US SAILING’s Member Partner Program is a win-win for you, the J/30 Class and US SAILING.
We would like to encourage all of our J/30 Class members who have not already done so to become US Sailing members. To make it easy, we are participating in US Sailing’s Member Partner Program which offers discounted US Sailing membership rates (20% off) and contributes a portion of your dues back to the J/30 Class.

Why should you become a member of US SAILING?
Plain and simple. As a member of US Sailing, you make it possible for US Sailing to develop and maintain programs that we depend on. These programs include training for our certified instructors and race officials, curricula and resources for junior programs, support for our volunteers, insurance programs for our class, and more. This support impacts your sailing activities, directly or indirectly, whether it is through our sailing program, regattas, insurance and other services. And from the bigger picture, as a member of US Sailing, you are supporting efforts to maintain the health and integrity of sailing and ensure a bright future for all sailors.

What you receive as a member of US SAILING?
Great Benefits. In addition to supporting the programs and people that impact your time on the water, as a US Sailing member, you will receive a host of great benefits including:

• A copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing
• Discounted Regatta Fees
• Lowest rates on Sailing World and Cruising World magazine
• Special member pricing on all items in the US SAILING store
• Great discounts from US SAILING sponsors and partners, including West Marine, Sperry Topsider, Atlantis, Hobie Sunglasses, North U, AlphaGraphics and many more.
• Access to US SAILING’s custom weather portal from Sailing Weather Services
• And more.

US SAILING Member Partner Program Rates:

• Youth: $20 (normally $25)
• Individual: $50 (normally $60)
• Family: $75 (normally $90)

How can you join US SAILING?
To join through our Member Partner Program, if you are a current year J/30 Class member all you have to do is click here and you will be directed to the J/30 Class Association Members Only section on the J/30 forum with a custom link to the US Sailing website. 

Join Today!
The Member Partner Program is a win-win for you, our organization and US Sailing. By joining through our Member Partner Program, not only do you receive special membership rates, but a portion of your membership dues are given back to our class so we can purchase US Sailing products and services such as the Racing Rules of Sailing, educational DVDs, books, apparel, race official and instructor certification fees, and much more.

We encourage you to participate in our Member Partner Program and take advantage of all that US Sailing has to offer!  Click here and you will be directed to the J/30 Class Association Members Only section on the J/30 forum with a custom link to the US Sailing website. 

What US SAILING does for you
US Sailing – the National Governing Body for Sailing – is a grass roots, volunteer supported organization that is dedicated to sailors of all levels of racing and recreational sailing across the country, as well as local sailing organizations including our club. US Sailing focuses on encouraging advancement, promoting integrity and ensuring a bright future for the sport in the following ways:

Building and advancing the next generation of sailors:
5,000+ US Sailing certified instructors mentor over 50,000 kids and
10,000 adults a year, instilling confidence and introducing them to a lifelong activity.

Ensuring integrity and a level playing field for all sailors:
1,200+ Race Officers running local and national regattas, support and services
for 70+ PHRF fleets and 150+ one design classes across the country,
thousands of ORR and IRC handicap certificates, Safety at Sea seminars, the Olympic Sailing
Team and the 18 National Championships and 26 Junior Olympic Festivals, keeping the
sport fair, exciting and welcoming to sailors of all backgrounds and skills.

Strengthen and expand support for the foundation of our sport:
1,400+ local yacht clubs and sailing organizations rely on our insurance programs, online registration and scoring tools, race management resources, training curriculum,
research and conferences and symposiums that enhance their members’ sailing experiences.

Want to learn more about US Sailing, check out:
http://about.ussailing.org/About_Us.

Happy Sailing!
Bill Kneller & Dave Erwin,
J/30 Class Co-Presidents

The J/30 was our second cruiser racer and what a relief it was to get out of an IOR inspired death roller, to the J/30 which could actually beat a J/24.   Jane and I have always treasured our memories of cruising that boat in Maine with the double quarter berths and otherwise huge interior.   Our youngest daughter had her first week long cruise at age three weeks with the basinet gimballed below between the interior hand rails.

When not cruising, we raced seriously at the Regional, District, North American and Mid Winters – which is how Jane and I some how got involved with the class.   We experienced terrific growth during our tenure and it was great fun getting to know the enthusiastic J/30 owners around the country.   I know Jane put her heart and soul into the J/30 Journal applying  her skills as a graphic artist.   I think the single best memory was drafting and implementing the owner – driver rule for the class.   I think that really set the class apart and I’m delighted that 30 years later the class still has great vitality.

Tom Babbitt,
J/30 Class Association Past President (1983-1984)

As many of you know Dorsey Owings passed away last November 2009. Dorsey, his wife Gail and crew were two times J/30 North American champions. Dorsey and Gail sold their J/30 and bought a Farr (Mumm) 30 about seven years ago. All of their boats were named Seabiscuit. Most of the J/30 crew came with them to the Farr 30.

Gail asked some of the current Seabiscuit crew and friends to put the Farr 30 back together again in order to keep the tradition and spirit of Dorsey’s legacy going. The boat was in the barn with a beautiful new deck, but not a fitting to be found on board.  Spearheaded by Pat and Amy Teeling, plans were made to fit the boat out and get sailing again. The weather this past winter did not cooperate very well, but in March we were able to put a few weekends of work together. Then the boat got moved to Annapolis and at a frantic pace in the evenings, leading up the night before the NOOD Regatta in Annapolis, the boat was finished. A quick test sail on Thursday night resulted in a few last minute fixes and the boat was ready to go.

Chris Conway, Peter Colby, Tony Rankin, Mike Sipala, Terry Rapp and Gail Owings set out with the traditional beer at the first buoy encountered on the way to the course.  Sailing went well as the boat and crew got used to each other. It would have been a great to finish first, but we did not. No one held their heads low as we sailed hard and did what has become the legend of Seabiscuit, we had fun! We did however remember Dorsey with another tradition, the Seabiscuit cocktail (Vodka, Tonic and a thin slice of cucumber cut with Dorsey’s Leatherman knife) on the way back to the dock.

While we all felt Dorsey’s spirit with us last weekend, he will be missed but hardly forgotten. It was great to see Gail and company enjoying the sailing.  Thank you to Gail and of course Dorsey.