Private Signals, an old tradition I love

[BeauV]

Back when I was a boy all the "best yachts" flew a Private Signal, also called a House Flag, as well as the US Flag and a Yacht Club burgee or two. It's a tradition that has faded away, at least around here, and I miss it. So, Stacey and I decided that we needed a Private Signal for our budding fleet of things that float. I went to work on it and the design I came up with is sort of the B + S flag (Yes, I know the B.S. Flag). It's the combination of international signal flag "B" for Beau, which means "I am taking on or discharging dangerous goods", and the signal flag "S" for Stacey, which means "I'm operating stern propulsion". (For more on all that see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_maritime_signal_flags )

I'd encourage you all to come up with a Private Signal that is meaningful to you, or if you have one - let's have a look at it. Spike has a Private Signal now, and it went for a sail yesterday on San Francisco Bay. Two more folks learned what that flag means.

The result of my primitive graphic arts skills are rather nice, even if I say so myself, which I am, so there.

[Jamie]

My parents had one: A white swallow tail with a green border and gold star. I designed it while daydreaming at school. I need my own now.

When my kids were younger we flew an "M" flag with a general recall flag when we wanted to call them back for things like dinner.
M stood for Monkeys.

[Ish]

flag.jpg

I'm going to have to try harder...I don't think Beau's nautical flag association is going to help much.

A for Anne is "I have a diver down"

and J for Jim is "I am on fire"

This is not going to end well.

[Orestes Munn]

If I had one, it would be Whiskey, which not only one of my favorite beverages, but the initial of my last name. It also signifies "require medical assistance" and is, therefore, associated with me in yet another way.

[SloopJonB]

I always thought "Flying a private signal" was just yottie slang for taking a leak off the stern.

[kimbottles]

I have one, but I don't really want to post it on the internet, really cuts down on the stealth thing......

[Ish]

I have one, but I don't really want to post it on the internet, really cuts down on the stealth thing......

So your anonymity is preserved while driving a 62' daysailor called "Francis Lee"? Ummm...

[kimbottles]

You have a firm grasp of irony James......

[Ish]

You have a firm grasp of irony James......

Uh-oh. We're at proper names. I'd better behave.

[JoeP]

Let me guess Kim, it's a bagpiper riding a bike, right?

Our yacht club has two rows of small private signal plaques on the walls of the dining room and bar. Pretty neat IMO.

[kimbottles]

Let me guess Kim, it's a bagpiper riding a bike, right?

Our yacht club has two rows of small private signal plaques on the walls of the dining room and bar. Pretty neat IMO.

Nope, not even close..........no graphics at all.

[Ish]

No graphics?



So this isn't it?

[kimbottles]

No graphics?



So this isn't it?

Remarkably close, but not correct.

[BeauV]

If I had one, it would be Whiskey, which not only one of my favorite beverages, but the initial of my last name. It also signifies "require medical assistance" and is, therefore, associated with me in yet another way.

Excellent, flag W is one of my favorites, along with the Gale Flag.

[Orestes Munn]

...and the old Whiskey Foxtrot:

[Jamie]

There should be a Charlie Foxtrot flag

[Cherie320]

This one was developed as a signal for our adult beverage storage, but is not a bad idea for our owner signal. May have to sew one up. Pat

[BeauV]

[Jamie]

noice!