August/September 1983

The president discusses the association's progress in reversing declining boat sales through promotion and local-level support. He reflects on Thistle sailing experiences and emphasizes the importance of regional participation and organizing successful events.

The editor addresses safety concerns raised about rule procedures for canceling races, particularly responding to questions about Rule 60 and TCA measurement procedures. He advocates for open dialogue on fleet safety standards.

The Growth and Promotion committee thanks fleets and districts for their promotional efforts, noting the importance of local-level engagement in boat shows, area flyers, seminars, and open houses for promoting Thistle sailing.

The chief measurer provides guidance on hull measurement procedures for pre-1967 boats, explaining the establishment of baseline methods for measuring hulls and the importance of proper measurement for compliance with class rules.

A profile of Larry Hanson, the Pacific Coast Regional Vice-President, describing his family's entry into Thistle sailing in 1971, their experiences with the class, and Larry's role in organizing regional regattas and district governance.

A collection of letters from readers addressing topics including rules interpretation, measurement procedures, and boat construction concerns raised in previous issues.

A list of new Thistle Class members organized by regional district, welcoming them to the sailing community.

An extensive roundtable discussion featuring multiple Thistle experts addressing detailed questions about trailer design, construction, maintenance, and the relative merits of different trailers and support systems for transporting Thistles.

Rick Russell presents two sailing rules scenarios with detailed diagrams and answers explaining how Rule 38 (luffing) applies in different tactical situations on a downwind course.

Reprinted from Yacht Racing/Cruising Magazine, Dr. Walker discusses how calm conditions develop in weather systems and strategies for recognizing and working in calms during racing.

Jerry Gilbert discusses Rule 60 regarding means of propulsion and argues for a balanced approach to enforcing the rule that accounts for unintentional kinetics while discouraging systematic misuse.

Dick Rose argues that competitors themselves must take responsibility for enforcing Rule 60 regarding propulsion, as judges cannot adequately monitor all actions. He encourages open discussion and organized protests to maintain fair competition.

A detailed historical account of the famous and controversial 1965 National Championship that involved multiple races, weather delays, and ultimately only counted seven races despite being billed as a race series.

Jack Caldwell shares his exploration of whether a Thistle could be modified with a deck, discussing the history of a 1948 D&M Decked Thistle and examining the advantages and drawbacks of such a design modification.

Bruce Dransfeldt offers extensive guidance on crew responsibilities in Thistle racing, covering skipper selection, training, commitment, and specific crew duties for racing success and team cohesion.

Lou Joline introduces a new handicap scoring system for Thistle sailing that addresses the varying skill levels of competitors while maintaining fairness in scoring.

Guidelines and rules for union crews sailing Thistles, reprinted from The Intercom, covering crew responsibilities, boat preparation, and proper conduct during racing events.

A humorous description of the ideal crew member's qualities, including obedience, resilience, and positive attitude during racing.

Greg Fisher provides a detailed countdown schedule before a race start, covering preparation from 10 minutes before the start through the actual gun, with specific tactical considerations and crew communication points.

Comprehensive coverage of multiple Thistle Class regattas across different regions, including results and detailed accounts of racing conditions and winners.

Classified advertisements and listings of boats for sale, sailmakers, boat services, and equipment.