May 1961

Six rulings published in Bagpipe March-April 1961 have been ruled unconstitutional by the Governing Board. The article lists these illegal rulings and explains that TCA Constitution requires prior approval before rulings are published.

Gene and Pat Allen won the Balboa Regatta held on the Balboa T.O. course, with Allen Cottle placing second and Dick Andrews taking third. The article reports on this regatta result.

Old Smuggler DCCVXVII of Sayville, Long Island announces the engagement of crew member Ellen Schmit to Rob Shaw. The article notes that Thistles revealed during Easter holidays that the wedding party will be attired in formal cross cut dacron with matching spinnakers.

This article lists upcoming Thistle regatta schedules across multiple regions including Lake Michigan, Michiana, Long Island Sound, and others, with dates and locations for events in June and July.

President Allcorn discusses the Thistle being selected for the Sears Cup, NAYRU to the winning junior skippers in nationally-held competition. He addresses upcoming fleet meetings and the importance of junior sailing, mentioning upcoming finals in St. Petersburg and encouraging participation.

Request for clear glossy pictures of Thistles in action. Photos should be 8x10 black and white prints sent to the Bagpipe office for establishing a publicity file.

Fleet Secretaries and individuals are urged to report all roster additions to the Secretary immediately to ensure the printed roster for this year is being prepared accurately.

West Coast Thistles are looking forward to the TCA Pacific Coast Championship to be held at Huntington Lake, California for the first time. The event features high elevation and scheduled races, with vacation opportunities and camping available.

The Cotton Carnival in Memphis, May 6-7, will be the annual Cotton Carnival Regatta sponsored by the Delta Sailing Club. The regatta expects 60-70 participating boats.

Ft. Loudon Lake in Knoxville, Tennessee has been announced as the 1961 site for the Admiral Farragut Championships. Sponsored by Fleet 45, the regatta will be held May 13 and 14.

Discussion of new NAYRU Yacht Racing Rules for this year. The article explains that there are only a few major changes but dozens of changes affecting race procedures. It comments on selected rule changes without attempting to catalogue them.

Advertisement and column about original handmade jiffy bags for sailboats. Describes various color options including white duck trimmed bags with different colors (solid red, striped, navy, yellow, etc.) and sizing guide for purchasing.

Women in the Thistle circle might be interested to know that metal buttons with the thistle flower are available in many department stores. The notice mentions two large ones priced at 29 cents and one small at 49 cents, and references Hal Pithado who brought them to the Bagpipe's attention.

Short article about jib luffing in Bagpipe, mentioning that the May 23 issue of LOOK Magazine ran a photo story on sailboating that includes a portion dealing with the Thistle class.

Discussion of honor awards for decorative boats at the competitive events. The article explains that these are gifts of Boston Yacht Sail Company and TCA, available through District Secretaries from the Secretary's Office, and can be awarded as inter-district competition.

Brief notice that the May 23 issue of LOOK Magazine on page 9 carries a 14-page story on sailboating that includes a portion dealing with the Thistle. Readers are urged to get a copy.

Chief Measurer discusses all-up weight limitations for Thistles during the 1960 National Championships. The memo explores the variation in weights of boats in other classes and proposes establishing a minimum all-up weight of 550 lbs, addressing issues of boat performance standardization.

Detailed technical article on spinnaker handling, including definition, rigging, setting, and trimming procedures for effective spinnaker management on a Thistle sailboat.

Correspondence between George Devlin (Chief Measurer) and Pete Borden regarding boat weight and performance. The discussion debates whether boat weight is the primary factor in racing success, with references to specific boats and measurements.

Advertisement and instructional content about winter sailing tactics and training. Contains sailing techniques and tips for various situations, presented in an advertisement format.

Opinion piece discussing crewing relationships and the dynamics between skipper and crew in sailboat racing. The article humorously addresses common frustrations and offers practical advice for improving crew relationships.

Race results table from the Balboa Regatta showing skipper names, boat numbers, and their placements across three races plus final standings.

Map showing the geographic distribution of Thistle Class Association districts across North America, including regions in the United States and Canada.

Continuation of general yacht racing rules section, discussing various aspects of rule interpretation, enforcement, and procedures for disputes.

Classified advertisements and boat listings including Thistles for sale, boat equipment, and related marine merchandise.