: Never appropriate Martini Flags, etc.: Just plain stupid Jolly Roger: Used to signify pirates; now signifies drunks. Sailing is a field full of tradition, try to uphold a little.
 

DaveP

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Jun 2, 2004
29
Macgregor 26D Rogersville on the Tenn Tom Waterway
Flags

I always fly my 'Rebel' flag and 'Jolly Rogers'
 
R

Ron (Three Quarter Time)

Flags

Right or wrong, I fly three small flags off my starbord spreader, The American Flag, The Conch Republic flag, and the Lats & Atts burgee. All three represent, to me, the attitude I feel when I'm out sailing.
 
R

Ron Weiss

Flags

I fly the American Flag from 8am to sunset from the back stay. I fly the RYC burgee from the masthead.
 
Jun 3, 2004
27
Oday 26 Flowery Branch, GA
"Don't Tread on Me"

This is in addendum to "National Pride/American Unity." I wish I could find a small replica of the "Don't Tread on Me" rattlesnake flag to fly on the stern rail.
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Rattlesnake flag -----

http://www.united-states-flag.com/rewar.html .... and yes its PROPER to fly ANY former US national flag, including the 'rattlesnake flag' (either version !)
 
Jun 8, 2004
2,955
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Thanks for the link RichH, Gonna order a few

of the 1st Navy Jacks for special occasions and as gifts for fellow sailors. The following is from the description of the flag and I didn't realize the Navy was flying it now. "Currently, the Secretary of the Navy, Gordon R. England, has ordered all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack in place of the Union Jack for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism. In a memo to all ships and stations, England explained:" "The temporary substitution of this Jack represents a historic reminder of the nation's and Navy's origin and will to persevere and triumph." I like it.
 

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
I fly.....

...flags as per "Sailing Instructions" and nothing else.
 
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