March-April 1968

Opening photo essay capturing Thistle fleet racing at the start of the 1968 sailing season, featuring a dramatic shot of several Thistles at full sail with their characteristic daggerboards raised and fleet moving together across the water.

Collection of reader correspondence including letters from association members praising the Bagpipe newsletter, discussing boat experiences and sailing activities, and inquiries about Thistle Class operations and procedures.

Obituary of Ted Himsworth (1920-1988), a dedicated member of the Thistle Class Association who died on February 28, 1968. The piece celebrates his contributions to the class through his work on boat design, his participation in numerous regattas, and his role as first vice president and Chief Measurer, noting his influence on both individuals and the broader Thistle community.

Call for junior sailing articles for YACHTING magazine's annual junior contest, encouraging young sailors to submit articles about their experiences and activities. The best entries will be published and prize money awarded.

Official Governing Board minutes from February 19, 1968 meeting at St. Petersburg Yacht Club covering boat registration clarifications, financial status, appointment approvals, 1968 Nationals at Sayville, and discussion of proposed amendments regarding drain holes and Cunningham holes in Thistle hulls.

Detailed account of Peter Barrett's victory at the 1968 Mid-Winters championship at St. Petersburg, demonstrating sophisticated boat handling and tactical skill under challenging wind and water conditions. The article describes the competitive races, including close finishes, and highlights the contributions of Barrett's crew and the overall race management.

Complete race results tables from the 1968 Mid-Winters championship at St. Petersburg, showing final standings for both Championship and Consolation divisions with scores for each race and overall placement.

Detailed explanation of registration procedures, measurement certificates, and dropdown rules for qualifying boats and skippers to compete in District Eliminations and National Championships. Article clarifies common misunderstandings about registration requirements and deadlines.

Explanation of how the Nationals quota is calculated based on dues-paid and registered Thistle boats in each district, with specific examples showing the formula and rounding rules for determining each district's allowed entries.

Technical article describing the author's innovative method for single-handedly inverting a Thistle hull for inspection and maintenance, using carefully designed rigging and mechanical advantage with wire chains, tackle, and hoists.

Detailed account of the 1968 Mid-Winters racing experience, describing tactical decisions, wind conditions, and the challenges of competing in the final race series at St. Petersburg, with vivid descriptions of fleet dynamics and memorable moments.

Technical discussion and diagrams showing released and tightened positions of Cunningham holes in Thistle sails, addressing the controversy over whether allowing adjustable Cunningham holes weakens the class's design integrity by making sails too variable.

Report on Ted Fontelieu's dominant performance in the 1967 East Coast Fall series, winning multiple regattas across the Atlantic coast and demonstrating consistent high-level sailing throughout the season. The article details the various events and Fontelieu's victories.

Technical article describing a new outhaul mechanism similar to the one in the Land's End Equipment Guide, providing detailed instructions for installation using standard fittings and aircraft pulley components.

Detailed technical diagrams showing top view, bottom view, and longitudinal section of an outhaul mechanism with measurements and component specifications for builders.

Report on the Westport Fall Invitational regatta where Peter Bordes won the series, narrowly beating Ted Fontelieu and other top skippers. The article details the challenging weather conditions and close racing that characterized the event.

Report on Hawaii's opening 1968 regatta won by Hank Inouye (1310), featuring detailed race descriptions including wind shifts, tactical moves, and notable performances by various skippers across three races held in Kaneohoe Bay.

Report on the 1968 Annual Houston Yacht Club Midwinter Regatta held February 17-18 where Middlebrook (1814) won convincingly by taking both race days, with Mac Middlebrook demonstrating strong boat handling and competitive skills in challenging wind conditions.

Detailed report of the Fleet 16 Frostbite Regatta held in early November at Turkeyfoot Lake, describing challenging weather conditions with rain, snow, and low temperatures that tested sailor endurance and boat performance.

Announcement page for the spring and summer 1968 regatta schedule with notice that full dates will be published in the May-June issue of Bagpipe, showing Western Carolina S.C. location.

Comprehensive listing of all Thistle regattas scheduled for the Atlantic Coast region during 1968, organized by month from April through August across New England, Long Island Sound, New Jersey, Central Atlantic, Carolinas, South Atlantic, and Florida districts.

Comprehensive listing of Thistle regattas scheduled for the Great Lakes, Mid-continent, and Southwest regions during 1968, covering events from April through August across multiple districts and locations.

Comprehensive listing of Thistle regattas scheduled for the Pacific Northwest, Northern and Southern California, Rocky Mountain, and Hawaii regions during 1968.

Handy checklist of essential sailing gear and equipment for Thistle regatta participants, organized by categories including sails, rigging, safety equipment, and comfort items.

Account of the Hospitality Regatta held in Jackson, Mississippi on October 21-22, 1967, with detailed descriptions of three challenging races featuring shifting winds, competitive racing, and individual skipper performances.

Humorous and practical guide to water skiing behind a Thistle sailboat in North Carolina's Outer Banks, describing techniques for starting, holding the rope, managing the tow line, and maintaining control while skiing at various speeds and wind conditions.

Comprehensive collection of classified advertisements including for-sale boat listings, used and new Thistle sales with descriptions and pricing, parts and equipment offerings, and services for Thistle sailors.