About the TCA
The Thistle is a high performance one design racing sailboat that is generally sailed with a three person crew. The Thistle Class Association is recognized as one of the largest and best one-design classes in the country.
Thistle fleets are located throughout the US and welcome new and experienced sailors. Fleet members are happy to take new Thistle sailors out sailing and help get new boat owners up to speed. Joining a fleet and crewing is an excellent way to get started in the Thistle. Instructional DVD’s also help sailors get up to speed.
The TCA publishes a top-notch magazine, the Bagpipe, which not only reports on all the class news, but often includes rigging and go-fast tips.
The class culture makes this Thistle unique. The competitive design and caliber of sailors attracts top sailors. The class also enjoys family camaraderie and often teams are comprised of family members. The Thistle is ideal for junior sailors and many regattas encourage youth participation with reduced fees for junior members.
Designed by Sandy Douglas, the Thistle debuted in 1945. The sail plan consists of a main, jib, and spinnaker. The boat planes easily in 10-12 knots of breeze yet will also glide effortlessly in light air. The class firmly believes in the one-design principals thus keeping all boats competitive.
New boats are available from the class approved builders, Great Midwest Yacht and North West One Design. Used boats can be found at a variety of price points. The best places to find used boats include the "Classifieds" page on this site and to network with your local sailing club.
LOA 17' 0"
Beam 6' 0"
Draft up/dn 6"/4’6"
Weight 515 lb
SA (main and jib) 191 sq. ft.
SA (spin) 220 sq. ft.
The Thistle Class Association
is a proud member of
US SAILING.
Welcome to the Thistle Class Association
NEWS
- Don't miss US SAILING's One-Design Sailing Symposium November 15-16 in Atlanta GA. Join Dave Perry, Greg Fisher, Skip Dieball, Craig Leweck, Tom Hubbell, Greg Griffin, Freid Elliot, and 25 other speakers for a great weekend of go fast help, class and fleet building ideas, parties and fun. For more information visit US SAILING's One-Design Class Council.
- The Southport Sailing Foundation, based in Southport, Conn., announced the launch of a new website designed to help young American sailors plan more successful racing campaigns. The new site, called www.CleverPig.org, is designed for any sailor who wants to take the next step in their sailing career, whether he or she is a veteran racer aiming toward the Olympics or a young sailor preparing for their first national regatta. According to Dave Perry, a Foundation director, “When sailors want to organize a campaign or simply raise the level of their game, there is so much to do beyond just racing their boat fast. The idea behind CleverPig.org is to provide a resource for ‘one-stop shopping.’ Hopefully it will give sailors most of the information they need to be successful off the water as well as on the race course.” The Thistle is one of the classes covered.
- The first four legs of the East Coast Fall Series have been completed. Congratulations to the team of Brad Swett, Nick Moreau and Jen Tayne for winning the Fall Frontier Regatta in Rochester, to Brent Barbehenn, Chris Murphy and Jess Kitchin Murphy for taking the Horrocks Regatta in Sayville, to Brent Barbehenn, Charlie Bailey and Paul Joudrey for the Goetz Memorial at Lake Hopatcong, and to John Baker, Joy Martin, and Sarah Paisley for the Fontelieu in Westport.
- Fifteen young sailors... six months of intense training... one chance at the brass ring. This exciting True-Life documentary tells the inspiring story of a group of intrepid and determined young men and women, on the cusp of adulthood, as they embark on life’s first great adventure. For more informaiton see Morning Light.
- The Skipper Eligibility List is current as of September 29, 2008. The list includes 2008 junior, active, and family member’s last names and boat registration information. If you have not paid your 2008 dues, you are invited to do so. If you need to register your boat with the class, the measurement form is available online.
- It's dues time again. Send in your 2009 dues now and received the last 2008 Bagpipes. And now is the time to schedule annual fleet meetings.
- Bagpipe Preview - October/November issue.
- Congratulations Greg Fisher, Jeff Eiber, and Jo Ann Fisher on a great Nationals win. To see the complete results visit the Pensacola Yacht Club website.
- Remember to submit NOR's, event information, and regatta results to the webmaster. All information will be posted on the Events page.
- The web page header photograph
section needs more photographs. Please
send one or two of your very best photographs which fit the following
categories: People (pictures of minors must include parental permission), rigging, scenic sailing venues. Pictures will be chosen based upon quality and how well they represent
the TCA. (age, gender, geographic location, fun factor, etc.) And,
seriously, edit your collection to your one or two favorites.
- Check the SPYC website for MWE scores and the Kattack GPS tracking system.
- Thistle Class Merchandise makes great gifts and trophies. Keep checking back as more items are added.
For upcoming events and regatta results please go to 2008 Events.
