Stork_III
Well-Known Member
I think you may be not be a naive as you appear, but look here http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/regssafety/flagetiquette/Pages/flagetiquette.aspx
Do I need an ensign for the Solent?
- Thread starter Zagato
- Start date
electrosys
Well-Known Member
Haven't a clue about the origins of courtesy flags - I'm not really a 'flag' person, and only fly 'em when legally obliged to do so. Maybe it has it's roots in the principle that erecting a flag is a sign of a claim to territory ? So by flying the flag of the established occupier, you'd be confirming that you weren't making a territorial claim. Just a wild guess.
Back to your own boat ... have you got a back-stay you could use ? Or perhaps the lower part of the wind-generator pole ?
Back to your own boat ... have you got a back-stay you could use ? Or perhaps the lower part of the wind-generator pole ?
Rigger Mortice
N/A
Yes, it does have a trollish feel about it doesn't it?
The answer to the shortage of space on the push pit is, of course, to remove the outboard, hang it from the spreaders and thereby create space for the red duster.
Zagato
Well-Known Member
I'm afraid so, it's all new to me, many on here will testify to that - thanks for the link, I need to look up burgee now!! Yes I was going to go on a RYA course but delayed it for a year as the boat wasn't going in this year but now I have been offered a mooring in Chichester it is going in. Yeah! watch out folks
I am asking questions and reading as much as poss in the meantime - don't worry I do know how to sail, rules of the road etc, sailed dinghys and my fathers 20 footers for years but he never used an ensign, VHF, compass etc! We only used to sail VERY close to the coast on nice days, 3 hour trips etc - he can't swim
My boat is a big dinghy really and I will build my experience up in her VERY gradually alongside training and won't put myself in a position at sea until I am fully prepared and trained in the necessary skills and legalities. I can see this season just pottering about in the Harbour with the kids and enjoying ourselves under the engine and I will venture further as the knowledge base increases. I have had many offers from people to come out with me which I will certainly take folks up on.
We've all got to start somewhere - it's amazing you can sail on and off for 30+ years in small boats having only done a level 4 RYA dinghy course but of course you don't need navigation/VHF/ensign knowledge for 5 nice sunny sails a year in the same place on small boats (within Falmouth Harbour!). I remember he did have a VHF in his last boat.
I asked my father what a blue ensign meant he didn't have a clue....I shall be venturing further afield in my sailing ambitions so proper training is a must.
Conclusion - attaching it to the backstay as in the RYA picture looks good to me - thanks
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Lady Campanula
N/A
It was long the tradition, in different-shaped ships, to run the relevant ensign up to the outer end of the main gaff, where it could best be seen. It was, and still is AFAIK, a maritime legal requirement to fly the ensign of your 'Flag State' of registry when entering the waters of another power...
You might care to consider doing something similar on your boat, but using the lower leech of your mainsail. Should you have several clew-eyelets for reefing, you could readily use e.g. the first and second eyelet to attach your 'Red Duster'...
That would be entirely in keeping with tradition, is easy to do, and would look 'right'.
Enjoi!
You might care to consider doing something similar on your boat, but using the lower leech of your mainsail. Should you have several clew-eyelets for reefing, you could readily use e.g. the first and second eyelet to attach your 'Red Duster'...
That would be entirely in keeping with tradition, is easy to do, and would look 'right'.
Enjoi!
Searush
Well-Known Member
A blue ensign only means that the boat is over 7m, Pt 1 registered, a member of a club authorised to issue members with warrants to fly a blue (or it could equally be a defaced red). It is one way of generating extra funds from members who enjoy the priviledge of being a little different.
Don't feel obliged to stop in a harbour, even one as large as Falmouth. There are lots of sheltered creeks to explore & Gweek is an easy day sail for a first "passage". It was the first passage for me & the family on a small charter cruiser. We called in at the Seal Sanctuary & flummoxed them by bypassing the turnstiles! They still managed to get the money off us tho!
Don't feel obliged to stop in a harbour, even one as large as Falmouth. There are lots of sheltered creeks to explore & Gweek is an easy day sail for a first "passage". It was the first passage for me & the family on a small charter cruiser. We called in at the Seal Sanctuary & flummoxed them by bypassing the turnstiles! They still managed to get the money off us tho!
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
Top Tip for Gweek: if you go into the village shop first you can pick up a flier giving 20% (or was it 25%) off admission to the seal sanctuaripoff. That makes it only "eyewateringly expensive" rather than "bowel-spasmingly extortionate".
Zagato
Well-Known Member
Thanks Searush - the most adventurous sails I did with my father where over to the Helford passage and back. I took my Drascombe on a Drascombe Rally last year from The Hamble to Cowes and back I had plenty of company for security but I've never experienced anything like it.
Going out of the Hamble was like being in the slow lane on the M25 and once in the Solent it was like splashing about in you local swimming pool with hundreds of other people - not nice, not my type of sailing.
I am hoping to pootle about in the harbour with my family on VERY calm days, a few ventures outside on my own to get the hang of the boat under sail and some quiet winter sails and a few nights on board on the estuary for Daddy time - can't wait.
I'm in no rush to do everything at once, their is plenty of time and similar to others it is only one of my interests....
I had plenty of company for security but I've never experienced anything like it. Going out of the Hamble was like being in the slow lane on the M25 and once in the Solent it was like splashing about in you local swimming pool with hundreds of other people - not nice, not my type of sailing.
I am hoping to pootle about in the harbour with my family on VERY calm days, a few ventures outside on my own to get the hang of the boat under sail and some quiet winter sails and a few nights on board on the estuary for Daddy time - can't wait.
I'm in no rush to do everything at once, their is plenty of time and similar to others it is only one of my interests....
Zagato
Well-Known Member
I nearly sold my Drascombe Longboat to a guy last year who for his near first sail (motor!) took his wife and kids from Penzanze to the Isles of Scilly in a 17' Drascombe Lugger - crazy, he couldn't navigate properly, said it was 40 miles and was surprised at one point that he couldn't see land Idiot!!
At least I know the dangers and will be trained and prepared.
Idiot!!At least I know the dangers and will be trained and prepared.
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VicS
Well-Known Member
Or save even more by booking on line!
Gweek Seal Sanctuary was still an independent charity when we visited. Not owned by the worlds second largest theme park and entertainments company.
I don't remember how much it cost but it was a very enjoyable outing.
I think this is called "thread drift"!
Zagato
Well-Known Member
I'll look out for you in The Harbour VicS but would advise to look out for me first lol
ostell
Well-Known Member
And what makes you think Chichester Harbour will be any different? Much better to go out of the harbour and play around in Hayling Bay.
Searush
Well-Known Member
Drascombes may be open boats (mostly) but they are VERY seaworthy. Read this stuff by Webb Chiles, who sailed his (called Chidiock Tichbourne) almost around the world.
I met a couple of guys with Coasters that were doing the West Coast of Scotland a few years back Excellent sea boats. She won't let you down if you are sensible.
I met a couple of guys with Coasters that were doing the West Coast of Scotland a few years back Excellent sea boats. She won't let you down if you are sensible.
Ubergeekian
Well-Known Member
The flier saving last October was exactly the same as the online saving - which we couldn't do because we didn't have a printer. It was the nice young lady at the till who suggested we take a stroll down to the village shop ...
It was good, but very expensive, even with the discount.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
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Zagato
Well-Known Member
Yes there are many accounts of long blue water passages in Drascombes. The lugger is almost better than the longer 21' Longboat as it is sturdier and stronger (Longboat is a stretched training version!). Mine didn't like hitting the short steep waves coming in from outside Itchenor even which is why we have moved to something that will just carve through all that.
It's not the boat that was unseaworthy but the sailor in my post. He realised afterwards what a crazy thing he had done from peoples reactions after he had told them....mine included.
If I ever go back to trailer sailing I would get another Drascombe but the coaster/cruiser next time (has cabin). If you knock that down flat it will come up again, it won't in a Longboat.
Zagato
Well-Known Member
Hayling Bay is where I will be playing as said but with the family we shall do as we did last year and just potter about in the harbour. The kids are only young and my wife is not a great sailor so even a days motoring/picnicking etc will be fine at this stage. I found the harbour last year to be quite relaxed and uncongested
The Hamble and beyond was a real eye opener Although it was the last Bank Holiday of the season - no ta! The Hamble has what seems like miles of moored boats either side until you eventually get out but Chichester Harbour is such a beautiful spacious spot. We were planning to move house to the Chichester area anyway but now that we have really discovered the Harbour we are moving plans forward.
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SailBobSquarePants
Well-Known Member
Zagato is no troll - I have corresponded with him for a number of months on YBW and I can confirm that while he is _very_ concerned with doing everything properly, he apparently does not have a lot of experience, and loves to ask questions. If you look back he was on early in the autumn last year asking for much advice...sometimes 2-4 threads a day of assorted questions, asked very politely and usually thanking whomever gave him advice. More new sailors should take the time to ask as many questions as he does...IMHO.
Now, as to whether or not I am a troll...
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Tom Price
N/A
[QUOTE=Zagato:
"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".
Aaaagh!!!
You will immediately identify yourself as a complete wally!
Must be at the stern or nowhere.
"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".
Aaaagh!!!
You will immediately identify yourself as a complete wally!
Must be at the stern or nowhere.
