Red Ensign size

[[29051]]

I want to buy a good quality red ensign for my husband for Christmas. His boat is in Turkey so I can't measure up. please could anyone advise what would be a good size to fly on a 35 foot yacht (from a jackstaff) any brand recommendations would be helpful too.

 

[Pinnacle]

Some like theirs to be as big as possible - ie until it drags in the water.

For my part, I think one inch per foot length overall looks about right. So, I would go for a one yard ensign for your boat!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Norman_E]

One yard size is about right for a 35 footer. I cannot recommend a brand, but a sewn ensign gives a "quality" appearance compared to a printed one.

One thing to consider about size is that if the ensign is big enough for the wind to flap it against the back-stay or anything else, it will soon become frayed. I had to go one size smaller than recommended on my boat because the larger one became frayed against the back edge of the bimini, and also flapped against the helmsman (me) when sailing downwind.

 

[[2574]]

There are two methods of production of an ensign. The printed version (the colour is printed on the material) or the sewn version (where different colour materials are sewn together to create the overall flag). The latter is more expensive and perceived as being the "posh" option. You pays yer money and takes yer choice!

 

[Billjratt]

Obviously, you're going to be working from memory as to what is going to impede the "fly of the flag" but if there's space, go for as big as possible. I had a 1-1/2 yard on a 39 footer, and it was a sewn (sp). Now it's on a 30 footer and it has to go up the backstay, but it doesn't look out of place. At the price I payed, it will be flown until it's 2" long, it's already been zigzagged along the back end a couple of times. Great thing about the med sun, it fades the red to a kind of "lived in" colour.

 

[roger]

This very much depends on where you sail. At home Brits are usually pretty mean about ensign size relative to boat length and so are the French.
The Dutch ensigns are usually big and so are the Swedish ones.
If the Turks and Brits in Turkey use large ensigns then a 1 1/2 yard one might be appropriate.

 

[nightjar]

Try here. Suggest your maximum size is 1.5 yards. A 1 yard would be OK but don't go smaller.
http://www.flag-net.com/home.asp

 

[pvb]

I favour the Dutch approach - big and bold. You should get him at least a 1¼ yard ensign, and a 1½ yard probably wouldn't be too big. Certainly go for a sewn flag, rather than printed. A Google search for ensign sewn should turn up a few suppliers - SailGB prices seem reasonable.

 

[geoffatstanpit]

You should have a "Jack" (e.g. Union Jack but I think you need to be an RN ship) on a jackstaff at the bow. The ensign should be at the back on an ensign staff or at the peak if you have a gaff.

 

[cliffb]

I would have thought that the size depended a lot on the length of the jackstaff (or ensign staff!). My 36ft'er only has a short staff so could only accomodate a half yard job... (assuming we're talking length as opposed to hieght).

 

[sailorman]

one & a quarter yd, sewn not printed

 

[charles_reed]

Except

that the Netherlanders ALL fly light, printed flags which fly in any breeze - your sewn 1 1/2 yarder will sit like a pair Granny's bloomers round grandaughters' knees.

Just take a look next time.

 

[mikehibb]

Re: Except

Just bought a 1yd for my 33. It was previously dutch flagged, however previous owner must have been trying to keep a low profile as it had what could only be described as a dutch hanky flying when we went to look at it.

 

[pvb]

Re: Except

Ah, but remember it's a Christmas pressie - the "wow" factor of a sewn flag outweighs any practical considerations!

 

[JoeQ]

Magellan Flags supply a good quality product at a very reasonable price.

 

[[29051]]

Thank you all for your help. lovely sewn 1 yard flag arrived today and is hidden until Christmas. the yacht has just been released (escaped ?) from a charter agreement. she has not had a jack-staff before as they don't mix well with some charterers' mooring skills. Just a small cheap ensign on the back-stay. Hopefully the splendid new ensign will mark a new beginning...

 

[alan_d]

I'm sure he will like it.

As an unreconstructed pedant I will have to point out that a jackstaff is a flagpole at the bow (not often found on sailing boats). The thing at the stern you attach the ensign to is the ensign staff.

Sorry, I just can't help myself .... /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Alan

 

[FAITIRA]

[ QUOTE ]
Some like theirs to be as big as possible - ie until it drags in the water. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No thats just the Dutch!