January-February 1964

A new regatta was created spontaneously in October 1963 at the Illinois Valley Yacht Club on Lake Keona, hosted by Fox Hole Fleet 36. Twelve boats competed in two races with Harmer and Pakin taking top honors in the first race and Pakin winning the second race.

An announcement promoting the St. Petersburg Yacht Club's seventeenth Thistle Midwinter regatta scheduled for February 3-8, 1964, the ninth time the club has hosted the event. The article highlights restaurant options, race schedule, activities, and encourages sailors to register.

A notice reminding fleet members to submit their fleet report forms by January 31 to the District Secretary. The forms are used to account for all boats in the printed roster and should include ZIP codes and membership dues.

Glenn Clark won an unbreakable tie-breaking match race against Tom Carpenter in a six-race series at Fleet 76 in Kaneohe Bay in September, becoming the first repeat winner in seven years. The report details the dramatic final race with equipment failures and strategic sailing.

National Champion Ed Walsh recommended to the Executive Committee that the Cleveland Yacht Club's bid to host the 1964 National Championship be accepted. The club, home of Fleet No. 1, is located in Rocky River, Ohio.

A detailed account of designing and building a special boat-carrying trailer for transporting two Thistles with one car. Describes the construction materials and clever rig design developed for efficient carrying of boats.

The annual Fall Gold Cup Series was held at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club as the seasonal retreat of the Thistles. Fresh breezes and milder weather contrasted with midwinter racing. Results show strong performance from multiple skippers across several races.

President Ted Himsworth has appointed Ned Lockwood to edit the Thistle Class roster for 1964. Lockwood requests accurate fleet reports and timely submission to expedite the roster publication process.

A technical memo from the Chief Measurer discussing standardized dimensions for Thistle centerboards, rudders, and sails based on measurements taken at the 1963 Nationals. Discusses tolerances for measurement accuracy and mainsail specifications.

Local skipper Bill Borough won the Diamond Jubilee Regatta held at Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, Michigan in September. The regatta featured two Saturday afternoon races with light and steady winds within the two-hour time limit.

Technical specifications table for centerboards from the first five boats in the 1963 National Championship, showing detailed measurements and tolerances for various boat components.

Announcement for the Midwinter Championship regatta hosted by St. Petersburg Yacht Club Fleet 53 in February 1964. Details the event leadership, course details, and expected participation of 40-45 Thistle yachts from across the United States.

A comprehensive article by National Champion Ed Walsh analyzing the sails used at the National Championship, discussing design philosophy, construction materials, and performance characteristics of various sail configurations including discussion of jib materials and mainsail specifications.

A lengthy article addressing membership and dues payment issues, urging members to pay their TCA (Thistle Class Association) dues and maintain active membership status. Discusses membership benefits, special regatta opportunities, and early release initiatives for the 1964 roster.

A historical account tracing the origins of the bagpipe from its Scottish roots to its adoption by the Thistle Class. Discusses the instrument's evolution from Highland regiments and its widespread cultural significance in Celtic traditions.

A list of new Thistle boat owners added to the fleet, including their boat numbers and locations across North America.

A lengthy proposal for promoting Thistle fleet participation and expanding the class nationally. Discusses upgrading racing performance, expanding participation, and promoting various fleet activities. Includes specific recommendations for fleet organization and racing divisions.

A list of copy deadlines for upcoming issues of the Bagpipe throughout the remainder of 1964.

A personal narrative of sailing to the Nationals for the first time, describing both the excitement of competing and the significant distances traveled by different competitors to participate in the national championship.

A detailed personal narrative of driving a Thistle sailboat with a trailer from Kansas City to the Nationals, covering approximately 1,500 miles. The account describes challenges encountered en route, including mechanical issues, weather, traffic congestion, and various personal observations about the journey.

A detailed race report of Jack Wyatt's performance in multiple races at Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii, describing dramatic finishes, tactical decisions, and the challenges of racing in strong winds and competitive conditions. Includes race results table.

The Thistle Fleet of Kaneoha Bay held a reversal in the most series, with Wyatt holding a two-point lead after two races and sailing very well seemed in have it in the bag as the Clark (1407) in the Thistle Fleet of Kaneoha Bay, in the most recent series.

Collection of classified advertisements and marketplace listings for Thistle sailboats, equipment, and related services including boat sales, wanted listings, and various accessories.