June/July 2017

President McBride discusses the importance of planning ahead for summer regattas and emphasizes the need for sailors to familiarize themselves with Class Constitution and Bylaws Article XIII section 8 regarding district championship qualifications. He reminds Nationals trophy holders to return perpetual trophies and invites anyone with knowledge of Class trophy history to share insights.

Hudson discusses the importance of embracing crew in class communications and recognizes the success of a Fleet boat grant program idea. He emphasizes that volunteerism needs to expand beyond sailing to class-building activities and encourages sailors to view volunteer opportunities as social occasions rather than burdensome tasks.

Martin provides a comprehensive overview of growth strategies for the Thistle Class, noting positive trends like the 110-boat Sandusky Nationals and the young fleet in Newport growing from 3 to 12 boats in three years. She lists numerous suggestions for membership and racing growth, from discounted registration for juniors to electronic tracking tools, and encourages all members to commit to implementing at least one growth idea.

Pollak reports strong participation of older sailors at the Chautauqua Nationals, with 38 Old Goats (50+) and 18 genuine geezers (60+) among 87 pre-registered boats. He outlines a streamlined measurement process that will not require centerboard measuring for the first time in three years, lists specific safety and equipment requirements to be checked, and encourages sailors to verify their boats meet Class rules.

The Board met on March 1, 2017 at St Petersburg Yacht Club to discuss membership updates, Growth and Promotion fund expansion, risk management guidelines for unrelated minors, 2018 Nationals site selection, and amendments regarding position sensing devices and wooden hull flotation. The meeting also covered plans for the Chautauqua Nationals including onsite facilities and activities.

Fleet 53 proposes modifying Chief Measurer's Ruling #7 to allow supplemental flotation under seats of wooden-hulled Thistles to extend beyond the vertical plane of the inside edge of seats (up to 1'4" from inside hull skin). The proposal aims to improve self-rescue capability of wooden boats after capsizing by providing flotation equivalent to what fiberglass boats are already allowed. The article includes reasoning and numerous comments from class members debating the merits and concerns of the amendment.

Fleet 61 proposes revising Chief Measurer's Ruling #65 to permit position sensing devices (GPS, smartphones, etc.) during racing provided the recorded data is not accessed while racing. The amendment supports post-race analysis for education and fleet building, with historical precedent from Seattle's 2009 Kattack system trial. The article includes detailed reasoning, testimonials from previous users, and comments from class members debating benefits and concerns about allowing such technology.

Race report from the Orange Peel Regatta held March 17-19, 2017 at the Florida Yacht Club in Jacksonville, Florida. Norton describes the weekend with five races in light to moderate winds, including challenging starts and tactical racing. His team of Howard and Kaitlyn had a modest performance but gained valuable racing experience and camaraderie.

Report on the 2017 Bottoms Up & Carolinas Districts regatta held April 22-23 at Carolina Sailing Club in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event featured 18 boats from four districts with excellent racing, dramatic squall conditions including a capsize, screaming downwind planing, and strong hospitality including a pig pickin' dinner. The regatta demonstrated that Raleigh could become the permanent home for this historic regatta.

Report from the 8 Ball Regatta at Indianapolis Sailing Club on April 22-23, 2017. The event featured 8 races in brisk northeast winds ranging from 10 to 20 knots, with exciting racing and four capsizes on the final race. The weekend included excellent hospitality, entertainment, and camaraderie among competitors, with Peter Frissell's team narrowly edging Andy McDonald's team in a tiebreaker.

Comprehensive report of the Sarasota Midwinter Regatta held February 25-28, 2017 at Sarasota Sailing Squadron in Sarasota, Florida. The regatta featured excellent weather and racing conditions with nine races. Multiple race reports provide tactical analysis and personal perspectives from different teams, highlighting the varied sailing approaches that led to victories and lessons learned.

Detailed report from the MidWinters East Regatta at St. Petersburg Yacht Club on March 1-3, 2017. The regatta featured six races with perfect sailing conditions transitioning from light to ideal sea breeze. Multiple race reports provide tactical insights and racing strategies, with Mike Ingham's team winning the A fleet and exceptional performances from younger competitors.

Comprehensive calendar of Thistle Class regattas scheduled from June through October 2017, listing event dates, locations, contact information, and 2016 winners where applicable. Events are distributed across multiple regions and include district championships, invitational regattas, and specialized events.

Advertisement for JIBMASTER jibsheet cleats, highlighting the crew-friendly design and ease of use. The company offers three models (JIBMASTER, JIBMASTER II, and JIBMASTER III with ratchet blocks) with pricing and shipping information.

Class leadership announces that seven teams have secured Growth and Promotion fund support for Nationals registration at Chautauqua, the highest number ever. However, funding is insufficient for an eighth Nationals team or any Midwinter championship teams. The article appeals to the membership to donate $25 each to support younger sailors at regional and national championships.