February-March, 1979

President Knighton announces the Thistle and Thistling Class names have been registered as trademarks for magazines directed to sailboats. He discusses the D&M matter resolution, class growth through promotional efforts, and the expansion of advertising in Bagpipe publications.

The Chief Measurer provides updates on recent measurement requests and policies. He announces a new mast builder, Bryant Spars of Buffalo, and notes the introduction of ARO mast caps. He discusses approval for wooden Thistle construction using the West epoxy system and addresses requests about building rules.

Letters to the editor from Thistle owners and members, including correspondence about Thistles in active fleets, maintenance records, and anecdotes about boat ownership and family sailing experiences.

Comprehensive technical guide to building a Thistle rudder from scratch. Covers material selection, construction techniques, wood selection, gluing methods, profile shaping, finishing, and the glass cloth covering process with detailed measurements and instructions.

Technical article on local weather prediction and analysis for sailing, covering atmospheric circulation, temperature profiles, wind formations, and practical methods for interpreting weather patterns and forecasts using available data sources and observational techniques.

Announcement of a photography contest for Thistle-related black and white photographs celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Thistling. Entry rules, prizes (including cover placement and hand-crafted models), and submission requirements are outlined.

Guide to sailing photography techniques for capturing dynamic action shots of Thistles. Covers film selection, camera settings, positioning, composition principles, and practical advice for photographing racing conditions.

Growth and Development Committee announcement of a new TCA brochure promoting Thistle membership and fleet participation. Lists hundreds of new Thistler members across multiple regions and fleets, showcasing the class's expansion efforts.

Race report of the Great Pumpkin Regatta, a popular fleet event held in Birmingham, Alabama in October. Details the weather conditions, race progression, final standings, and colorful incidents during the competition.

Race report from the eleventh annual Glimmerglass East Regatta held on Otsego Lake in upstate New York, featuring strong winds and tactical racing.

Announcement of a weekend regatta hosted by Birmingham's Fleet 110 and the Pensacola Yacht Club at Pensacola Bay, with registration details and hosting information.

Race report from Fenno East regatta at Glimmerglass with competitor rankings and placings.

Report on the Hoover Fall Regatta held in Columbus, Ohio, featuring challenging wind conditions and competitive racing throughout three race series.

Summary of the Five-Regatta Southeast series results, comparing performance across multiple events with McKenzie consistently strong and Vaughan in close pursuit.

Report on the Lee Fall Series regatta held with multiple races, featuring intense competition and detailed race descriptions of wind and tactical conditions.

Race report of the Klein Kops Kube Klassic at Crescent Sail Yacht Club, featuring vintage boat entries and strong competition led by Larry Klein.

Race report of the Gilman Cup regatta won by Bob Ball with crew, featuring competitive racing and detailed standings with multiple competitors.

Report on the Great Lakes regatta hosted at Rochester Canoe Club with 80 participating Thistles, featuring multiple race results and winner Klein.

Race report describing the Old Goat regatta where younger skippers demonstrated competitive prowess against more experienced fleet members.

Classified advertisements and boat listings from Thistle owners seeking to buy, sell, or trade sailboats and equipment. Includes numerous Thistle sales listings with specifications and contact information.