White ensign on a "ordinary" yacht

[The Q]

i'm wrong to say that drake and hawkins were the first englishmen in america.

who was then?

Are you sure that it’s the RAF ensign that you’re seeing around, and not the RAF Sailing Association ensign? The latter (shown here) can be flown by any RAFSA member holding the warrant - no rank restrictions AFAIK. Are you assuming that the culprits are Junior Ranks?

I’m not aware of ret’d personnel of any rank being entitled to fly the RAF ensign on private craft.

As you say though, anyone can buy either online, sadly.

Absolutely Not the RAFSA Ensign, I know that one having sailed under it a couple of times (as crew).

The Culprits were all of the right age group to be junior ranks.. All having a military haircut, out of half a dozen on one boat you'd not expect civi's to all have the same haircut...

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The Royal Irish YC in Dun Laoghaire used to fly this version of the white ensign, which was replaced by the version underneath post partition. AIUI, British members of the Royal Irish may still fly the original version.
View attachment 142037

View attachment 142038
We have an old Irish green ensign from pre partition that came off the boat of one of my forebears
View attachment 142039

Wow!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Wow!

Wow too. You learn something new every day.

The burgee and non red ensigns, as most of us know, it's obligatory to fly your club burgee when flying any ensign that isn't red. We often get asked (sometimes with what I assume it 'attitude') what Royal club we are a member of. You'd think they'd recognise another Solent club's burgee, or else they're assuming it's not flying, and not looking up. Flying from the crosstrees, ours might be hard to see with the main up, but surely not when moored.

 

[Fantasie 19]

The burgee and non red ensigns, as most of us know, it's obligatory to fly your club burgee when flying any ensign that isn't red.

I never knew that, you do indeed learn something new every day.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I never knew that, you do indeed learn something new every day.

It's actually on the warrant. As well as in bold on the application form. It's a big fine, I'm told, to fly the ensign without the burgee.

 

[TSB240]

It's actually on the warrant. As well as in bold on the application form. It's a big fine, I'm told, to fly the ensign without the burgee.

Well my admirable would disagree with you. She is a past secretary for our 175 year old Royal Yacht Club. Part of her role was to make absolutely clear to all warrant holders what was required of them.
There is no requirement to fly a club burgee except if your club is warranted to fly an undefaced blue ensign.

NB these clubs are a very small group.

Yes there is a significant fine if you fly an undefaced blue ensign without the appropriate club burgee.
Steve.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Well my admirable would disagree with you. She is a past secretary for our 175 year old Royal Yacht Club. Part of her role was to make absolutely clear to all warrant holders what was required of them.
There is no requirement to fly a club burgee except if your club is warranted to fly an undefaced blue ensign.

NB these clubs are a very small group.

Yes there is a significant fine if you fly an undefaced blue ensign without the appropriate club burgee.
Steve.

So thats me told, again! Mine is, of course, undefaced.

 

[dunedin]

It's actually on the warrant. As well as in bold on the application form. It's a big fine, I'm told, to fly the ensign without the burgee.

And when was the last fine issued? Was it in the name of Queen Victoria - or earlier?

I suspect somebody up here is flying a white Scottish ensign, just to wind up as many G&T drinkers as possible
I have occasionally considered going blue, as colour would better match the sprayhood and sail covers

 

[Chiara’s slave]

No idea. The water isn’t exactly rife with law enforcement, is it. I think I’d be more likely to be shopped to the club secretary than fined. Theres some odd characters in the club.

 

[billskip]

And when was the last fine issued? Was it in the name of Queen Victoria - or earlier?

I suspect somebody up here is flying a white Scottish ensign, just to wind up as many G&T drinkers as possible
I have occasionally considered going blue, as colour would better match the sprayhood and sail covers

Can you buy the blue off the shelf? I thought not. You would have to make your own I think.

 

[The Q]

Can you buy the blue off the shelf? I thought not. You would have to make your own I think.

yep you can just order one from Jummy Greens.
Blue Ensigns | Sewn Blue Ensign Flag

 

[Chiara’s slave]

You can order one from Penguin flags like I did, for less. It’s really well made too. They are an ebay seller if you can’t find them elsewhere.

 

[billskip]

yep you can just order one from Jummy Greens.
Blue Ensigns | Sewn Blue Ensign Flag

I'm only going from memory many many moons ago, someone said to me they liked the blue in preference to the red, and tried to buy one, they were told the had to produce a certificate from their yacht club.
Obviously things have changed now.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Jimmy Green might have tightened up, or always been that way. Like buying a number plate for your trailer, Halfords want to see the reg document for the car. Ebay don’t give a monkeys. Your fellow sailors will certainly ask you though.

 

[billskip]

Jimmy Green might have tightened up, or always been that way. Like buying a number plate for your trailer, Halfords want to see the reg document for the car. Ebay don’t give a monkeys. Your fellow sailors will certainly ask you though.

I remember seeing a photo of the blue on the back of a boat but the union flag had been sewn in upside down....wont mention poster ?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I think mine’s ok?

 

[sailaboutvic]

Well guys we have a white ensign, no I'm not a member of any RNS or any RNC .
Mine is a left over from a yacht that dragged into us one night in a blow .
It got caught up in our rigging and the pole broke , I would had returned it if they bothered to come back the next day to check if any damage was done to us ,
But as they didn't we kept it .
Never used it but been tempted at time.
I been offered a few Bob for it over time but it make a nice decoration in my lounge when the day comes that I move back into a house .

 

[dunedin]

yep you can just order one from Jummy Greens.
Blue Ensigns | Sewn Blue Ensign Flag

Perfect, just the job. Do they do white as well, might get one of each

 

[Ningaloo]

NZ Red Ensign has white stars and is the one you're supposed to fly if you're a non-registered yacht

I'm embarrassed that I didn't know that! But it makes it even easier to confuse with AU.

 

[MADRIGAL]

I'm embarrassed that I didn't know that! But it makes it even easier to confuse with AU.

True enough. You would have to count the white stars (only 4 on the NZ ensign).