what size ensign?

[ChattingLil]

We've been offered a 'house-warming' gift of the ensign of our choice. What size to go for?

Boat is 44' LOA.

I heard that you should get the biggest one possible and it's only too big if it trails in the water!

 

[macd]

We've been offered a 'house-warming' gift of the ensign of our choice. What size to go for?

Since it's free I'd go for a lightweight triangular one, about the size of a spinnaker.

 

[jerrytug]

Sure you should use the smallest one possible? I use a Brit courtesy flag,foreign customs seem happy with it,and it doesn't wear out or catch on things or obstruct the sternlight. Who said the biggest possible,and why,closet BNP perhaps?
Or if it's free,get a little red duster and a Belge/NL/French one thrown in! Cheers Jerry.

 

[Woodlouse]

One inch for every foot of boat is a reasonable rule of thumb. So you'd be looking at about a yard or maybe a yard and a half in length.

 

[ChattingLil]

thanks, it was the rule of thumb I was looking for. I'd kind of guess that a yard and half would be about right.

 

[sailorman]

and that from a Cloggie. Who as a nation have a kin great big flag fetish

 

[DanTribe]

Go for the big one, this is a one and a quarter yarder on 31ft
http://www.yourboatpix.co.uk/pix/10398869.jpg

 

[Twister_Ken]

Being a flash git I have two. A smaller one from my old Twister for everyday use, and a water scraper for Sunday best. The latter, I think is a yard and a half.

 

[Tony Cross]

We have a 2-yard on our 45ft Jeanneau. It annoys the hell out of the French boat opposite because they just don't have room on their boat for anything close to that size.

 

[johnalison]

Ours is a yard and a half on our HR34. The previous ensign was a yard and a quarter and looked small (also a new-boat gift).

 

[lw395]

I have a pet hate of flags on sticks.

A nice small one on the backs stay that does not block your view or obscure the sternlight.

So, up to you really.

 

[ChattingLil]

I have a pet hate of flags on sticks.

A nice small one on the backs stay that does not block your view or obscure the sternlight.

So, up to you really.

so this one is not for you then?


http://www.boatinternational.com/buy-and-own/superyacht-owners-manual/yachtsmans-glossary/

 

[lw395]

so this one is not for you then?


http://www.boatinternational.com/buy-and-own/superyacht-owners-manual/yachtsmans-glossary/

No, I imagine the comedy value of sailing a dead run with that around my ears would wear off quite quickly. Particularly if it was wet at the time.
It's even too big to use as a duvet cover.
But as another has suggested, it would make a good downwind sail for a smaller boat...

 

[pvb]

I heard that you should get the biggest one possible and it's only too big if it trails in the water!

Yes, I reckon that's the right approach. It's what the Dutch seem to do. It's dependent on how the flagstaff is mounted, but I have a 1.5 yard ensign on a 35-footer.

 

[Tomahawk]

Interesting question
We are 43 foot but our transome is only inches tall... Catamaran ...

at present we have a hankie size... it does the job of saying UK boat but is not pretty...
I like the idea if a fock off huge one....
but I am not sure how to mount it... like where would it go?

 

[Norman_E]

I take the contrary view to most, on a 45 footer I have a 3/4 yard ensign which avoids to much fraying against the backstay, or hitting me when going downwind.

 

[nigelmercier]

One inch for every foot of boat is a reasonable rule of thumb...

+1

 

[Jamesuk]

1 inch of fly to every 1foot of yacht. 44 inches for your boat

 

[johnwest]

The bigger the better, and must be sewn not one of those dreadful printed things.

j

 

[yoda]

Yard and a half, no questions. Just make sure your staff is long enough.

Yoda