July-August 1963

Bill and Gerry DeWitt won the annual Goguac Sprints regatta at Battle Creek, Michigan with a two-race victory, taking first place after the first two races. Despite their strong start, they held third place after the first leg but came back to win overall by a narrow margin needed to take the trophy.

Marlin and Honey Abramson are relocating to Illinois, with a new address to be announced in the next issue of The Bagpipe. Readers should update their mailing lists and send correspondence to Honey at the previous address until the new address is confirmed.

The eleventh annual Cotton Carnival Regatta in Memphis, Tennessee featured sixteen Thistles from four states. John D. Martin won a clean sweep of the three races held, taking first place in each race, with Bill Bruce second overall and K. Carpenter third.

Herb Mainwaring won the Michiana District Championship at Crescent Sail Yacht Club on July 7. Mainwaring and Meno both competed with only one point separating them after the first two races. Mainwaring took first in the first two races and won the championship.

The 'West O' Hatters Fleet raced for the first time on June 1 at Catawba Yacht Club in North Carolina. George Knight won the first race with clear air and speed. In the second race, Les Fleck found the front, and in the third, Bill Calhoun managed to finish first despite the challenging conditions.

Announcement of upcoming regatta dates including the September 7-8 Cassopolis, Michigan event featuring the Diamond Jubilee, Bill Borough, Howell Point, and other fleets.

The Southern California District Championship featured a close competition where Art Glasier and defending champion John Casier competed. Glasier ultimately won the championship, with the course starting at Newport Beach. Light winds characterized the racing.

Ken Robbie from Louisville won the Cowan Invitational by an eight boat margin with two firsts and a third. George Hills placed second after winning the championship in 1962. The fleet competed on Cowan Lake near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Vice-President Ted Himsworth proposed a six-region rotation system for holding the National Championship, which has been endorsed by the Governing Board at Sayville. The proposal divides the country into regions and suggests how the nationals should rotate among them based on the 1962 roster.

Eugene George won the Lake Michigan District Championship on June 7 in his new fiberglass boat GINGER. The race featured challenging light winds and tactical racing, with George winning the 1962 Delta Districts at Galveston and competing well in both wind conditions.

Ned Lockwood of Indianapolis won the Hap Nelson Memorial Trophy at the Damfull Regatta at Leatherstone Y.C., topping a fleet of 35 Thistles. Lockwood's light and airy sailing style, combined with his walk-away victory with the Hap Nelson Memorial Trophy, made this one of the most comfortable margins of over five points.

Glenn Clark won the Towell Engineering Trophy at the Kanocha Bay championship with two successive first places and a second. Jack Wyatt captured second place with good consistent racing. The fleet had among the fastest times ever posted in the series.

A historical table listing all Thistle National Champions from 1946 through 1962, showing the champion, second and third place finishers, and the location of each championship.

Listing of trophy awards given at the 1962 National Championship held at Richmond County Yacht Club in August, including awards for final position in races and special awards for various achievements.

A detailed description of sailing conditions on Great South Bay, covering wind patterns, tides, currents, and techniques for racing in this location. The article discusses the bay's shallow waters, seasonal variations, and practical advice for sailing there.

A detailed article on preparing a Thistle for the National Championship, covering equipment modifications, tuning possibilities, and fitting adjustments. The author points out proven tuning practices and how to adapt fittings and equipment to racing conditions.

Technical guidance from the Class measurer regarding centerboards and rudders, sail measurements, reinforcing struts, and various boat components to ensure compliance with official measurements and rules.

A geographical and nautical description of Sayville, New York, where the 1963 National Championship will be held. The article describes Great South Bay, Patchogue Bay, nearby attractions, and facilities available for the event.

The detailed schedule of races and activities for the 1963 National Championship at Sayville, including registration, tune-up races, measurement, official meetings, racing dates, and social events.

Roger Brett won the Fling Invitational held at Grand Lake, Oklahoma, flying past ten boats in the first race. Multiple wind shifts and boat races characterized the event, with Larry Haupt performing well on the spinnaker run.

Ken Wilson sailing Jim Miller's boat won first place overall in the Erie Open Regatta for the Thistle Class on June 8-9 at Erie Yacht Club. Harry White and John Proctor were close behind, with light air and shifting wind conditions.

The National Championship Procedure Committee, chaired by Pete Bordes, reviewed the system for conducting the 1963 National Championship at Sayville. The committee approved using the Bordes system and recommended modifications for future championships.

Bill Cunnings won the third annual Cana-Canoe Thistle Invitational Regatta held at Canadaigua Yacht Club with Rochester Canoe Club on June 8. Light variable winds plagued crews and race committee. Bill Cunnings sailed expertly under both light and heavy conditions.

Ed Sherman Jr. of St. Petersburg, defending Florida district Champion, retained his championship for the third consecutive year. The Tampa Yacht Club hosted the event with ten boats competing, including several who did not attend the Nationals.

Coronado Yacht Club hosted the Annual Small Boat Regatta June 22-23, where Mark Evans distinguished himself among the Thistlers by capturing two first places in the second and third races.

Kaighn Smith of Narberth, Pennsylvania won the 11th annual Dixie Invitational Thistle Regatta at the Atlanta Yacht Club on June 2, sailing a clean sweep with first place in each of the three races.

President Elmer Richards won the Henry Goetz Memorial Trophy at Lake Hopateong Yacht Club. Two races were sailed Saturday and one on Sunday with gusty westerly winds and major rigging failures. None of the first three skippers in this regatta won a single race.

A letter from a Thistle skipper expressing appreciation for the class and advocating for its continuation, noting its advantages including quality of design, strict adherence to class rules, and competitive nature. The writer encourages others to help preserve the Thistle's integrity.

Paul Joy won the Joy Cops Brundage Trophy at Kaneohe Bay, sailing two consecutive second place finishes in heavy Trade winds, then coming out on top at the end of the ten entrants.

The Dixie Sailing Club of Montgomery, Alabama held its third annual Punch Bowl Regatta May 25 and 26. Howard Mead won with consistent performances across all three races. Sunday's winds were light with occasional puffs.

Henry Goetz, charter member of Fleet 36 at Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club and founder of the Thistle class in the Goetz family, passed away in May. He was instrumental in developing the largest Thistle fleet in the country.

Discussion of the adjustable spinnaker pole eye and its proper position as revealed by views of boats at St. Petersburg Midwinter. Technical notes on how to adjust the pole for proper performance.

A report on the South Atlantic Districts regatta held on June 22 at Pickwick Lake, Tennessee. Howard Mead and Jack Beachem led the fleet through four races, with Howard Mead winning the final event. The article includes detailed race results showing positions for each skipper across all races.

An article providing practical advice on rigging and handling a Thistle with a single crew member. Topics include spinnaker placement, sheet and guy configuration, jib handling, and maintaining control through proper rigging adjustments.

Classified advertisements and boat sales listings for Thistle-related equipment, insurance, boats for sale, and custom products. Includes listings for boats, sails, insurance services, and boat covers.