Dec.-Jan., 1960

The TCA Governing Board is expected to vote on approving a sanctioned Fiberglass Thistle at their Mid-Winter meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida. The decision will determine whether fiberglass construction will be allowed for the class.

The Thistle Winter Nationals regatta is scheduled for January 26-29 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, with registration from 9am to 9pm, a practice race, and official races on January 27-29.

The Schock-manufactured aluminum Thistle mast was refused legal sanction by TCA Measurer George Devlin. A proposal to sanction aluminum spars for the class was rejected pending agreement with the TCA's official specifications.

A notice reminding TCA members that annual dues of $6 are now due and should be sent to the TCA Secretary-Treasurer in Atlanta, Georgia, with a cash penalty for payment after March 31.

An editorial about the importance of planning ahead for Bagpipe submissions. The magazine has a long lead time for publication, so regatta publicists and correspondents must submit articles six weeks in advance to ensure timely coverage.

An explanation of the Bagpipe publication timeline and schedule. The magazine takes about three weeks from closing date to final mailing, with lead times that require advance planning from correspondents.

A listing of upcoming Thistle class regattas scheduled for the 1960 season, including the season opener in Knoxville and the Cotton Carnival Regatta in Memphis.

Measurer Walt Stubner poses several technical questions about Thistle class specifications to TCA Measurer George Devlin, relating to centerboard slot length and other design specifications.

A report on the active 1959 sailing and racing season for Thistle Fleet No. 82 at Goguac Yacht Club in Battle Creek, Michigan, which held races and social events throughout the year.

Race results from the Long Island Sound District races held at Milford, Connecticut in 1959. Doug Westin, Pete Posey, and Pete Bordes were top finishers in the season competition.

Complete race results table showing final standings of the Long Island Sound District races with 43 boats competing.

A report on Ithaca Yacht Club's regatta where Norbert Freeman won back-to-back races against Dragon class competitors, sweeping both the Delaware River and Governor's Cup regatta events.

A detailed account of the Governors Cup regatta at Riverton, New Jersey, where thirteen Thistles competed. Despite defending their title, the fleet faced challenging weather and competitive racing.

Report on seventeen-year-old Hank Maust of Bellport winning the Great South Bay Thistle fleet championship for the second consecutive year in the Labor Day series at Babylon Yacht Club.

A report on the successful first season of the Michiana District's newest fleet, Fleet 87 at Bloomington, Indiana, with 12 races held and plans for expansion in the coming year.

A note about America's newest state, Hawaii, contributing the first fully reported, duly paid Thistle Fleet to the TCA, according to TCA Secretary-Treasurer Pollye Norton.

A request from Birmingham, Alabama's Gus Kuhna who moved to Norfolk, Virginia and is seeking contact with other Thistle sailors in the Central Atlantic district.

A report on the growing popularity of area-edited publications like THISTLEDOWN and THISTLEGRAM that provide localized coverage for different Thistle districts.

Bob Kaiser of Bellport won the Governor's Cup at Kentucky Lake in an adjusted time basis race, with results from multiple Thistle fleet competitors.

News of Ned Weil winning the Fleet 34 championship for 1959 in his final duty as Fleet 34 Official Scorer, with race results and commentary on the competitive season.

The Delta District of TCA brings out its own district-wide publication THISTLEDOWN, joining Newport Harbor Fleet 68 in district publishing efforts with localized content.

A report on the growth of Fleet 84 in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area, which has expanded significantly to include multiple harbors along the Southern California coast.

Continuation of measurer's answers to technical questions about Thistle class specifications, particularly regarding roller reeving winches and other equipment.

Continuation of the discussion about the Schock aluminum mast, with measurer George Devlin's technical analysis and the class vote regarding its sanction.

Art Were solicits expert opinions about variance in spinnaker pole fittings height and proposes solutions for standardization in light-air sailing.

A humorous article by Gil Smith recounting a sailing misadventure in San Francisco Bay when Fleet Captain Charlie Althaus led an expedition to sail through muddy seal slough, resulting in muddy encounters and comic situations.

Continuation of the fiberglass Thistle decision story, detailing the extensive committee work and planning that went into the fiberglass construction specifications and approval process.

Continuation of the Maust article with race results summary from the Labor Day series races.

News that Fleet 55 of Chula Vista, California has been reactivated after a period of dormancy, with Tom Walker leading the reactivation effort and reaching out for support.

Classified advertisements and boat listings from Thistle owners selling or seeking sails, equipment, and complete boats, representing various fleets across the United States.