With Independance Day approaching I thought this might be a good topic.
What's the best way to fly our flag on a boat with a split backstay, like our C-26?
The national flag should only be flown from a stern flag staff or from the leech of the main sail, 2/3 of the way up. Many sailboats use a halyard on the backstay, but our split stay makes that inconvenient, if not impossible.
Old timers will tell you that the flag staff is only appropriate when sails are not raised, but I don't see any mention of that in Chapman's anymore.
Flying Old Glory
Flying Old Glory
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
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CaptainScott
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Good thing is now days most do not know the proper way to fly a flag.
As you already mentioned, the proper way is 2/3 up the leech of the main.
On a post on the stern is also acceptible.
If there are no other options you can run a flag halyard off the starboard spreader and fly the flag there however be dang sure if you have penants or club burgies the US flag is the top most flag!
Chapmans 62 edition has the info on page 583.
Be cautioned though, Chapmans indicates if a sailboat is underway but not sailing the flag is not to be flown. This is blatently incorrect. A documented vessel without state numbers is required to fly the US ensign at all times underway. This includes sailboats!
Lady Jo
Destiny
Destiny flying the Canadian courtisy flag.
Notice the Canadian flag takes top most position above ALL penant and club flags. Us flag is flying as show in previous photo.
Scott
As you already mentioned, the proper way is 2/3 up the leech of the main.
On a post on the stern is also acceptible.
If there are no other options you can run a flag halyard off the starboard spreader and fly the flag there however be dang sure if you have penants or club burgies the US flag is the top most flag!
Chapmans 62 edition has the info on page 583.
Be cautioned though, Chapmans indicates if a sailboat is underway but not sailing the flag is not to be flown. This is blatently incorrect. A documented vessel without state numbers is required to fly the US ensign at all times underway. This includes sailboats!
Lady Jo
Destiny
Destiny flying the Canadian courtisy flag.
Notice the Canadian flag takes top most position above ALL penant and club flags. Us flag is flying as show in previous photo.
Scott
Scott, according to my information the national flag should never be flown from the spreader, although I see it done quite a bit. It should only be flown from the highest place of honor, the stern, by either of the methods mentioned.
The only national flag flown from the starboard spreader would be a courtesy flag when visiting foreign countries. We wouldn't want people to think we're visitors, would we?
The only national flag flown from the starboard spreader would be a courtesy flag when visiting foreign countries. We wouldn't want people to think we're visitors, would we?
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
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CaptainScott
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Yup, that would be the THIRD choice! LOL!
However I never even think a boat is a visiter if the only flag flying was the US ensign.
Again, good thing is not very many folks really know where it should fly from. There are no flag nazi's that will come get you unless you are a documented vessel without a flag and without state numbers.
For the Forth of July, I really get bad. At anchor I fly the biggest US flag I can find. I run it straight up my mast and fly it at the very top!!
Dang, I don't have my photos of that online.
However you can see here at this internationally extremely well known marina proper flag fly is not the priority. It is more about the image.
I think if you take reasonable care of flying your ensign, you will not get harassed. You are more likely to be harassed by idiots that think your boat is not good/big/right brand, style, etc.
The accepted proper method for as sloop is 2/3 up the leach of the main.
Scott
However I never even think a boat is a visiter if the only flag flying was the US ensign.
Again, good thing is not very many folks really know where it should fly from. There are no flag nazi's that will come get you unless you are a documented vessel without a flag and without state numbers.
For the Forth of July, I really get bad. At anchor I fly the biggest US flag I can find. I run it straight up my mast and fly it at the very top!!
Dang, I don't have my photos of that online.
However you can see here at this internationally extremely well known marina proper flag fly is not the priority. It is more about the image.
I think if you take reasonable care of flying your ensign, you will not get harassed. You are more likely to be harassed by idiots that think your boat is not good/big/right brand, style, etc.
The accepted proper method for as sloop is 2/3 up the leach of the main.
Scott
I'm one of those people who removes hat, places hand over my heart and SINGS LOUDLY when our national anthem is played, so maybe I'm the flag nazi. 
I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it with a split backstay. Maybe fly the flag from my topping lift?
Another idea just hit me: Maybe I'll replace my stern nav light with a flag staff and put the light on top of the staff. That would move the light above the tilted motor as well. I'd have to remember to remove the flag for grilling though.
I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it with a split backstay. Maybe fly the flag from my topping lift?
Another idea just hit me: Maybe I'll replace my stern nav light with a flag staff and put the light on top of the staff. That would move the light above the tilted motor as well. I'd have to remember to remove the flag for grilling though.
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
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CaptainScott
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you could add grommits to the leach ot the sail. That would make it go up and come down with the sail so you are truely proper and can not forget. The penant will likely foul in the aft stays.
Are the back stays split all the way up? of so, add a block to one of them such that your flag is in proper position and also add a stay cleat to the stay in hands reach, you could then raise and lower at your convenience with a flag halyard. Your flag will not be centered but it will be far closer to proper than using a spreader. This does however increase your number of lines to mess with when you step your mast. No worries if moored for the better part of the season but if trailer sailing all the time it is a pita.
Adding a block and cleat to a stay is very easy.
Scott
Are the back stays split all the way up? of so, add a block to one of them such that your flag is in proper position and also add a stay cleat to the stay in hands reach, you could then raise and lower at your convenience with a flag halyard. Your flag will not be centered but it will be far closer to proper than using a spreader. This does however increase your number of lines to mess with when you step your mast. No worries if moored for the better part of the season but if trailer sailing all the time it is a pita.
Adding a block and cleat to a stay is very easy.
Scott
The back stay splits about 8 feet (guessing) above the cockpit sole. That would make a cleat for a halyard pretty inconvenient. In addition, our boat has a back stay adjuster, so the split stays are off limits for any cleats.
I thought of attaching the flag to the sail, but then we would be flagless when motoring, plus the flag would have both the topping lift and back stay to foul on.
I thought of attaching the flag to the sail, but then we would be flagless when motoring, plus the flag would have both the topping lift and back stay to foul on.
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
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CaptainScott
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- Posts: 3112
- Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:46 am
- Location: Washington State
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Then you are back to the lesser of two evils.
A flag pole on the stern or lastly a flag halyard on the starboard spreader.
I've gone the same route with what to do. Destiny gets the pole because stepping the 56' mast just to add a flag halyard on the aft stay is cost prohibative. One day the mast will get stepped. Then I will ad a halyard. Lady Jo gets the spreader treatment.
It'll be interesting to see what you decide!!!
Scott
A flag pole on the stern or lastly a flag halyard on the starboard spreader.
I've gone the same route with what to do. Destiny gets the pole because stepping the 56' mast just to add a flag halyard on the aft stay is cost prohibative. One day the mast will get stepped. Then I will ad a halyard. Lady Jo gets the spreader treatment.
It'll be interesting to see what you decide!!!
Scott
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EmergencyExit
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LeatherneckPA
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CaptainScott
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EmergencyExit wrote:Step the mast to run that flag halyard ? Really Scott. Wouldn't some pics of you hoisted up there in the sling look some fine on your website ?
You missed the point . . . .
Yes, stepping the mast is a requirement.
Oh yeah, while the mast is down, . . . . . . . .
How about replacing the old radar .. . . . . .
and GPS . . . . . .
while were there, lets do the VHF, annenometer, wind vain, etc etc . . . .
Always have to think ahead . . . .
LOL!!
Scott
PS:Those photos exist since I had to rig Destiny for that cruising spinnaker you see in one of the above photos. They are safely hidden away though!!!!
Just a quick update.
We decided to use the topping lift as a flag halyard as well. It worked out just fine, there is plenty of room between it and the back stay. I just added a couple of flag clips with stopper knots to keep them in place. A slightly longer line would be nice, but this will do nicely for now.
We decided to use the topping lift as a flag halyard as well. It worked out just fine, there is plenty of room between it and the back stay. I just added a couple of flag clips with stopper knots to keep them in place. A slightly longer line would be nice, but this will do nicely for now.
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
flying the flag
I may not be up on my flag display rules, but I have sping loaded clips that I can attach to the wire stay. I place my colors as high as I can reach above the backstay shroud cleat.
Carl
Carl