July-August 1963

Bill and Jeri DeWitt sailed their way to a DeWitt victory at the annual Goguac Sprints regatta, topping a fleet of 17 Thistles. The DeWitts won first place after the first two races with a comfortable margin, and held on through the final race. Herb Mainwaring and others also competed in the event, which was held on Battle Creek, Michigan.

The Secretary-Treasurer, Henry Abramson, is relocating from Leawood, Kansas to Illinois. New address information will be available in the next issue of Bagpipe, and members are urged to send return addresses and include 'Please Forward' on mail sent to his previous location during the transition period.

The ninth annual Cotton Carnival Regatta, held at McKellar Lake in Memphis, Tennessee, featured competition from four states with three races each day. J. Martin (876) won a clean sweep, taking first place in all three races. Bill Bruce (1182) finished second overall, while a Memphis skipper and others competed for placing positions.

Herb Mainwaring (761) won the Michiana District Championship at Oregon Sail Yacht Club on July 7. In only one spare interval between boats Sutton (510) and Meno (1751) took second and third. Mainwaring demonstrated quick sailing in light winds, with the fleet getting only four races due to light conditions.

The West O' Hatteras Fleet 104 hosted Calhoun Regatta on June 1 and 2 at Lake Wylie near Charlotte, North Carolina. The host Catawba Yacht Club organized an inaugural invitational regatta featuring six one-design classes. W. Calhoun won the Skipper class, followed by L. Finch and G. Knight with clear weather and gusty winds.

Extremely close competition for first place characterized the 1963 Southern California District Championship. Defending Champion John Casler (293) was unable to win back-to-back titles, placing behind the new Champion Art Glasier (471). Only one-half point separated the new Champion from others who finished near the top in this closely contested event.

Ken Robbie (100) from Louisville put together two firsts and a third to win the Cowan Invitational by an eight-boat margin. This was the first time in a good many years that the event was won by a skipper from a fleet north of Cincinnati. Robbie found his private puff and flipped onto port about fifty yards from the start to ride in an early lead.

A six region rotation system for holding the National Championship has been developed by Vice-President Ted Himsworth and will be considered by the Governing Board. The system is based on the 1962 regions and proposes a rotating schedule to ensure equal opportunity for all fleets to host their championship.

Eugene George (1650) won the Lake Michigan District Championship at Pewis Dry in the first regatta in his new fiberglas GINGER. George won the 1968 Delta District and is now transitioning from the waves and wind of the Gulf to the gentle area of the Illinois river to post seventh and seventh in the fourth and second in the Championship.

Ned Lockwood (799) of Indianapolis found both first and second place in his first try at winning the Hap Nelson Memorial Trophy at the Damnfull Regatta in Laramyville. Lockwood won by a comfortable margin of over five points. Second place honor went to George Hills (1573), and third to an unspecified skipper with excellent sailing.

Two successive first places and a second enabled Glenn Clark (1197) to capture the Towall Engineering Trophy series before the National Championships in Kanshoe Bay. This was the only series of the season where no one went over the lead. Jack Wyatt (1421) captured second place with a win and subsequent placings, while Bill Dux (1309) and others completed the scoring.

A comprehensive table of Thistle National Champions from 1946 through 1963, listing the year, champion, second place finisher, third place finisher, and location of each championship event. The table shows the evolution of the national championship over 17 years.

Listing of trophy awards from the 1962 Thistle Class National Championships held at Richmond County Yacht Club in August 1962. Includes awards for final position, individual races, and special awards for performance metrics.

An article describing the local sailing conditions on Great South Bay, which are characterized by tricky currents, no surrounding hills, and predominantly sea breezes. The bay experiences variable winds and is known for its challenging conditions, featuring both light and strong winds depending on time of day and season.

An article by Jack Wannemaker providing practical advice to Thistle sailors preparing for the National Championships. The article covers diverse topics including equipment modifications, sailing techniques, and specific tuning advice based on the author's experience, emphasizing preparation and practice.

Technical memo from the class measurer covering centerboards and rudders specifications, reinforcing struts, sails, and other measurement details from the 1963 National Championship. The article clarifies official specifications and corrects previous errors in measurement standards.

Description of Sayville, New York, the location of the 1963 Thistle National Championships. The article discusses the geographic location, local features, accommodations, dining options, and attractions available in the area for participants and spectators.

Official schedule for the 1963 Thistle National Championships held August 19-28 at Sayville. Events include registration, tune-up races, and main championship races with specific times and activities listed for each day.

Roger Brett (1481) won the first Sooner Fling Invitational regatta held by Grand Lake, Oklahoma Fleet. Requirements were changed to involve all ten boats in the first race, and sail nearly an accurate time for an exciting race that included multiple flips and lead changes.

In January at St. Pete, the Governing Board approved use of the Bordes system for conducting the National Championship at Sayville. The committee noted recommendations for modifying the system to be made to the Governing Board and selected the Championship Fleet to sail in a Bordes system fleet prior to the National event.

Ken Wilson (1288) sailing Jim Miller's old boat, Look, finished first place overall in the Erie Open Regatta for the Thistle Class on 8th and 9th of June at the Yacht Club. Among competitors, Harry White (1717) placed just 1/2 points behind the first place boat. Two other well-known Thistle sailors did well that weekend.

The third annual Cann-Canoe Thistle Invitational Regatta was held June 25-1 at Champaign with Rochester Canoe Club and Light variable winds. Bill Cunnings (1381) sailed expertly under light conditions and was first place boat in the regatta, which included classes for Catamarans, Lightnings, and Penguins.

Ed Sherman, Jr., of St. Petersburg, defending Florida district Champion, returned his championship title for the third consecutive year. Sherman also won the Col. Stephen S. Long Thistle Class District Championship Memorial trophy for the fourth time. The event was hosted by Daphne Yacht Club of Lake Tarpon.

Coronado Yacht Club hosted the Annual Small Boat Regatta June 22-28. Mark Evans (918) distinguished himself among the Thistles by capturing two first places in the second and third races, followed by Charles McKenna (1277) who won two seconds.

Kalgh Smith (1241) of Norberth, Florida found success at the 11th annual Dixie Invitational Thistle Regatta at the Atlanta Yacht Club in May. Smith sailed with two first places and won the title. With medium to heavy winds, John Mead of the second place finisher and Stephen C. May in the third position completed the top three.

President Elmer Richards (724) won the Henry Goetz Memorial Trophy at Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club June 22-23. The invitational regatta was won with two races sailed Saturday and Sunday in clear weather. Richards sailed with three crew members in his newly completed Thistle.

A letter to the editor discussing the history and development of the Thistle class. The writer reflects on the early days of the class at Lake Hopatcong and notes the class's evolution over the years, including recent changes to class rules and equipment. The letter expresses appreciation for the current state of the class and its community.

Paul Joy (1103) proved that consistency pays off. Sailing to two necessary second place finishes in heavy trade winds, and a fourth in light winds, that saw him alternately, first and last, he came out on top of the fleet. Joy finished second at the end of Joy. The last race in the light almost never lasted long as most of the fleet went under the weather and lost.

The Dixie Sailing Club of Montgomery, Alabama held its third annual Punch Bowl Regatta, May 25 and 26. Saturday races were sailed in light variable winds. Howard Mead (1619) won followed by John Martin (876), Frankie Cleveland (1518), and others. Winds died during the second race Saturday, causing several shifts in standings.

An article noting recent developments and observations at St. Petersburg regarding Thistle boat specifications and equipment. The piece discusses the adjustable spinnaker pole ruling and the use of gooseneck details in boat construction.

Henry Goetz (121), charter member of Fleet 36 of the Hopatcong Yacht Club in northern New Jersey, passed away on May 1st. Goetz was the founder of Fleet 36 and was instrumental in developing it into the largest fleet on Lake Hopatcong and one of the largest in the T.C.A., having two of the oldest sails and continuing the Thistle tradition.

A regional report on South Atlantic Thistle districts describing a competitive season. The article covers results from various races including those at Lake Allatoona and other venues, highlighting the strong sailing of Howard Mead and Jack Wirth, and the contributions of multiple district sailors.

An article by Andy Littlejohn exploring the possibility of racing a Thistle with only one crew member instead of the traditional two. The author describes modifications and techniques for two-manning, including adjustments to rigging, spinnaker handling, and crew positioning for solo sailing.

Section containing classified advertisements for Thistle boats, equipment, and related services. Includes listings for boat sales, spare parts, sails, and specialized boat covers. Rates are $1.00 for 4 lines and 30 cents a line thereafter.