rec.boats burgee

Last modified Nov. 8, 2001. We've had 

What's rec.boats? What's a burgee? What does the design represent? How was it chosen? How can you get one? See flags from around the world that boaters swapped for their rec.boats burgee, in the rec.boats International On-Line Museum ... and some links.

What does the design represent? How was it chosen?

The flag at the top of the page is the official burgee of the rec.boats newsgroup. The design symbolizes our worldwide digital newsgroup, active day and night. It was chosen in 1994 by a vote of newsgroup participants.

Dave Kinzer, the designer, explained his intentions as follows:

"I did put some consideration into the burgee design. It had to be simple, concisely described in a few words. Working within that restriction, I folded some of the special aspects of the newsgroup into my thinking.

"The blue sphere represents the global nature of rec.boats. The black and white backgrounds, equal in area, stem from the digital means of our communication, and the round-the-clock nature of our network. Maybe it also comes from the power verses sail discussions frequently seen here.

"As the sole designer, it is my right to place the design into the public domain, and I hereby do so. Feel free to have your own signal flags, etc. made. I would hope that you would confine its meaning to people and things associated with the rec.boats newsgroup, though you are under no legal obligation to do so.

"As a public holding, you are free to modify the design to suit your tastes. It is desirable that you not distort it so much as to be unrecognizable, as recognition amongst ourselves is its true purpose. Some here have expressed the desire to add 'r.b' or some such text to the sphere, which seems suitable. The unencumbered design reflects my own sense of aesthetics.

"I hope to see you on the water in whatever port I visit, and wherever you see our burgee flying, you should consider it an invitation for a face to face meeting with your fellow rec.boaters."

Fair winds,
Dave Kinzer
April 6, 1994

How can you get a rec.boats burgee?

See the new rec.boats caps and burgees order page.

From time to time, several people have manufactured rec.boats burgees and offered them to newsgroup members. I did it from April 1996 to April 1999, on a not for profit basis.  As of April 1999, Peter Meek has graciously agreed to take over stocking and mailing them.

The flags measure 12" by 18", and are sewn nylon, not silk screened, with heavy duty binding and grommets.

The rec.boats Burgee Around the World:

The rec.boats burgee is flown on dozens of boats around the world. Many boaters have obtained their rec.boats burgee by swapping for a local burgee or other nautical souvenir, like this South African yacht ensign. Visit the entire collection at the rec.boats International On-Line Museum.
 
 

Also cruise to:

• rec.boats newsgroup
• Get your rec.boats caps.
• Dowload GIFs of the International Signal Flags.
• More flags on The Flag Page.
• The California Cape Dory Owners Association
• Walt's home page.

What's rec.boats? What's a burgee?

rec.boats is a Usenet newsgroup dedicated to interchange of information about recreational boating. There are also a number of specialized newsgroups dealing with specific aspects of boating. These include rec.boats.building, rec.boats.cruising, rec.boats.electronics, rec.boats.marketplace, rec.boats.paddle, rec.boats.racing, and rec.boats.racing.power.

According to Chapman Piloting, "A burgee is a triangular, rectangular or swallowtailed flag denoting club or squadron membership." Thus, by adopting and flying the rec.boats burgee, a group of rec.boats users in effect declared the newsgroup to be a sort of worldwide boating club.