December 1960

The St. Petersburg Yacht Club will host the Midwinter Thistle Regatta on January 24, 25, and 26, 1961. Entry blanks are available from the Yacht Club. Five races are scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the final race on Thursday. A presentation banquet, cocktail party, and social function are planned.

The Hawaiian Invitational Regatta was won by a Haole in the islands with a boat called "Mainlander". Eric Petersen from San Jose, California won the prized Calabash wood bowl. He trailed Fleet 76 Hawaiian champion Ray McKee by 3 points going into the final race. Exciting times were recorded for this regatta with various disqualifications and breakdowns among the competitors.

Nine boats and several sharks raced in a recent Catalina Island cruise. Lynn Babcock sailed an anti-shark campaign. Dick Turner was first to finish under sail in seven hours, reaching Avalon. Most of the fleet sailed high on both the outgoing and return journey. The article details various boats' performances and mentions whimsical incidents from the race.

Allcorn reflects on the Thistle Class Association's fifteenth year, which has seen significant growth to over 1400 Thistles. He discusses the balance between maintaining early boat design and incorporating new features, urging the fleet to combine fine characteristics into one superior design.

Word has been received that there will be a Houston, Texas regatta on the week end nearest Valentine's Day, featuring hot buttered runs and other activities.

Editor Mendal Johnson (335) takes over as the new editor and solicits help from fleet members in providing articles. He notes that early reports say his wife Ellen suspects tranquilizers in the chowder. The article provides guidelines for submitting content.

Honey Abramson requests completed Fleet Reports from fleet secretaries by January 31st for the 1961 roster. All members must be listed, boat registration forms are now required in duplicate, and detailed guidelines are provided for submission.

Chief Measurer Dave Minton provides a comprehensive technical analysis of Thistle centerboard design, discussing variations among boats, maintenance issues, and proposed improvements. He includes calculations for centerboard deflections under various loading conditions and offers engineering conclusions about fiberglass and wooden centerboards.

A photo essay from the National Championship races featuring images of winners, participants, and social events. Includes photos of Bruce and Pam Goldsmith with the coveted prize, Skip Boston with the President's Cup, and various fleet members celebrating.

Dave Minton and Bob Humpleby raced to a Thistle victory in the annual Two-of-a-Kind series held at Leatherips Y.C. in Columbus, Ohio. The three-race series featured seven two-boat teams in competition over a triangular course. Handicaps were based on local fleet performance during the year.

Fleet news from the Delta District highlighting activities from various Ohio and Michigan fleets. Includes race results from Concho Thistle Fleet, updates from Seabrook Sailing Club, and a brief account of an Arlan and Bill Thistle cruise in Stopfour Lake.

Dick Royce captured first place hardware in the annual Snowball Regatta at Buckeye Lake near Columbus, Ohio with his boat MACHTNIGHT. The cool weather and high wind conditions made for an interesting ten-boat regatta with interesting tactical contests.

Harold and Peter Dobson captured the Fleet 39 Championship for their third consecutive year, with rival entries battling for victory. A 33% increase over the 1960 season is expected in upcoming competitions.

An opinion column questioning whether the Thistle fleet is too large for existing elimination procedures. At the 1960 Nationals in Detroit, 83 Thistles were eligible to sail, but only 64 showed up, creating crowding on the starting line. The author proposes alternatives including elimination series and regional racing.

Doug MacGregor led the Fall Circuit Series with 6½ points. The Thistle northeast Fall Circuit Series from October 8-9 saw New Jersey District Secretary Elmer Richards earned SANDPIPER in a close 6½ point race, with Walt Stubner taking third. The perpetual Fall Trophy Plaque was awarded to Doug Westin.

Classified section featuring boat sales, insurance information, and services for Thistle sailors. Includes listings for Thistle #1070 and #761, insurance offerings, and various related products and services.