April 1948

Herb Sinnhoffer and his crew won both heats of the Balboa Y.C. Easter Regatta with light winds, using skillful seamanship. Six Thistles from the San Diego Southwestern Y.C. fleet competed, with crews reflecting the Mexican influence of the region through boat naming conventions. The west coast Thistle fleet is growing rapidly with eleven boats now active.

An editorial plea for Thistle owners to submit more mail and news for the Bagpipe newsletter. The editor notes that despite numerous letters sent to fleet members seeking contributions, most go unanswered, creating a publication shortage problem. The editor requests that fleet secretaries and all Thistlers send monthly updates by the 10th.

A comprehensive status report on the Thistle class as it enters its third season. The report surveys fleet activity and boat counts across all regions: Ohio has 70 boats, Detroit area 29, Lake Michigan west shore 22, Niagara Frontier 17, New England 21 with new Boston fleet forming, Central Atlantic 16, California 11, and Florida 5. The article celebrates the rapid spread of Thistle enthusiasm across North America.

A miscellaneous column featuring short notices and items about various Thistlers and their boats. Topics include a featured boat in Yachting magazine, new racing rules availability, Howard Boston's iceboat activities, Charley's boat naming story, Finger Lakes attractions for Nationals planning, Tony Herrmann's championship prediction, and Ronnie Doon's relocation to Idaho.

Toledo Thistlers report on winter improvements to their raft facility and active spring fitting-out. Bill Miller is the first to launch and ready his boat for racing. Charles Broome is recovering from surgery. Bus Seyfang and Bob Rollin are busy with their new 47-foot cutter and preparing for the racing season, with Rollin planning to marry a sailor bride in June.

A humorous feud between boat owners over naming conventions. Erwin McGuire's choice of HEATHER for his No. 213 prompts Bob Clements to suggest KOPY KAT, leading McGuire to respond with jabs about Clements' age and boat condition. The editor notes this rivalry will likely continue at the 1948 Nationals as "The Battle of the Feathers."

The Cleveland Yacht Club's "Shaving Brush" fleet, the largest in the Thistle class, has completed its 1948 racing schedule. Twenty-five races will be conducted starting in May, including Saturday and Club Championship series, special trophy races for the Bill Williams Trophy, and a fall series. The schedule accommodates many regional regattas and the Nationals.

A calendar of major Thistle regattas and events scheduled from June through October 1948, listing dates, event names, and locations across the Great Lakes and Atlantic regions. Notable events include the Nationals at Canandaigua in September and various fleet-specific races throughout the summer.

A brief editorial urging Thistlers to encourage complete attendance at all regional races and regattas. The editor requests readers to submit information about other events where Thistles may be participating, emphasizing that good attendance at all meets will make the season successful for the Thistle Clan.

Following Mrs. E. Billinghurst's suggestion for a Thistle class song, the Toledo Troubadores (Snell & Bassett) have volunteered to compose one, requesting Manhattan drinks as inspiration. If they fail, the editor suggests Jud Spore and his Sunday Sinatra singers as backup composers. Florence Hanratty suggests the title "Whistle in a Thistle."