February/March 1985

President Kaighin discusses the significance of Nationals as a goal for Thistle sailors, emphasizing that while winning is secondary to improving, the Governing Board and Annual Meeting provide valuable forums for class governance. He encourages members to send opinions to Bruce McCutcheon for publication in the Bagpipe.

Robinson shares enthusiasm about hearing from three of the youth interested in sailing, and promotes various ways to introduce new sailors to the sport, including bicycle and canoe shops, and encouraging crew members to become associates.

Editor McCutcheon discusses the ongoing issue of keel and stem moldings, noting that the Governing Board rejected three proposed amendments at the annual meeting due to their potential impact on enforcement. He explains the Board's position on specification enforcement and invites members to review a prepared proposal for discussion.

Technical article explaining the issue of keel and stem moldings in Thistle specifications. Describes the controversy over whether moldings should be faired and outlines the proposals for modification.

Klein provides an insider's account of sailing and observing at the 1984 Olympic Trials for the Soling class, discussing various competitors, race conditions, tactical situations, and the challenges of the trial format.

A table listing tentative spring and early summer regattas for Thistle sailors, organized by date and location with regatta organizer contact information.

Warning about the dangers of overhead powerlines for sailors, with a specific account of an incident where two boys were severely burned when their trailer mast touched power lines. Emphasizes that clubs must bury overhead lines to prevent such accidents.

A biographical profile of Chief Measurer A. Lloyd Kitchin, Jr., a long-time Thistle sailor and dedicated club member who has been active in the class for over 30 years and has mentored many young sailors.

Comprehensive fitness guide for Thistle sailors covering six components of physical fitness (flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, and motor ability), with practical exercises and training guidelines for improved sailing performance.

A word puzzle for Thistle sailors matching sailing and class-specific terms with their definitions, reprinted from Splash, the Florida District Newsletter.

Historical article tracing the origins and development of Fleet #1 of the Thistle Class, from the first boats built in 1946 through the 1960s, documenting key participants and the fleet's evolution into a thriving regional group.

Report on the 1984 Lake Erie East Fall Series where 98 boats competed in nine regattas. Jack Bauer dominated the series with a perfect first place, with John Lovett in second place overall.

Comprehensive regatta reporting covering multiple events and locations, with detailed race results and coverage of various Thistle fleet competitions throughout the fall and winter.

Report on the Indianapolis Naptown Regatta hosted by Thistle Fleet 69 on Geist Reservoir, featuring four tight races with less than a 3.25-point spread over all races and Dick Otter emerging as winner.

Report on the Hell's Canyon Regatta held in July in Lewiston, featuring Thistle fleets from Tacoma, Tri-Cities, Portland and Seattle, with particularly challenging and varying wind conditions.

Report on the Cedar Point Fall Invitational hosted by Fleet 99 with 37 crews competing in varied sailing conditions. Chris Pollak made an impressive recovery from 14th to win the series through consistent sailing.

Report on the Lake Michigan District regatta held at Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club on September 22-23, 1984, with 25 experienced participants testing various sailing conditions ranging from survival to nearly perfect.

Report on the 1984 Sandy Douglass Regatta in Jacksonville, Florida under ideal 10-15 mph wind conditions, with Brian Koivu outscoring Mark Bramlett over four races.

Report on the 1984 East Coast Fall Series where Chris Pollak dominated with five wins out of 11 races, easily taking the series championship. Jim Grundy placed second with strong overall performance.

Report on the Folsom Lake Fall Regatta where Eddie Elliott led the Thistle fleet, with detailed accounts of race conditions and competitor performances in the challenging California waters.

Letters to the editor section featuring correspondence from members, including a letter from Paula Mahan about crew arrangements and future family participation in Thistle sailing.

Report on the Jubilee Regatta hosted by Fleet 89 and Pensacola Yacht Club, where Brian Koivu won the series with competitors from multiple states competing in a weekend of racing.

Classified advertisements featuring Thistle boats for sale, sail sets, rigging equipment, boat covers, and related marine services. Includes information about advertising rates and contact procedures.