On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 19:40:52 -0400, "Doug Dotson"
dougdotson@NOSPAMcablespeedNOSPAMcom wrote:

True on a powerboat, not for sail. Proper place to fly the ensign is
off of the luff of the mainsail. Next best place is off the backstay as
per your original post. Going up the backstay isn't a big deal.

True for a gaffer. Flying the ensign from the leech (not luff) of a
marconi main would be patently ridiculous, tearing up the sail and the
ensign whenever you tack.

You would get away with it on a boat without a backstay, but it would
still be bad for the sail to attach a block to the cleat. There are
good reasons it is almost never done.





Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Curse thee, thou quadrant. No longer will I guide my earthly way by thee." Capt. Ahab