Flags

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Donald Tyson

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My wife wants a US flagged I want a burgee and we don't want to become a flag geeks. It's our boat and we want it to look a certain way and that's that. But I don't want to offend anyone and would rather go without if flag rules are a dividing subject. I tried to gain some knowledge from the net but it seems confusing. I know that many of you have much experience with traveling by boat and thus rubbing shoulders with other boaters. Where would you suggest that I hang these two flags: USA, AGLCA?
 

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The main reason I fly a flag on my bow is for a wind direction and speed indicator. I chose a state of Oregon flag.
 
The only place to fly a US flag on a CDory is a Stern Staff. I have used both wooden and stainless Steel for shaft material. A 24" bottom length is proper for both the 22 and 25 foot C Dorys. I have installed on the Stb side, at the inner aft part of the aft deck, to the starboard side of the spash well. The shaft should be long enough so that the flag does not hit the deck, or a motor, etc. I put the flag on the Splashwell side, because it is less likey to be grabbed by someone who is "helping" you dock,

A yacht club or speciality flag is from the bow staff. If you are a flag officer of a club, you would fly that distinctive flag from a Starboard antenna--however I discourange flying flags from an antenna, because of stress on the antenna mount. I have flown some distinctive flag from an antenna, only at the dock.

Chapman's is the "official" place for info on yacht etiquette. If you are entering or boating in a foreign country, that country's flag is flown from the Starboard side--antenna, pole or spreader. The yellow, "Q", "I request Practique" flag is flown below the country flag until cleared into the country.
 
This was brought up during a class with USPS. The stern staff is most common, also historic and proper for a motorized boat, but you probably don't want to keep the flag there when fishing, as a big King salmon can move you all over the cockpit. I've never fished on a boat that displayed one from the stern, I guess for good reason. The USPS does offer other choices during boat operation (i.e. fishing) that might interfere, such as mounting it on a staff at the rear of a cabin above the activity, but you shouldn't have rods in rocket launchers above the flag. I would just take it down, as you don't want to whack Old Glory with a fishing rod, lure or line (or fish?).
 
I see there is some agreement among you all that the USA Flag fly at the stern. I could put our country flag on the starboard side the the burgee on the port? I see 24" mentioned but how high should they be or how long should the pole be? I originally wanted the Burgee on the bow pulpit but now I think not. Do you still feel, in this modern day, that flags are important to get right? Should I also have a yellow Q and a Canadian flag? Or do folks just not bother any more with flags?
 
The burgee IS OK on the bow staff, and the prefered place. The flag staff (or "Pole" as you call it") should be long enough that the flag will not touch the deck or any part of the boat or accessories in its normal position.

NO the US flag should not be flown from a starboard antenna, nor the burgee on a flag staff at the stern. If you are going into Canada, you should have a Candian flag. Some countries will fine you if you are not flying the proper flags in their waters, especially if you have not yet cleared in thru their customs, health and imigreation. When we returned from our European trip, we had visited over 40 countries, and had a flag for every one of these countries. Most of them we had made from spinaker cloth and dacron fabric we carried with us--colored sharpies on occasion made the integrate detail. If you are not prepared to make them, then you should have the purchased the flag of that country before you leave the US. There are shops which make country flags just for boats, yachts and ships.

The "Q" flag again is a signal that you have not cleared into a country. The crew should not go ashore until clearance. is compete. In some cases customs come to you, but in the majority of countries, you go to a specifc dock or anchorage, and the skipper goes to the customs office. Checking in may require a number of stops, copies of crew and equiptment lists with seriel numbers of items aboard, as well as clearance papers or "Zarpe" to proceed to the next contry. Also needed are passports, visas, ship's papers or registration, proof of ownership and insurance papers.

No, "folks" should always follow flag etiuette. What does "modern Day" have to do with proper etiquette?
 
"Modern day proper etiquette": I don't see any consistency out there. Water travel seems like a free for all sometimes.
Perhaps no flags are better than wrongly located flags.
 
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