August/September 1993

Krafft reflects on his presidential duties balancing family and sailing responsibilities. He discusses recent regattas including the NJ Districts, Lake Hopatcong, and Lake Sharatoga, highlighting the class's strong tradition and upcoming activities.

DeLorenzo discusses ways to attract teenagers to Thistle regattas and sailing. He emphasizes competition and the social aspect of racing, suggesting youth involvement programs and creating opportunities for teenagers to experience competitive racing in a friendly environment.

Hudson outlines a comprehensive fleet growth strategy for Saratoga Lake Sailing Club, emphasizing the need for both boat recruitment and sailor participation. He discusses practical steps including R&D, participation emphasis, regular fleet meetings, and creating social events to expand the fleet.

Valla discusses the completion of his two-year tenure as Bagpipe editor and reflects on the magazine's quality and positive reception from the class. He thanks predecessors and acknowledges contributions from class members, particularly Kathleen Fricker for fixing the Minton Trophy.

A collection of letters from class members including reports from regattas (SAILBEAR '93 at Big Bear Lake), commentary on Southern California sailor hospitality, and suggestions for boat restoration techniques involving wood care and bleach application.

Socrates examines the issue of seating arrangements and hospitality at Thistle Nationals and major regattas, questioning whether reserved seating at banquets excludes newcomers. He proposes reassigning seats to include new sailors and first-timers, making events more welcoming.

James discusses his 25 years of sailing a wooden Thistle and the importance of proper flotation management. He describes his experience with flotation modifications and weight calculations to improve the boat's ability to recover from capsizes and maintain performance.

A listing of new Thistle Class members organized by region and district, welcoming them to the association.

Gerondale provides detailed instructions on restoring wooden rails and gratings on a Thistle, including techniques for removing screws, replacing wood, and reinstalling rails with minimal visible fasteners. He shares practical tips from his own restoration experience.

Molitor provides a detailed report of the Dixie Regatta at Lake Allatoona, highlighting Bruce King's victory, the competitive racing, and the social activities. She includes complete race results and discusses the excitement of the regatta weekend.

Hudson reports on the 1993 Adirondack Thistle Invitational held in Saratoga Lake, New York, featuring 27 Thistles and various other boats. The regatta faced challenging weather with shifts and variable conditions but produced successful racing and social events.

Kingshill reports on the 13th Annual Separation Day Regatta hosted by the New Castle Sailing Club on the Delaware River. The regatta featured eight club-owned Thistles and visitor boats in ideal racing conditions celebrating the separation of Delaware's lower counties.

Pollard covers the Delta District Championships held at Rush Creek Yacht Club in Dallas, featuring over-cast skies and steady east winds around 10 knots. The regatta included five races with David Smedley taking first place, followed by Bill Draheim and Jim Kincaid.

A comprehensive listing of used Thistle boats for sale with detailed specifications, pricing, and seller contact information. Also includes miscellaneous products and services related to sailing and boat maintenance.