Hoisting Your Flag for Fourth of July Yachting Tradition
Yachting has lots of traditions. One is that a yacht’s flag should be about one inch in length for every foot of length overall. In this photo it’s clear that the Sausalito-based charter schooner Freda B has it all wrong. But in the right direction. It’s definitely better to be bigger than smaller. The Freda B is 80-ft overall, so judging from this photo, we’d say her ship’s flag is about 30 feet, or much larger than the 80 inches recommended by tradition. But we certainly can see it!
It looks like another great Fourth of July sailing weekend and the ideal time to unfurl your sails and fly your red, white and blue.
There are plenty of Fourth of July parades on land, but the land is going to be hot! The Bay is an ideal place to beat the heat and hoist your colors. If you don’t have a boat, try our Crew List or find a charter boat like the Freda B, above.
Freda B. Flag etiquette
I’m thinking by all things Holy ship wise, the proper place to fly the colors is off the mainsail gaff.
There is 50% of the population that says “size matters” as well, but maybe Lee Helm could weigh in on that!
Freda Been (whom Freda B) is named after, worked proudly in the Marinship during WWII. We think it is appropriate to fly the large colors when the wind is just right in her honor. Later in life, Freda Been loved and supported the fishing of Sausalito, CA. Her adventurous and hard working spirit shines on and is reflected in the talented and local crew aboard the schooner Freda B. Thanks for another great photo, Woody.
Could not agree more! We can all let our ‘freak flags fly’ to honor our maritine traditions and Our Country.