July-August 1960

Crescent Sail Yacht Club will host the Thistle Class National Championship regatta August 14-19, 1960, near Detroit. Jerry Jenkins will defend his 1959 title, and the event will draw qualified skippers from across the country based on a 12% quota system from each district.

The Ninth Annual Dixie regatta at Crab Orchard Lake near Carbondale, Illinois attracted 26 Thistles. Howard Mead won the series over tough competition from Fontelleu and others, winning the first race easily and winning overall despite challenges from other skilled sailors.

California boat builder W. D. Schock and TCA President Evans Harrell exchanged letters regarding a Bagpipe article about aluminum masts. While disagreeing on editorial decisions, both affirmed commitment to one-design standards and Harrell disclosed that a die is being made for an official aluminum mast.

Chief Measurer George Devlin issued a letter to all fiberglass Thistle owners on June 27 requesting they contact him to update their measurement certificates and ensure compliance with class standards.

Bill Walton provides practical guidance for sailors on how to repair a snapped diamond stay on a mast during a regatta. The method involves using wire cutters and thimbles to create a temporary but serviceable repair.

The TCA continues expanding with the chartering of two new West Coast fleets (93 and 94). Fleet 93 grew from a split of an original fleet of 60 founded in 1955, which has grown to nearly 40 boats in just five years across the San Francisco Bay area.

Skip Lagarde, fresh from winning the Central Atlantic District championships at Annapolis, is expected to defend his twice-won Atlantic Coast Championship at Staten Island August 6-7. He has brought the trophy home to the Chesapeake in 1958 and defended it successfully in 1959.

At Crab Orchard Lake near Carbondale, Illinois, John D. Martin won the Egyptian Cup in a three-race series, triumphing over tough competition including Bill Walton and Art Phelps in challenging conditions including a dramatic capsize.

At Crescent Sail Yacht Club, H.J. Mainwaring dominated the Spring Schnak regatta opening the season with a near-runaway sweep despite damp conditions. Jerry Jenkins and other top skippers attended but were overshadowed by Mainwaring's exceptional performance.

Two rough regattas in Texas were sailed largely by new Thistles. At Seabrook Sailing club, Ron Geer won in severe conditions with 16 mph wind and 30-knot gusts. At Concho Y.C., high winds and rain forced cancellations, with Fisher ultimately winning the series.

The South Atlantic publication reports on two southern regattas. In a Mobile to Dauphin Island race, one Thistle finished second. In Nashville, a fleet of Thistles competed and several placed well against other classes.

Cowan's annual regatta held June 25-26 was one of the largest, with 47 boats competing including entries from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Skip Boston won the overall series despite challenging light wind conditions that only saw the first race completed on Saturday.

Ed Walsh in Den-E-Boy totaled up three firsts in the Red Dragon Canoe Club's Fleet 54 Fifth Annual Heather Bowl regatta, winning with dominant sailing despite competition from Larry Owens and other skilled sailors from the local fleet.

Skip Boston sailed off with the Michiana District championship June 12 in a demonstration of superior sailing. With two national champions (Jerry Jenkins and Howard Boston) in the district, the large qualifying fleet for the upcoming Nationals promises close competition.

Skip Lagarde from Oxford, Maryland won the Central Atlantic District championships held concurrently with Annapolis Y.C.'s annual regatta. Despite a smaller fleet than expected, Lagarde successfully defended his status as a regional champion with skillful sailing.

Rough weather greeted sailors on the Delaware River with 40-mph winds forcing cancellations Saturday, but Sunday brought calmer conditions. Ed Walsh in Den-E-Boy won the regatta in a beautiful race, and the Thistle Fleet captured the Governor's Cup for the fourth time since 1949.

At Goguac Lake near Battle Creek, Michigan, home of Fleet 85, Fred LaFollette dominated the annual regatta held June 18 with a 2-1-3-1-1 record, giving him a decisive victory. Weary sailors celebrated with a cocktail party at the Hart Hotel.

Bob Houvener brought his new Thistle Fishbugs through wild winds to victory in the annual Maritime Day race from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Despite challenging 20-30 knot conditions and competing against larger boats like catamarans, Houvener executed a masterful race to win.

Commodore Decatur Yacht Club in Illinois hosted the annual Governor's Cup Regatta at Kelloggs Lake where Bill Walton and crew Rose Bilski and Ralph Walton won all the hardware by putting together a 3-5-1 record to win by 11 points.

Three important schedule changes and additions were announced for fall regatta planning. Lake Champlain has one fall regatta, Lake District has multiple events in September and October, and Martowyn Races are scheduled for late September.

Detailed schedule for the 1960 TCA National Championship regatta at Crescent Sail Y.C. August 14-20 includes registration, five races, social events, and meal information. Boats will be hauled out nightly and ground tackle is essential for anchoring between races.

Multiple classified listings for Thistle sailboats for sale and wanted, including details on condition, equipment, pricing, and contact information. Listings range from used boats with various configurations to spare parts and seeking wanted items.