Ensign question - oh no, not again!

[Rigger Mortice]

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

Plonker . The angle is similar, but the orientation is different.

I could, of course have my flagstaff leaning forward. Meaning that my rig is perfectly normal but my flagstaff is peculiar.

Double Plonker.

 

[prv]

Putting an ensign on the backstay seems a particularly British aberration as I seldom see it abroad.

I think Americans tend to do it as well.

Makes sense to me, much better to have the ensign flying up in the breeze rather than plastering itself against the stern railings and all the junk that people tend to stow there.

Personally, being well endowed with gaffs, I fly mine from the peak of the mizzen. This is the most beautiful option, albeit at a small cost in convenience when sail-handling becomes entangled with flag-handling.

Pete

 

[chinita]

I could, of course have my flagstaff leaning forward. Meaning that my rig is perfectly normal but my flagstaff is peculiar.

Why don't you try it, just for a laugh, and offer the same explanation to those who (may) wish to comment?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Why don't you try it, just for a laugh, and offer the same explanation to those who (may) wish to comment?

Tempting. Very tempting indeed!

 

[chinita]

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!

One of my boats has a S/S square arch (if an arch can be square?) with all kinds of gubbins mounted on it - wind generator, GPS antenna, VHF antenna - but, luckily, the fabricator added flag doo-dahs - a half ring ( can you have half a ring?) and a cleat - on to it on the port side upright.

Not perfect as it is not at a jaunty angle but extremely practical.

The other boat - (MAB) has an ensign staff which is constantly falling out of the socket or breaking off when I get into a mess trying to berth in one of those marina thingies. MABs do not really like marinas.

In summary; just do what you want.

 

[chinita]

Tempting. Very tempting indeed!

You could plan for 1 April.

Here's another thought. Have two flagstaffs, one facing forward and one aft and tell people that you use them according to which way the wind is blowing.

 

[uxb]

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?

We got 'Hurrumph'd and tutted at in Falmouth for flying the Saltire - and warships don't return a slaute if you dip it.

 

[ukmctc]

We got 'Hurrumph'd and tutted at in Falmouth for flying the Saltire - and warships don't return a slaute if you dip it.

Yes, I fly the Scottish Ensign (being Scottish), and if I really want to upset them I fly the New Zealand Flag ( wife being a Kiwi), Thats fun as it makes them think we're part of some royal club.

 

[chinita]

it makes them think we're part of some royal club.

Really. How would you know that?

Did 'they' all tell you?

 

[Fantasie 19]

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?

No it's not a myth - I have been "advised" & in very strong terms.... not pleasant, and even more so when you have no idea you are in the wrong....

 

[nigelmercier]

No it's not a myth - I have been "advised" & in very strong terms...

Some people need to get a life

As an aside to this thread, note that the position for a courtesy flag is not so lax; it must be to starboard - the "senior" side.

 

[Cardo]

Some people need to get a life

As an aside to this thread, note that the position for a courtesy flag is not so lax; it must be to starboard - the "senior" side.

What goes on the port side?

 

[VicS]

What goes on the port side?

A Q flag, when a Q flag is required, if there is already a courtesy ensign on the starboard side.

I fly my RYA and RNLI house flags from the port spreader although not actually correct.
I do so because I have so much junk at the mast head that I fly my club burgee from the starboard spreader.

Maybe code flags should be flown on the port side .. I dont know. I guess so if there is a courtesy ensign on the stbd side.

 

[Cardo]

A Q flag, when a Q flag is required, if there is already a courtesy ensign on the starboard side.

I fly my RYA and RNLI house flags from the port spreader although not actually correct.
I do so because I have so much junk at the mast head that I fly my club burgee from the starboard spreader.

Maybe code flags should be flown on the port side .. I dont know. I guess so if there is a courtesy ensign on the stbd side.

Ok, so if you have a club burgee and a courtesy flag up on the starboard spreader, what order do they go in?

 

[andygc]

and if I really want to upset them I fly the New Zealand Flag ( wife being a Kiwi), Thats fun as it makes them think we're part of some royal club.

Displaying your Scottishness or hoisting any other regional flag may be harmless fun, but sailing under false colours is a criminal offence. Let us just hope that while you are trying to irritate "them" (whoever them might be) a particularly bloody-minded commissioned officer in HM Forces or an equally bloody-minded policeman comes across you when you do it. No doubt you will find the fine great fun.

 

[andygc]

Ok, so if you have a club burgee and a courtesy flag up on the starboard spreader, what order do they go in?

They don't, you move the club burgee across to the port flag halyard. (or fly it at the masthead if you possibly can)

 

[VicS]

Ok, so if you have a club burgee and a courtesy flag up on the starboard spreader, what order do they go in?

A good question to which there is not a wholly acceptable answer except to say that you do not, even though the logical solution, fly the burgee on the same halyard above a courtesy ensign.

 

[Fascadale]

Backstay works for me

Plus a "Where is it", the place that is, not the flag

(Manson not a Rocna, and yes the topping lift does look a bit tight)

 

[vyv_cox]

Backstay works for me

In 2010 I bought a new ensign and flew it from the backstay. This was the year we cruised the Cyclades, enjoying (?) winds of force 7 and above for the whole of August and more. By the end of the season my new ensign was in tatters. Not only that but the noise it made was quite considerable.

This season I put its replacement on the arch instead, where it barely moves and has lasted well. Here it is in some rather unseasonal Greeek weather, 0900 on 9th October, 2011.

 

[NormanS]

Backstay works for me

Plus a "Where is it", the place that is, not the flag

(Manson not a Rocna, and yes the topping lift does look a bit tight)

Looks as if you are just off Burntisland. (Firth of Forth, with Edinburgh in the background.