Do I need an ensign for the Solent?

[Zagato]

This maybe a protocol, versus trend, versus generation question but I am only going to be sailing as far as the Solent from Chichester Harbour. I don't mind having one I just don't want to look like a real tit or a goody goody by having one, I only have a 26' boat. Or is it OK to have one, I don't want to be seen to be showing off or flashy in my little boat.

Sorry if this insults some but I am new to the culture of sailing and don't want to be sniggered at - new boy with new pencil case and all that!!

 

[Lakesailor]

I have a red ensign for my Seahawk 17. They all come with them!

I have not flown mine.

It is still in very good condition and must be 25 years old.

 

[sailorman]

This maybe a protocol, versus trend, versus generation question but I am only going to be sailing as far as the Solent from Chichester Harbour. I don't mind having one I just don't want to look like a real tit or a goody goody by having one, I only have a 26' boat, or is it OK to have one, I don't want to be seen to be showing off or flashy in my little boat.

Sorry if this insults some but I am new to the culture of sailing and don't want to be sniggered at - new boy with new pencil case and all that!!

In Holland everything that floats has a national Ensign ( a BIG ONE too )

 

[VicS]

You may if you wish

many do, many dont

If you dont want to look flamboyant wear a modest sized one.

Red unless entitled to a blue.

daylight hours only( 0800 in summer 0900 in winter until sunset or 2100 whichever is earlier)

Not when racing

 

[macd]

Do I need an ensign for the Solent?

Only if you're registered outside the UK. Other than that, it's up to you, as is taking it down at sunset.

 

[VicS]

I have a red ensign for my Seahawk 17. They all come with them!

I have not flown mine.

It is still in very good condition and must be 25 years old.

One does not fly an Ensign, Mr Brown, one WEARS an Ensign.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Fly an ensign if you wish.
Don't fly one if you don't want to.
Leave it up 24/7 or adhere to the sunrise sunset thing.
The choice is yours.

Some people really care about these things but that is their choice.
I don't, but can understand and accept that others do.
Anyone who seeks to impose their own beliefs and rituals on others is in my opinion best avoided.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Fly an ensign if you wish.
Don't fly one if you don't want to.
Leave it up 24/7 or adhere to the sunrise sunset thing.
The choice is yours.

Some people really care about these things but that is their choice.
I don't, but can understand and accept that others do.
Anyone who seeks to impose their own beliefs and rituals on others is in my opinion best avoided.

Wot 'e said.

 

[macd]

Anyone who seeks to impose their own beliefs and rituals on others is in my opinion best avoided.

Is that a belief or a ritual?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Is that a belief or a ritual?

It's a belief, a ritual and a dogma

 

[prv]

I think it's much less of a big deal than you are supposing

Some people do get sniffy about flags being flown wrongly, but in your home waters it is perfectly correct either to fly or not fly an ensign as you choose, so you won't be rubbing them up the wrong way (if you cared).

I understand your point about looking too keen by flying one, if it were somehow "not cool" to do so, but in fact I've never encountered anyone who thinks like that. The only thing that begins to approach it is a few people I saw last summer who've taken to hanging huge battleship-sized red ensigns off the back of their RIBs, which looks a bit silly. A normal-sized ensign (no, there isn't an official size, just anything that's not comedically huge) on a small yacht will attract no comment whatsoever.

My own ensign flies from the peak of the mizzen gaff, so it's only up when the mizzen is set. Thus I sail sometimes with an ensign and sometimes without, and never worry about it either way. My boat is smaller than yours.

Pete

 

[macd]

It's a belief, a ritual and a dogma

Thanks for clearing that up. Have a splendid day (not that I'm insisting: feel free to have a lousy one if you prefer).

 

[bob26]

Decency

It's a belief, a ritual and a dogma

I thought you said it was "in my opinion..."

The attraction of sailing a small boat is that you can (within reason and the colregs) do, fly, wear (or not wear) more or less what you please provided you don't cause a hazard to others or outrage public decency. Happily, not hoisting your red duster doesn't yet fall into the latter category....imo.

 

[Ubergeekian]

A normal-sized ensign (no, there isn't an official size, just anything that's not comedically huge) on a small yacht will attract no comment whatsoever.

I've heard a guideline of "an inch of ensign per foot of boat" quoted, and that seems to work quite well, on the whole. Quite unofficial, though.

 

[Tom Price]

[QUOTE=bob26:
"provided you don't cause a hazard to others"

But you may well confuse them! Fo as VicS reminded us, racing means no ensign. So not wearing it suggests that you ARE racing, which could evoke a different response from others afloat.

That's an old can o' worms about observing Col Regs. Or not.
And national pride. Or lack of.

And the OP thanks us for clearing it up?
This thread hasn't even started yet!

 

[Danny]

This maybe a protocol, versus trend, versus generation question but I am only going to be sailing as far as the Solent from Chichester Harbour. I don't mind having one I just don't want to look like a real tit or a goody goody by having one, I only have a 26' boat. Or is it OK to have one, I don't want to be seen to be showing off or flashy in my little boat.

Sorry if this insults some but I am new to the culture of sailing and don't want to be sniggered at - new boy with new pencil case and all that!!

It's fun to have one - so you can salute RN vessels by dipping (lowering/raising) it and then watch with satisfaction as they respond in kind. After all you helped pay for the ship so you're entitled to a little respect.

Childish but fun.

 

[prv]

But you may well confuse them! Fo as VicS reminded us, racing means no ensign. So not wearing it suggests that you ARE racing, which could evoke a different response from others afloat.

Racing status in the Solent is indicated by being one of a huge swarm of identical boats going the same way, six inches apart.

Noone is going to mistake the OP for the next Scania RumnTotty Twice Round the Island Backwards Cup winner just because he's not flying an ensign.

Pete

 

[Zagato]

Yes there wont' be any confusion of the fact that I won't be racing her One day maybe!

No previous thanks for clearing it up but I am going to buy one as I like tradition and it will be good fun for the kids to hoist it. Uby's suggestion of 1" per foot sounds pretty good. Also good to know it doesn't have to go in a specific place so I will hang it from the main spreaders - Thanks folks

 

[electrosys]

... good to know it doesn't have to go in a specific place so I will hang it from the main spreaders ...

I wouldn't fly a red ensign from the spreaders, as it may be interpreted by Customs, Immigration and other busy-body agencies as the courtesy flag of a foreign vessel.

 

[Zagato]

Oh, do they have a specific place or where else would be good? It will be a bit crowded on my pushpit with wind generator and outboard!

I cannot understand flying the flag of the country you visit, surely if you are a Swede for instance visiting a country, wouldn't it be nice to let others know - whats the point otherwise, it doesn't serve any purpose!!!! We don't stick frech stickers on the backs of our cars when crossing the channel! I am obviously missing something...