June-July 1961

Enough happened during the May 27-28 Dixie Regatta to make it memorable in the event's ten-year history. Fleet 48 hosted the Thistles at the Annolis, Georgia Y.C. on Lake Altoona. Skip Allcorn's U.C.A. team finished strongly with his steady, skillful handling and pristine advantage over competing boats.

The 1961 National Thistle Championship will be held in Racine, Wisconsin from August 21-25. Hosted by the Racine Y.C., this premier event will determine the national champion of the Thistle class.

Hawaii fleet's 78-boat Glenn Clark (1407) won the 6th District Champion after finishing second and Jack Wyatt (1421) won the title. Although previous years' champion boat would run away from the rest of the fleet in every race, this year Clark in Mistrous and Wyatt in Fineare ended the first five races tied in a tie.

When it comes to winning you just can't beat a Thistle. If you have doubts, read appeal No. 84 of the NAYRE. This appeal is the cause of Thistle 949 vs. The Race Committee—and who else—the Thistle won! By and Meg Harrell can be proud as no. 949 takes its rightful place in his-tory alongside with other boats such as Endeavor II, Ranger, etc., who and it couldn't be done?

The Thistle Class Association proposes several amendments to its Constitution and Bylaws to be voted on at the August 1961 Annual Meeting, primarily concerning the use of aluminum masts and weights of racing boats.

During four long years in Little Neck Bay a Thistle has been sailing around all parts of the country. David L. Korris of #235 would like other Thistles to come over to form a fleet. Bayside Y.C. and Douglaston Y.C. sponsor already advertise areas in this lovely scenic bay area within a half hour drive from Manhattan.

Chuck Wiley's Great Hool (1200) romped to victory over the Central Atlantic District during the Annapolis Y.C. Spring Series with a 1-3 final score of 1-3. Wiley easily repeated his similar win of 1959. Features of the regatta was a hard beat between Meredith Johnson (383) and Ed Burr (878), who took second and third places respectively. Sea Welt (450) displayed splendid nose-dive capacity and eliminated herself in the series.

Dave Minton's column discusses sail measurement methods and specifications for Thistle class boats, explaining how measurements should be taken to ensure proper sail size and compliance with class rules.

National Champ Bruce Goldsmith says PEARSHARPE's jib sheets are rigged with movable blocks on the seat and cleat-base cam action jambs on the thwart. The only significant differences in this rig are about 90% of all other Thistles is that the cam action cleats face downward.

A windy May 27 weekend greeted the 1961 Spring Regatta at the Shreveport (La.) Y.C. Tiger Baia District. Thistles participated and leading Thistles finished the Saturday races in the middle of a Tiger Cat fleet, which had started three minutes earlier.

A 1st Prize art contest featured paintings by eight artists. The art director at Yachting selected Bob Young's painting as the winner. Second place went to Peter Flood while Bob Kronenberg was awarded third place and Bob Cassidy fourth.

Technical specifications and measurement guide for Thistle spinnaker sails, showing detailed diagrams and point-of-measurement locations with specific dimension ranges.

Technical specifications for jib sail measurements, with diagrams showing placement and measurement methodology for Thistle class jibs.

Raritan Y.C. in Perth Amboy, New Jersey will host the Atlantic Coast Championship in August. The event draws about 40 boats and is being held at the 1960 A.C. Champ club. Limited housing and motel reservations available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Only 3 of the 5 races scheduled for the Admiral Farragut Regatta in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 13-14 were sailed. Only 3 competitors won on time limit. Thistles were widely scattered as the event proceeded. The third race was called off after wind prevented boats from racing.

Continuing a detailed account of the Dixie Regatta with descriptions of boat handling techniques and race outcomes, including notes on spinnaker runs and various competitors' performances.

Fifty-four Thistles sailed in a Cowan Lake regatta, with Marlin Abramson (924) and Rich Peake (1272) each having a first and second going into the third race. A new experimental course setting was used, with instructions given for a triangular course and a finish line set one lap later.

Advertisement article promoting SWEETCO's mainsheet control problem solution. The company offers a SAFETY control device for family sailing with an easy-reach mainsheet in the cockpit.

Sailing his new boat #440 Geo over most in the Annual Dam Full Regatta at Leatherby Y.C. on June 10 in Columbus, Ohio. Walked off with the Han Meyers Memorial Trophy. Rich Peake (1272) from Pittsburgh, took second place and John Proctor (1222) took third.

Pete Bordes won the Milford Y.C. Springs Series despite stiff competition from Walt Summer (1124) and home sailor Posey (705). Featuring first place boats in all three series, with close finishes by Pontellus, Metcke (2827), and Fitzgerald (508).

A humorous column noting that official mail got delayed, some address changes were slow, and Shipmate Marlin (924) and crew announced a new female crew member named Debra.

Bill Walton's top-honors win in the N.H annual Regatta sponsored by TNEA-NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN. Walton was awarded the Challenge trophy, which goes annually to the skipper with the best overall performance in his class. Bill also received a Chippendaile tray and other first-finisher privileges.

Thirteen Thistles found new sailing with 78 other class boats at the annual Ohio Inter-Club Yachting Association Regatta held June 17-18 at the Michawakan Sailing Club in Mansfield, Ohio. Marlin Abramson (924) picked up enough wind to wrap up the regatta with 2 to win. Bill Condon (230) won the first race to find fresh wind in the hard sea. The first race Saturday morning saw a starboard course.

Jimmy Phelps (2855) received first place hardware from the Queen of the Cotton Carnival for his 2, 1, 8 finish in the Memphis Cotton Carnival Regatta. Eight other Thistles participated in the regatta as part of the annual Memphis Cotton Carnival.

Collection of classified advertisements for Thistle boats, sails, and equipment for sale and trade, including boats for sale, marine parts, and custom boat covers.