March 1949

The Thistle Class held its winter meeting on February 19, 1949 at the Hotel Sheraton in Buffalo. Vice President Don Beverage managed arrangements. The group discussed measurement committee rulings on hiking straps and boom regulations, selected the site for the 1949 Nationals, and viewed color movies of the 1949 Nationals.

The Leatherlips Y.C. is one of the earliest centers of Thistle enthusiasm. A lull occurred when Fleet Charter 21 was issued and the group has since been active. Fleet members include Harry Spangenburg as Fleet Captain, Bob Tripp as Fleet Secretary, and other active sailors.

Charter No. 22 has been issued to Savin Hill Y.C. with home waters at Boston Harbor. Fleet members include William Anderson, Angus and Joseph Cameron, Angelo Didioni, Russel Monoghan, John F. Behm, Robert Dalton, and Frederick Wideman Jr.

Charter No. 23 goes to Mohican Thistle Fleet. The group has been active but the Chief and medicine men did not sit in council and obtain a charter initially. Fleet members include Ralph Damlos as Fleet Captain, R.H. Fletcher as Fleet Secretary, and others. The color movies from the Winter Meeting in Buffalo are beginning a tour.

On July 1, 1948 there were only three Thistles in the entire Chesapeake Bay Area. They raced in the handicap class and had problems with starting procedures. Sandy Douglass visited the area from Oxford Regatta, bringing experience. The Chesapeake 20 is a round bottom centerboard with 250 square feet of sail and was considered the fastest small sailboat in the area.

The winter racing series is in full progress at Mission Bay. Frank Flossie Hanratty in PANCHO #209 leads the pace. The Fragers are in second place with ARICHA #252, while Bob and Nadine Gates with GORDO #210 are third. Two more races remain in the series.

Ray Hunt, who will soon launch the Javelin, a 23-footer, has issued a challenge to Sandy Douglass with a side bet one dollar. This establishes a reputation for boats competing at the highest level of sailing.

The South Shore Y.C. in Turkey Foot Lake, Ohio invites all classes to their Open Regatta on May 14-15, 1949. Plans are well along for a program of races for all classes with adequate facilities available. Details can be obtained from Clarence P. Crites.

The treasurer reports that over 150 members are sporting membership cards following the December appeal. A new directory will be mailed only to paid members. Annual dues are $3.00 per year for boat owners and $1.00 for associate members. The new directory will be mailed promptly with checks and money orders processed by the treasurer.

Art Frager provides sailing tips including advice on adjusting the halyard and forestay. He recommends laying a board flat between the warped load keel and a couple of 2 X 4 blocks to straighten the centerboard, and using a bumper jack for straightening the keel.

Letters to the editor covering topics including boom arrangements for roller reefing, discussion of board and rudder designs, excerpts from Bill Robinson's column about Thistle design philosophy, and a question about Thistles in Texas. Topics include flexible cable outhauls, board rigidity vs. performance, and the future of Thistle class design.