dutch solo sailing

[Daydream believer]

I have been told that some dutch sailors, in Dutch waters, fly a flag on the backstay, to indicate that they are sailing solo.
Is this true & if so does anyone know what flag it is please?

 

[Davy_S]

 

[Adios]

Its been a long while but I don’t remember hearing about this and probably would have been told it by the dutch sailors I met there. Might be more recent though. What I did find useful was tying my ensign up my backstay so the bridge-keepers could see a Britisher was coming who would unfortunately of course speak no other language and perhaps not know the local way of doing things.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Funny you should mention this, as I was looking yesterday at the old listing from when I bought my boat, and noticed in the photos a flag flying from the backstay.

Since the vessel also has a proper ensign, I assume from these pics that it's the flag nation ensign that is flown:

 

[sailaboutvic]

My two pennys worth I don't think it would make any different where or how big the flag was ,
Is the lock keep going to repeat what he says in English , German, Swedes,France some how no .
Two days ago we was entering a lock there was three motor boat in front of two yacht , he was screening out in Dutch over his PA , none of the boats that's wasn't Dutch had no idea untill my co skipper called out to them in English and German " he said the sailing yacht to go first "
I sure they tho she was pulling their leg .

 

[dunedin]

I thought some flew the No1 flag signal to represent being solo - though rapidly being over taken by “Solo Sailor” on AIS name

 

[johnalison]

I first learned about it from an English sailor going solo over there. I think it is the first numeral, white with a red blob. It is apparently very effective over there and if worn everyone will rush to your aid at locks etc.

 

[bluerm166]

I queried an apparent japanese flag on a yacht in Sixhaven and was told that the large dia solid red disc on white ground was indicating a single hander.No numerals.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I first learned about it from an English sailor going solo over there. I think it is the first numeral, white with a red blob. It is apparently very effective over there and if worn everyone will rush to your aid at locks etc.

isn't normal that people help each other ?
we Always do if there solo or several on board .
Lock ...
when we first arrived lock where quite easy to deal with but the last week or so it mannic,
Locks are packed everyone racing to get In,
it's a free for all .
Best advise would be back and go in last and with a bit of luck you be able to go side to another boat.

 

[johnalison]

isn't normal that people help each other ?
we Always do if there solo or several on board .
Lock ...
when we first arrived lock where quite easy to deal with but the last week or so it mannic,
Locks are packed everyone racing to get In,
it's a free for all .
Best advise would be back and go in last and with a bit of luck you be able to go side to another boat.

Most people will be helpful to an extent, but sometimes a singlehander will need more assistance than a boat with even two people on board and the need may not be obvious if the singlehanded status is not noticeable.

I'm always happy to get into a lock, especially during busy times but have a perhaps unreasonable preference for a later boat waiting until I am tied up before they come alongside. I think the most challenging lock was one west of Groningen when a rain-storm came through with 30 kn winds across the lock at a busy time. Quite a bit of minor damage occurred, which we managed to escape. The large Holtenau lock with 30 kn up our stern was also interesting.

 

[Adios]

Worth learning the Dutch for "no, thank you very much" which is pronounced "nay dunkya well". I was well enough practiced single handed because obviously you can't rely on there being someone to help so I had a method. I'd usually put a short center cleat rope ashore before sorting it out. One night coming in onto a stone wall, pretty much in the dark, a very pished local rushed over from his BBQ, grabbed the rope out of my hands and rushed off forward with it dragging my boats rear quarter along the wall. He would have thought it was tied to the bow I guess so was going forward to tie it off. After that I tried to avoid anyone else being involved, unpredictable and language barrier.

 

[Adios]

My two pennys worth I don't think it would make any different where or how big the flag was ,
Is the lock keep going to repeat what he says in English , German, Swedes,France some how no .

I think it helps if the person talking to you in dutch through a load speaker from a bridge can have a visual clue why you're not following his instructions, worth doing unless you take a megaphone to shout back "I'm English so only speak English!". Young Nederlands invariably speak good english but less so the older folk who man bridges perhaps, but if they do I'm sure they will oblige to get the job done. Not a lock full of various nationalities perhaps but for approaching a bridge on your own or some other thing.

 

[sailaboutvic]

I think it helps if the person talking to you in dutch through a load speaker from a bridge can have a visual clue why you're not following his instructions, worth doing unless you take a megaphone to shout back "I'm English so only speak English!". Young Nederlands invariably speak good english but less so the older folk who man bridges perhaps, but if they do I'm sure they will oblige to get the job done. Not a lock full of various nationalities perhaps but for approaching a bridge on your own or some other thing.

First let me say half of the time there no tell what they saying even to a Dutch person as my partner . It a bit like a train station caller .

The times that they are calling out is because they want you to hurry up. Want you to move In as close as possible, they want yacht or in some cases motor boat to go in first or they want you to hold off from coming in. Take your pick .
Now if , which is very unlikely your the only boat you could have a good go at what they want but when there a load of boat who is he asking to do what ?

 

[sailaboutvic]

Worth learning the Dutch for "no, thank you very much" which is pronounced "nay dunkya well". I was well enough practiced single handed because obviously you can't rely on there being someone to help so I had a method. I'd usually put a short center cleat rope ashore before sorting it out. One night coming in onto a stone wall, pretty much in the dark, a very pished local rushed over from his BBQ, grabbed the rope out of my hands and rushed off forward with it dragging my boats rear quarter along the wall. He would have thought it was tied to the bow I guess so was going forward to tie it off. After that I tried to avoid anyone else being involved, unpredictable and language barrier.

This is a problem when someone comes to help , they can make things worst , and not just bystanders, but other crew from boat , just because they are on a boat it don't mean they understand what happen when they tie a rope and a boat still moving forward .
I was a solo sailor for 15 years some years back and I would try and not let anyone take my ropes , and even now when anyone comes to take line unless it's really necessary we just say no thank you .

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I queried an apparent japanese flag on a yacht in Sixhaven and was told that the large dia solid red disc on white ground was indicating a single hander.No numerals.

You could also fly a Gin Pennant over it if you fancy some company. The visiting wives might bring you some decent food.