Flying a Flag from the Backstay

[Gypsy]

What is the protocol of flying the US flag on port or starboard ? Does it matter ?

Pirate flag on port
U.S. Flag on starboard okay ?

I rigged some pulleys on the ends of the spreaders and have a falg pole setup on them .

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I have had the backstay pigtail instead of a topping lift for the last 10 years and it is very handy. With my boom kicker my boom never drops, but the combination of the pigtail and the mainsheet work great to keep the boom from swining.

I use the backstay crimp for keeping the attachment at the lower grommet of the flag from sliding down. You still need something else higher (I use tape but may switch to a section of split plastic tube that snaps on over the wire) at the upper grommet. I feel this works OK, but technically it flys the flag way to low. The correct position is 2/3 up the backstay.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Flying the US ensign from a spreader halyard is frowned upon by traditionalists. It does hide the flag from one side when sailing. If done, the preferred side is the starboard side. Since you have a backstay I would stick with it so the flag is more visible.

The spreader halyard on the starboard side is also for courtesy flags. This is where you fly the Canadian flag once you have cleared customs into Canada. You may have to move the US flag to the port side if you travel into Canada or Mexico.

http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.ht ... -o-n-flags

[DaveB]

Also have the flag of entry country above the US flag if flown on same line, quaritine flag on top or on port spreader.
Traveling 3 years in all Islands of the Carribean and S. America 99% of Sailboats have their flags flown on Starboard spreader and is most respected.
Dave

Flying the US ensign from a spreader halyard is frowned upon by traditionalists. It does hide the flag from one side when sailing. If done, the preferred side is the starboard side. Since you have a backstay I would stick with it so the flag is more visible.

The spreader halyard on the starboard side is also for courtesy flags. This is where you fly the Canadian flag once you have cleared customs into Canada. You may have to move the US flag to the port side if you travel into Canada or Mexico.

http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.ht ... -o-n-flags

[Catigale]

Where do you fly it on the way to Cuba??

[Gypsy]

Where do you fly it on the way to Cuba??

Best to fly it upside down , because if you are not in distress , already , your about to be !

[DaveB]

Same way but would help if their flag is larger!
Dave

Where do you fly it on the way to Cuba??

[DaveB]

Acually many US Sailboat go to Cuba. I have never been there but read a lot of info and would love to go their.
Obama is opening up relations to Cuba and it is not dificult to go there.
It's not like the Bay of Pigs from past and think they would welcome US visitors.
I Sailed to Venizuala and was greated with soldiers with machine guns and needed a body guard as a high ranking police officer were I needed to go includeing a 500 mile air flight to Angel Falls.
Cuba is very laid back but you have to respect their way of govering when you go their, just like any other Island in the Carribean.
Dave

Where do you fly it on the way to Cuba??

Best to fly it upside down , because if you are not in distress , already , your about to be !

[Gypsy]

Your right , I was just kidding !

I have read that Cuba has fishing tournaments all the time and USA boats go down there and participate all of the time .
Its illegal , but the US officials look the other way , and Cuba welcomes the tourist dollars .

According to the article , you are met by a gunboat when you enter Cuban waters , You tell them you are there for the tournament . They might search you or might not.

[DaveB]

You need exit papers from US to Cuba and a Visa to enter Cuba Waters.
It's not hard to get and Obama is trying to open the trade relations.
Maybe one day very soon the Trade embargo will no longer be there.
And we Sail to Cuba for some Fun and Adventure.
I am a Yankee from Cape Cod.
Dave

Your right , I was just kidding !

I have read that Cuba has fishing tournaments all the time and USA boats go down there and participate all of the time .
Its illegal , but the US officials look the other way , and Cuba welcomes the tourist dollars .

According to the article , you are met by a gunboat when you enter Cuban waters , You tell them you are there for the tournament . They might search you or might not.