January 1954

Editorial reminder that Association dues are due in January and should be collected by Fleet secretaries and remitted to the national organization. This follows TCA By-Laws and is more efficient than mailing individual bills to members.

Tom Lenhart of Fleet 13 in San Diego has been elected secretary of the California District, replacing Tom Walker. The article humorously notes Lenhart's persuasive abilities in recruiting racers.

Announcement of the January 23rd TCA meeting at the Princeton-Brown Club in New York, featuring discussion of proposed constitutional amendments, films about sail-making, and prominent speaker Philip B. Rhodes. Includes venue details for both the meeting and the Motor Boat Show.

Frank Greenman of Fleet 17 was elected Secretary of the Central Atlantic District for 1954, with Jack Schalz elected Fleet Captain and Jack Fordhase and Jack Smith as successors.

Classified advertisements and boat listings for sale, including complete cruising Thisstles with gear, racing sails, and spinnakers.

Ray Feibusch, secretary of Fleet 50 at Miramar Y.C., reports on the fleet's past season despite a back injury that occurred while attempting to single-handedly lift his Thistle.

Doug Westin was elected president of the Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association, having served as vice president the previous year.

John Daniell of Balboa, California won the District Championship. Art Prager won the Fleet 19 summer series with Leroy Lenhart and Jean DuPaul placing second and third, and Prager also won the Labor Day series.

Fleet 54 reports optimistic outlook for 1954 with new members joining and boats being launched, projecting 100% growth for the coming year.

Flash report of results from the Winter Championships held in Miami with two finishers listed.

Chief Measurer George Devlin addresses technical questions about reducing sailcloth weight restrictions for synthetic materials and whether to allow foreign three-ply hull construction. He discusses the challenges of enforcement and proposes data collection methods.

Photo and story of the first Thistle built in England by Medina Yacht Company, being exhibited at the Motor Boat Show in New York. The article discusses the controversial three-ply hull construction and invites readers to spot a rigging omission.

Humorous account of Fleet 48 (Atlanta Yacht Club) racing against the club's much larger fleet of Y-Flyers, with the Thistles dominating three races. Includes comments from Earl Gilman about his boat and various racing experiences.

Report from Southern California about the first F.J. championship series for Thistles held at Coronado Yacht Club in October, which was also the first exclusively Thistle regatta held since the author acquired his Thistle a year ago.

Fleet 39 of Manhasset Bay held its fall meeting and elected Hartmut Kallman as Commodore and Bill Halpert as secretary for 1954, with plans to increase racing activity by recruiting new members.

Communication from Adelette Horton Crowe of Fleet 17 regarding the continued use of hiking straps on Thistles, and reporting racing results from Fleet 17 fall series with Harry Shinde winning.

Fleet 48 held its December meeting to elect officers for the coming year, with Jack O'Shea re-elected as captain, Jim Ness as secretary, and another member as treasurer.