Chuck Bollinger wrote:

... don't get into heavy weather and fail to reef
your burgees!

I think you've addressed something relevant here, or nearly so. I just
about always take off burgees, ensigns, etc., when offshore. Who needs the
wear and tear with today's prices? Frankly it is a rare occurrence these
days when one needs to show colors, although it _does_ happen.

One problem I've run into over the years is the complexity of handing the
club burgee and the masthead pigstick without breaking or bending at least
_something_ up there. I have replaced a number of Windex parts and tricolor
lights over the years due to this (dagblasted) maneuver.

People familiar with Queen Hooper's book on yachting etiquette might
remember her description of hoisting the burgee on the J-boat "Shamrock"
each morning at 0800. The pigstick on "Shamrock" was originally a Sunfish
mast.

--
Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com