Thistle

Challenger949L · Post by **Challenger949L** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 11:47 pm

Ok it is not a crusier, but I am having boat lust for a plastic classic Thistle. Does any one have expirience with the Thistle?

Jimmy Small

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:24 pm

Only vicarious experience.
My college sailing coach was an old Thistle guy from way back. He NEVER shut up about them!
At some point or another the team came into some money from an alumni donation and we were debating wether to buy new sails for our fleet of 6 FJs, or to buy 3 more boats instead, he (at the top of his lungs) advocated a third option: sell all the FJ's and buy 5 Thistles. He lost that argument, and I don't think he ever forgave us.

Any boat that can make lifelong fans like that is OK in my book.

MQMurphy · Post by **MQMurphy** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:35 am

I had a wooden one - hull #408, IIRC - back in the late 70's. It was a serious gas. It was my first sailing experience (not including sunfishes) and I think it taught me a lot. Light and sensitive, it could really fly!
I have heard the wooden ones are desireable - stiffer than the glass hulls. Lots of Thistle fleets around the country.