November-December 1963

Thistle Fleet 97 completed its third consecutive winning season at Folsom Lake Yacht Club's Fall Regatta on October 19-20, with R.S. Kelley Jr. taking top honors in the second consecutive year. The race was marked by nearly perfect conditions and competitive sailing.

Jack Wanenmacher from Cleveland Yacht Club planned off with two decisive victories in heavy air against rugged competition from three districts, though his third race was not sailed due to heavier air on Sunday. Despite close competition, Wanenmacher prevailed in this Sandusky Yacht Club Fall Invitational Regatta.

With high winds, high seas, and a good set of banters, Ted Himsworth won the North Cape V.C. Toledo three-race series in the first major race of the Whiskey Caribbean. The series was highlighted by the challenging conditions and a dramatic finish.

The Annual Meeting of the Thistle Class Association was held at the Sayville Yacht Club on August 9, where officers were welcomed and important business was conducted. Governing Board actions were reviewed, including rule changes and charter approvals for various fleets.

Bill Alexander clinched a splendid uphill victory during the 1963 season by winning the Fleet 22 District Championship at Wesconsett Yacht Club on August 10-11 with excellent sailing in light to heavy winds over three races.

Huntington Thistle Fleet 35 hosted a regatta for both Thistles and Lightning classes with 50 competing boats. Elmer Richards won the Huntington Invitational for the second time, taking top honors over challenging competition and varied wind conditions.

Ben Weil, ably crewed by Chandler Hauser and John Senton, sailed to victory in the Central Atlantic District Championships at Annapolis on July 27-28. Joel Epstein and Peter Hoyt finished second and third respectively in this competitive regional championship.

Jim Phelps and his crew topped twenty-nine Thistles in the Annual Labor Day Regatta at Springfield, Illinois. Races were held on Lake Springfield with light and variable winds the first day and stronger winds the next day that completed the three-race event.

The Governing Board met on August 20, 1963, at Doug Westin's home to review Chief Measurerer rulings, financial reports, and race procedures. Various administrative and policy decisions were made including charter modifications for several fleets.

In the first race, Ned Lockwood had a good start ahead of Jay Dorniu and prevailed over varied conditions including wind shifts and challenging mark placements. The second race was similar with White beating Boston on the beat, followed by races won by different leaders.

The season's largest turnout at Chesapeake Bay Thistles took place September 21-22 at the President's Cup Regatta on the Potomac River off Haines Point with 17 boats racing. Fontelieu demonstrated exceptional performance throughout, winning the overall title while other top racers competed fiercely.

Concho Yacht Club held its fifth Annual Labor Day Regatta at North Concho Lake, Texas on August 30-31 and September 1. Thistles from San Angelo, San Antonio and Austin participated. The regatta featured challenging race conditions with races conducted in light, variable, and strong winds over the weekend.

A scheduled three-race series at the Milford Yacht Club's "Last Chance Regatta" was reduced to a single Saturday race due to old man weather, but Walsh demonstrated clear superiority in the challenging conditions that followed.

The 1963 National Championship was recorded in a 38-minute color silent motion picture produced by Wm. Libby at 182 Glen Haven Road, Rochester. The film is available for loan and shows the complete proceedings of the championship.

A detailed schedule for the 1964 St. Petersburg Midwinters regatta held at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club from February 3-6, featuring registration, tune-up races, sailing events, social functions, and meals. Registration fee was $10.00 per boat.

Spike Boston sailed a consistent 4, 5, 3 series to win the Port Clinton Snow Flurry regatta in October. Despite challenging weather with high winds and snow, Boston and other local racers competed in excellent conditions that showcased the skill of the competitors.

The ninth annual Ohio Valley Sailing Regatta held October 12-13 at Louisville Sailing Club saw Ned Lockwood capture the title with strong performances. Lockwood sailed skillfully despite challenging conditions and competitive fleets seeking front position.

A comprehensive listing of new Thistle boat owners and their locations across North America, representing the expansion of the Thistle fleet during the 1963 season.

Thirteen Thistles from Acton and Ester Lakes fleets raced in the annual Tri-Lake Regatta at Acton Lake, Oxford, Ohio on August 24-25. Dave Ortman took first place with a 1-1-3 record, while other competitors demonstrated strong performances in varied wind conditions.

The Executive Committee met on August 23, 1963, at Sayville with members Richards, Himsworth, Hills and Fracker in attendance. Key decisions included appointing the new Treasurer, adjusting future procedures, and implementing speedup measures for Bagpipe publication.

Larry Haupt of the Lake Jacomo Sailing Club won the Lake Jacomo Labor Day Regatta with five boats from Hawaii, sailing a chartered boat. The event featured high-quality racing and finishes from various competitors.

Elmer Richards of Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club won the Thistle Regatta held September 21-22 at Lake Hopatcong as part of the Northeast Coast Fall Series. With commanding performances and strategic sailing, Richards prevailed over strong competition from Massachusetts to New Jersey.

Pete Bordes added another first to his long list of sailing wins by outpointing Dennis Posey and Doug MacGregor for the Atlantic Coast Championship at the Squantum Yacht Club on August 3-4 with light air and challenging conditions.

The Lake Norman North Carolina Yacht Club held its first regatta on October 4th with weather clear and temperature 65F, wind 5-7 mph producing a beautiful day. Three races had been scheduled but only two were completed due to wind conditions on the third race.

Elmer Richards won the Heather Bowl at the eighth annual Canoe Club competition on October 12-13 with a record turnout of thirty-four Thistles competing over varied courses including windward-leeward and triangular courses.

Fleet 102 enjoyed the hospitality of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club's 19th annual sailing regatta on August 31-September 1 with nine Thistles competing in excellent wind conditions. Joel Epstein led the way with consistent performance throughout.

Larry Haupt managed a 3/4 point victory over Eugene English in San Angelo, Texas, winning the Lake Jacomo (Kansas City) Last Mark regatta on September 29. The first race was won by Jay Dorniu, and the event proved competitive with close finishes.

Bob Duff sailed Sea Shell to victory in the Corinthian Yacht Club regatta held in Cold Spring Harbor with light and variable winds over a triangle course on Saturday followed by stronger winds on Sunday.

Classified listings including boat sales, wanted ads, services, and marketplace items related to Thistle sailing boats and equipment. Multiple boats and equipment pieces are listed for sale with contact information.