How big is a running flag on a sailboat?

Question

4X6? Do sailboats always come with a place to attach them to? I'm trying to get a gift for a friend who recently bought a sailboat but I don't know anything about them.

And please don't use boating terms. I'm not a boater and have no idea what they mean.

Answer 1

Hi Lauren!

The accepted general rule of thumb for an ensign (flag) is about one inch on the fly for every foot of boat length. (Our vessel is 27' in length, so we bought an 18" x 24" ensign.)

Flag etiquette tips may be found at:
http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html#size-of-flags

Teak ensign staffs (flag poles) and the mounts necessary for their installation are available at most marine hardware stores.

Try this link for starters:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?jspStoreDir=wm51&catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&view100page=100&Nao=0&Ne=712&keyword=flags&Ntt=flags&N=377+710+1189&y=0&x=0&Ns=Most+Popular%7C1&PopularCat=No&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch

Etiquette says the Ensign is flown from the back of the boat (transom) from 8:00 a.m. until sunset when the vessel is under way (moving) or occupied.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

The rule of thumb regarding 1 inch of fly to 1 foot of length applies only to power vessels. For the purpose of a sailboat, use 1/2 inch of fly for every foot of mast height.

Your country's ensign should be flown off the stern of your boat. There is debate as to how high up an ensign is flown if it is flown off the back stay. Picture what your aft sail would look like if it were gaff rigged ( a 2-piece sail with an angled pole, about 2/3s of the way up). Tradition had the ensign flow off the end of this pole. So, if flying it off the backstay, fly the ensign about 2/3s of the way up.

Never Fly the ensign under either spreader. These are reserved for signal and communication flags. The only time you would fly a nations ensign under a spreader is in the upside down position. This is the international signal for "Mayday" or "Ship in Distress".

Answer 3

An ensign is supposed to be an inch long for every foot of boat.
It can be an American flag or a yachting ensign .
It is flown from a short mast on the stern or from the starboard spreader.
Officially it is supposed to be flown 1/3 up the leach of the farthest sail aft.

Answer 4

I have a 48' and 48" flag is a bit much>24" is fine on mine>They can snap you if to big if standing to close>On the aft stay>If running on the shroud make it small or it will beat it self to death on the next stay>