I read in Chapman’s Boating Etiquette that the United States Flag came be flown from the port spreader. I was just wondering how this is accomplished. Is there a block attached to the spreader, or the shroud?
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There are 2
type devices you can get from the boat store. Makes sure you know what size your spreader is.
type devices you can get from the boat store. Makes sure you know what size your spreader is.
ensign
If you fly an ensign from the port spreader, everytime you're on a starboard reach you'll have to listen to it whacking the main. This problem is especially pronounced with swept spreaders. You have no option but to fly small courtesy flags from the starboard spreader when in foreign ports, but you'll be doing yourself a favor by flying the ensign from the transom. (BTW, in the same way that a rope is always a "line" and the kitchen is the "galley," on a boat Old Glory is always the "ensign.")
If you fly an ensign from the port spreader, everytime you're on a starboard reach you'll have to listen to it whacking the main. This problem is especially pronounced with swept spreaders. You have no option but to fly small courtesy flags from the starboard spreader when in foreign ports, but you'll be doing yourself a favor by flying the ensign from the transom. (BTW, in the same way that a rope is always a "line" and the kitchen is the "galley," on a boat Old Glory is always the "ensign.")
Proper Flag Etiquette
You can not fly the national ensign on the spreaders on a sailboat. You must be misreading Chapman's Boating Etiquette. There only two proper locations to fly the national ensign on a sailboat. You can fly the national ensign at the stern or on a Marconi-rigged sailboat it can also be flown approximately 2/3 the length of the leech above the clew or on a gaff-rigged sailboat it can be flown from the peak of the after most gaff. If you are motoring only on a sailboat or if you are at anchor, you have to fly the national ensign at the stern only. Sailnet article on Flying the Flag. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=rousma0041 See the USPS link also. Fair winds, Clyde
You can not fly the national ensign on the spreaders on a sailboat. You must be misreading Chapman's Boating Etiquette. There only two proper locations to fly the national ensign on a sailboat. You can fly the national ensign at the stern or on a Marconi-rigged sailboat it can also be flown approximately 2/3 the length of the leech above the clew or on a gaff-rigged sailboat it can be flown from the peak of the after most gaff. If you are motoring only on a sailboat or if you are at anchor, you have to fly the national ensign at the stern only. Sailnet article on Flying the Flag. http://www.sailnet.com/collections/articles/index.cfm?articleid=rousma0041 See the USPS link also. Fair winds, Clyde
Save a Trip
Bob We rig our ensign on the backstay. Over our heads, but easy enough to attach and deploy. This is delibrately because I've seen so many people with flag staffs on their sterns with flags being blown into their cockpits when going downwind. When we go downwind, the ensign acts as a great wind telltale, which is, when you think about it, when you MOST need one. Instead of a flagstaff (and we have the fitting, but burned the short pole) consider rigging it on your backstay. May not fulfill all the 2/3 way up stuff, but works and looks great, doesn't hit my head, or anyone in the cockpit going downwind. It's also silent. Great looking going to windward and just as good a telltale on that or any other course. Stu
Bob We rig our ensign on the backstay. Over our heads, but easy enough to attach and deploy. This is delibrately because I've seen so many people with flag staffs on their sterns with flags being blown into their cockpits when going downwind. When we go downwind, the ensign acts as a great wind telltale, which is, when you think about it, when you MOST need one. Instead of a flagstaff (and we have the fitting, but burned the short pole) consider rigging it on your backstay. May not fulfill all the 2/3 way up stuff, but works and looks great, doesn't hit my head, or anyone in the cockpit going downwind. It's also silent. Great looking going to windward and just as good a telltale on that or any other course. Stu
Clyde, not to "pick" on your use of words
But you said you "You can not fly the national ensign ..." But it would have been more appropriate to say you "Should" not fly the national ensign .... according to generally accepted customs Even Rousmaniere who wrote the The Annapolis Book of Seamanship says "few of the basic flag etiquette rules of thumb" nothing is all that hard and fast and there is no law
But you said you "You can not fly the national ensign ..." But it would have been more appropriate to say you "Should" not fly the national ensign .... according to generally accepted customs Even Rousmaniere who wrote the The Annapolis Book of Seamanship says "few of the basic flag etiquette rules of thumb" nothing is all that hard and fast and there is no law
Tom, I ran into a third world customs agent
that was dead serious when he said it was a good thing that we were flying his countrys' courtesy flag or he would FINE US. He was just another petty, little man who didn't know what he was talking about. I didn't say a word, but my jaw stayed down awhile.
that was dead serious when he said it was a good thing that we were flying his countrys' courtesy flag or he would FINE US. He was just another petty, little man who didn't know what he was talking about. I didn't say a word, but my jaw stayed down awhile.
Fred - I don't disagree
When in other countries, I would always follow what is expected. Whether wrong or right, its their country. I was making my comments in respect to US waters
When in other countries, I would always follow what is expected. Whether wrong or right, its their country. I was making my comments in respect to US waters
Years ago, in a Barcelona marina ...
On a Sunday, I was standing the 0400-0800 watch on a US Destroyer when at about 0630 I saw Police officers (armed with machine guns) boarding boats that didn't display a courtesy flag. The look on the awakened faces, peering down the barrel of a gun, was priceless. For some odd reason, they chose not to board us. ;^) BTW, Franco was still in power back then. Hopefully, Spanish Police have mellowed since. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
On a Sunday, I was standing the 0400-0800 watch on a US Destroyer when at about 0630 I saw Police officers (armed with machine guns) boarding boats that didn't display a courtesy flag. The look on the awakened faces, peering down the barrel of a gun, was priceless. For some odd reason, they chose not to board us. ;^) BTW, Franco was still in power back then. Hopefully, Spanish Police have mellowed since. ~ Happy sails to you ~ _/) ~
There are no rules for flying the American Flag...
I have done some research on this subject and there are no rules about flying the American Flag. There were some but the U.S. congress reseinded them in 1991 if I remember correctly. A flag (burgee, pennant, etc) is a signal to let the other person, boat, car know what country it is from and also, in the case of boats, what it would like done, as in the "Q" flag to be admitted to the country. Someone on this list correctly said that the radio has taken the place of those signals to some extent. However, there are traditions as in not flying the flag at night (only because others can't see it) or to have a light on the flag. Most traditions were started by Chapman in approximately 1917 under the then Secretary of the Navy, FDR who requested some boating commands because of WW I. The marine ensign (the one with the anchor) was designed for private vessels so that they would not be harrassed about port fees which only applied to commerical boats and because back in those days, commercial boats and pleasure boats all looked alot alike. Later on that flag was generally assigned to documented vessels although, to this day, anyone can fly it. It is not normally accepted in foreign countries. While I get a bad disposition when I see a boat not "properly dressed" you can fly the flag anywheres you want. Tradition tells us where it has flown in the past.
I have done some research on this subject and there are no rules about flying the American Flag. There were some but the U.S. congress reseinded them in 1991 if I remember correctly. A flag (burgee, pennant, etc) is a signal to let the other person, boat, car know what country it is from and also, in the case of boats, what it would like done, as in the "Q" flag to be admitted to the country. Someone on this list correctly said that the radio has taken the place of those signals to some extent. However, there are traditions as in not flying the flag at night (only because others can't see it) or to have a light on the flag. Most traditions were started by Chapman in approximately 1917 under the then Secretary of the Navy, FDR who requested some boating commands because of WW I. The marine ensign (the one with the anchor) was designed for private vessels so that they would not be harrassed about port fees which only applied to commerical boats and because back in those days, commercial boats and pleasure boats all looked alot alike. Later on that flag was generally assigned to documented vessels although, to this day, anyone can fly it. It is not normally accepted in foreign countries. While I get a bad disposition when I see a boat not "properly dressed" you can fly the flag anywheres you want. Tradition tells us where it has flown in the past.
Fred, Ugly American?
I have traveled all over, from the Far East to the Middle and Near East. I found that I had a much better (and easier) time when I followed the customs and norm of the places I was visiting. We all get bent out of shape when visitors here do not abide by our conventions and expectations. Just think about what a "little man" you would sound like if the person in front of you was unaware that it is permisible and even expected of you to turn right on red. Our mothers did not teach us to be so close minded of others.
I have traveled all over, from the Far East to the Middle and Near East. I found that I had a much better (and easier) time when I followed the customs and norm of the places I was visiting. We all get bent out of shape when visitors here do not abide by our conventions and expectations. Just think about what a "little man" you would sound like if the person in front of you was unaware that it is permisible and even expected of you to turn right on red. Our mothers did not teach us to be so close minded of others.
a friend
gave us an American Flag that was flown aboard his plane while serving in Afganastan. rightly or wrongly it is PROUDLY flown from our starboard spreader.
gave us an American Flag that was flown aboard his plane while serving in Afganastan. rightly or wrongly it is PROUDLY flown from our starboard spreader.
Sam, I hope I didn't take your post wrong.
You weren't accusing me of being an ugly American, were you? Sam,,,,of course, you realize,,,you weren't there,,,,right???? Sam,,,, you realize,,, you didn't witness my reaction,,,,right? Sam,,,
You weren't accusing me of being an ugly American, were you? Sam,,,,of course, you realize,,,you weren't there,,,,right???? Sam,,,, you realize,,, you didn't witness my reaction,,,,right? Sam,,,
disagree with "no rules"
The US yacht ensign is supposed to be flown by documented yachts in home waters. However, it is not proper to fly the yacht ensign in foreign waters, at which point the standard 50-star US ensign is properly flown. (And I agree, don't you dare let a Mexican Port Captain see you in "his" waters without flying a Mexican courtesy flag from your starboard spreader. It's not only considered a serious breach of etiquette, but it's a violation of your cruising permit.)
The US yacht ensign is supposed to be flown by documented yachts in home waters. However, it is not proper to fly the yacht ensign in foreign waters, at which point the standard 50-star US ensign is properly flown. (And I agree, don't you dare let a Mexican Port Captain see you in "his" waters without flying a Mexican courtesy flag from your starboard spreader. It's not only considered a serious breach of etiquette, but it's a violation of your cruising permit.)
John, before we entered Mexico, we bought
a 'courtesy' flag. The only one we could find was as big as our old glory flag. It looked a little awkward up there but it was probably a good thing.
a 'courtesy' flag. The only one we could find was as big as our old glory flag. It looked a little awkward up there but it was probably a good thing.
You can get them from..
Almost any of the boating catalogs. Defender, Boat U.S., and West Marine sells them individually, and at least one those retailers sells a complete set at a volume-discount. ~ Happy sales to you ~ _/) ~
Almost any of the boating catalogs. Defender, Boat U.S., and West Marine sells them individually, and at least one those retailers sells a complete set at a volume-discount. ~ Happy sales to you ~ _/) ~
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