July-August 1962

Editorial discussing the Thistle class by-laws regarding roller reefing requirements. The article explores two distinct skipper groups in the class - those with reefing experience and those without - and addresses the responsibility of class safety and whether skippers should be required to have reefing capability.

Report on a regatta held at Palo Alto where Bill Nexsen, sailing his Thistle with two other competitors, won first place. The event featured challenging wind conditions and several boats rounding the weathermark, with close competition throughout.

Brief note about the transom photo on the cover showing a boat that will be seen at the 1962 Nationals. Suggests readers look for the new paint job on DANE-BOY at the States Island or at National Champs for a better look.

Report on the New Jersey District Championship at Lake Hopatcong where Ed Walsh and his family won decisively. Walsh led from the start and won three races, with his wife Marge and daughter Linda rounding out the successful crew. Second place honors went to E. Richards and third to E. Fracker.

Report on the Florida District Championship where Ed Sherman Jr. of St. Petersburg successfully defended his title, winning with a margin of 50.5 points. Lou Schowe came in second place with 47.5 points on Tampa Bay, demonstrating strong competition in the event.

Jack Wanenmacher with his famous blue and white sails won the annual Pymatuning regatta in a dominant performance. Leading from the start with consistent sailing, he rounded the weather mark ahead of competitors and maintained his position through the double triangle course to win decisively.

Listing of upcoming Thistle regattas scheduled for October 27-28, including the Jocomo Last Mark Invitational. Details on contact information and location at Jocomo Lake, Kansas City, Mo.

Report of the Delta District Thistle Championship where Billy and Lanelle Willis from San Angelo won after a closely contested series. The event involved 120 boats representing diverse class types, and featured competitive racing in challenging wind conditions at Galveston Bay.

Howard Meade won his fifth South Atlantic Thistle District championship sailing with his wife Dottie and son Bill. The report details how his consistent sailing and strategic tactics, particularly effective in lighter wind conditions, allowed him to win decisively over other skilled competitors.

Forty-three boats competed in the Lake Erie-East District Thistles championship at the Cleveland Yachting Club in July with James Miller sailing to a decisive 1-1-2 series victory. The report describes tactics, wind conditions, and the competitive nature of this important regional championship.

Report on the Hawaii District championship won by Jack Wyatt, where he demonstrated decisive sailing over five races. The conditions featured unusually high winds, and Wyatt's victory over other skilled competitors showed his ability to win in challenging and diverse conditions.

Historical table listing Thistle National Champions from 1946 to 1961, showing the champion skipper, second and third place finishers, and the location of each championship. This commemorates 16 years of competitive national sailing history.

Article providing background on the 1962 National Championship site at the Richmond County Yacht Club in Great Kills, Staten Island, New York. Discusses the history of sailing at this location and the optimal racing conditions available in the harbor.

Detailed schedule for the 1962 Thistle National Championship held August 20-24 at Richmond County Yacht Club. Lists daily activities including registration, measurement, races, meetings, and social events.

List of officials serving on the National Race Committee for the 1962 Nationals, including chairman George Hills and members Peter Bordes and Ed Fracker.

Committee members responsible for race administration at the 1962 Nationals, including chairman Emily Reynolds and other key personnel.

List of officers of Richmond County Yacht Club who are hosting the 1962 National Championship.

Official in charge of handling protests during the 1962 National Championship.

Comprehensive rules and instructions for the 1962 Thistle National Championship races, covering course layout, starting procedures, signals, scoring systems, recalls, time limits, measurements, and protest procedures according to NAYRU rules and TCA modifications.

Article describing the experience of making long-distance cruising trips in a Thistle sailboat, including a 400-mile round trip to Lake Huntington in the Sierras and discussions about trailers and equipment for extended voyages. The author explores the advantages and disadvantages of using Thistles for distance cruising.

Technical memo from the Chief Measurer addressing qualification requirements and measurement procedures for the 1962 National Championship. Details specific measurement tolerances, inspection requirements for sails and equipment, and special provisions for older boats.

Comprehensive guide to sailing in Raritan Bay near the 1962 Nationals site, covering tide information, wind patterns, water depths, anchoring techniques, and tactical considerations for racers unfamiliar with the area. Practical advice for visiting Thistle sailors preparing for championship racing.

Comprehensive list of awards given at the 1961 National Championship, including trophies for overall positions, individual races, special awards for novice skippers, and recognition of long-distance sailing accomplishments.

Report of the Cowan Lake Invitational Regatta where Skip Boston sailed a perfect three firsts over a fleet of 47 boats. Boston demonstrated superior sailing technique and boat handling, managing to squeeze out competitors in moderate to heavy wind conditions.

Report on a regatta at Goguac Lake near Battle Creek, Michigan, where the editor's pink Thistle won first place in a competitive series featuring various tactics and strategic maneuvers. The article highlights the editor's sailing skill and the entertaining nature of the competition.

Report of the 1962 Northern California District Championship held June 16-17 at Clear Lake where Ken Eugene won decisively over 21 skippers from Sacramento and San Francisco areas. The report details Eugene's sailing strategy and the challenging conditions that tested the fleet.

Report on the Lake Erie West District Championship at Sandusky where Paul Berry won decisively with a first place finish in the opening race. Berry's tactical sailing and boat handling demonstrated his superior seamanship in challenging wind conditions.

Report of a regatta at Lake Erie where Frank Russell won in his Thistle #789, demonstrating superior sailing technique in challenging conditions. Russell's victory over experienced competitors showed his refined boat handling and competitive sailing abilities.

Report on the 2nd Annual Canacanooe Regatta held June 9-10 where Jim Roberts successfully defended his championship. His victory demonstrated solid sailing technique and strategic boat handling over multiple races in beautiful sailing weather.

Report of the inaugural Thistle regatta hosted by the Tri-Lakes Sailing Association of Charleston, Mississippi in June. The event featured three days of racing with Thistles from Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas competing in favorable wind conditions.

Report of the Central Atlantic District Championships held July 14-15 at Annapolis, Maryland where Ben Weil claimed victory in a competitive regatta. The event featured challenging wind conditions and strategic sailing in Chesapeake Bay.

A humorous poem about the various types of knots used in sailing, exploring the frustrations and complexities of knot-tying with witty wordplay and clever phrasing about rope management and sailor's challenges.

Report of the 1962 New Jersey Governor's Cup award won by the nine Thistles competing at a regatta on the Delaware River in a perfect sailing setting. Knight Smith and his crew demonstrated skillful sailing through multiple races in light and heavy weather.

Collection of classified advertisements and marketplace listings for Thistle boats, marine products, insurance services, and equipment available for purchase or sale within the Thistle community.