Flag Halyard, Port or Starboard?

[Abaco]

Does flag etiquette cover which spreader to put the flag halyard on? Vessel is a 40 foot cat.

Thanks

[David M]

The halyard on the starboard spreader is considered the place of honor. This is where you would fly the courtesy flag of your host country. You could also fly your yacht club burgee from there. Just be sure to fly the courtesy flag above all others. Some countries will actually fine you for flying a tattered courtesy flag.

US Power Squadron

Chapmans

[imagine2frolic]

Over the years I have gone through several Bahamian flags out of courtesy. They do get worn.......i2f

[multihullsailor6]

Originally Posted by David M

The halyard on the starboard spreader is considered the place of honor. This is where you would fly the courtesy flag of your host country. You could also fly your yacht club burgee from there. Just be sure to fly the courtesy flag above all others. Some countries will actually fine you for flying a tattered courtesy flag.

US Power Squadron

Chapmans

Well, I learnt it that your club burgee is flown at the top of the mast (that's what I do) or, if that is impractical/impossible, from the port side spreader halyard.

When coming in to a foreign country and having to clear through customs, the yellow Q-flag is flown from the starboard side, I believe without the courtesy flag flying. Only after you have formally checked in do you then exchange the Q-flag for the country courtesy flag.

[imagine2frolic]

This is the way I fly the Q, and courtesy flag.......i2f

[David M]

Yes, the pratique flag goes up first and then the courtesy flag after you are cleared....on the starboard side.

[redcobra]

Where do you fly the US Ensign on a yawl that doesn't allow a flag to be set into a fitting on the stern or the stern rail due to sail hardware?

And is the old rule that you should have 1 inch of flag luff for every 1 foot of boat length still apply?

[mesquaukee]

On a yawl or ketch you fly your flag of regristry on the topping lift on the mizzen 1/4 to 1/3 the way up. Lenght is 1"/foot.
In some countries they want the Q flag above the courtesy flag, others only the Q flag. There is no set rule.

[redcobra]

With a fixed length topping lift that is adjusted from the boom end, that's tough.
Any suggestions?

[kavw]

Just put the darned flag somewhere!
I have the same fixed topping lift problem, I put the flag just as high as practical. So when it hangs, it doesn't get caught on anything.

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by redcobra

Where do you fly the US Ensign on a yawl that doesn't allow a flag to be set into a fitting on the stern or the stern rail due to sail hardware?

And is the old rule that you should have 1 inch of flag luff for every 1 foot of boat length still apply?

From the Chapmans link above:
You can also fly the flag from 2/3rds up the leech of the aftermost sail while under sail. .


From Rousmaniere (excerpted from Annapolis):
Flying the Flag - SailNet Community
For many years, until around World War II, most ensigns were flown from the leech of the aftermost sail—a sloop or cutter's mainsail or a ketch or yawl's mizzen. That position is still available. On a Marconi rig, the ensign may be flown about two-thirds of the way up; on a gaff rig, just under the gaff. In either case the flag may be sewn into the leech or hoisted on a halyard through a leech cringle (reinforced hole) so the ensign can be lowered to avoid chafe, say on a permanent backstay.

This link:
flag etiquette - Boating guide to flag etiquette | Encyclopedia.com: Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea
says still at the stern at harbor.

John

[multihullsailor6]

In Europe a yawl or ketch would fly its ensign atop the aft mast.

[Curmudgeon]

Ah, flag etiquette. For me the big issue is where to fly the pennant that indicates to the boatyard that we need the holding tank pumped out. Times have changed, I guess.

[Hampus]

A few years ago I learned (dunno if it's true) that in old times, the courtesy flag for your next destination was flown a couple of days (3 I think) before departure. This would allow people to see which ship was going where and give them time to get their mail ready. The mail was then sent with the ship. In the same manner, if the ship was bound for home, the courtesy flag would come down and mail could be sent back. Sounds plausible...

/Hampus