Ensign question - oh no, not again!

[Cardo]

So the previous owner flew a tiny ensign (maybe 1/2 yard) off the radar pole mounted on the stern of the boat.

We've requested a more adequately sized ensign (1 yard) for Christmas and I was wondering whether flying it from the radar pole is acceptable?

Problem is, with the modifications to the stern that she's had, the original ensign staff holder is no longer suitable and I'm not entirely sure where we would stick a staff!

 

[Poignard]

So the previous owner flew a tiny ensign (maybe 1/2 yard) off the radar pole mounted on the stern of the boat.

We've requested a more adequately sized ensign (1 yard) for Christmas and I was wondering whether flying it from the radar pole is acceptable?

Problem is, with the modifications to the stern that she's had, the original ensign staff holder is no longer suitable and I'm not entirely sure where we would stick a staff!

Why not? I fly mine from a backstay because I have a windvane.

Anyway if anyone objects, just tell them the pole is your ensign staff but you decided to put your radar aerial on top of it.

 

[VicS]

From a staff on the taffrail is the traditional place but anywhere at the stern would be acceptable

Backstay, peak of the gaff if gaffed rigged, staff at the peak of a mizzen mast all accepatble places.

Some bumph on flag etiquette on the RYA website but it's been dumbed down a bit from the old C4 booklet that it replaces

 

[VicMallows]

But 1 yard has to be the maximum ..... unless you want to look like a Dutchman.

Vic

 

[Cardo]

But 1 yard has to be the maximum ..... unless you want to look like a Dutchman.

Vic

Is that bad?

 

[ukmctc]

So the previous owner flew a tiny ensign (maybe 1/2 yard) off the radar pole mounted on the stern of the boat.

We've requested a more adequately sized ensign (1 yard) for Christmas and I was wondering whether flying it from the radar pole is acceptable?

Problem is, with the modifications to the stern that she's had, the original ensign staff holder is no longer suitable and I'm not entirely sure where we would stick a staff!

you can fly it off anything, if you want to fly it at all.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Slightly off course but still related.

Re the size of ensign: I remember vaguely that there was an old rule-of-thumb that suggested one inch for every foot overall length. Is this a good guide? Boat is 32ft LOA but the stainless staff (with welded lugs) seems to me to be too piddly and I intend to make a new wooden one.

 

[Cardo]

...if you want to fly it at all.

:O

 

[VicS]

you can fly it off anything, if you want to fly it at all.

You don't fly an Ensign anyway. You, or at least your boat, wears an Ensign.

 

[uxb]

Fly it where it makes you happy.

The bigger the better!

"Flag Etiquette" is dead.

Says the man who proudly flies a Saltire.

 

[Cardo]

"Flag Etiquette" is dead.

This makes me sad.

I must be one of the few "younger" people who actually likes tradition.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use my stainless pole at the stern which has a windvane, radio aerial & spare VHF aerial for flying my 5' x 3' Skull & Crossbones!

(but I do wear an ensign from the traditional staff - I suppose thats not allowable with thye Skull & Crossbones........)

 

[Rigger Mortice]

FWIW I quite like following flag etiquette. Just for the sake of it, but I certainly don't get obsessive about it.

I also think that ridiculously oversized ensigns just look silly, but if people want to look silly and wear the things it's entirely up to them.

By the same token I think that wearing jeans halfway down your legs with your bum on view to the big world looks silly but, if people want to do it, then it's up to them. It gives me a laugh, so I'm happy too!

 

[uxb]

I also think that ridiculously oversized ensigns just look silly, but if people want to look silly and wear the things it's entirely up to them.

Exactly.

 

[Fantasie 19]

This makes me sad.

I must be one of the few "younger" people who actually likes tradition.

Me too - but you need to get it right or all sorts of people come and tell you what you're doing wrong...

To the OP -

• fly... oops, wear, it from the backstay of you wish
• don't wear it after sundown
• ditto when boat ashore

..should keep you out of trouble..

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Me too - but you need to get it right or all sorts of people come and tell you what you're doing wrong...

In reality, does that ever happen? I have never been told off and have never heard of anyone being taken to task for getting it wrong......except in jest.

Or is it just a maritime myth?

 

[johnalison]

Putting an ensign on the backstay seems a particularly British aberration as I seldom see it abroad. My main objection is aesthetic in that when stationary the ensign just flops forward and looks bedraggled, whereas an ensign on a staff drapes itself elegantly towards the water below. The rule with mizzens is different of course.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

My initial reaction was to agree with that but it occurs to me that the angle of the backstay is not very different from the angle of the typical staff. So, surely the ensign will drape iteself in much the same way?

But I do agree that a staff looks good even though I use my backstay!

 

[chinita]

My initial reaction was to agree with that but it occurs to me that the angle of the backstay is not very different from the angle of the typical staff. So, surely the ensign will drape iteself in much the same way?

But I do agree that a staff looks good even though I use my backstay!

You must have a very peculiar rig if your backstay is angled the same way as your flagstaff

 

[Cardo]

Me too - but you need to get it right or all sorts of people come and tell you what you're doing wrong...

To the OP -

• fly... oops, wear, it from the backstay of you wish
• don't wear it after sundown
• ditto when boat ashore

..should keep you out of trouble..

I am the OP!