Mast and Spreaders

[pumpkinpie]

I notice that on our Hunter there is a short rope going up from the deck to the first spreaders ( not sure what it's called), when you need to flag up a anchor ball, quarantine flag and other flags, should there be a second rope going toward the top of the mast for flags, anchor ball etc etc instead of the first spreader?

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

I would say no. That is called a flag halyard by the way

 

[pumpkinpie]

Thank you for pointing out the name. I wasn't sure if the flag halyard that I have that goes to the first spreader was correct? I've seen other sailboats where the flag halyard goes to the second spreader toward the top of the mast.

 

[JamesG161]

quarantine flag

What have you been drinking?
Jim...

PS: A wise crack from the "Pennant Gallery"

 

[Davidasailor26]

First spreader is pretty common from what I've seen. If it went to the second spreader it would always be chafing on the first.

 

[capta]

By flag etiquette the stb flag halyard is for a courtesy flag and the Q flag and the port spreader is for yacht club burgees or national flags of those aboard or any other flags one wishes to fly.
I've never seen any flag halyards to the second spreaders in over 5 decades of messin' about on boats, however some do fly a pennant (usually YC) on a jack staff from the masthead.
The anchor ball should be flown in the fore triangle forward of the main mast around 10 feet off the deck on a sloop, cutter, ketch or yawl, but forward of the foremast on a schooner.

 

[Justin_NSA]

My Hunter flag halyard attaches to the lower spreader also.

 

[rgranger]

What have you been drinking?
Jim...

PS: A wise crack from the "Pennant Gallery"

You are on a roll....

 

[quadrille38]

Thank you for pointing out the name. I wasn't sure if the flag halyard that I have that goes to the first spreader was correct? I've seen other sailboats where the flag halyard goes to the second spreader toward the top of the mast.

Yup on the 38 the flag halyard goes to the first spreader