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 Douglass, 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 principles 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
- The Thistle Class would like to extent heart-felt condolences to Barbara Shaffer, sons John and Chris, sister, Sandra Hamilton, and family. Her husband, David, was the TCA National PRO at the 2010 North Cape Nationals and frequent race committee member at MWE in St Pete.
Dave was commodore of the Inter-Lake Yachting Association, which is made up of boat, yacht, and sailing clubs in Ohio, Ontario, Michigan, Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania. He was commodore Jolly Roger Sailing Club in Toledo in 1987. He remained an honorary member of Jolly Roger but most recently he was a member of North Cape Yacht Club in LaSalle, Mich., where he was a principal race officer.
The family suggests tributes to the North Cape Sailing School, LaSalle, Mich., I-LYA Yachtsmen's Fund, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. - 2012 TCA Calendar
- The TCA skipper Eligibility List is current as of May 16, 2012. The list includes dues paid active, family and junior members and boat registration status. Only dues paid member may skipper a registered boat in chevron events. Become a member today!
- Allan Terhune with a team of Katie Terhune and Sarah Paisley won the 2012 Midewinters East Championship. They were followed by Paul Abdullah (teamed with Tim Fitzgerald and Darby Smith) and Skip Dieball ( teamed with Jeff Eiber and Abby Freeman), who placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
- Congratulations Mike Ingham, Taylor Zimmerman, and Kyle Finefrock on the MidWinters West win! For the complete MWE scores and the Larry Klein Match Racing results check out the Mission Bay Yacht Club page.
- 2012 Major Dates
Great Lakes Championship - June 16-17, Chautauqua Yacht Club
Southeastern Interdistrict Championship (SESS) June 23-24, Lake Norman YC, Charlotte, NC
2012 Thistle National Championship - July 28 - Aug 3, San Diego, CA
2013 Thistle National Championship - July 20 - 27, Sayville, NY - Ready to sail with your best Thistle friends in 2012? Then join the class. Dues are due now. Fleet members are strongly encouraged to join through their fleet. Thistlers can also join online by tapping the membership button.
- Join the TCA on Facebook.
- Submit all calendar items, NOR's, event information, and regatta results to the webmaster. All information will be posted on the Events page.
- Looking to do rail repair? Master craftsman, Larry Liggett, offers two video "how-to's."
Part I
Part II - Enjoy some footage from The 1965 Nationals Championship. Many thanks to Craig Smith for finding and posting it!
- Thistle Class Merchandise makes great gifts
and trophies. Keep checking back as more items are added.
Good Day. Photo by Dan Phelps - SpinSheet Magazine
