attach flag to backstay
- Thread starter pupluv
- Start date
I use the DuBro flag clips http://shop.proseriesfishing.com/p/flag-clips?pp=12 I can only get my 3'x5' Calico Jack pirate flag as far up as I can reach, or as far as I feel like trying to push it up with my whisker pole. Eventually the clips work their way together as the flag flaps.
Putting burgees on the starboard upper shroud, I sometimes try to reach up and put some electrical tape around the wire, to prevent the clips from sliding together on the wire, but it doesn't last but a few times clipping the burgee on before it gets chewed up and needs replaced.
I have considered lashing a small bullet block to the backstay, and then running a 3/16" line for a flag halyard. It would allow me to get the pirate action roughly 1/3" up the backstay, higher than I can reach.
Putting burgees on the starboard upper shroud, I sometimes try to reach up and put some electrical tape around the wire, to prevent the clips from sliding together on the wire, but it doesn't last but a few times clipping the burgee on before it gets chewed up and needs replaced.
I have considered lashing a small bullet block to the backstay, and then running a 3/16" line for a flag halyard. It would allow me to get the pirate action roughly 1/3" up the backstay, higher than I can reach.
I have spring clips lashed to the backstay as high as I can reach.
I have some of the ones like shown in the first response, but they tend to slip down. Very annoying.
I have some of the ones like shown in the first response, but they tend to slip down. Very annoying.
Although no longer a hard, fast rule... it is traditional to reserve the backstay or stern flagstaff for the national ensign of a boat's country of registration. If you fly only a pirate flag from your backstay you are basically stating that your boat has no home. go figure.
I have a small block at the masthead. Attached to that is a 1/8 line that runs along the backstay to a shroud cleat. The cleat is mounted pretty high so that it's most comfortable for me to stand on a cockpit seat or on the transom to raise the flag. This seemed best just to keep things away from people while sailing. On the line are a couple of stainless clips, tied to the line to accommodate the size of our ensign. Those clips attach to the ensign AND the backstay so that they run up the stay, which keeps the line (and the flag) on the backstay. I used this arrangement because my mainsail is pretty close to the backstay and I wanted to keep the line from fouling on the sail. Sailcare sells kits for this, with the little clips (which I have not seen anywhere else) for about half what you'd pay for a Johnson flag halyard kit.
It works really well; we hoist the ensign up about 2/3-3/4 up the height of the backstay. Aside from being technically correct and (I think) looking very yachtsman like, the best thing about having a flag on the backstay is that it is a great wind indicator. We use it more often than the wind vane at the masthead.
One caution; we don't raise anything to the top out of fear that it may foul on a halyard or something else up there where things get tight. My kids really want to fly a big streamer up there, but I worry it would result in a tangled mess.
It works really well; we hoist the ensign up about 2/3-3/4 up the height of the backstay. Aside from being technically correct and (I think) looking very yachtsman like, the best thing about having a flag on the backstay is that it is a great wind indicator. We use it more often than the wind vane at the masthead.
One caution; we don't raise anything to the top out of fear that it may foul on a halyard or something else up there where things get tight. My kids really want to fly a big streamer up there, but I worry it would result in a tangled mess.
I'm happy just looting them of their beer.Or stating: "Prepare to be boarded and give up your loot and women!" Arrrrr!
Yeah, I agree... Women have a bad way of spending the loot. Plus, they are complicated. I can only handle one at a time in the best of circumstances...
I use a section of that white vinyl cable covering between the flag clips. This keeps the clips separated.
JerryA
I ran a continuous line to the back of the masthead without a pully. You can fly your flag at any height you want. Even multiple flags. Only changed out the line once in twenty years. It was very dirty..... heh heh. I fly a 6X10 American flag on it on the fourth of July. I attach the two brass clasps directly to the flag so there are no clips. SS
We tried inserting a short section of VHF antennae in the edge of our flag but it kept poking through the material. Since we're in Florida right now, away from a sewing machine and other materials, I just found a cheap yardstick to hold the grommets apart. An added bonus is being able to measure wave heights or set plug gaps.
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I had what could have been a serious issue using flag clips on the back stay of my boat.
When I bought my boat it had flag clips on the back stay. Before I splashed it last spring I replaced the side shrouds and back stay. I reinstalled the flag clips so I could fly my O'Day burgee.
My boat was in the water from mid June until Nov 1. When stripping the boat for the winter I took off the burgee and clips and found the back stay was badly worn from the flag clips.
I have had suggestions that it was electrolysis and that it was wear from dissimilar metals. My thought was they were so bent up that I had to rebend them and got them too tight.
Whatever the reason, the photos show the type of clips and the worn back stay that was less than 6 months old.
While I am sure others did/do not have this problem, I won't be putting clips on stays again.
For this season I will have separate flag shrouds.
When I bought my boat it had flag clips on the back stay. Before I splashed it last spring I replaced the side shrouds and back stay. I reinstalled the flag clips so I could fly my O'Day burgee.
My boat was in the water from mid June until Nov 1. When stripping the boat for the winter I took off the burgee and clips and found the back stay was badly worn from the flag clips.
I have had suggestions that it was electrolysis and that it was wear from dissimilar metals. My thought was they were so bent up that I had to rebend them and got them too tight.
Whatever the reason, the photos show the type of clips and the worn back stay that was less than 6 months old.
While I am sure others did/do not have this problem, I won't be putting clips on stays again.
For this season I will have separate flag shrouds.
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Wow, Ward, that looks really bad!
Note that when I use the flag clips - same type as you show, I only put the flag or burgees up for the day. All the rest of the time I'm not on the boat, I take them off and stow below. That, combined with the fact that the clips are always sliding on the wire, lead me to believe I won't suffer the same wear you show - but on the on the other hand, this is very good info to have.
Sorry you'll be looking to replace that backstay :cry:
Note that when I use the flag clips - same type as you show, I only put the flag or burgees up for the day. All the rest of the time I'm not on the boat, I take them off and stow below. That, combined with the fact that the clips are always sliding on the wire, lead me to believe I won't suffer the same wear you show - but on the on the other hand, this is very good info to have.
Sorry you'll be looking to replace that backstay :cry:
For what it worth, West Marina claims to have flag clips particularly for halyards, antennas, and I thought I saw backstays in the print catalog.
Naw, they are the same DuBro clips I listed.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50439&classNum=50449#.Uwv0C3lYwds
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50439&classNum=50449#.Uwv0C3lYwds
Wow Ward, a very serious issue indeed. A good old toggle and a button shroud cleat might be a safer option to attach a flag or burgee?
