January-February 1977

The editor discusses Article 11 of the by-laws concerning non-owner borrowing and chartering of Thistles, and emphasizes the importance of proper communication to avoid embarrassing situations with prospective Thistlers.

A collection of letters from readers covering various topics including sailing experiences, boat maintenance, technical sailing questions, and personal anecdotes about Thistle activities and adventures.

A technical discussion about rudder specifications and weight measurements in Thistle class boats, including analysis of rudder variations and recommendations for weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity.

The president addresses regatta participation, club support for events, and ways to improve the Thistle experience through better communications, trophies, and reduced costs.

A detailed guide on starting techniques in large Thistle fleets, covering wind prediction, line positioning, oscillation analysis, and tactical decisions for different wind conditions and boat handling situations.

A comprehensive guide to lightening overweight Thistle boats through removal of hardware, centerboard, mast, hull material, and other components, including detailed recommendations on which elements to modify and expected weight savings.

An account of painting a Thistle hull with a Scottish tartan pattern (Robertson Tartan), including technical details on preparation, painting techniques, materials used, and the challenges of transferring the pattern to the boat.

A nostalgic account of early Thistle racing experiences from 1948-1961, including memorable races, challenging conditions, championship events, and the evolution of competitive Thistle sailing during that era.

A profile of Marlin Abramson, who has been active in Thistling since 1955, covering his background, family involvement in sailing, and his contributions to the Thistle class including measurement expertise and active participation in major regattas.

A directory listing of district governors and their contact information for the 1976-77 sailing season across multiple districts.

A comprehensive guide for district governors outlining their responsibilities, including researching the district, coordinating regattas, managing communications, ensuring fair racing practices, and promoting district membership and activities.

A detailed guide with diagrams for building a simple, inexpensive, and versatile boat cradle using basic materials and tools, including dimensions and installation instructions for the hull bunker supports.

A comprehensive directory listing of Thistle sailors, their boat numbers, call letters, and boat handles or names, organized by skipper.

A regatta report on the Fairhope Yacht Club's Jubilee Regatta won by Art Molitor, with results from multiple races and skippers from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other southeastern states competing.

A regatta report from the South Shore Yacht Club's Frostbite Regatta on Turkeyfoot Lake with race results featuring multiple skippers and their finishing positions.

A regatta report about Lloyd Kitchin's victory at the Red Dragon Canoe Club's Heather Bowl Regatta on the Upper Niagara River, with detailed race descriptions and final results.

A regatta report on the Great Lakes Championship regatta at North Cape Yacht Club, featuring details about wind conditions and the performance of multiple Thistle skippers.

An insurance advertisement describing comprehensive coverage options for Thistle boats and trailers, including pricing for different geographic areas and coverage details.

A regatta report about Jack Bauer's victory at the Chillout regatta featuring race results and details about wind and weather conditions.

A regatta report on the Indianapolis Sailing Club's 20th Annual Naptown Regatta with wind conditions and race results from multiple Thistle skippers.

A regatta report on the East Coast Fall Series race at Lavallette Yacht Club, with detailed race descriptions and final results from multiple Thistle skippers.

A regatta report about the San Diego Bay Thistle regatta won by Van't Reit, featuring details about wind conditions and tactical sailing with multiple race results.

A comprehensive collection of classified advertisements for Thistle boats, equipment, sails, and services from various dealers and private sellers across North America.