Flag Etiquette (and How-To)

[Bort]

Hello. We are taking delivery of a new 29S in 6 weeks or so. We can't wait! Our first Ranger Tug.

We have the following two questions for the group:

1) We want to fly the national ensign, a yacht club burgee and a personal signal. If we put the ensign at the stern, the burgee at the bow pulpit and the signal on the mast, is that an appropriate configuration?

2) Does the boat come with staves for the stern and bow pulpit? If not, where do I get them and how do I know what diameter will fit the existing staff sockets?

Thanks for your good advice!

 

[Spinner]

That sounds right! Both of my two RTs came with stern and bow staffs. Whatever you do, if you travel to a foreign country, DON'T fly your courtesy flag from the bow staff!!

That belongs midship from a line from your mast, or failing that, from your radio mast, which would be there also. Ok, stepping down from the soapbox now....:-D

 

[adventres]

We just learned about flags. We have the national flag at the port stern, 1 inch for each foot of the boat. I met Kathy who made my burgee the other day, and it looks great on the bow! Soon, we will put the Canadian flag midship! Whew, whoever thought flags were just as important! Someday, when the weather is nice, we will put the sticker on the stern to officially name the boat!

 

[BradOwens]

The US Power Squadron has a very good web site for flag etiquette. The US flag should normally be flown from the mast or gaff, and higher than any other flag displayed. The proper place for the owner's personal flag is at the bow, or if an organization's burgee is there, then from the port yardarm. When visiting a foreign country, a courtesy flag should be flown from the starboard yardarm.

None of this is set in stone, as different boats have different rigs, but most Ranger Tugs have a mast with spreaders that work for yardarms. You just need to install a flag clip on the spreaders and a small cleat for the flag line on the cabin top.

I hope this helps.

Brad Owens

 

[Bort]

Thanks all for the helpful responses! 😀

 

[Two killicks]

If look at my photo album, there is a picture showing how I put my flag while underway. I put the Canadian flag at the highest spot available in the mast, and the ranger tug flag on the port side attached with quick release hook that are permanently attached to the mast retaining wire between the spreader and the top of the cabin with two tie wrap. I put the Canadian power and sail squadron burgee on the bow.

If I was to go in the U.S. water, I would fly the U.S. flag on the starboard side of the mast using quick release hook on the flag and using the same tie wrap system to adjust the height of the flag. Remember, your country flag must be the highest of all the flags that are displayed, unless you have the country flag mounted at the stern of the boat. When underway your flag should be flying all the time, at anchor between sunset and sunrise, the country flag should be lowered, and if you are not onboard at the marina, the flag shall be lowered as well.

the bottom line is taht many people do this right and many do not. We have people flying the provincial flag (state flag in the U.S.), it should not be done, but this is not enforced in any way...