Flag etiquette

kmart

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Jan 1, 2012
87
Pearson 10M Fall River, MA
So...so 4th of July coming up this weekend. I always fly Stars and Stripes when onboard my boat. Not just the 4th. But I also want to fly the gadsden flag on the starboard spreader for its historic patriotic meaning. Not current politics.
Am I asking for trouble by flying it?
 

Tim22

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Jun 16, 2014
256
Hunter 310 Ottawa
Starboard spreader is usually reserved for courtesy flags. Port side would be better but I can't say I would be offended either way and my family fought for the king!

Tim
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,722
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Only from my dock neighbor who only sees it as the TEA Party flag. I personally love it and think you should fly it proudly. Just don't let my dock neighbor see it.
And if someone complains about it being flown from the wrong dang spreader just point to the flag. Or fly the Gonzalez flag right below it.
 

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kmart

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Jan 1, 2012
87
Pearson 10M Fall River, MA
Related question. Just curious... Can a civilian fly the navy jack? Or is that really reserved for use by Navy ships only?
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
Or fly the Gonzalez flag right below it.
Better yet, one on each side. Totally removes any requirement for protocol, and if anybody complains, hang one off the aft staff too. (hoop 'em if they can't take a joke)
images.duckduckgo.com.jpg
 
Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
I guess that depends on the local regulations. Which is consumed first? If there aren't protocols, there's anarchy.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,304
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
It's America, my friend. You can do what you want unless you disrespect the national ensign... i.e. fly it in the place of honor... the stern. You wouldn't be asking your question here if you didn't think it might be offensive. But no one on this forum can tell you the sensitivities that exist in your particular marina. In retrospect, what is the motivation to fly a cartoon flag any way.... what is the message?
 
Apr 19, 2012
1,043
O'Day Daysailor 17 Nevis MN
I gotta get me one of those.
But is it proper to fly it above or below the flag with Martini glass on it ;-)
I'd put the martini flag first.

Beer before liquor: You've never been sicker.
Liquor before beer: You're in the clear.

As for the Gladstone flag. It's a historic American flag. Fly it proudly!
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
But I also want to fly the gadsden flag on the starboard spreader for its historic patriotic meaning.
Well at least it will match the typical level of grammatical correctness on SBO. Love this place but man, the average grammar and punctuation exhibited is terrible.
 

kmart

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Jan 1, 2012
87
Pearson 10M Fall River, MA
Well at least it will match the typical level of grammatical correctness on SBO. Love this place but man, the average grammar and punctuation exhibited is terrible.
Well.... I'll be first to admit....I screw up grammer all the time. (Often due to auto correct being incorrect ) But this time I think I spelled it right. Gadsden.

As for association with Tea Party...
Gadsden is historic from American Revolution. Tea Party may fly it...but they don't own it. Its an American symbol. The Navy Jack currently flown on All US warships is just a varient of Gadsden.

As for Martini flag higher than beer flag. For me... its Gotta be Martini first. Kmart... Mart short for Martini. My last name :)

As for Stars and Strips....I alway fly first and proudly at the stern off transom when underway or higher up on backstay (bigger flag) at dock.
K
 
Jun 8, 2004
3,002
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Kmart, I used to fly the first Navy Jack for the same reason the Navy does, I don't know of any restrictions on it's use, the marine helio's in my area seem to like it.
I did get tired of explaining the difference to those who mistook it for the Gadsden.