Boat Flag Buying Guide
| 1. Motorboats | 2. Sailboats |
Boat flags come in a variety of sizes to accommodate everything from small vessels to big yachts. We have outlined the recommended sizing as well as when and where to fly certain boat flags. There are significant differences between motorboats and sailboats.
1. Motorboats
A motorboat, speedboat or powerboat is a boat which is powered by an engine.
| Motorboat Flag Size Guide | ||
| Boat Length | Ensigns | Officer Flag, Club or Private Signal |
| Up to 18 feet | 12x18 inches | 10x15 inches |
| 19 to 24 feet | 16x24 inches | 10x15 inches |
| 25 to 30 feet | 20x30 inches | 12x18 inches |
| 31 to 36 feet | 24x36 inches | 16x24 inches |
| 37 to 48 feet | 30x48 inches | 20x30 inches |
| 49 to 60 feet | 3x5 feet | 24x36 inches |
| 61 to 72 feet | 4x6 feet | 30x48 inches |
| Flag | When Flown | Motorboat | ||
| Bow / Stern Staffs Only | Bow / Stern Staffs and Signal Mast | Two Masts | ||
| US, Yacht, USPS Ensigns | 8am - Sunset | Aft | Aft | Aft |
| Club Burgee | 8am - Sunset | Bow | Bow | Foremast |
| Private Signal | 8am - Sunset | Not Flown | Masthead | Mainmast |
| Officer Flag | Day and Night | Not Flown | In place of private signal | In place of private signal |
| US Jack | At anchor on Sunday and Holidays 8am - Sunset |
Not Flown | Not Flown | Bow or jack staff |
| Absent Flag | Daylight - during absence of the owner | Not Flown | Starboard yardarm | Starboard main yardarm |
| Meal | Daylight - during meal hours when at anchor | Not Flown | Starboard yardarm | Starboard main yardarm |
| Guest | Daylight - when the owner is absent but guests are on board | Not Flown | Starboard yardarm | Starboard main yardarm |
| Bow Pennant, Fish, Fun, Skin Diver Flags | 8am - Sunset | Bow | Port yardarm | Port forward yardarm |
2. Sailboats
A sailboat or a sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails.
| Sailboat Flag Size Guide | |
| Boat Length | Ensigns |
| Up to 18 feet | 12x18 inches |
| 19 to 24 feet | 16x24 inches |
| 25 to 30 feet | 20x30 inches |
| 31 to 36 feet | 24x36 inches |
| 37 to 48 feet | 30x48 inches |
| 49 to 60 feet | 3x5 feet |
| 61 to 72 feet | 4x6 feet |
| Mast Height | Officer Flag, Club or Private Signal |
| Up to 30 feet | 10x15 inches |
| 31 to 36 feet | 12x18 inches |
| 37 to 48 feet | 16x24 inches |
| 49 to 60 feet | 20x30 inches |
| 61 to 72 feet | 24x36 inches |
| Flag | When Flown | Sailboat | ||
| One Mast | Two Masts | Three or More Masts | ||
| US, Yacht, USPS Ensigns | 8am - Sunset | After peak | Aftermost peak | Aftermost peak |
| Club Burgee | 8am - Sunset | At the truck | At the foremost truck | At the foremost truck |
| Private Signal | 8am - Sunset | When under way at the truck | At the aftermost truck | At the main truck |
| Officer Flag | Day and Night | Instead of burgee at truck | Instead of private signal | Instead of private signal |
| US Jack | At anchor on Sundays and holidays 8am - Sunset |
Not flown | Jack staff | Jack staff |
| Absent Flag | Daylight - during absence of the owner | Starboard spreader | Starboard main spreader | Starboard main spreader |
| Meal Flag | Daylight - during meal hours when at anchor | Starboard spreader | Starboard main spreader | Starboard main spreader |
| Guest Flag | Daylight - when the owner is absent but guests are on board | Starboard spreader | Starboard main spreader | Starboard main spreader |
| Bow Pennant, Fish, Fun, Skin Diver Flags | 8am - Sunset | Port spreader | Foremost port spreader | Foremost port spreader |
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