November 1957

An anonymous Thistle sailor personifies their boat as a special vessel that has been lovingly maintained and transported to Seneca Lake for the 1957 National Thistle Regatta. The boat expresses gratitude for the careful treatment and friendly welcome from the Seneca Yacht Club staff and crew members.

Jim Hendricksen's boat Blac-Jac wins the 1957 National Thistle Regatta at Geneva, New York, adding to his previous Great Lakes and District Championship victories. Coming from 2 points behind going into the final race, Hendricksen finished 4th in the Friday finale while race leader Sam Merrick won the race. The regatta was held at the Seneca Yacht Club on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region.

Complete race results from the 1957 National Thistle Regatta held at Seneca Yacht Club in Geneva, New York, showing finishing positions and points for 43 competitors across five races.

Classified advertisements and boat listings for Thistle sailboats, including listings by boat number with descriptions of condition, equipment, and asking prices.

A technical article discussing methods for maintaining and finishing boat bottoms throughout the sailing season. The author explains their experience with various antifouling paints and bottom preparation techniques, including scraping, sanding, and application of Vinylon coating.

Report of the Huntington Invitational Regatta held September 14-15, featuring Doug Westin carrying the race leadership despite light winds and tidal challenges. The event showcased several competitive races with tight finishes, including near-collisions and mark roundings.

Discussion of Turnpike Authority regulations concerning maximum overhang measurements for boat trailers, prompted by Sam Merrick's difficulty gaining access to the New Jersey Turnpike. The article quotes specific regulations and provides technical specifications about rear overhang limits.

Race results table from the Niagara Frontier District championships, showing 33 boats and their finishing positions across three races.

Narrative account of the Niagara Frontier District Championships held on August 10-11 at the Fair Haven Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. The author describes the challenging sailing conditions with shifting winds, the exciting competition between skippers like Norm Freeman, Tim Rice, and others, and the successful running of all races despite difficult weather.

Comprehensive listing of trophy winners at the 1957 National Thistle Regatta, categorized by boat and skipper with various award categories including championship trophies, daily prizes, and special recognitions.

Race results from the High Sierra Series held July 20-21, 1957, showing 31 boats from California and surrounding regions competing in three races.

Feature article about Gene Bricker's victory in the High Sierra Series held July 20-21, 1957 in Fresno. Bricker swept all three races, with Art Glazier finishing second and Dick Wittner third. The article describes the exceptional feat of winning all three races and highlights the competition among other skippers.

Book review of 'Thoughts on Small Boat Racing' by C. Stanley Ogilvy, recommending it as essential reading for serious skippers. The review highlights the sections on sails and provides guidance on boat-specific sailing techniques.

Report of the 1957 L.I.S. District Championships held at Nyack Boat Club on August 10-11, where 28 Thistles competed. The race committee had to deal with shifting winds and tidal challenges, but successfully ran races that showcased skilled sailing and close competition among top skippers.

Technical article warning about the dangers of jibing and advocating for a modified jibing technique called the 'Swedish' or 'North River' jibe, which prevents the boom from being carried away by rigging.

A farewell note from Ralph Furrant, who is returning to England for the winter after his co-ownership of Marblehead, noting that the Thistle is the finest centerboard boat produced in the United States.