Do you fly the flag?

[NautiDuck]

I thought I would dress up my C22 a bit by flying the US flag off the transom rail on a short pole. The last few times on the lake I noticed that not many people do this and yet it seems like a nautical tradition, correct? So, how many of you fly the national colors?

 

[CharlieCobra]

No place to put it yet.

The boat doesn't have any place to fly an ensign yet. It will soon though. Having served under the flag I'm proud to fly it.

 

[JeffC21331]

Depends on the day

I fly the U.S. flag on days such as veterans day, memorial day, etc. On all other days I fly both my Texas state flag, and my UT flag (the orange one with the longhorn).

 

[bob G.]

International Border

Since Lake Champlain forms a border with our fine neighbors to the north I like to fly the Stars And Stripes to distingush ourselves from our friends with the Maple Leaf.

 

[Karl]

Fly the flag

As an owner of a documented vessel, I am required to fly the flag when away from the dock. However, I would proudly fly the colors even if I wasn't required.

 

[Chris]

The Ensign

proudly flies from my starboard rear stay.

 

[mike c]

yes I do....

my yacht ensign flies while underway. The only time it comes down is during a race.

 

[Jeff D]

All the time

Since I no longer race, I fly the U.S.Ensign all of the time. It is attached to the leach about 1/3 of the way down from the top. Always there and covered by sailcover when not sailing. Also functions as a tell-tail to some extent.

 

[Tom s/v GAIA]

Every time I go out!!

nm

 

[Jon W.]

Documented boat flag flying requirement.?

I've never seen a requirement for documented boats to fly a flag. See the link. I don't think it's there.PS- Didn't we have about a 60 post thread on flag flying about 3 months ago? Oh yes, it's in the archive 2/26/06

 

[tweitz]

Old Glory

We always fly the flag under way or when we are aboard.

 

[Tsehum Pete]

The Maple Leaf

In Canada, when aboard I aways fly the national flag of the country of my boat's registration from the stern. Hence the Maple Leaf. When we visit the Excited States, we always respect their country and fly a Stars and Stripes courtesy flag from the starboard spreader. I think this is correct and in keeping with naval tradition.Peter

 

[Pooka 3]

YES - Attach to leech?

YES - I always fly the flag when boating. I am new to sailing and see my Chapmans says (p.589): fly the flag at a stern staff or the leech of the mainsail aprox. two-thirds the length of the leech above the clew. The question is: is the flag attached directly to the sail - if so how? - or is a seperate rope rigged? Ya- another new guy. Mike T.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Colors from the leach

This is a custom for gaff rigged boats that has been brought forward. They have a block to raise and lower the flag from the peak of the gaff spar. Marconi rigged sailboats would have to also install a block to the sail leach as there is a 0800 to sunset requirement for flying the flag. Not many folks want to do that to a sail so you don't see it flying from the leach much.On a similar note; I see that the proper place for a club pennant is the top of the mast. How many of you folks actually do this?

 

[h2opuppy]

Flags are good

Yes, we fly flags when sailing and often when at dock for the weekend, but take the flag down for evenings and during our absence from the boat. I see many folks fly all sorts of flags 24-7 and the extended time wears flags severely, with some flags in tatters for a year or more at a time.It appears that flying a flag from the sail's leech can get the flag tangled in the topping lift. We have seen some folks attach blocks onto the topping lift to fly the flag.Flying burgees from the masthead is traditional. That practice seems impractical on modern boats, considering the collection of lights, wind instruments and anetnnas aloft. We fly the U.S. flag from the stern rail, as there is a socket welded to the rails for a staff. We fly the Texas flag and burgees from the starboard spreader halyard.

 

[Mike]

Flags

In the words of John Prine; You're flag decal  won't get you into heaven anymore Its already overcorwded from you're dirty little war And Jesus don't like killin'  No matter what the reasons for And you flag decal won't get you Into heaven anymoreWords that ring true today!If I was to fly one it would be upside down!I sail for the love of sailing.Mike

 

[Richard]

Yes I do

We fly the Canadian Maple Leaf Flag from the back stay while on board - down when we leave.

 

[William]

Proud to fly the STARS and STRIPES

As a proud American and Veteran I fly the American flag whenever I am on the boat. I do fly a little larger flag these days to honor those that have faught and are fighting to keep this The Land of the Free. Since I sail in Lake Huron I also pay respect to our Canadian friends by flying the canadian flag while sailing.

 

[Louis Holub]

Stars and Stripes are always aboard...

I feel honored to display the USA Flag. It always looks inspiring seeing it waving from the mast rear stay. It definately looks great seeing other boats with displayed USA Flags also.

 

[Yo-Ho]

Sho

Almost everyone at my marina flies a flag when they go out. Also, I believe that you are supposed to fly your countries flag on the starboard mainstay and the country you are visiting on the port mainstay?