THISTLE. Photo by Beckner Photo Service, courtesy W. D. Schock Co. 



THISTLE 



The 17-foot undecked sloop-rigged Thistles began sailing in 1946. There 

 are now about eighteen hundred scattered in many parts of the United 

 States and Hawaii and at least fifty more elsewhere. Designed by Gordon 

 K. ( "Sandy" ) Douglass and first built by Douglass and McLeod, the Thistle 

 is a round-bilged plum-stemmed centerboard boat with a large sail area for 

 her over-all length— so fast, especially when planing, that she is more than a 

 match for much larger boats. There are now nearly one hundred fleets of 

 this very sporty and popular class. 



RACING CLASSES 



197 



