Flag Pole

[seanmclean]

Just wanted to share what I put together for a flagpole, I've seen a number of different approaches to it, but hadn't seen one that I liked that could support two flags and quickly go up/down.

I installed the Airhead Wake Tower flag holder and matching watersports flag last weekend, and was impressed with the quality of the mount and flagpole, so decided to pick up another to use to fly our regular flags. I 3D printed some slip on fittings to attach to the pole, and will attach the flags to the fittings using S-Lock Caribiners (stole this idea off Maniah). This will give me an easy way to deploy flags and quickly swap. My only complaint about the Airhead mount was the risk of losing flags underway (though unlikely), so I did tap a hole to accept a set screw. I'm just using one flag holder for now, and will just swap out flags when we're tubing/boarding.

And the model I made to attach to the pole (can make this available if anyone wants to print their own. This is an improved version of what's pictured, they were just quick mockups for proof of principle.

 

[Sbrown]

@seanmclean, I'm moving along the same path you just tread and I've been trying to decide what to use for a flagpole. If I'm reading you right, you bought a spare Airhead watersports flag and just stripped the flag off the pole?

 

[seanmclean]

@seanmclean, I'm moving along the same path you just tread and I've been trying to decide what to use for a flagpole. If I'm reading you right, you bought a spare Airhead watersports flag and just stripped the flag off the pole?

Yep, exactly.

 

[Hector]

Looks great, what size flags?

 

[InmyElement]

Thanks for the post. I get paranoid with other boaters getting to close during watersports, so I use 2 airhead holders (i really like them the best so far) one on each side of the tower to fly the watersports warning orange flag. I like your idea I think I'll convert one to fly the US and Jetboaters flag.

 

[seanmclean]

Looks great, what size flags?

They're 12x18s.

 

[seanmclean]

Looking at it some more, I may cut the pole down some. Don't need to fly them quite as high as the watersports flag. Maybe just above the bimini.

 

[Hector]

They're 12x18s.

Thanks, already ordered the same set up.
Great write up!

 

[Julian]

I bought the airhead flag pole holders too. I just stuffed foam insulation in mine which worked fine until I drove on the highway and the wind blew out the foam while there was no pole in it....but new foam is easy to stuff in.

 

[seanmclean]

Revised flag clip I made came out nice.

 

[seanmclean]

Lopped 10" off the pole. Much happier with the way it looks now.

Teaching myself how to powdercoat now, so I can get that mount to disappear into the tower.

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

wish I could find that flag holder in black

 

[seanmclean]

Yeah, me too. Just bought a harbor freight powdercoating kit and a cheap toaster oven. Anything worth doing is worth overcomplicating, in my book. First attempt went well, will try a few more things and then give the flagholder a whirl. I have a gloss black powder coming which should match the tower nicely.

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

Nice!
Let me know results!

 

[Sbrown]

Brilliant!......in a flat black kinda way....

 

[seanmclean]

Tested out the mirror black on a spare piece, looks like a pretty good match to me. Going to take a whack at the whole mount tomorrow.

 

[Benny Sibbitt]

That looks real good! Can I send you too lol

 

[seanmclean]

Let's see how well mine comes out first, hah!

 

[seanmclean]

It's not a 100% match, but its close enough for me. Mount blends into the tower now, which is what I was really after.

 

[seanmclean]

Just putting it out there, if anyone wants theirs coated, I'd be happy to do it for $40 including return shipping and the set screw tapped with knurled stainless screw. Have enough of the black powder to do a few more - if you want to pick a color for some of the other towers, could do that too (but nothing to compare it to on my end).

You could probably rattlecan it and get good results - but this should be nice and durable.