Quote:
Originally Posted by dynalow
Overall size of flag matters too, no?
There's a Honda dealer in these parts that flies a gargantuan flag. Must be10' x 20'. Hardly moves unless there's a real strong blow.
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I look at flags to gauge wind speed everyday. Wind speed and direction is the primary indicator of how rough the ocean is going to be, and as a captain I need to know this to inform the folks that wish to go boating.
Two factors come into play when looking at a flag to judge wind speed- the flag size and the amount it is sticking out. Small flags fly straight in lower wind speeds than larger flags. A 4X8 flag needs about 13 knots steady to be about 110 degrees out, 16 knots to be 100 degrees and 20+ knots to be 90 (perpendicular - aka starched).