November-December 1966

The Chief Measurer discusses the current state of Thistle class specifications and measurements, noting the successful publication of the new specifications and reviewing key measurement issues.

Analysis of hull construction and equipment choices from the 1965 National Championship fleet, with questionnaire results comparing wooden vs. fiberglass boats and various rigging configurations.

St. Petersburg, Florida hosted the 1966 Thistle Mid-Winter Championships in February with a full schedule of racing, social events, and activities. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club provided excellent facilities and hospitality.

With the help of a powerful jinx, Mac Middlebrook and his BRUHA boat won the 1966 Delta Districts championship with 1st, 4th, and 2nd place finishes in challenging weather conditions.

The LEW Districts were hosted by the North Cape Yacht Club with Bob White as fleet captain. The regatta featured excellent harbor facilities and close racing competition.

The 1966 Central Atlantic District Championship was held at Annapolis with excellent attendance. Bill Alexander sailed a conservative but competitive race to win, closely paced by multiple contenders.

Thistling in the Pacific Northwest District continued with increased quantity and quality of boats competing. Groshart took the 1966 championship after winning earlier key events.

A personal column welcoming sympathy for Ray McLeod's loss of his wife Marilyn, with anecdotes about Ray and their family's involvement in Thistle sailing.

Photo essay of racing action at the 1966 Nationals at Sayville, featuring Wilson sailing Wanenmacher and other boats in competition.

Humorous anecdotes from the 1966 National Championship at Sayville featuring various sailors and their escapades during the regatta.

Jack Holzaepfel took time off to sail the Damfull Regatta races, tying with Thistler Larry Haupt before winning on a tiebreaker in third race. Most interesting was the boat-to-boat race between Minton and Bob White.

Ed Fracker won the Bagatelle Trophy at Cleveland Yachting Club's 1966 regatta, held July 30-31. The first race on Saturday morning was sailed in 12-15 mph winds and seas of 2 to 4 feet.

Glasier took his fifth High Sierra regatta win after a competitor-frightening crew of co-owner Peter Barrett and One-of-a-Kind sailor San Miller. The annual event at Huntington Lake tested sailors on the High Sierra Range.

Bill Walton won the Lake Cowan regatta for the second year in a row, enduring unusual invitational sailing with shifty winds. The series was sailed on the Delaware River with slow pace due to light breezes.

Ed Walsh came back to haunt the winner's circle of the Governor's Cup Regatta as eight Thistles hosted in almost dead calm on the June 25-26 Riverton Yacht Club event.

Thistle racing is fun and Fair Haven set out to prove it at the 14 Thistles that arrived at Lake Ontario for the First Annual Fair Haven Fun Affair with high winds Friday night and early Saturday morning.

Twenty-three Thistles participated in the Fall Invitational held in Northport Bay, L.I., with Dennis Posey winning in a nice consistent series. Three races were sailed in northwesterly winds.

National Champion Walt Stubner gathered a first and third place to win the second annual Fall Series Invitational Regatta at Fleet 99 at Cedar Point Yacht Club, Westport, Connecticut in September.

Art Gossard won the Second New England Fall Series Regatta held at the Raritan Yacht Club on September 17-18. The series of two Modified Gold Cup races was won by Art Gossard and Jon Carriel.

A perfect fall weekend welcomed 35 Thistlers to the 11th Annual Heather Bowl Regatta at the Red Dragon Canoe Club on the Delaware River with Fontelieu taking top honors.

Lake Michigan District Champion Roger Brett beat his ex-clubmate Larry Haupt in Cowan Lake's pewter stein regatta. The Kansas City boat's 3-1-2 was just good enough to counter Haupt's strong performance.

In a display of dominant sailing, Glen Clark and his MISTRESS swept three races in two days to win the Kaneohe Yacht Club's Fall Invitational Regatta in typical Hawaiian weather and tradwinds.

Comprehensive listing of race results from various Thistle district competitions and regattas throughout 1966, including PNW Districts, Memorial Day Regatta, Bagatelle Trophy, Hawaii Invitational, and other major events.

Collection of classified advertisements for Thistle boats, sails, equipment, and related services including boat sales, insurance, hardware, and contact information for boat maintenance services.