Flag pennant
- Thread starter heymagic
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Great question. I feel certain there is some official protocol that is to be followed but no one at my marina knew of any specific rule. Accordingly I fly my burgee on the upper starboard shroud above the spreader. I think most sailors at my marina fly the marina burgee in the same location. Hope this helps.
I have a halyard on the spreader and just installed one that runs along the backstay. I'm not sure how well the backstay halyard will work because the only available pin on the masthead was adjacent the topping lift rather than where the backstay attaches. My fear is the halyard will foul the topping lift, so I'm going to rig some rings to keep the halyard running along the backstay. Anyway, that's where we want to hoist our yacht ensign, rather than the spreader halyard, but mostly I've installed these so that my kids will be able to have another job on the boat as the "signal corps". We have about 4-5 different burgees and pennants for them to pick- smiley face, O'Day burgee, pirate (most popular), bunny, club burgee, etc.
My son is interested in seeing if he can rig a kite string through a flag clip to fly it from the backstay. I foresee a mess, but am willing to try if it means he's enjoying the boat.
Also, see: www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html for good info on where to fly burgees, pennants, ensigns, etc.....
My son is interested in seeing if he can rig a kite string through a flag clip to fly it from the backstay. I foresee a mess, but am willing to try if it means he's enjoying the boat.
Also, see: www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html for good info on where to fly burgees, pennants, ensigns, etc.....
Brugees go on the starboard spreader.
Flags go either on flagstaffs on the stern or I fly mine on the backstay. It makes a great wind indicator, especially when sailing downwind!
Flags go either on flagstaffs on the stern or I fly mine on the backstay. It makes a great wind indicator, especially when sailing downwind!
What Stu said.
But if you race, your should leave your backstay for your protest flag, and your class flag if your club uses them. According to racing rules and tradition, your should take DOWN your national flag when racing, unless it is the ensign version (anchor replacing stars). Some will say not even then.
But if you race, your should leave your backstay for your protest flag, and your class flag if your club uses them. According to racing rules and tradition, your should take DOWN your national flag when racing, unless it is the ensign version (anchor replacing stars). Some will say not even then.
Hey heymagic: I doubt you'd be able to mount your burgee above the spreader on your starboard upper - I know I can't reach that high... 
I use these Seachoice Halyard Flag Clips on my shrouds: http://www.seachoice.com/products/accessories/flag/halyard-flag-clip-2-per-card/ Of course now that I have plastic covers on the shrouds that I can't easily reach above, these halyard clips don't fit anymore. I guess I need to get the Antenna Flag Clips now: http://www.seachoice.com/products/accessories/flag/antenna-flag-clip-2-per-card/
You can wrap some electrical tape around the bare wire shroud where the clip goes on, to prevent the clip sliding around.
I have thought about rigging a dedicated flag halyard on the starboard spreader. I have thought about it so much, I went and bought all the stuff I need, I just haven't done it yet I figure I'd lash a small bullet block to the underside of the spreader a few inches inboard of the end, and use some 1/8" New England Rope polyester utility cord led down to a CS Johnson shroud cleat: http://www.csjohnson.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26 And then small brass clips on the halyard to clip the burgees onto. I'd lash the block, because I'm not keen on drilling holes in the spreader in order to mount an eyestrap for the block...
The biggest problem I have is that the shroud cleat isn't supposed to go down to a 1/8" wire size. That, and the fact that I haven't set up anything or lashed the block to the spreader, and the dang mast is already stepped... Eh, worst case scenario, I tie the boat tightly into the dock backwards so the starboard side is along the dock, and bring a ladder...
Ward, I put on my burgees (and pirate flag on backstay) when I'm sailing and take them off when I go home. This prolongs the life of the flags. A friend of mine will leave his backstay flag on all weekend, but tends to take it off during the week when he won't be there. I think he's got a flag halyard adjacent to his backstay.
I can now justify my silly desire to fly the Calico Jack Rackham style skull with crossed sabers pirate flag, because the 13 year old is currently HEAVILY into the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series... Yeah, flying pirate flags is juvenile and probably tacky, but what do I care?
Brian
I use these Seachoice Halyard Flag Clips on my shrouds: http://www.seachoice.com/products/accessories/flag/halyard-flag-clip-2-per-card/ Of course now that I have plastic covers on the shrouds that I can't easily reach above, these halyard clips don't fit anymore. I guess I need to get the Antenna Flag Clips now: http://www.seachoice.com/products/accessories/flag/antenna-flag-clip-2-per-card/ You can wrap some electrical tape around the bare wire shroud where the clip goes on, to prevent the clip sliding around.
I have thought about rigging a dedicated flag halyard on the starboard spreader. I have thought about it so much, I went and bought all the stuff I need, I just haven't done it yet
I figure I'd lash a small bullet block to the underside of the spreader a few inches inboard of the end, and use some 1/8" New England Rope polyester utility cord led down to a CS Johnson shroud cleat: http://www.csjohnson.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26 And then small brass clips on the halyard to clip the burgees onto. I'd lash the block, because I'm not keen on drilling holes in the spreader in order to mount an eyestrap for the block...The biggest problem I have is that the shroud cleat isn't supposed to go down to a 1/8" wire size. That, and the fact that I haven't set up anything or lashed the block to the spreader, and the dang mast is already stepped... Eh, worst case scenario, I tie the boat tightly into the dock backwards so the starboard side is along the dock, and bring a ladder...
Ward, I put on my burgees (and pirate flag on backstay) when I'm sailing and take them off when I go home. This prolongs the life of the flags. A friend of mine will leave his backstay flag on all weekend, but tends to take it off during the week when he won't be there. I think he's got a flag halyard adjacent to his backstay.
I can now justify my silly desire to fly the Calico Jack Rackham style skull with crossed sabers pirate flag, because the 13 year old is currently HEAVILY into the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series... Yeah, flying pirate flags is juvenile and probably tacky, but what do I care?
Brian
hello all
i have a split backstay, and i fly my US flag, and custom boat pennant just below where they come together... it is about 6 feet above the cockpit... i also have a flag halyard that goes to a flagpole ontop of my masthead, this is where i fly my Calico Jack Rackum pirate flag... by the way, nice choice in pirate flag too... flying the pirate flag is not childish, almost every boat at my friends marina flies one type of pirate flag or another... alot of them including my friend, flies the pirate flag with the martini glass on it... my burgee i have rigged on the starboard shroud and spreader... i put an eyelet with a block in my spreader about 3 inches in from the shroud, and ran the line through that, then mounted a cleat to the starboard stanchion near it.... works great for me... i have been thinking about adding 1 on the port side too just like it.. and fly the Air Force flag there, from my military days... my US flag/Ensign flag will always be on the transom area... and i might move the custom boat pennant to the bow....
sincerely
Jess
i have a split backstay, and i fly my US flag, and custom boat pennant just below where they come together... it is about 6 feet above the cockpit... i also have a flag halyard that goes to a flagpole ontop of my masthead, this is where i fly my Calico Jack Rackum pirate flag... by the way, nice choice in pirate flag too... flying the pirate flag is not childish, almost every boat at my friends marina flies one type of pirate flag or another... alot of them including my friend, flies the pirate flag with the martini glass on it... my burgee i have rigged on the starboard shroud and spreader... i put an eyelet with a block in my spreader about 3 inches in from the shroud, and ran the line through that, then mounted a cleat to the starboard stanchion near it.... works great for me... i have been thinking about adding 1 on the port side too just like it.. and fly the Air Force flag there, from my military days... my US flag/Ensign flag will always be on the transom area... and i might move the custom boat pennant to the bow....
sincerely
Jess
I fly my burgee on a "pig stick" or pendant staff which allows the flag to fly above my mast. Years ago I attached a cheek block to the side of my mast near the mast head and ran an 1/8" line through it with a horn cleat on the side of the mast. It looks real salty but, ya know what? It's noisy when left up at night. You need to do some tricky maneuvering when raising the stick in trying to avoid the Windex and aerial.
You're better off mounting a small sheave on your Starboard spreader for the burgee.
You're better off mounting a small sheave on your Starboard spreader for the burgee.
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National Ensign should be flown from a staff on the stern. On a gaff-rigged boat it is more proper to fly the ensign from the peak of the gaff and it is OK to fly the ensign 2/3 of the way up the leech of hte mainsail on a marconi (triangle) main....however, ONLY if you do not have a backstay, if you have a backstay then the ensign will get fouled if flown from the leech of the main. Although "tolerated", it is technically not correct to hoist the ensign on a halyard attached to the backstay. Because, again..it could foul with the sail. However, like far too many traditions of the sea.....Flag flying rules have become more casual over the years....... and so flying an ensign off the backstay may be acceptable now. So many sailors fly their ensigns this way, only a die-hard traditionalist like me would probably object......... so, I wouldn't sweat it....if it works for you....... I wouldn't change it. Deep down, I object more to a boat WITHOUT an Ensign, or with a too small one, than if it is flying off the backstay. At least I've never (that I remember?) seen a sailor flying a too-small ensign off the bow staff of a sailboat! I long ago lost count of how many powerboats I've seen doing that!
Just don't EVER, not EVER, fly the US National Ensign from the spreader! That location is reserved for the "courtesy" ensign of the foreign country you may be visiting, although Yacht Club Burgees belong at the masthead, the starboard spreader may be OK, and If you are a member of the USPS or USCGAUX, it is OK (not ideal. but OK) to fly those group's ensigns from the starboard spreader (not 100% correct, but I can't say anything........ my USCGAUX Ensign flies from my boat's starboard spreader!)
Whether you choose the National Ensign (standard 50 star US Flag) or the US Yacht Ensign (anchor and 13 stars instead of 50 stars on the union), one thing is be sure to get the correct size, at least 1" on the "fly" (long dimension) for each 1' of overall boat length, Up to 18' boat, get the 12" x 18", for 18-24' get the 16" x 24" ensign, and so on. I lke big ensigns, so I have the 16" x 24" on my little DS II.
Oh, and to answer the question about 24/7 flying, or take them down when you go ashore. I was taught to always take down the ensign(s) at dusk or when I go ashore. If I'm not on the boat (unless I'm coming back that same day) the ensignes are taken down and stowed below. Some owners do leave a burgee or aother small flag flying at the masthead 24/7 to keep birds from roosting there, a "private signal" or YC or Club Burgee could be used there. By stowing my flags while not aboard the boat, I have been able to get many year's use out of them before repalcement is needed, saves $$$$!
Just don't EVER, not EVER, fly the US National Ensign from the spreader! That location is reserved for the "courtesy" ensign of the foreign country you may be visiting, although Yacht Club Burgees belong at the masthead, the starboard spreader may be OK, and If you are a member of the USPS or USCGAUX, it is OK (not ideal. but OK) to fly those group's ensigns from the starboard spreader (not 100% correct, but I can't say anything........ my USCGAUX Ensign flies from my boat's starboard spreader!)
Whether you choose the National Ensign (standard 50 star US Flag) or the US Yacht Ensign (anchor and 13 stars instead of 50 stars on the union), one thing is be sure to get the correct size, at least 1" on the "fly" (long dimension) for each 1' of overall boat length, Up to 18' boat, get the 12" x 18", for 18-24' get the 16" x 24" ensign, and so on. I lke big ensigns, so I have the 16" x 24" on my little DS II.
Oh, and to answer the question about 24/7 flying, or take them down when you go ashore. I was taught to always take down the ensign(s) at dusk or when I go ashore. If I'm not on the boat (unless I'm coming back that same day) the ensignes are taken down and stowed below. Some owners do leave a burgee or aother small flag flying at the masthead 24/7 to keep birds from roosting there, a "private signal" or YC or Club Burgee could be used there. By stowing my flags while not aboard the boat, I have been able to get many year's use out of them before repalcement is needed, saves $$$$!
I support this! We fly a bunny and a smiley face burgee to keep my daughter happy. And both my kids love hoisting our Bart Roberts flag. Whatever makes them want to be on the boat, as long as it's safe, is all right by me.I can now justify my silly desire to fly the Calico Jack Rackham style skull with crossed sabers pirate flag, because the 13 year old is currently HEAVILY into the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series... Yeah, flying pirate flags is juvenile and probably tacky, but what do I care?
Brian
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