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Randy’s Thistle
Resources
What is a
"Thistle"?
The Thistle is 17 foot, 3 person,
one-design racing dinghy. The Thistle sail plan consists of a main, jib, and
spinnaker. Designed in 1945 by Sandy Douglas, the Thistle was envisioned as the
ideal combination of "family/day sailor" and "racing
sailboat". Today, it has evolved into a modern racing dinghy.
Where can I
purchase a boat?
Two manufacturers are currently
building about 10 -> 20 boats/year. Used Thistle sailboats can go for as
little as $ 500 -> to brand new ones costing $ 10K. Many race-ready boats
are available for under $ 3K in most parts of the USA. The Thistle class
maintains a "Used Boat
Clearinghouse" of known boats for sale around the country.
Can I purchase an
older boat and still be competitve?
The class is a strict one design,
and allows innovation in rigging and deck layouts only. The one design aspect
has been closely maintained under the watchful eye of the class governing body
(TCA) -- a strong and healthy national association governing all aspects of the
class and its activities. Thistles are not obsolete racing boats even when
they're 35-40 years old, as demonstrated by the fact that boat #1 is still
actively raced today. In fact, about 2,800 of the approximately 3,850 Thistles
built are still active today. In addition, the average age of the top ten boats
at the 1994 Nationals was 14 years.
What does becoming
a Thistle Class member get me?
In addition to a subscription to
the Bagpipe, your membership in TCA also includes the class "Green
Book" listing yearly changes in design rules, experimental rules, and
technical information on practically every aspect of Thistle ownership. The
green book is also the class membership directory. More importantly, however,
it allows you to sail your Thistle in TCA sponsored events, gain valuable
information about your boat from the Bagpipe, and become a part of a network of
Thistle sailors that are always willing to help you with your boat.
Does the Thistle
Class publish a newsletter?
The Thistle Class Association
(TCA) actively publishes a glossy full-color magazine, "The Bagpipe",
6 times a year. Part of your yearly membership dues, whether an owner or a crew,
pay for your subscription to this approx. 30 page magazine. Any Thistle Class
Association member (crew or owner) can submit articles To the Bagpipe
editor for publication.
How hard is it to
travel with the boat?
Although the Thistle is difficult
to car-top as it's weight with equipment is approximately 515 pounds, almost
any brand of car is able to adequately move one on a trailer.
How good is the
Competition in the Thistle class?
Although the class has some of the
best competition in the world, the class has undertaken several rises and falls
in membership. The Thistle class is currently recognized by US Sailing,
however, as the second largest active fleet (next to Lasers) in terms of almost
4,000 boats actively sailing. David Dellenbaugh, author of Speed and Smarts
and several-time America's Cup sailor, is an avid Thistle racer as well.
What is the ideal
crew weight for a Thistle?
Due to the 23 ft tall height of
the Thistle rig, a broad range of crew combinations has proven successful in
the Thistle. Crew weights of 400-600 pounds can be competitive. Most racers
consider the "ideal" crew weight to be 470-500 pounds, although both
lighter and heavier crew weights have won Nationals. Due to the wide range of
competitive crew weights, a Thistle can also be raced competitively with two
people. Bill Draheim won the 1993 National Championships while double handing.
What are the major
Thistle events?
The Thistle Class sponsors many
regattas including club level events, area and district championships, the
Midwinters West (San Diego, CA) and Midwinters East (St. Petersburg, FL)
regattas, as well as the National Championships (which rotate around the
country).
Where can I
purchase Sails and gear?
North Sails(tm), Gus Sails(tm),
Sobstad Sails(tm), and Ullman Sails (tm) are a few of the main sailmakers for
the class. Northwest One-Design
(503) 709-3176 and Great Midwest Yacht Company (614) 965-4511 are currently the
best sources of Thistle-specific hardware available.
Gratefully mirrored from the Thistle Class website.
What's New!... Home The Boat The Class
Thistle Links Restoring 1987 Restoring Thistles Rigging Thistles Racing Thistles
Randy's Info Thistle
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