Inclination of Ensign staff?

[Krusty]

What are the forum's opinions on the best angle of inclination for the ensign staff! Too near the vertical, and the ensign twists round it in the slightest eddy; too far off the vertical and it looks like a fairground toy!
The query arises from the need to replace a broken base. Is there a ''correct'' angle?

 

[Cliveshep]

Standard off the shelf bases seem to incline about 10-15deg off the vertical which does seem to allow the flag to "fly" rather than wrap itself all around the staff in the slightest breeze.

We have a jackstaff at the bow which is vertical, SWMBO has her own ensign on that (we're a bit of a multi-national and sod convention) but it does wrap itself around that vertical jack.

"My" red duster hangs on a stern jack at an angle over the stern which is useful for wiping muddy hands when coming aboard over the stern from the tender.

(Just joking Your Majesty!)

 

[FullCircle]

I rather like the curving one on sailormans fine craft. When mine breaks, I am going to get one of them. Oh yes, and a giant ensign like the cloggies have, just brushing the water line when heeled.

 

[Lakesailor]

There's a boat for sale on eBay with pleasingly large ensign

 

[Wansworth]

I belivethe Americans held their flag out with somekind of titanium telescopic rod,so it couldbe seen we whilst on the moon,you coulddoalot worse,failing that contact the R.Y.S in Cowes ,very nice people.

 

[Koeketiene]

If you do go for a giant cloggie style ensign it's best to fly it from the backstay.

Unless you like the "sooty" look.

 

[johnalison]

I always assume the ensign on the backstay is there to dry after being washed because that's how sloppy it looks. Only flies right when motoring astern.

 

[Koeketiene]

Lots of reasons to fly ensign from the backstay:

1. Windvane pilot
2. Ensign does not look sooty
3. In the age of sail the ensign only flew from an ensign staff when in port - always aloft at sea
4. When I have to hoist the main I have to go forward to the mast. I always know when we're steering straight into the wind -> I just have to look at the ensign.

 

[johnalison]

Weird
1 windvane 2 feet above the counter?
2 my ensign only gets dirty when I put the O/B on the pushpit without a cover.
3 I have a bermudian rig, so no gaff to carry the ensign
4 the mainsail tells me where the wind is, not to mention the wind on my face, and the windex, and the burgee, and the water.

 

[duncanmack]

Would it be impolite to suggest that the angle of inclination from the vertical might depend on the age of the vessel? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Krusty]

Slightly impolite, perhaps, but we (Piota and skipper) are not markedly stooping (yet!).
Offshore we run a rather faded 'passage-making' ensign up the backstay to about 2/3rds height, but close inshore before entering an anchorage or harbour, especially in foreign waters, we haul it down and like to wear a clean, bright ensign on the stern, almost touching water.
The staff socket is mounted at about deck level, but on the self-steering gear frame abaft the vane unit, so it can really only be used when finished with self-steering and the vane is locked. Even so, it can sometimes wrap itself around the gear, so a good angle of inclination helps to keep it clear, and show our 'colours' to good effect.
After all the red ensign is rather handsome, unlike some of the insipid flags that poor sailors of some nationalities have to live with!

 

[gandy]

This is what I call a decent sized ensign ....