THISTLE

Racing Sailboat THISTLE

With the help of Vermont boatbuilder Charlie Beyer, and Internationally recognized yacht designer Jim Donavan, THISTLE has received a modernized rig and rudder, new paint and varnish by the talented Rowan Ongarro of Newport RI., new sails from Vermont Sailing Partners, new electronics, reconfigured keel and a host of other “Go Fast” improvements making her a serious competitor on the race course and just plain super fun to sail in any situation or conditions.

Successful sea trials / first race were carried out on Lake Champlain in 15-25 kts of wind. During this race THISTLE sailed a true up wind – down wind course approximately 30 miles beating and 30 miles dead down wind.  She was very comfortable and dry upwind and nothing less than exhilarating off the breeze easily breaking into planning mode with long surfing sessions in the waves. THISTLE loves to surf!  At the end of the day THISTLE was on the podium with a sweet victory made even more satisfying given that she sailed with a crew of just three.

Since that successful reintroduction to the New England racing scene THISTLE has sort of stayed hidden away like the proverbial “hot rod stored in the barn and only driven by a little old lady on Sundays” accept that each year on the first Saturday in August she has come out of hiding to race in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta and each time proving that she’s got what it takes to garner podium finishes racing in the hotly contested Spirit of Tradition class in the ERR and certainly able to have equal success in any racing venue she enters.