My primary source of nautical etiquette is Patrick O'Brien, who has taught me that the purpose of flying flags is to confuse or deceive other ships. Therefore I prefer to think of my burgee placement as not wrong, but instead purposefully confounding to the "gin and tonics on the aft deck" crowd.
For the fun of knowing the tradition, I tried to educate myself on how to properly fly my flags and burgees.
For most sailboats, the highest point on a flag halyard, rigged to the spreader, on the starboard side is considered the place of highest precedence. This is where you would fly your burgee with any officer burgee going below.
However, if you are in foreign waters, this place of highest precedence is reserved for your courtesy flag with your burgee and officer flag being demoted to the port side flag halyard. When in Canadian waters, I like to fly my Canadian Courtesy flag as a way to show appreciation of being able to sail there. Fortunately, at least in the PNW, the Canadians are not too strict about insisting on this practice.
I have read though that in the Caribbean, coming into a new port without the proper courtesy flag can result in a fine and/or the mandatory purchase of a very expensive proper courtesy flag from the local port authorities.
And of course, your national flag should always be on the stern. The US Ensign, the one with the fouled anchor, is not appropriate when in international waters.
Great article - one question: What does the group know about Yacht Clubs only sellng burgees to members or exchange with other clubs? I know of some that won't "sell" a burgee to a non-member and some that will (my current YC sells to anyone). I know a few folks that collect burgees from clubs that they visit - there must be a protocol on burgee ownership???
On Kat Boat I have a bag that serves as flag locker. Club burgee, officer flag, Cat Boat Association flag, TSCA flag, yacht ensign, state flag but to be a few.
I fly three: a U.S. Yacht Ensign Flag on the Mizzen sail and a West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron burgee & a Scull & Crossbones Pirate flag on a pig stick on main mast on my Core Sound 17
Long ago and far away I was the deckhand on my uncle's 42 yawl on Long Island Sound. Being a vice admiral and having the necessary means, he was a member for about a half a dozen yacht clubs. Actually had a small flag locker on board.
As the deck force, part of my job was to host the correct burgees for the correct club at a suitable distance from the dock before we arrived. Once I hosted the wrong one for the wrong club. He never swore, but it was addressing down to remember.
When I had a boat and was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Cherokee Lake Sailing Club I flew my Burgee from the Starboard Stay. Wrong place perhaps but we were a very laid back group and no one ever complained in the 12 years I was a member. When I move to Florida and was no long a member of any club I flew the Jolly Roger. No one complained then either, especially when I came along side and shouted "Heave to and prepare to be boarded, I have beer"
I fly the flag of the USA in the position demonstrated in the illustration for what it labeled the ensign. I have not belonged to a yacht club for many years mainly because I can arrange for mooring and access far more cheaply. But I support any form of community of sailors and like the idea of mutual hospitality when cruising.
Did I miss reference/comment on flying the "owners private signal" (usually swallow tail)? The write up was an Interesting"update" as were the comments! Thank you.
My approach is simple. I fly a replica of America's first navy jack at the peak of my main. I am offended that at least one politically extremist group seems to have adopted as their own. As I have flown this flag since long before they existed, I believe I can tell them to go to the Devil, along with anyone who objects.
I believe it was also the [semi] official American privateer's jack.
My primary source of nautical etiquette is Patrick O'Brien, who has taught me that the purpose of flying flags is to confuse or deceive other ships. Therefore I prefer to think of my burgee placement as not wrong, but instead purposefully confounding to the "gin and tonics on the aft deck" crowd.
I love this.
For the fun of knowing the tradition, I tried to educate myself on how to properly fly my flags and burgees.
For most sailboats, the highest point on a flag halyard, rigged to the spreader, on the starboard side is considered the place of highest precedence. This is where you would fly your burgee with any officer burgee going below.
However, if you are in foreign waters, this place of highest precedence is reserved for your courtesy flag with your burgee and officer flag being demoted to the port side flag halyard. When in Canadian waters, I like to fly my Canadian Courtesy flag as a way to show appreciation of being able to sail there. Fortunately, at least in the PNW, the Canadians are not too strict about insisting on this practice.
I have read though that in the Caribbean, coming into a new port without the proper courtesy flag can result in a fine and/or the mandatory purchase of a very expensive proper courtesy flag from the local port authorities.
And of course, your national flag should always be on the stern. The US Ensign, the one with the fouled anchor, is not appropriate when in international waters.
Great article - one question: What does the group know about Yacht Clubs only sellng burgees to members or exchange with other clubs? I know of some that won't "sell" a burgee to a non-member and some that will (my current YC sells to anyone). I know a few folks that collect burgees from clubs that they visit - there must be a protocol on burgee ownership???
On Kat Boat I have a bag that serves as flag locker. Club burgee, officer flag, Cat Boat Association flag, TSCA flag, yacht ensign, state flag but to be a few.
I fly three: a U.S. Yacht Ensign Flag on the Mizzen sail and a West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron burgee & a Scull & Crossbones Pirate flag on a pig stick on main mast on my Core Sound 17
Long ago and far away I was the deckhand on my uncle's 42 yawl on Long Island Sound. Being a vice admiral and having the necessary means, he was a member for about a half a dozen yacht clubs. Actually had a small flag locker on board.
As the deck force, part of my job was to host the correct burgees for the correct club at a suitable distance from the dock before we arrived. Once I hosted the wrong one for the wrong club. He never swore, but it was addressing down to remember.
When I had a boat and was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Cherokee Lake Sailing Club I flew my Burgee from the Starboard Stay. Wrong place perhaps but we were a very laid back group and no one ever complained in the 12 years I was a member. When I move to Florida and was no long a member of any club I flew the Jolly Roger. No one complained then either, especially when I came along side and shouted "Heave to and prepare to be boarded, I have beer"
I like to keep things simple: no logos on clothing, no sail numbers, no burgee.
I fly the flag of the USA in the position demonstrated in the illustration for what it labeled the ensign. I have not belonged to a yacht club for many years mainly because I can arrange for mooring and access far more cheaply. But I support any form of community of sailors and like the idea of mutual hospitality when cruising.
Did I miss reference/comment on flying the "owners private signal" (usually swallow tail)? The write up was an Interesting"update" as were the comments! Thank you.
My approach is simple. I fly a replica of America's first navy jack at the peak of my main. I am offended that at least one politically extremist group seems to have adopted as their own. As I have flown this flag since long before they existed, I believe I can tell them to go to the Devil, along with anyone who objects.
I believe it was also the [semi] official American privateer's jack.