SJ23 Tech Tip J03, (Issued 2000-11-20) Bob Schimmel

Index

Flag and Burgee Etiquette.

Most of us fly some sort of flag on our boat.  Besides being a good wind indicator it is a beautiful sight to see a multi-colored flag, ensign, pennant or burgee flying from the rigging or masthead.  These are referred to as a vessel's "colours."  Flag etiquette is a national thing and while many of the rules around the world are common, they differ in certain countries to the point where a customs official may be offended for not observing the country's protocol.  If you are visiting another country it is usually a matter of etiquette to fly their flag uppermost.  This is when you might ask where to fly their flag.  Don't just assume another boat is flying it correctly.  Then there's the dock watchers who are watchful of every move you make, waiting for you to screw up.  For some reason they pick on the holy grail, flying the national flag.  So be careful out there!

NATIONAL FLAG - This flag denotes the national registry of a vessel.  On a sloop the national flag is to be flown above all other flags, 2/3 up the backstay if possible.  A national flag should not be flown on a flagstaff at the transom of a sailboat as this location is for a powerboat.  I can't raise the flag to 2/3 up the Panache's backstay so I push it up as high as I can reach.  It has good visibility all around and is easy to lower.

To proportion a national flag to your vessel, 1" of flag length per foot LOA or about 10 cm of flag length per meter LOA.  This equates to 23" (60cm) of flag for an SJ23.

I attach Panache's flag by wrapping the hoist around the backstay and closing the wrap with Velcro.  It has never released and rotates nicely with the wind.

PS: It is bad etiquette to leave a national flag hoisted while the vessel is unattended or overnight.  Hoist at dawn and lower at sunset.

CLUB FLAG or BURGEE - Almost every Yacht Club has a unique Burgee (usually a small triangular flag) that identifies a member's boat.  A modern sloop rigged sailing vessel should fly their burgee from a lanyard under the starboard mast spreader, while an older (1920/40s) sail boat flies the burgee from the main masthead.  I think they also used it as a wind direction indicator.  It would have been some trip to replace it.  Powerboats fly their burgee from a short staff on the bow deck. 

THEME FLAGS - These flags come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  A popular one that comes to mind is the skull and crossbones or the tipped cocktail glass indicating "happy hour." 
NOTE - There is nothing comical about the pirate flag to anybody who has encountered a pirate, so be careful who is around when you fly this.  Just ask somebody who has been held for ransom.

DIVER DOWN - This is the familiar red background with white diagonal strip.  It is a mandatory safety flag to be flown with 3600 visibility when divers are underwater.  Stay well clear.  The diver may not surface adjacent to the boat.

REGATTA TROPHY - These trophy flags are a sight to behold.  As a tradition many regattas award flags as trophies.  Normally blue flags are given for 1st place, red for 2nd and gold for 3rd place.  While at the dock these competitors fly their trophies from their masts making for a very colourful display.  "Right of passage" is big at some regattas. 

FLAG HALYARD CONSTRUCTION - Attach a tiny block to the bottom, middle of the starboard spreader and loop 1/8" line through it.  Run the other end of the line through the chain plate at the bottom of the shroud.  Tie the ends together to create a loop ensuring that the loop is fairly snug.  Finally tie two loops in the line slightly further apart than the luff of the burgee.  Use light line to tie your burgee between the two loops.
 

Return to Tech Tip Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Have a Question?