Once again I find myself under the gun to provide an article for our Regatta section. And once again I am hampered somewhat by the fact that we just haven’t had any regatta’s yet. The good news is that in a few days time all of that is going to change.

     Starting Friday, August fourth, the NorthEast Fleet will officially commence with the very first BYYB regatta at Lake George, NY. As things stand right now we are expecting four member boats to show. Scott Widmier (widmier@uakron.edu) is the NE Fleet commodore and the primary contact. Scott is busy planning racing events and a cookout for Saturday as well as feverishly trying to complete his boat on time. Jim Rogalski has written up an article in his local paper, so we actually have some publicity. Imagine that. It should be an interesting experience in the throwing of a party … er … regatta! While this event is mere days away from the Gaff Rig publish date and the time is probably past for planning a trip to join us, if you happen to find yourself in the Lake George region the weekend of August 5^th, you should stop by. We’d be happy to see you.

      A question that arises periodically on the BBS is the etiquette of flying colors (that’s flags, for you land lubbers). With the upcoming regattas, it is time to clear the air, and show your flags with courtesy, flair, and respect.

     While at anchor, and only while the boat is occupied, or when motoring (without sails) the US ensign should be flown from a stern staff, if the yacht is equipped with one. While sailing, the ensign would preferably be flown of the leach of the mainsail at the gaff, although flying it off the stern staff has become acceptable in recent years. If the staff must be mounted off center, it should be mounted on the starboard side.

     The yacht club ensign, or, in our case, the BYYB burgee, should be flown from the masthead, typically off of a small staff lashed to the mast. While Chapmans doesn’t suggest it, it has become common practice to fly the ensign (burgee) from the starboard spreader if the boat is not equipped with a way to fly it from the masthead. Since our boats don’t have spreaders, I think it would be acceptable to fly the burgee a little above two thirds of the way up the aft starboard shroud. This ensign should never be flown while racing.

     Colors are traditionally made at 0800 and struck at sunset. In some harbors and at most yacht clubs I’m familiar with, the firing of a cannon or gun signals this. When making colors the US ensign should always be flown first; and when striking colors, the US ensign should always be lowered last.

     There are many other rules; but these are the important ones. I’m not sure if etiquette is the same in other countries, so non-US BYYB members will hopefully give me a little slack.

     Flying colors is patriotic, decorative, and fun. While there are no laws (anymore) which dictate how flags are flown, it is a sign of respect to your country, club, and the sport of sailing as well as an indicator of good seamanship, to follow common flag etiquette.

     It’s interesting to note that in the Stevenson video they are flying the US ensign from the gaff. After all, it’s just proper.

     Please send any questions and applications for fleet status to adamplourde@yahoo.com.

     To contact the Lone Star Fleet, send an email to Ron Huff at R.E.Huff@att.net.