Ensigns

[Clive_Rigden]

Appologies in advance if this is an hoary old topic:

I've got to get a new ensign; what's the general rule of thumb re size of ensign to lenth of boat?

 

[Sans Bateau]

If you are Dutch, it should be large enough to just touch the sea.

 

[Clive_Rigden]

A) I'm not dutch &
b) if it's flown from the backstay I couln't afford the cloth! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Das_Boot]

Remember to keep the Union Jack in the bottom left corner looking at it from port side.

The Dutch allways laugh at the French because they have to buy a new one when the last colour wears off Whereas they can keep theirs until it is a miniscule rag.

 

[boatmike]

There's no rule as far as I know. Most people with average size boats (30-40ft) use one about 3 ft long. Seems about right, but you can have as big a one as you like......

 

[l'escargot]

An oft quoted rule of thumb is an inch for every foot of boat length.

 

[miranda_d_m]

The general rule of thumb is one inch of the fly to one foot of the boat. For a 27-34ft LOA boat the suggested size is a yard. For 35-42ft boat the suggested size is one and a quarter yards. This is imperial because, at least this is my understanding, flags always used to be ordered by the 'hoist' and one hoist was six inches. The number of hoists one ordered determined the length of the fly. So a three hoist flag would give you a yard on the fly.

However the Yachtsman's Handbook states that the RN measures flags in breadths and that a breadth was nine inches. Whether it is hoists or breadths the ratio of 1:2 is the defining factor. They are not supposed to touch the water. It follows that a boat with high topsides can probably carry a bigger ensign than one with a low freeboard.

 

[Beagle]

[ QUOTE ]
If you are Dutch, it should be large enough to just touch the sea.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's valid for old-timers (sorry, "classics") only.

Modern yachts: as cheap as possible!

 

[stormeagle]

Dear Commodore Kyber,
You should know that the ensign should NEVER touch the water. Personally I have two - one for passage making (24") and another for high days and holidays, which is 1 1/2 yards. I am 40ft overall. I would love to wear our burgee when you get around to producing a decent size article ( put the bite on Adrian Alley!).
I am presently in Cannes sans boat. join her in Trapani next week climb out of the slime and join me!
Regards, DD 4coy

 

[billcowan]

The fishing boats in NE Scotland just paint their ensigns on both sides of the wheelhouse.

Personally I like a nice big one, but only fly it near land.