February/March 2018

Hudson discusses the importance of renewing membership dues to support the Thistle Class and maintain boat value. He also previews upcoming constitutional and bylaw amendments being developed by Third VP John Howell, including proposed changes to clarify language and potentially split the Secretary/Treasurer position.

Howell reflects on the 2017 sailing season and celebrates the culture of volunteerism within the Thistle Class. He acknowledges those who organize regattas and events, noting that over 75% of recent regatta attendees had been involved in organizing Thistle events, and urges new members to get involved or support the Growth and Promotion Fund.

Buehler addresses communication challenges within the Thistle Class, noting that getting messages "out" is different from getting them "through." He discusses various communication tools available (word of mouth, Bagpipe, email, website, video, social media) and proposes improvements including website reorganization, Facebook and Twitter guidelines, and a network of designated communicators.

Pollak reviews memorable moments from 2017 including the Chautauqua Nationals, then answers frequently asked questions about boat measurements, rules compliance, available resources, sail specifications, buoyancy requirements, amendment procedures, and wood boat tolerances. A comprehensive guide for Thistle owners on measurement and regulatory compliance.

Listing of upcoming Thistle Class regattas scheduled for 2018, including dates, locations, contacts, and 2017 winners for reference.

Report from the 2017 Bloody Mary Regatta held November 4-5 at Western Carolina Sailing Club on Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Twenty-eight boats competed in challenging light wind conditions. Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway won in boat #3976, with Scott Griffin and crew in second place, separated by tiebreaker from the first race.

Comprehensive preview of the 2018 Thistle National Championships being held July 30 - August 3 at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, Connecticut. Details include race management (PRO Dick Thackaberry, Judge Bruce Cook), course location, club facilities including new pavilion, sailing amenities, lodging options (dorm rooms, hotels, camping), social events, and information about the concurrent Open Mega Districts regatta June 2-3.

Martin discusses the challenges of holding Nationals in Southern venues during August, citing high heat indexes exceeding 100 degrees that deter participation from Western fleets. She calls for input on whether dates could be moved within class rules to make Southern Nationals more hospitable, and notes that venue proposals for 2019 should be directed to her.

Comprehensive report on the 2017 East Coast Fall Series which included 8 regattas with 84 skippers and 175 crew participating across various racing conditions. Aaron Holland won overall skipper standings, Dana Hollenbeck won crew standings, and Steven Olson received the Participation trophy.

Report from the September 9-10, 2017 Fall Frontier Regatta at Rochester Yacht Club in Lake Ontario. Nine races were sailed in variable northerly conditions with 3-4 foot waves on Saturday. Aaron Holland dominated with crew Bill Dexter and Dana Hollenbeck, winning all races except one. Sunday saw lighter winds and Aaron won overall with Eric Gesner in third.

Race report from the 50th annual Glimmerglass Regatta September 16-17, 2017 in Cooperstown, New York, known for its dramatic 180-degree wind shifts. Five races were sailed with consistent North/Northeast breeze. Dan Hesse won with Sarah Hesse, while Jared Ridder took second. The article details tactical challenges and celebrates the regatta's hospitality.

Report from the September 23-24, 2017 Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club Goetz Regatta with 16 competing boats in light, shifty conditions. Charlie Krafft and crew won with a 5-1-5 scoreline. The article notes the author's first regatta in boat #3808 after purchasing it in June, and thanks the Hopatcong Thistle fleet for their support.

Report from the September 30 - October 1, 2017 Fontelieu Regatta at Cedar Point Yacht Club featuring 19 boats racing in variable conditions with northerly winds and multiple capsizes. Brent Barbehenn won overall, with Rob Pickens in close second. Heavy wind conditions required the PRO to make several management calls.

Comprehensive report on the October 7-8, 2017 Oyster Roast Regatta hosted by Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, Maryland with 30 boats from 11 states. Tom Lawton won overall. The regatta featured Saturday's challenging conditions with ebbing tide and motor boat traffic, Sunday's light breeze, and emphasized environmental sustainability with composting and oyster shell donation for bay restoration.

Report from the October 14-15, 2017 SSC Kayaderosseras Kup at Saratoga Lake Sailing Club. Warm fall weather prevailed with light sailing conditions on Saturday and better breeze on Sunday. Eric, Judy, and Adam Gesner won easily, Aaron Holland and crew finished second, and David Hansen third. The regatta featured traditional social events including hors d'oeuvres and pasta dinners.

Report from October 21-22, 2017 Paul LoGerfo Memorial Regatta at Nyack Boat Club. Unfortunately, no races were completed due to lack of wind on both Saturday and Sunday. The article highlights the regatta's tradition of awarding shot glasses as prizes and celebrates the first East Coast Fall Series participation for the authors, who subsequently purchased boat #3841 to continue sailing Thistles.

Report from the October 28-29, 2017 Red Dragon Canoe Club Heather Bowl, the final ECFS regatta of the year. Seven Thistles competed in highly tactical river conditions with strong currents and shifty winds. Ben Wilkinson dominated with mostly bullets, winning overall. The regatta featured a Halloween costume contest and tribute to Ed Barbehenn.

Technical sailing article explaining how to use visual crew feedback to gauge speed and height relative to competition without electronic speedometers. Ingham describes how his tactician Quinn compares relative distance to nearby boats to provide honest feedback in 20-second cycles, enabling quick adjustments to sail trim and boat handling.

Announcement of a generous $10,000 donation to the Thistle Class Association received at the start of 2018, with $5,000 designated for the Growth and Promotion Fund (sponsoring skippers under 26 at Chevron events) and $5,000 for general operations. Information about membership dues categories and their purposes.