Ralph Wiley, the well-known Oxford, Maryland, sage, is eloquent in com- 

 paring the Thistles with other one-design classes:* "Embryo one-design 

 classes are frequently hothouse plants. The seed is planted in carefully pre- 

 pared soil, fertilized with propaganda and lightened by humus in the form 

 of plowed-under long green. Many such seedlings cannot endure trans- 

 planting to the cold outdoors. Like the Biblical seed, a few that fall on 

 fertile ground survive but many fall among the tares and die. The seeds of 

 the Thistle, like those of her prickly Scotch namesake, have been broadcast 

 by friendly breezes and, like the hardy flower of Scotland, she is tough 

 enough to flourish and grow wherever the seeds may fall." 



The Thistle open hull allows plenty of room for family sailing and there 

 is no deck from which children can slide overboard. She is also an exciting 

 racing boat, which has become well-known internationally. An active 

 Thistle Class Association produces, among other things, an interesting pub- 

 lication called the Bagpipe. Mrs. Marlin ("Honey") Abramson is Secre- 

 tary-Treasurer (226 E. 17th Ave., Columbus 1, Ohio). As there are too many 

 builders to list here, the Secretary may be written for a Hst, or Yachtings 

 Boat Owners Buyers Guide may be consulted. Boats are built of molded 

 plywood or fiber glass and cost about $2200 new, with Dacron sails. 



VITAL STATISTICS: L.O.A. 17'; watcrlinc 17'; beam 6'; draft without 

 centerboard of\ with C.B. 4'6''; sail area 175 sq. ft. (spinnaker used); 

 weight 500 to 550 lbs.; trailable; racing crew, two or three. 



TOWN CLASS 



This is a i6V2-foot wooden sloop designed and built by Pert M. Lowell of 

 Newbury, Massachusetts, as a family boat which could also be used with 

 an outboard motor. While not a planing type, it is said to be a good all- 

 around sailer. Of one thousand which have been built, it is reported that 

 about 250 are active in the National Town Class, of which Roy Larsen is 

 Secretary (181 Azalea Drive, Norwood, Mass.). Principal sailing areas are 

 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Price is about $1100 new, $400 to $700 

 used. 



VITAL statistics: L.O.A. i6'6''; beam $'^^2''; draft without cen- 

 terboard 9", with C.B. 2^4"; sail area 150 sq. ft.; weight 630 lbs.; trailable; 

 racing crew, two to four. 



* "The Thistles," by Ralph H. Wiley, Yachting, July 1952. 



198 THE SAILBOAT CLASSES OF NORTH AMERICA 



