February/March 2008

An article highlighting the Pensacola Yacht Club as host of the 2008 Women's and Juniors' National Championships and Nationals. The club is celebrating 100 years of pride and distinction and provides information about hotel accommodations available to Thistle Class members during the event.

The Thistle Class Association president discusses the importance of planning your sailing calendar for 2008, encouraging members to identify key events for their fleet and attend major regattas like Midwinters East and Nationals. He emphasizes organizing local events and coordinating with other fleets to boost participation.

The First Vice President outlines strategies for recruiting new members to the Thistle Class during the winter months, including reaching out to inactive skippers, prospective skippers, and prospective crew. He discusses new membership options and emphasizes the importance of fleet social events.

The Secretary-Treasurer reports on updates to the TCA website, including new content organization and fleet page guidelines. She discusses the importance of fleet web pages for marketing Thistle sailing and provides tips for making pages more effective and welcoming to new sailors.

The Bagpipe Editor discusses the importance of planning ahead for regatta organization and promotion, including writing articles immediately after events, choosing next year's regatta chairman in advance, and submitting regatta information to the Thistle Regatta Calendar by the February 8 deadline.

An obituary for H. James Hendricksen, 89, a former Thistle national champion who died November 2, 2007. He was a notable member of the Sandusky sailing community and Fleet #3, known for maintaining Thistle #21 Black Jae with 27 coats of hand-rubbed lacquer. He finished in the top 3 at Nationals seven times.

The Chief Measurer addresses rudder measurement standards and tolerances, detailing the proper procedures for measuring rudders and discussing issues with non-conforming rudders. Includes a detailed description of building a rudder measurement jig by Dan Winchester.

A report on San Diego's Fleet 13 Invitational Regatta which attracted 11 teams. The regatta featured both open ocean sailing with windward-leeward courses and tight bay sailing. Winners were announced with 2-person teams having a distinct advantage in the light conditions.

A comprehensive report on the 2007 East Coast Fall Series with detailed summaries of each regatta by location. John Baker and Joy Martin won the series handily, and 91 skippers participated across the full series. Includes "Top 10" format write-ups for each of the seven regattas, final standings, and participating skipper/crew lists.

A compilation of advertisements and marketplace listings including TCA membership information, sailing education DVDs, boat insurance offerings, yacht club promotions, sails and equipment vendors, and miscellaneous products for Thistle sailors.

An account of the restoration project of Thistle #875, a wooden hull in Wichita, Kansas. The article details the major repair work being done by Tim Fitzgerald with Gary Pierce, including re-epoxying joints, replacing seats, and preparing for a complete flip-over to assess and repair the bottom. The project is progressing quickly thanks to Gary's woodworking expertise.

A personal narrative about restoring Thistle #2020, a wooden hull built from a kit in 1965, that was returned to the author so his grandsons Ben and Brian Goldberg could sail it. The restoration involved extensive repairs including replacing rotted sections, re-glassing the hull, new rails, and ultimately racing successfully in junior events.

An in-depth profile of Ron Smith's passion for Thistle sailing, chronicling his restoration and maintenance of two wooden Thistles over several decades. Smith shares his philosophy on boat care, including using Awlgrip polyurethane paint and regular maintenance. The article highlights his success racing #1285 at the 2007 Pacific Coast Championships.

A first-person account of sailing in the Lake Erie Fall Series after moving to Kansas City. The author details his participation at Pymatuning regatta with crew Rick Rothenbuehler, sharing racing highlights and social activities, demonstrating the connection between former Toledo sailors and the Great Lakes racing community.

An article about the revival of the Southern California Thistle Roadrunner Perpetual Trophy series. The trophy, created in 1989 by former district governor Fred Nagel, promotes Thistle sailing in Southern California and Arizona through a series of four to five traveling events. The 2007 results show participation from 29 boats with plans to increase participation to 40+ in 2008.

A report on the US Sailing One-Design Symposium held in Columbus, Ohio, where two dozen Thistlers participated alongside 125 sailors from other classes. The symposium featured workshops on class marketing, high school sailing programs, PR strategies, boat loan programs, and presentations from sailing experts including Dave Perry and Dr. Stuart Walker.

A report on the Central Atlantic District Championship held on the Delaware River at New Castle Sailing Club with twenty boats competing in heavy-air racing. Scott Latham won first place overall, with the event featuring a video clinic from Greg Fisher, challenging current conditions, and a spectacular fireworks display celebrating Delaware's "Separation Day."

A photo column featuring reader submissions and brief anecdotes, including the Berlin Yacht Club (Fleet #120) members at a ski resort, and a personal account from Ron Small about how he got started sailing in the Thistle Class.