Would You Ever Hide Your Ensign?

[zeehag]

i have yet to fly an ensign while cruising--is all i can do to keep courtesy flags from self destructing.

[avb3]

Originally Posted by Nostrodamus

The difference is easy. With the Texan flag you can usually hear them shouting well before you ever see them.

Guess cause they both speak predominately Spanish, it would have to be the shouting

(As an Albertan, I like to egg on my Texan friends by reminding them that we have more oil, our ranches are bigger, and our girls way prettier. Their comeback always has something involving the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders for some strange reason.)

[conachair]

Originally Posted by dsmastern

It's the flag of Chuck Norris, and they don't wanna mess with him!

Oh come on, you people talk about Chuck Norris like he's some kind of god. Well if he's that good why doesn't he magically know I'm typing this and appear behind me and repeatedly slam my face into the keyboa"hjojhvdhjbjhbjBHJBLhjmmmmmmmmffffbihbshaody goasyu&*^&^%


()&()^^(%RITYFC:JK IPTC



IGUYUOVYUO&*^(%£$

[bruce smith]

I always flew a correct size ensign , one inch per foot. (36 inch flag)
Then, During W's reign of error, my flag got suspiciously smaller and smaller. (down to 18 inches)
About 4 years ago, the vessel went to a shiny new slightly OVERSIZED flag!!

[micah719]

Last sailing experience was an old French pilot cutter on the Chiemsee.

I happened to have an Aussie Flag with me, so I unhooked the topping lift and proudly hoisted the ensign. Then I sat in an inflatable armchair with a beer and was towed about the lake for a few hours until the wind failed. It was nice not to have to worry about a shark swimming by and taking a bite out of my stern for a change....

With the world being like it is, and getting more so, in future I'll reserve the flagwaving for when it is absolutely necessary. Economy of cloth and line as a satisfactory reason in case officialdom gets nosy.

[David_Old_Jersey]

No, but I wouldn't always be that fussed about displaying it either. Being civilised means that don't feel the need to constantly waive my country's flag and am also conscious that in some other countries a flag is far more an important symbol to them (theirs and others).

At the risk of upsetting folks here, to my mind the size of the US ensign does seem rather aggressive (in comparison to boat size - a mizzen sail? ). and ironically also suggests that the bearers are a tad insecure (I said ironically - as the people of a US persuasion not renowned for being insecure, or at least not for being shy and retiring ).

To my mind a flag on a boat is an ensign - not a Battle Flag . or a challenge..........akin to sticking 2 fingers up to the locals (In US speak that probably translates as one finger ).

[atoll]

you don't see many isreali boats flying their ensign,except in isreal........................

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Nostrodamus

We have the biggest ensign we can fit on our boat which is big enough to make a duvet cover for a bed,

I take the exact opposite approach, flying the smallest ensign I can get away with. Otherwise, it gets caught on the davits or the dinghi.

One should never judge patriotism by the size of the ensign. (Or its staff.)

[micah719]

Obscure question....

Are ensigns on vessels supposed to be lowered at night?

[bobconnie]

+ 1 for Bash !! We do the same ! the big ones also wear out faster !! In some things small is better!!

[Astrid]

Are ensigns on vessels supposed to be lowered at night?

Countries have their own regulations. I believe the US custom is to fly the flag from dawn to dusk no matter whether you are underway or in port. In Canada, the ensign is to be flown 8 AM to dusk when in port, and at all times when underway or when entering or leaving a port (an exception being that it is permissible not fly the ensign when out of sight of land or other vessels).

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by dsmastern

I'll keep flying the Texas flag 'cause the bad guys are skeered of it!

Texas flag joke for yachties (based on a true story).

First time Texan boat owner asks his yacht broker: "So, where do I fly the Texas flag".

Broker: "Well, Real Texans fly it from the Starboard spreader!"

[Jetexas]

Originally Posted by Jimbo485

How many people get confused between the Chilean flag and the Texas flag??

Lots!! Especially those from one particular country.

Of course, US people should recognise the Texas flag, but outside the US and the Caribbean, it is not the same.

Many outside your country will recognise Chuck Norris on the screen, but they see your Texas flag and think "WOW, that looks like the Chilean flag! Maybe they have some good wine..."

Good luck in your international travels!

When I was at Texas A&M, one of the sororities actually made an event t-shirt with the Chilean flag on it instead of the Texas flag. You would think those IN THE STATE would recognize the difference! lol

[Sand crab]

A million years ago, when I was a ski bum in Colorado the saying was
"If god had meant Texans to ski then he would have made ******** white."

Or, "Here I am my cheeks a flexin' Given birth to another Texan". written you know where.


All in good fun.

[Kettlewell]

I have heard speculation among some cruisers that showing you're an American is actually protective, as in many parts of the world we are considered armed, dangerous, paranoid, and unpredictable. It did seem to be the case when we were down in places like Colombia and Panama that the few boaties who were victimized by crime were mostly non-Americans. Could have been just the luck of the draw. One guy we knew well said, when asked about security concerns in Colon, Panama, that he grew up in Paterson, NJ, and nothing scared him after that.