CONTINUOUSWAVE

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July whether you were on the water or on land. I took the boat out from Dana Point to Newport Harbor and realized some boats had US flag and some didn't. I am one of those who did not have a US flag. The ones with the flag, the boat looks beautiful with the white color of the boat, the contrast of the deep blue ocean water and blue sky. So I looked around and saw some old posts here with flags. Is there a flag kit that you know would fit the ski pylon on the Whaler? I am not comfortable drilling anything on the boat yet. I know I will need a pole that is 32'' high with a flag of 18'' in length. Thanks!

Sorry--I can't help you with the particulars of your Ski Pylon and flagstaff. I don't know that rig.

Flying the national ensign from a stern post is a nautical tradition. I like to "show the colors" when underway. I use a teak 48-inch flag post. It sets into a flag socket. The flag socket is fastened to the deck with three stainless steel through-bolted machine screws. There is a 0.25-inch thick aluminum backing plate under the deck to spread the load of the three fasteners. When the boat is underway into head winds, the boat wind can become quite strong, maybe 50-knots of boat wind. That flag socket has a lot of strain on the deck, so that is why I used a backing plate.

If we have to go upwind a long way and the boat wind is really high, I often take the flag down while at sea. The high boat wind creates too much wear and tear on the flag.

When looking for a flag, look for one that has sewn-in stars and good heavy construction.

As you mention, proper proportions for the flag and the mast should be observed. I think it is better to go too-big than to go too-small on the flag. A big boat flying a really small national ensign does not look good.


"At anchor or made fast, the ensign should be flown from the stern staff of all boats."--U.S. Power Squadron


Underway and showing the colors.

Thank you Jim for the link and your advice. Those are nice pictures.

MillieTheBoat wrote:Is there a flag kit that you know would fit the ski pylon on the Whaler?

What kind of ski pylon do you have? Picture?

Two of my Whalers had the factory setup that allowed either a bait prep station with rod holders, a folding table or a ski pylon.
The two tables used a 1" stainless tube for mounting. The pylon used a 1" solid bar.

The 1" tubing sold at marine stores fits in that bracket. The tubing is commonly used for bimini tops and there are enough fitting styles that you can easily make a flag pole.

This is the bracket I have.

Sorry for the late reply. This is a Swivl-Eze ski pylon. Here are some pictures. Thanks.

If the pylon is 3/4" (like it appears to be in your picture), marine stainless tubing is also available in 3/4" with a variety of fittings.