[Don L]

We fly this flag, which seems friendly

 

[Don L]

Does your VHF message say "We rented a car today to go around the island. Its expensive so I want you to come with me so its cheaper. No ratbags, only nice people should reply".

I wasn't expecting anyone to pay toward the car rental I already had got.

The one thing about meeting cruisers has remained the same as 6 years ago. .......................... You will find them at the bar.

 

[Lanealoha]

Y'all are aware that Mr. Don L has quit and returned to this forum a few times because this place isn't or wasn't what it once was.....

 

[MikeOReilly]

For some, reality is never as good as it used to be. Or to put it more poetically, you can never go home.

 

[MarkofSeaLife]

For some, reality is never as good as it used to be. Or to put it more poetically, you can never go home.

Its extremely important point. I do into every place ive previously visited as if its a clean sheet. It will never be the same. Our brains don't let us remember the bad bits.

Otherwise we would never have children.

 

[Don L]

Y'all are aware that Mr. Don L has quit and returned to this forum a few times because this place isn't or wasn't what it once was.....

It is because my boredom keeps getting the better of helpful friendly posts like yours.

 

[SchockT]

That's my experience.

That said, some subsets clearly don't want to chat- massive motor yachts, and catamarans over 40', for example. But even with some of those, expressing interest in their boat, or some subsystem, evokes an invite. Likewise, it's not uncommon for unknown cruisers to approach us in the dinghy and say hello (or ask a question, or ask for something- ice is the big icebreaker, no pun intended.)

Stupid as it may sound, flags do indicate what your visitor preference is- or is not. I've had a couple Canadian sailors in Canadian waters that (somehow) mistook the courtesy flag for being Canadian flagged, and it started out great until they realized we were NOT Canadian, but Americans taking up their space (no kidding.) Drinking flags say you're willing to have a few cocktails; the Jolly Rodger says you're a bit wild and probably like to party; political flags draw like-minded thinkers; An Aussie YC burgee typically indicates you've been there and is inviting to Aussies (well, so is the drinking flag.)

A cat visibly on board means I'm going to stay well away.

A friend of mine used to hoist code flags spelling out "Rum Here", and anyone who could read that message was welcome for cocktails. (His boat was called Demerara!) Those flags usually resulted in a party!

Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk

 

[redgar]

A friend of mine used to hoist code flags spelling out "Rum Here", and anyone who could read that message was welcome for cocktails. (His boat was called Demerara!) Those flags usually resulted in a party!

That sort of thing can certainly weed out the riff-raff... jajaja

If you've got a printer or just like to type in Nautical Flag Font, you can find a nice free one here:

Maritime Flag Font​

Maritime Flags Font | dafont.com

Maritime Flags Font | dafont.com

www.dafont.com

The download is a True Type Font file zipped up, but after unzipping, right-click a .ttf file to install a font in Windows. After that you should find it in your normal font selection tools, like the Character Map app:

Not that I'd expect to find any boaty nerds around here that would use such a font. jajaja!

~~ Red

 

[OntarioTheLake]

We fly this flag, which seems friendly

View attachment 146926

Don, I have to admit, I'd be a bit gunshy around anyone with a rubber ducky flag.

 

[Don L]

Don, I have to admit, I'd be a bit gunshy around anyone with a rubber ducky flag.

Gee,, what else are you scared of if a rubber ducky flag on a boat named rubber ducky makes you gunshy