April-May 1962

A letter addressing eligibility requirements for Thistle Class competition, discussing how the Chief Measurer's memorandum on eligibility should be summarized and presented in a unified document to address common issues.

A brief notice requesting fleet secretaries and captains to report their fleet activities and send in stories with photos for publication in The Bagpipe.

A directive for fleet captains to report activities and submit stories with photos for publication in The Bagpipe.

A notice about the need for duplicate measurement certificates to be sent to the National Secretary's office to maintain a complete file of boat measurements.

A request for an old used graphotype machine or similar equipment for the National Secretary to cut addressograph plates.

A detailed technical ruling by the Chief Measurer regarding a protest of Thistle #1233's illegal centerboard design. The ruling disqualifies the boat from competition until the centerboard is corrected, with detailed explanation of the Bylaws provisions and precedent.

An announcement that the Bordes System for running the National Championship was submitted to the Governing Board and approved for the 1962 National Championship. The system uses a 12% quota based on registered and dues-paid boats.

A brief article from the Charlotte News reporting that a Thistle won first place in a local sailing competition on Lake Wylie. The article mentions sixteen boats of various classes participated.

A humorous, poetic piece written from a skipper's perspective during the chaotic minutes before a race, depicting the frantic activities and concerns of preparing a boat for competition.

A comprehensive sailing instruction article covering the critical moments before and during the start of a race, including analysis of starting problems, strategies for positioning, timing, and the importance of understanding wind patterns and local conditions.

A comprehensive listing of Thistle sailing regattas scheduled throughout 1962, organized by geographic districts including Central Atlantic, Delta, Midwest, Northern California, Hawaiian, and other regions with dates and locations.

A round-table discussion between experienced Thistle sailors about sail characteristics, including topics like jib height, batten selection, draft depth, sail folding, and window placement. Features detailed technical advice with diagrams of sail components.

A racing scenario presenting two different interpretations of a sailing rule involving an overlap situation between two boats on port tack, asking readers to determine the correct ruling based on NAYRU Rule 37.1.

A collection of letters from readers to The Bagpipe's editor, addressing topics including the vitalization of the Snipe fleet, the Rabbit starting method, class participation in invitational regattas, and the Cleveland Baggatelle event.

A comprehensive classified section featuring Thistle boats for sale, used sails, rigging equipment, trailers, and related sailing gear. Prices range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, with contact information for sellers.