February-March 2007

President Hale urges the Thistle community to recruit and include non-racing boat owners and emphasizes the importance of social events and day-sailing, not just competitive racing, to grow the class.

Various advertisements, product offerings, and classifieds including Thistle covers, insurance, boat parts, and sailing merchandise from class vendors and suppliers.

First Vice President Kreitler humorously describes how purchasing a Thistle and recruiting friends to crew has exhausted his network of non-sailors, encouraging other Thistlers to invite friends to experience the class.

Young sailor J.D. Reddaway receives the US Sailing Sportsman of the Week award after rescuing a capsized younger sailor at the Orange Bowl Regatta, demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship.

Remembrance of Ed Walsh, 1922-2007, a pioneering Thistle sailor and boat designer who won multiple nationals and was influential in advanced boat design and innovation within the class.

Zimmer recounts the remarkable journey of rediscovering his childhood Thistle #390 (Zip Zim) after 50+ years, tracking it down through the TCA website, and reuniting it with his elderly father.

Doyle recounts a harrowing capsize experience during a club race, detailing the rescue effort and providing hard-won lessons about boat preparation, PFD usage, and handling emergencies.

Kneibert provides detailed step-by-step instructions for upgrading a Thistle's wooden rudder to a modern fiberglass rudder head with aluminum tiller, including refinishing and assembly tips.

Comprehensive race report from the Midwinters West regatta held in San Diego at Mission Bay Yacht Club, including tactics discussion, race results, and conditions on the ocean course versus the bay.

Final race results for the Championship Division of the Mid Winters West regatta showing Mike Ingham's dominant performance across all nine races.

Race results for the President's Division fleet at Mid Winters West, dominated by Skip Kempff with new North sails in the first place finish.

Social recap of the Midwinters West regatta highlighting the parties, dinners, and off-water activities that made the week memorable for participants.

Race report from the Great Pumpkin regatta at Birmingham Sailing Club on Lake Logan Martin, covering the competition and social activities of this annual Southeast Fall Series event.

An entertaining quiz created from spell-check suggestions for Thistle sailing venues and locations, matching computer dictionary suggestions to actual fleet locations.

Race report from the 43rd annual Bloody Mary Regatta hosted by Western Carolina Sailing Club, featuring race conditions, results, and social activities at this well-established Southeast event.

Final race results from the Bloody Mary Regatta showing placements across five races with Brent McKensie winning the event.

Overview of the 2007 Lake Erie Fall Series with eight regattas featuring exceptional participation and diverse weather conditions, followed by reports from individual events.

Comprehensive standings table from the Lake Erie Fall Series showing qualified skippers and crew results across multiple regattas with best ten race scoring.

Report on the Sunkist Series held at Balboa Yacht Club featuring two monthly races from November to February with light air harbor racing and strong Southern California participation.

Reader-submitted photos section featuring sunset and moon photos taken at regatta locations, with invitation for more photo submissions to the Bagpipe.