Flags

[Scubafill]

I know I am going to get a lot of abuse from this question but I learnt a long time ago that when you ask a stupid question loads of other people think "I'm glad somebody asked about this"

I am not x military so thats my excuse.

When you buy a flag it has a toggle at the top and about 300mm of line at the bottom.

What is the correct way of attaching the line to a flag pole, back stay etc.

Phil

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[Phoenix of Hamble]

Phil,

The flag pole should have a line running through a pulley (or just two holes) at the top, led from base of the mast... this will have a loop in it for fixing to the toggle.... the other end of the line is then attached to the '300mm' line with a reef knot, and the line is then tied off to a cleat near the base of the mast..... its done this way so that you don't fly the flag upside down... not a problem with some flags, but is definitely not good for others.....for example a Union Jack flown upside down is a sign of distress!

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[Vara]

Most signal halyards and the string on staffs have a loop,Toggle through loop and reef knot to other end,take up slack on cleat.
When rigging on back stay for racing and similar flags small bit of string with rolling hitch on the bight permanently rigged and rolling hitch from bottom of pennant(flag) to stay.
Ex Military but flag skills learnt in the cubs/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>If it can't be fixed with a lump hammer dont fit it!

 

[Casey]

When you put the toggle through the loop on the halyard make sure it is a tight fit; if not then take at least one complete turn around the toggle. This prevents the toggle slipping through the eye in the halyard in a blow. I didn't and have to take my mast down this winter to retrieve a flag halyard!!! to borrow someone's footnote in this forum 'Experience send in expensive bills'.

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[Scubafill]

Thanks guys
Got it
Phil

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[silvertop]

Thank God some one asked the question.

LOL

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[bob_tyler]

"for example a Union Jack flown upside down is a sign of distress!"

You will be if you wear a Union Flag on board. Think you mean Red, Blue or White ensign. Even if you did fly a Union Flag upside down, who would notice unless within only 10 metres or so.


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[peterb]

Knots

A reef knot is only good for joining two lines of the same type and size (and even then may not be reliable with intermittent loading). Use a sheet bend (single or double) instead.

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[Moose]

If we are going to be picky, it is actually a Union Flag/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.phantom37.co.uk>http://www.phantom37.co.uk</A>
Moose

 

[bob_tyler]

Re: Knots

I prefer to use a bowline through the loop under the ensign and also with courtesy flags, burgees etc.

The wooden toggle will of course slip through the grommet when joining two flags. (Like boy scouts and girl guides)

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[whisper]

Agreed. But what do you do when, like the MoBo flag supplied by our esteemed neighbour, there's no toggle nor short piece of twine at the bottom ? There's just a continuous piece of "string" from the top of the flag to the bottom.

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