December 1961

Moffat explores the mental and tactical aspects of competitive sailing, discussing concentration, boat handling techniques, and the importance of understanding local wind and water conditions. The article emphasizes that winning requires constant attention to multiple factors including weather, trim, weight, and adjustment, not just raw sailing skill.

The annual mid-winter championship for Thistles is scheduled for February 5-8 at St. Petersburg, Florida. Warm-up races will be held on February 5, with the general chairman being Bill Hough, race chairman Tom Downs, and entertainment chairman Jeff Dozark.

Chief Measurer Dave Minton reports on the weight data from the 1961 National Championships at Racine. All competing boats were weighed and compared, revealing the scale calibration was 7 pounds low at the lightest and 11 pounds low at the heaviest. The data shows weight distribution across the fleet and discusses implications for future championships.

Bob Cooch and the Light Air Diamond Jubilee Thistle Regatta, held September 9-10 at Diamond Lake, Michigan, is covered. Second place went to Ted Himsworth and third to Tom Adams, each winning various trophies.

Fleet No. 98 of the Corinthian Y.C. of Cape May, N.J., had a successful first season with 21 races sailed. Three races were held as an invitational regatta on August 5-6, and the Thistle Class has 4 active boats with expectations for growth by the 1962 season. The U.S. Coast Guard has become very active in the racing program.

The second annual organized Fall Series for skippers in the Middle Atlantic and New England States was held on five consecutive weekends from September 9 through October 8. Huntington, Long Island and Sayvile, Long Island races were followed by four three-race series at other locations. Prizes were awarded for individual weekend winners, and the most consistent performer won the Western Perpetual Trophy.

Advertisement for custom-tailored Thistle boat covers made of vinyl-covered nylon. The covers are offered in two colors (white or sea foam green) and come with snaps for fastening under gunwales.

Doug MacGregor (1366) of the Cottage Park Y.C. in Winthrop, Mass., won the September 23-24 Thistle regatta at Milford, Conn., with 10.5 points, defeating Walt Stubner (1124) of Milford with 10.5 points and Ed Walsh (818) with 9.75 points.

Thirteen skippers representing Champion skippers of seven small boat fleets competed in a two-day regatta at Kaneche Bay for the Small Boat Championship. Tom Carpenter's Thistle fleet took two different boats to first place in the first two races, and copped a fifth with a boat, then on one else had been able to finish above 8th.

Twenty-two Thistle skippers competed on Winthrop, Mass., for the closing Fall Series Regatta hosted by Cottage Park Yacht Club on October 7-8. Gordon Vineyard and Doug MacGregor initially picked up the marbles before a course was set.

Twenty-two thistles were on hand for Lake Guntersville Yacht Club's annual Fall Regatta on October 14 and 15. A cold front early Saturday brought winds of up to 35 MPH. Only thirteen boats (or fourteen) finished the single race, with other boats withdrawn due to wind conditions.

During the first two and one-half hours of the Atlantic Coast Championships held at Raritan Yacht Club on August 12-13, forty-six Thistles competed in brisk ing matches with the starting mark in a hedge against the tide. Liggett in boat No. 823 secured a substantial lead around the windward mark. The livelifest action occurred when a split boat was seen pumed into the first boat, No. 201, Lifeshift from Long Island Sound to finish within three hour time limit.

The Commodore Decatur Yacht Club's Sixth Invitational Regatta started with fewer than a bang as 20 Thistles waited almost in vain for wind. Light air finally prevailed and a one lap race was completed with Bob Kaiser (1149) easing off with first place while Bill Walton (447) was second and Jack LaFollette (1089) third.

Winds were very agreeable for our annual Thistle Regatta. First place was a contest between Bill Walton (447) and Howard Boston (111). In the first race Saturday, Walton outmaneuvered Boston to slip across the finish line first. In the second race, Walton's first place was never seriously challenged.

For the following report on Carla, BAGPIPE is indebted to THISTLE-HOWN which is indebted to Cecil and Betty Brooks, who sent a thick packet of HOUSTON CHRONICLE clippings. Seabrook Sailing Club took a felicitous housing from Carla as did all of the surrounding waterfront.

This article by Charlie Athans was filled from BAYPIPE of fleet 67, Northern California. For several years the fleet had been trying to think of a way to describe the feeling of the Nationals from a racer's perspective. The article discusses Thistle racing in California and the characteristics that make the class distinctive in that region.

The Hawaiian Invitational Regatta will be sailed the third week in October at the Waikiki Yacht Club. The event will be the week after Aloha Week festivities. MF and 110 will be sailing on one of the finest small boat courses in the world at Kameche Yacht Club.

Reprinted from Pittsburgh Press, September 3, 1961. Dillman discusses sailboating as a rebuttal to anyone who figures sailboats don't offer leisurely pastime or families. The article explains how the sport tests stamina and offers pleasure, while discussing the wholesomeness of the activity and mutual benefit of various fleets.

In accordance with the instructions of the Governing Board of the Thistle Class Association, the undersigned District Representatives have reached the following agreement for selection of location of future Atlantic Coast Championships. The agreement details the rotation schedule among five districts for hosting the championship.

Close series finishes ended the sailing season for Thistle Fleet No. 76 in Waikiki. The first place in the Invitational series had four first place finishes and second. Tom Carpenter finished second in the series with light and variable winds of Waikiki.

Comprehensive classifieds section featuring various Thistle boats for sale, rigging and equipment, and spare parts. Listings include boat sales with prices, wooden masts for sale, Thistle design products, and advertisements for marine services and boat covers.