Blue ensign

[Sailfree]

Just occurred to me that I am entitled to fly a blue ensign.

Do I bother?

I get various thoughts.

I should be proud of my club!

A blue ensign causes enmity in others.

It's expensive flag - what's wrong with a red ensign!

What are your thoughts?

 

[prv]

My dad (38 years' service and retired as Air Commodore) is very proud to sail under his RAF ensign and RAFSA burgee.

I am entirely happy with a 1-yard red ensign and the YBW tipsy mouse.

We both devoted especial scorn to the complete plonker in a large Halberg-Rassy who didn't have a clue about anchoring, last week, because he was conducting his high-speed ploughing operations under a large RYS white ensign.

Your choice

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

What are your thoughts?

What message, if any, do you want to send with your choice of ensign?

What message, if any, do you think people will take from your choice of ensign?

If the two match up reasonably ("None" and "Don't care") would be fine then fly any damn flag you please there.

 

[johnalison]

Why not? I am prepared to allow some respect to those wearing blue if it means that they have served their country.

 

[doug748]

I always thought it was a shame the system of fancy flags was not restricted to folk with a record of military service.

In my experience they take the privilege seriously and attend to the correct usage very carefully Even in foreign places, if you are not correctly dressed, it tends to be noticed and reported, tho an ordinary Joe Soap would never know this.

I think that buying a blue flag of the sake of it might feel a tiny bit like wearing someone else's medals.

 

[Tranona]

I always thought it was a shame the system of fancy flags was not restricted to folk with a record of military service.

In my experience they take the privilege seriously and attend to the correct usage very carefully Even in foreign places, if you are not correctly dressed, it tends to be noticed and reported, tho an ordinary Joe Soap would never know this.

I think that buying a blue flag of the sake of it might feel a tiny bit like wearing someone else's medals.

But a defaced blue ensign has little to do with military or medals. If you want to attach those attributes to one then you are in for a disappointment.

The only conditions of flying one are belonging to a club that has a warrant, being qualified as a member, owning a British registered yacht. Only flown with the owner on board and in conjunction with a club burgee.

Not difficult to comply with those conditions.

 

[DJE]

I just upgraded mine from a much repaired 1 yard red to a new 1.25 yard red.

 

[rich]

The only conditions of flying one are belonging to a club that has a warrant, being qualified as a member, owning a British registered yacht. Only flown with the owner on board and in conjunction with a club burgee.

Not difficult to comply with those conditions.

The best part is winding up others! :encouragement:

 

[Colvic Watson]

The best part is winding up others! :encouragement:

Is it sporting though? It's just toooooooo easy to wind them up about the colour of a flag.

 

[Sultans_Kapitein]

Just occurred to me that I am entitled to fly a blue ensign.

The only conditions of flying one are belonging to a club that has a warrant

One does not fly an ensign, one wears it

 

[JumbleDuck]

Is it sporting though? It's just toooooooo easy to wind them up about the colour of a flag.

Some of the Bufton-Tufton reactions to the Scottish red ensign can be very entertaining.

 

[JumbleDuck]

One does not fly an ensign, one wears it

You can wear yours if you want. I fly mine.

 

[chinita]

I mince and perambulate mine - that's what poseurs do, I believe.

 

[Searush]

I wear mine when I go aground . . .

 

[Biggles Wader]

Having spent a few of my formative years in the merchant navy under the red ensign I proudly fly,or wear,that and would not ever wish to fly anything else.

 

[Mariner69]

Now you come to mention it. My old boat has a white water line between the blue antifoul and red hull. She also has white upper works and sails. I reckon one of those nice blue flags would look a real treat on the back. Which chandler sells them? I don't want one with any yellow or other bits on it as it wont really fit with the colour scheme I have in mind.

 

[Mandarin331]

Now you come to mention it. My old boat has a white water line between the blue antifoul and red hull. She also has white upper works and sails. I reckon one of those nice blue flags would look a real treat on the back. Which chandler sells them? I don't want one with any yellow or other bits on it as it wont really fit with the colour scheme I have in mind.

Totally agree, one would go well with our new dodgers and sprayhood

Seriously though, I am very happy for those who have earned the right to wear whatever colour they like and you have my respect, I do have a problem with those who just regard it as a status symbol and then display their lack of seamanship or courtesy.

Meanwhile I am proud for my boat to wear the red ensign.

 

[Searush]

Now you come to mention it. My old boat has a white water line between the blue antifoul and red hull. She also has white upper works and sails. I reckon one of those nice blue flags would look a real treat on the back. Which chandler sells them? I don't want one with any yellow or other bits on it as it wont really fit with the colour scheme I have in mind.

You can buy then on-line quite cheaply. But if a naval officer chooses to ask for your warrant & you don't have one, he is entitled to confiscate your boat. :encouragement:

There was a time when wearing the Blue would have entitled you to a berth in any British Naval base, but I don't think they honour that any more.

 

[prv]

But if a naval officer chooses to ask for your warrant & you don't have one, he is entitled to confiscate your boat. :encouragement:

Sadly I think it's only the flag that can be confiscated

Pete

 

[JohnGC]

One does not fly an ensign, one wears it

One does not wear an ensign, one's boat does