May 1961

Six rulings published in March-April 1961 are declared unconstitutional and withdrawn because they were prematurely printed without Governing Board approval. The rules covered issues like extra buoyancy, rudder fittings, spinnaker pole placement, boom length, clew out-haul, and tiller extension.

Upcoming Thistle regatta schedule for summer 1961, listing dates and contacts for events at Lake Michigan, Michiana, and Long Island Sound.

Gene and Pat Allen (1043) won the Easter Regatta at Balboa Y.C. in Newport Beach, California on April 1-2 in a father-son skipper combination. Allen Cottle (734) finished second and Dick Andrews (74) took third place.

Announcement of the engagement of Miss Ellen Schroth to Bob Shaw, featuring two Thistle boats. The couple plans an unusual wedding attire of formal cross cut dacron with matching spinnakers.

Frank Allcorn discusses the Thistle class being honored again by NAYRU for a national junior racing competition. He emphasizes the importance of encouraging and training junior sailors in Thistles, noting that junior participation is key to developing future Thistle owners.

Request for clear glossy photographs of Thistles in action to establish a publicity file for the class. Photos should be sent to Phil Himsworth in Worthington, Ohio.

Fleet Secretaries and individuals are urged to report any corrections to their boat listings to the Secretary immediately so the printed roster can be as accurate as possible.

Information about the 1961 TCA Pacific Coast Championship at Huntington Lake, California, at 7,000 feet elevation, the highest site for a Thistle regatta. Event is scheduled for July 15-16 during the High Sierra Series.

The annual Cotton Carnival Regatta in Memphis, sponsored by the Delta Sailing Club on May 6-7, will open the big Cotton Carnival celebration and expects 60-70 participating boats.

Announcement that Ft. Loudon Lake in Knoxville, Tennessee has been selected as the 1961 site for the Admiral Farragut Championships, to be held May 13-14.

Notice that any fleet reports not submitted will result in charter revocation per by-laws. Three dues-paid registered boats and submission of annual fleet report are required to retain a charter.

Comprehensive article on the new NAYRU Yacht Racing Rules for 1961, including changes to definitions, the significant rule 43 allowing close hauled yachts to alter course for safe pilotage, and clarifications on reaching marks and luffing rules. The article emphasizes the need for thorough study of the new rules.

Advertisement for handmade sailcloth ditty bags in various colors and sizes, ranging from $2.50 to $8.50, with shipping prepaid from Castleton, Indiana.

Metal thistle flower buttons are available from La Mode Buttons in department stores, priced at 29 cents for two large buttons or 49 cents for four small ones in silver and gold. Buttons can be used as regatta souvenirs or sewn onto blazers and other clothing.

Short note on a February Bagpipe photo showing boat 573 with luffing jib, reporting that the boat finished second in that race. Lonesome George Hills has received 26 calls about how to tighten a jib.

Comprehensive analysis of boat weight variations in the Thistle fleet, discussing the desirability of establishing minimum and maximum weight limits. Chief Measurer Minton proposes a minimum all-up weight of 500 lbs and maximum of 550 lbs, with detailed weight data from the 1960 National Championships showing no clear advantage for lighter boats.

The TCA Handbook is available for $2 per copy through the Secretary's Office and contains many articles on racing, rigging, maintenance, and finishing by Thistle authors. Supply is limited.

Detailed technical guide to spinnaker handling, covering definition, rigging, setting, trimming, and jibing. The article emphasizes proper preparation at the dock and includes practical techniques for managing the spinnaker crew member's tasks.

Correspondence between Chief Measurer George Devlin and Pete Bordes, owner of boat 603 (the heaviest boat at the 1960 Nationals), discussing boat weight and its relationship to performance. Pete argues that weight doesn't determine speed and that other design factors are more important.

Humorous column about crew responsibilities in racing, written in a tongue-in-cheek style that satirizes the typical challenges of crewing and the relationship between skipper and crew, emphasizing the importance of the skipper's role.

Race results from the Balboa Easter Regatta showing three race scores and final finishes for 13 competitors. Gene Allen (1043) won with scores of 1-2-1, Allen Cottle (734) was second with 4-1-2, and Dick Andrews (74) finished third with 9-3-3.

Map showing the Thistle Class Association districts across the United States, including regions for New England, Long Island Sound, Niagara, Lake Erie, Central, South Atlantic, Florida, Delta, Lake Michigan, Michiana, Pacific, North Pacific, and Hawaii.

Collection of classified advertisements for buying, selling, and trading Thistle sailboats and related equipment, including boats at various price points ($800-$1500), used equipment, and insurance services. Also includes general NAYRU rules information.