How to hoist a courtesy flag

[steve77]

Okay, I know when to fly courtesy flags and why. And while cruising in the Caribbean, I even knew how. I simply had a light line run through a block on the starboard spreader with a couple of figure 8 knots to form loops tied in it. The line was tied to itself to make a continuous loop so you didn't lose one end of the line. My courtesy flags all had two grommets in them, and I used little clips like these below to attach the flags to the loops.

Flag Clips : Marine Accessories : Attwood Marine

And then I got to Europe. Every courtesy flag over here has a small eye at the top of the flag, and a short length of light line at the bottom. I've tried different ways to attach these, and none have really been satisfactory.

So, how is the best way to attach these flags to the spreader halyard? Thanks!

Steve

[KiteRider]

Clip the top and a rolling hitch on the bottom would be my first guess.

[Jim Cate]

We use small plastic snap hooks seized onto the flag halyard at an appropriate separation. Then tie a bowline loop into the bit of light stuff at the bottom of the flag, and snap the flag on and off as required.

Jim

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by steve77

Okay, I know when to fly courtesy flags and why. And while cruising in the Caribbean, I even knew how. I simply had a light line run through a block on the starboard spreader with a couple of figure 8 knots to form loops tied in it. The line was tied to itself to make a continuous loop so you didn't lose one end of the line. My courtesy flags all had two grommets in them, and I used little clips like these below to attach the flags to the loops.

Flag Clips : Marine Accessories : Attwood Marine

And then I got to Europe. Every courtesy flag over here has a small eye at the top of the flag, and a short length of light line at the bottom. I've tried different ways to attach these, and none have really been satisfactory.

So, how is the best way to attach these flags to the spreader halyard? Thanks!

Steve

What we do is tie a bowline in the light line near the flag and clip on to it - works fine for us.

[steve77]

I could understand it if there were eyes at the top AND the bottom. And if folks are tying bowlines in the bottom to make the loop, then it just makes me wonder why they don't just sew two eyes in the flag to start with.

It's the fact that there is an eye at the top and a length of line at the bottom that confuses me. Or maybe I'm just overthinking it...

Cheers!

Steve

[estarzinger]

I could be wrong about this . . . But I always thought The reason for the eye at top and line at the bottom is so that you can string several flags together . . . . The string at the bottom also allows you to tension up the "luff" of the flag.

[steve77]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

I could be wrong about this . . . But I always thought The reason for the eye at top and line at the bottom is so that you can string several flags together . . . .

Well, that makes sense.

Thanks!

Steve

[Nicholson58]

I keep a bunch of these around as you noted in the OP. Tie the short line to the loop. Strong fingers needed.

[Robin3]

It used to be that the European ones had a small wooden toggle sewn in at the top that you put into a bowline loop on the hoist line and the other end was a short line 'tail' sewn in that could go, (usually with a sheet bend) into a loop formed on the ' lower/up hoist line' several flags could be flown on that system, as in club or association ones etc. and it allowed for ajustment to keep the flags under tension enough to keep them wrinkle free straight. Paradoxically I find the USA double eye system harder to deal with especially on the ensign which in the UK was fastened by the same toggle system to an ensign staff with a small top pullet and a hoist ine tied off to a cleat. Now we hve a Us documented boat it took a few tries to get the ensign fitted to a staff so as to fly neatly.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Robin3

It used to be that the European ones had a small wooden toggle sewn in at the top that you put into a bowline loop on the hoist line and the other end was a short line 'tail' sewn in that could go, (usually with a sheet bend) into a loop formed on the ' lower/up hoist line' several flags could be flown on that system, as in club or association ones etc. and it allowed for ajustment to keep the flags under tension enough to keep them wrinkle free straight. Paradoxically I find the USA double eye system harder to deal with especially on the ensign which in the UK was fastened by the same toggle system to an ensign staff with a small top pullet and a hoist ine tied off to a cleat. Now we hve a Us documented boat it took a few tries to get the ensign fitted to a staff so as to fly neatly.

Robin, could you please define top pullet for me? I thought a pullet was a young hen. Clearly it is not! Anyhow, thanks in advance.

Ann

[carstenb]

Hmmm. I suspect Evans is right. I don't really have a problem with this. My flag halyard has two carabiner snaps. When I need to fly a flag, I simply hook the one at the top and the other in the bow line loop I've tied on the short line at the bottom.

When I remove the flag, I simply snap the two snaps together and the halyard line is now continuous. If I need to 2 or more flags, I simply hook the top grommet to the bottom line - flag to flag and then do what I do if flying one flag

[chuckr]

Not sure what you are talking about -- how about a pic as I am a sailor and not very bright -- so far we have sailed 9 countries in the Med and not had a problem -- what am I missing

Oh by the way see you may be from Canada -- don't forget about Schengen.

[PangurBan]

On the subject of ensigns and courtesy flags, has anyone ever seen the European Union flag used?


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[MarkJ]

I cable tie them

[four winds]

One use of eye at top, and line at bottom, could be to eliminate any confusion as to proper orientation of the flag?

I know this would seem silly to some, but there are a lot of flags out there. And this would be a simple way to avoid possible offending someone.

Just thinking out loud.