Sail numbers

[[2574]]

I'm quite keen to have an identification number on our new mainsail so that we're not "another white boat with white sails in amongst the thousands". The NCI always ask that a boat has a means of identification whether it be on dodgers or the sail. Seems sensible to me.

So, what number to put on the sail? I have an RYA registered sail number which is kind of obvious but I'm wondering whether putting our call sign up there wouldn't be more sensible because it's shorter and it's a number which I'm more likely to recognise if I hear it being called on the VHF. Any drawbacks using the callsign?

We don't race anywhere so that's not important to us.

TIA

Rob

 

[Bodach na mara]

I wondered about that myself and settled for the class letters and hull number. That is what is done in dinghies.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I guess you can put (within reason!) whatever you like, but as you've already identified, the correct thing to do is to put the number issued by the appropriate national issuing body on the sail. Which in the case of the UK is the RYA.

FWIW, I think anything other than a number would look a bit odd!

 

[prv]

FWIW, I think anything other than a number would look a bit odd!

We have "CY33", the 33rd Cornish Yawl built by Cornish Crabbers. I guess that's the same pattern as Wight Dawn's dinghies. The letters are quite large, and the whole effect is (presumably deliberately) vaguely reminiscent of the registered numbers on sailing fishing boats in the 1890s.

Pete

 

[Sandyman]

I'm quite keen to have an identification number on our new mainsail so that we're not "another white boat with white sails in amongst the thousands".

Dont see how adding sail numbers to your main will make you stand out from the thousands of other AWB's ....................the large majority have them anyway.

You will still be an AWB. Only difference is your number will be unique.

 

[awol]

......the number issued by the appropriate national issuing body on the sail. Which in the case of the UK is the RYA.

An erroneous statement! There are 2 other bodies in the UK, as well as the RYA, whose numbers satisfy the ISAF requirements.

 

[[2574]]

Only difference is your number will be unique.

Yes, that is the point, NCI can read a sail number from a fair distance and can then positively identify the boat. Similarly another boat can identify a boat positively through binos and make positive VHF contact which, incidentally, I've done a few times myself. I've no idea whether the coastguard in a helo could read the numbers with their binos, I expect the RNLI might find it helpful. It's just a safety thing, not about vanity and wanting to be "different" to any other awb.

 

[Sandyman]

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