December 1948

Updates on leadership changes in the Thistle Class Association. Tony Hermann elected Rear Commodore of Sail, George Bridgeman serves as Commodore of Canandaigua Y.C., and Jack Caldwell elected treasurer of the Greater Cleveland Boating Association.

Fleet organization meeting held October 15, 1948, with William Heintz elected Fleet Captain and Frank P. Greenman as Fleet Secretary. Reports on regatta at Prides Inn, Irvington, Virginia on November 13-14 with five Thistle boats competing. Fleet covers Western Shore of Chesapeake Bay with eighteen boats total.

Report from Mission Bay Y.C. in San Diego on their active summer and fall seasons, including Summer Series, Fire Cracker Series, and S.C.Y.A. Regatta participation. Fleet working toward Christmas Regatta at Newport Harbor. Mentions rumored ocean races to Catalina Island and Coronado Islands.

Technical article on tuning and trimming Thistle sailboats based on Sandusky Fleet's experience with tune-up races. Key findings include proper mainsail trimming to neutralize weather helm and managing centerboard position for maximum speed. Discusses wind conditions and sail trim strategies.

Brief note about radio personality Arthur Godfrey receiving an invitation from sailmaker Herb Sinnhoffer to visit San Diego and sail with the Mission Bay Fleet, promoting Thistles on his radio program on Thanksgiving.

Announcement of the 1949 fleet officers elected at Toledo Yacht Club: Bill Miller as Fleet Captain, Buss Seyfang as Fleet Treasurer, and Jack Snell as Fleet Secretary.

Regatta report from Buckeye Lake Y.C., Ohio on October 16-17, 1948, hosted jointly with Lightning Fleet #23. Twelve Thistles and twenty-four lightnings participated. Jim Hendrickson in BLACK JAC #21 won overall, with Sandy Douglas and Bill Wagner placing second and third. Includes report on sailing clinic.

Announcement that the Winter Meeting is expected to be held in Buffalo in late January or early February 1949. Encouraging members to plan to attend what promises to be a gala affair with families welcome.

Report from Cleveland Y.C. fleet wrapping up the season after poor fall weather prevented further racing. Thirteen skippers participated in twenty races across two series. John Lovett won the Club Championship and Bagpipe Trophy, Bob Claboult won the Williams Trophy, and Chuck Williams won both Fall and Saturday series.

Report from Michigan Lake Y.C. where Frank Janssen won the season competition in BETTY J TOO #188, edging out Ralph Damlos in #189 by seven points. Janssen becomes the first Michigan Thistle to win the Frank Bissman Thistle Trophy. Fleet plans to curtail local schedule to attend more regattas next year.

Suggestion from Ronald Small to use the Douglas and Heloed location at the New York Motor Boat Show as a gathering place for Thistlers. Sandy Douglas is organizing a get-together to meet at 11 P.M. Saturday during the show.

Season competition results from Onondaga Y.C. where Roy Ryan in #333 narrowly defeated George Lewis in #306 (both ex-Star sailors) for the season championship. Ryan finished with 120 points to Lewis' 116. Notes the challenging conditions at Nitzagowma Lake.

Message to newly elected fleet secretaries reminding them that fleet elections should be completed according to Constitution requirements and urging them to send news letters to The Bagpipe.