November 1946

The Executive Committee approved the adoption of Nylon Cloth for Thistle sails following a motion by I.L. Garron. After testing by multiple sailors including Paul Berner, Sandy Douglass, and John Lovett, nylon sails proved superior to cotton cloth. The sails are 20-30% more expensive but are available from experienced sailmakers, assuring good sailing conditions for 1947.

The Bagpipe announces a literary contest for Thistle-related stories of 200 words or less. Stories can be true or semi-true accounts of races, accidents, trips, or sailing exploits. Monthly winners will be published in the Bagpipe, and the overall winner will be decided at the National Races in Vermilion the following summer.

The Toledo Thistle Fleet concluded its 1946 racing season on September 28-29, with Miller & Seifert winning the first series and Bassett & Snell winning the second series and Fleet Championship. The Toledo fleet participated in 33 Thistle races and achieved significant placements at the ILYA Regatta and National Championship Races, including hosting the first Thistle race ever staged on May 30, 1946.

Ray Breidster sailing "BAD SAC" won the three-race Milwaukee Journal trophy regatta. Six Thistles participated, including three from Milwaukee and three from Racine. Breidster's sailing experience with international Dinghies contributed to his success.

The Bagpipe publishes key articles from the Thistle Class Association by-laws covering fleet business procedures, annual dues structure, charter renewal requirements, and suspension/reinstatement procedures. Membership dues are set at three dollars annually for active members, with provisions for shared ownership and reduced rates for associate members.