February/March 2010

Gillum outlines his vision for 2010, including launching a mentorship program for Thistle sailors at both Midwinters events and Nationals. He encourages experienced sailors to mentor newcomers on boat setup, measurement procedures, and logistics, and also discusses recruiting retired college sailors as crew.

Lawrence discusses the critical role fleet officers play in member retention through winter parties and annual fleet meetings. She emphasizes that fleet secretaries and captains are essential to keeping the class together, particularly through pursuing members who haven't yet paid their dues.

Collection of advertisements and classifieds throughout the issue including boat covers and accessories, insurance, sails, racing course coaching, mast tuning equipment, and technical services for Thistle owners.

Pollak provides guidance on frequently asked questions about Thistle boat specifications, measurements, and modifications. Topics covered include resources for boat plans, tolerances, lightening holes, fiberglass reinforcing, carbon fiber materials, PFDs, spreader lengths, and wetting agents.

Overview of the Thistle Southern Circuit, which has grown to its fifth year as a winter series in Florida combining Midwinters East and Orange Peel Regatta. The series features unique division structures and is funded entirely through sponsorship by Skip Dieball of Dieball Sailing.

Dellenbaugh, 2009 Nationals champion, provides detailed insights into his boat setup, sail trim, and sailing techniques that led to his victory at Cedar Point in light wind conditions. He covers rig tension, mast rake, diamond tension, mast step configuration, jib lead positioning, traveler technique, mainsail trim, and crew weight distribution.

Comprehensive recap of the 2009 East Coast Fall Series featuring eight regattas. Lloyd Kitchin won the series for the third time with an impressive 90.6% winning percentage. The report includes individual regatta summaries, top skipper and crew finishers, and details about new crew trophies designed by Don Moore.

Fitzgerald shares a practical tip for boat owners with trailers in cold climates: adhering small levels to the trailer tongue to ensure proper boat drainage without having to frequently check bailer positioning.

Comprehensive guide covering mast maintenance and tuning for Thistle sailors, including inspection of halyards and sheaves, achieving mast straightness, diamond tension adjustments, and procedures for stepping and raking the mast.

Pollak provides a precise method for determining mast straightness using a string stretched between the halyard sheave and gooseneck, allowing detection of mast curves as small as 1/2-turn of a spreader bolt.

Report on the second year of Fleet 61 loaning Thistles to the Northwest Intercollegiate Sailing Association for their championship qualifier on Lake Washington. The University of Washington team won the regatta, and the article includes analysis of race tactics and benefits of boat loaning for fleet promotion.

Profile of Carole and Paul Bardes, who have run the Thistle Midwinters for approximately ten years. Carole serves as PRO while Paul is regatta chair. The article highlights their contributions to the class and their sailing background, from their early days in New York to establishing their life in St. Petersburg, Florida.