Flag Size Guide

Yacht Flags Sizing Guide

Traditional Yard Sizing for Flags

• The Yard Size refers to the outside diagonal measurement, e.g. from the top corner of the hoist to the bottom corner of the fly end.
• The fly is measured along the horizontal length, top or bottom.
• The hoist is measured down the vertical length of the left-hand side next to the staff.
• The Fly end is the opposite end to the hoist = the end that flies in the breeze.

The yard sizing (traditional diagonal measurement) is nominal and may vary slightly due to the nature of the production/sewing process.

Nominal length and height measurements are tabled in the guide below.

Selecting the appropriate size for your Courtesy Flags:

Generally, yachts up to about 60 feet (18 metres) in length look properly “dressed” with half yard (18″ x 12″ or 45x30cm) courtesy flags.

There is a smaller size range (12″x8″) not available from Jimmy Green because these flags look insignificant from deck level when hoisted aloft.

There is an old rule of thumb for courtesy flags: a half inch on the fly for every foot of overall vessel length, e.g. 18 inches = ½ yard for a 36-foot yacht.

3/4 yard Courtesy Flags are available for larger yachts or skippers who wish to ‘make a statement’.

What Size Ensign do I Need?

As a guide, your Ensign should be proportionate to the LOA and the style/design of the yacht.

An old rule of thumb for the size of your Ensign is an inch per foot of yacht length, but this may look rather small for modern yachts to look “well dressed”.

The Ensign hoist measurement also needs to be compatible with the length of the flagstaff.
i.e. The length of the flagstaff between the truck (head) and the cleat must be, at the very least, greater than the hoist measurement so there is sufficient room to tension the hoist line or halyard.

The gap between the bottom of the hoist and the cleat is a matter of personal choice.

A more modern interpretation of suitable Red Ensign yard size is suggested in the chart below, but…

Ultimately, the size of a Red Ensign is entirely up to the owner’s discretion, and if it looks right, then it is right.

Flag Size Chart Glossary:
Yard Size: the traditional method of measurement = length of the diagonal
Finish: Sewn = individual panels stitched together to complete the flag

Finish: Printed = one screen-printed piece of fabric
Fly: nominal length, may vary slightly due to the nature of the production/sewing process
Hoist: nominal height, may vary slightly due to the nature of the production/sewing process
Staff Length: the length overall of the flagstaff N.B. the measurement between the truck and the cleat will be less than the overall length
LOA = Yacht Length Overall

Flag Toggles

Top-quality wooden toggles are available at a reasonable cost and can be fitted to the loop at the top of the hoist if required:

Wooden Flag TOGGLES

A Yard and a Half Sewn Red Ensign on Roshni, Azuree 46

A Yard and a Half Printed Red Ensign on Max, Moody 47

Choosing between Printed and Sewn Flags:

Printed courtesy flags are generally accepted everywhere you may visit.

Sewn courtesy flags may prove far too expensive on an extended voyage.

Printed courtesy flags are lighter and therefore fly better in a light breeze.

However, there are two distinct schools of thought regarding your Red Ensign (or national flag), and either is acceptable.

1. Printed – is less than half the cost and ‘will soon be blown out anyway’.
2. Sewn – is the only proper flag to fly, will last longer and is worth ‘every penny.’

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