February, 1948

The Third Annual Winter Meeting of the Thistle Class was held on January 24th at the Cleveland Athletic Club, attracting 78 participants despite a severe blizzard. The assemblage voted to hold the 1948 National Championship Series at Canadaigua Yacht Club over Labor Day weekend (September 4-6) as an "open" series. The event featured a formal banquet with entertainment and was attended by representatives from multiple fleets across the country.

L. H. "Larry" Waldrip of Mentor Harbor Y.C. (Cleveland) has been assigned the important task of coordinating development of the Thistle Class throughout the country. The class has grown organically without organized effort. Waldrip seeks input from Thistlers on how to consolidate gains and ensure future expansion, particularly in organizing new fleets in areas with the minimum three boats.

Many Thistlers have not yet paid the $5.00 one-time registration fee required to race officially. The issue includes a list of unregistered boat numbers to assist owners in determining if they need to register with National Treasurer Fred Best.

Tony Herrmann won the class championship at Racine, Wisconsin, and was awarded the Grieswold Trophy. Racing occurred in two series of six races each, with varying results in each series. Other events during the season included regattas from Milwaukee to Racine and the Milwaukee Journal Regatta, both won by Herrmann's boat.

Organizers are compiling a regatta calendar to help Thistlers plan their sailing year. The Annual Prophite Sweepstakes at T.Y.C. in Toledo is scheduled for June 12-13, the O.I.C.Y.A. Regattas at Chippewa Lake for June 15th, and "Bay Week" for August 10-Thursday, a major I.L.Y.A. sponsored event.

Three new Thistle fleets have been chartered in recent months: an eight-boat fleet at Mohican Sailing Club in Manefeld, Ohio, a five-boat fleet at Grosse Ile Yacht Club near Detroit, Michigan, and a three-boat fleet in San Diego, California. The San Diego fleet is the first Thistle fleet on the Pacific Coast.

A comprehensive list of unregistered Thistle boat hull numbers that had not paid their $5.00 registration fee as of February 1st. Boat owners are encouraged to verify their numbers and complete registration with the National Treasurer.

Toledo Thistlers have planned an ambitious racing program for 1948 with fifteen scheduled races plus a long distance race, skippers race, and other events on Maumee Bay. The fleet welcomes new member Dr. Crosby Keller and is designing a super raft to accommodate three new boats, providing additional docking space for visiting Thistlers.

Reminder that 1948 annual dues of $3.00 (or $1.00 for associate members and co-owners) are due to Fred Best. The Bagpipe is funded by membership dues, and members who do not remit payment will be dropped from the mailing list.