Proper flag placement .

[sphelps]

Hey guys I am going to be launching my MFG at a navy base soon to help out with an event put on by some of the local members of the ACBS down here .
There is no way on gods green earth that I am not flying "old glory" at this event .. My understanding is that it should be placed at the starboard stern of the vessel .
Would it be disrespectful to have it on the bow ? If you do fly one where do you all display it . I've been wanting to fly one for a while just haven't gotten around to it yet ..

 

[StingrayMike]

This is what I found and generally see them flown aft centerline.
​"Generally, the national ensign should be displayed at the peak of the gaff, i.e., the outer end of the spar extending aft from the mast of your boat?if you boat has a gaff. If it does not, fly it from the flagstaff at your boat's stern. If your boat has an overhanging boom or an outboard motor, your flagstaff may be offset to starboard (preferably) from your boat's centerline.
On a sportfishing boat, where a stern staff might interfere with the gear, and vice versa, the practice is to fly the ensign from a halyard rigged amidships on the after part of the superstructure.

 

[Tnstratofam]

I fly ours at the stern on the starboard side.

 

[RGrew176]

Mine is center on the stern of my vessel. I have seen them flown on the bow rail. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I prefer on the stern of the vessel.

 

[JoLin]

Mine is center on the stern of my vessel. I have seen them flown on the bow rail. I guess it's a matter of personal preference. I prefer on the stern of the vessel.

Ditto

 

[southkogs]

Mine is centerline stern ... BUT I can't meet the hoist to fly ratio without destroying my stern light. Been looking for an alternative "pole" to sub in the socket.

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Not personal preference...Protocol and Tradition (especially USN) dictates to fly the national emblem on the stern of the vessel.

Bow masts are used for burgees (little yacht club flags, etc.) or, in the case of sailing in a foreign country, flying the flag of that country as a sign of respect and acknowledgement.

 

[Thalasso]

The general custom is that the national flag is displayed at the stern, which is the place of honor on a vessel.
The general rule of thumb for sizing a US Flag (US Ensign or US Yacht Ensign) is one inch on the fly for every foot of boat length.
The flagstaff should be about 1.5 times the hoist of the flag, so a 24" hoist flag would fly on a 36" flagstaff. ​

 

[sphelps]

Thanks for the response guys ! So with a 16.5 ft boat the smallest flags I have found are 12"x 18" . An 18" staff seems short for some reason idk .
I would like to find a recessed/flush mount holder . Iboats have them but they are for an 1-1/4" pole ... They don't sell that size poles .. I really don't want to use the type that mounts in the anchor light socket .. Gunna keep looking .. May have to settle for the other type mount ..

 

[harleyman1975]

I just did this last weekend. I bit the bullet and bought a 24" mast and surface mount base and a 12x18 US yacht flag all by Taylor. I mounted this in the center stern of my 20 ft regal and I think it is sized just right for the size of the boat. Very happy with the quality. I spent right around $100.00 but you get what you pay for.

 

[sphelps]

I found the same teak staff and flag locally and they had a flush/recessed mount on the clearance rack for 4 bucks . S/S spring clips and everything for 55.95 $
Haven't had time to install getting ready for Irma ..

 

[JimS123]

No Title

In 48 years of boat ownership I have NEVER been without a mounted flag. My new boat is a 15' center console and she sports a teak 36"x 1.25" Taylor flagstaff with a 16x24 Taylor flag. The setup looks like it belongs there.

I prefer a surface mount because of easier installation and smaller holes to drill. I buy everything I can from IBoats, but if it isn't available there I go to a local Marina or EBay.

I/Os are center mounted of course. Outboards are preferred stbd, but in my case my kicker got in the way so the pole is mounted port next to the ladder.

A vertical 18" teak pole is bow mounted, and sports the ACBS burgee.