Flags

[John Murphy]

Doc Holiday, Read Chapman's on flag ettiquette

Yeah I knew Old Glory flew from the stern. I was referring to club flags or other flags like the silly ones that have old guys rule or something on them. I don't see us taking our Mac into other country's waters any time soon. I do want to fly a small Aruba flag from my spreader but only when the larger US flag is up on the stern. (I hope to retire there and its a reminder to me why i work) Thanks to all.

DOC hOLIDAY, tOO BAD CONSUMPTION HAS RAVAGED YOUR LUNGS & BRAIN. pULL ANY TEETH LATELY?? aNYWHO, ANY EDITION OF cHAPMAN'S HAs A SECTION ON fLAG eTIQUETTE. I believe that if You are NOT in Aruba, then You should not be flying the 12 x 18 Aruba flag !!??!! Sorry @ the typing, I'm " computer challenged " Fair winds & following seas...

 

[Rich (P303)]

Just remember the spreader halyard in NOT the place for the national ensign. The place of honor for the stars and stripes, union jack etc. is on a flagstaff at the stern or hoisted on the backstay or end of the aftermost gaff on a gaff rigged vessel.

I'm taking down the Stars and Stripes. .. and going to fly something that is not pc. Up goes the Don't Tread On Me. Yes...The halyard cleat works very well.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Aw man really. I know some folks like to keep things traditional, calling the crapper a head and the such, which generally sounds to me like trying to impress non sailors. Jabsco, Sealand, Thetford, ALL call it a toilet, because we quit crapping off of "the head" of a boat 50 years ago. Well, some of us did. Flags as well. Like I said, if you are a cruiser, or traveller to other countries, these flags can be important. A lot of these wretched places are still living in the 19th century, and use them. In this country, I venture, that few people pay them any attention whatsoever. Or care. By and large I gather that the majority of sailors here are just coastal boats, and that is well and good, 95% of my boating is too. So which authority, or entity do you think is going to give a fat crap what kind of flag you fly? HANG ol' Glory from the stays, the mast, or the toilet paper holder, (whoops, head paper). If you like it, and it hurts no one, then go for it full throttle. This crazy country already makes it legal to hang one upside down, or to even burn it if you like. As it should. I don't personally, but that's the beauty.
Now, none of these behaviours do I exhibit, mostly out of respect for the whole patriotic, "We're number one" crowd, and again, so what.
It's your boat. Fly the wifes bloomers from the staff if you like it.
What could possibly be the big deal...

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'm flying the SBO ensign on my port spreader. I am ashamed to admit that I have a skull and crossbones with the message "What happens on board stays on board" (I just wish sumptin was happenin on board). My "Happy Hour" flag is about 3' long and narrow. It flaps against the mainsail too much when sailing so it must come down.

I fly the Stars and Stripes on the backstay, just above the split but I think someday I will add a flag staff to the stern. I think it looks more traditional that way.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Just remember the spreader halyard in NOT the place for the national ensign. The place of honor for the stars and stripes, union jack etc. is on a flagstaff at the stern or hoisted on the backstay or end of the aftermost gaff on a gaff rigged vessel.

What's so hard to understand? Just do it "right." Please.

Jolly Rogers are getting pretty old school and childish.

Starboard spreader flags will always make noise. So? Take them down and put them up when you "get there."

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Some of us still hold the country's flag in reverence and fly it properly with the respect it deserves. How it's flown reflects on the captain.

We notice. We give a . . . .

 

[Stu Jackson]

+1,000,000,000

 

[Chris Patterson]

My earlier rant seemed so contentious when I re read it this morning, I thought like a politician, and would retract, or revise. Clarify maybe? Anyway, my statement about how to hang old glory was by no means intended to rustle any feathers. I would never hang the flag upside down, or any other crazy thing like that. It SHOULD be treated with respect. But I see no reason other than tradition that says WHERE it should be. Most boats I see in the 30 or so range, it's a pretty safe bet it didn't come from Norway or wherever.
In retrospect, what really DOES pain me is the blokes that leave them flying looong after its service life. Tattered and frayed gives me host to several thoughts, none of which implies a skipper that is on top of his game.
Its really not that much trouble or expense to cut 'er down, and put up a new one. If you can't afford it, ask a vet, he'll probably buy you one. I would.

 

[Doc_holiday]

Just to clarify, I am a vet and do like to hold on to some degree of patriotism. In fact my American Flag was flown over the capital building in my honor as a gift from my grandparents, rest their souls. Flying a whimsical flag such as the "what happens on board stays on board" is all in fun and it would be a shame if anyone other than the spouse had a beef with that. If I find pleasure in flying a smaller Aruba flag, provided Old Glory was in her place, then so be it. The American flag is always first. That said, I see no difference in a tropical destination flag being any different than "old fart on board".

I'll deal with the day to day PC crap on land, the one place we all should be able to go and not be subject to it is on our boats. Besides without googling it, I doubt anyone, I will pass will even know what the flag is, maybe I will add a blue dot on the corner and declare it my new family crest.

I simply wanted to know how to best attach it, and how to run the Halyard from it so it didn't get in the way. I got my answer and thanks

 

[justsomeguy]

My earlier rant seemed so contentious when I re read it this morning, I thought like a politician, and would retract, or revise. -snip

I rather enjoyed it, actually.

 

[Kermit]

Flag threads always stir up controversy. The little bitty block on the spreader and shroud cleat work well for me. I mounted the cleat fairly high so the halyard would never be in the way.

Back to the controversy: I started my flag tradition out of ignorance but fly them with GREAT respect. I figured what is appropriate on land would be appropriate on a sailboat. Although I now understand what I'm doing is not technically correct, I feel it looks great and shows my honor for our nation, our state and our guest's state.

 

[tkanzler]

Speaking of flying the national ensign and other flags on land, the 'rules' are pretty much the same as they are for boats, at least when it comes to yacht club and navy/marine/USCG type flag staffs.

I stick with tradition as much as I can (and as much as I'm aware of), as many have given much or all to ensure there's a tradition to respect, but I'm not about to get on anyone who does things a little differently, as long as the intent and respect is there.

There's an interesting read here on a veteran's group vs a yacht club, where the vets didn't understand navy tradition for the display of the colors (YC tradition coming from navy tradition), with the Secretary of the Navy eventually weighing in. About half-way down the page. http://www.usps.org/national/fecom/faq/flag/gaffpole.html

 

[Doc_holiday]

We don't have gaff's on most sail boats but the similar spot would indeed be on the rear stay and I would gather slightly higher if possible than the spreaders but not required. An aft flag pole is also perfectly suitable. Seems to me, interjecting my own interpretation, that the us ensign should also be larger than any other burger or flag.

 

[Ron20324]

The September 2013 issue of Chesapeake Bay Magzine has a review of flag flying on page 14.