April 1949

Official spinnaker measurements for the Thistle class were established by the Measurement Committee on March 31, 1949. The measurements specify luff, foot, diagonal, and cross measurements with specified tolerances. Luffs must be of equal length and wire luffs are prohibited.

Race report from March 13, 1949 where Thistles and Suicides raced against Crickets in Miami. The Thistles placed second overall on a point score basis. Results show the top-five finishers with detailed scoring across three heats.

Notice that the expected match race between Sandy Douglass in THISTLE and Ray Hunt in JAVELIN has been indefinitely postponed due to the JAVELIN being elsewhere and no launching facilities available.

Calendar of scheduled Thistle regattas from May through October 1949, showing dates, regatta names, and locations across multiple fleets in the Midwest and South.

Correction to an article in the March issue about "Chesapeake Progress." The facts quoted were straight; Sandy followed the first Chesapeake 20 in by about 17 seconds but was several minutes ahead of the second 20. The Star affair was a brush race, not a competition race.

Technical advice on preventing mast diamonds from slipping out of spreader tips. The solution involves opening the end of the spreader tip with a hammer until the slot is closed sufficiently to keep the wire from coming out, and holding the diamonds in place with marlin or fine copper wire.

Report on Frank Hanratty lifting the Washington Birthday Race trophy, originally sponsored by the Southwestern Yacht Club and proposed in their domain for many years. The race is a handicap event for all classed boats. Frank found a breeze with only eleven minutes to spare and got over two minutes before sundown to avoid "no contest."

Collection of brief news items about Thistle developments in various regions: a Thistle kit delivered to Denmark for establishing a fleet in Brazil; Thistle Directory mailing; Bob Clabault joining Tufts College racing team; Willard D. Carter graduating from a 63-foot auxiliary schooner to Thistle; and Frank Janssen becoming Commodore of O.Y.A.

Report on a constitutional review meeting held April 9 in Cleveland at the home of John Lovett with several association members present. Recommendations for constitutional revisions were discussed and recommendations were being formulated.

Note that Thistle racing in Florida goes on regularly at Dinneus Bay Yacht Club and Miami Yacht Club. The Biscayne Bay Yacht Club schedules the class every Saturday and other clubs on alternate Sundays.

Letters to the editor section containing two letters: one from George Lewis of Onondaga, Y.C. discussing design features of the Thistle class and favoring rigid standardization, and one from Ross Andrews of Woonsocket, R.I. suggesting mail ballots for association decisions.

Editorial plea for members to contribute news about their activities. The editor notes there are many busy members painting and varnishing boats, but asks them to share what is happening in their fleets.