Dave and Bill here wishing everyone a Happy New Year!  What a year for the J/30 class in 2011! We noted 75 official active class members, 51 US Sailing members and have captured fleet information for 518 J/30 hulls.  Our fleets continue to be recognized across the world.

The word ca•ma•ra•de•rie means: Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. We are very proud of our class as we have developed a sailing leadership image over the years. We have overcome our differences of opinions through various levels of diverse thinking. Across the nation, we have developed a lot of lifelong friends in our class. We are thankful to have the best people with a focus of family. When we disagree, let’s refrain from using Sailing Anarchy and pick up the phone to talk to one another – like in the old days before social media. With a goal to keep the costs of our sport low, let’s work together to produce a class built on the basic foundations of sportsmanship and camaraderie. We are like a softball league on water. As the economic times improve and the new sailing season begins, give yourself a pat on the back for creating a world in which we compete, laugh, collaborate and succeed on and off of the water.

In 2012, goals include more forum, blog and video coverage of regattas, renovation projects, racing tips and tricks.  Examples: cross sheeting, launching the spinnaker from the front hatch, main sheet systems, vang systems, deck layouts. After reading Nicholas Hayes book Saving Sailing, it is clear that we need more families sailing together. Let’s host more junior regattas and act as mentors to younger sailors.  The J/30 is a perfect boat to help Save Sailing.

Here are a few topic of focus:

RECOGNITION J/30 President’s Recognition Awards

North Americans – David McConaughly with Hampton based crew aboard White Boat

Newest Member to Finish Top 5 at NAs – Whitney Kent with Team Raiki

Media  –  Molly Winans for coverage of multiple J/30 events in Spinsheet Magazine.

Funniest Video – Bob Rutsch http://j30.us/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12454/2011_J_30_NA_s_Race_4_video_of.html

Sailor Recruitment – Vic Farmer who created a youth sailing program in Naples

Training Videos – Vic Farmer – check many of them out on the J/30 forum

Innovative Story – Dell Todd – check out his story on the J/30 website http://j30.us/blog/?p=1148

If you would like to recognize a J/30 class member for accomplishment visit this forum thread. http://j30.us/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12778.html#Post12778

NORTH AMERICANS

Congratulations to White Boat skippered by David McConaughy who made the trip from Hampton, VA to win the North American Championship hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club. Steve Buzbee and the Blue Meanie crew finished second.  Bob Rutsch and Mike Costello’s team sailing BeBop finished 3^rd. The 2012 North American Championship will be hosted by New Orleans Yacht Club in October 18-21. NOYC posted the NOR one year in advanced of the event.  Please register early if you are planning to race. Stay tuned for exciting sponsorship and event announcements in the near future.  The J/30 North American Championship continues to be the largest venue of J/30 sailors sharing ideas and stories.

COMMUNICATIONS

The level of discussion on the J/30 forum has continued to increase with sailors from all over the world exchanging sea stories, getting maintenance tips, coordinating cruises and scheduling races.  Don’t forget to check out the discussions on the district forums that are local to your area.

Since our boats are one year older, there are many who have taken extra steps to preserve the legacy and material condition of their boats.  There is a wealth of information on the J/30 forum made possible by people who have share information on core replacement, engine rebuilding, running rigging upgrades, deck repair, and the list goes on.  If you have not registered on the J/30 forum, you’re missing a great resource available at no cost for your use.

Don’t forget to engage and speak to your district governors and ask “what do you want” so the J/30 class can serve you better.  Create opportunity to meet and connect with other J/30 owners in your area.

MERCHANDISE

The J/30 Class continues to partner with V-Sport, the J/Boat licensed apparel supplier to offer member discounts on J/30 logo merchandise that can be personalized for your boat.  The class has also partnered with North Sails to offer J/30 flags available for purchase online. We are now selling large battle and smaller back stay flags. We are also offering a 20% US Sailing membership discount through the Membership Partner Program – those who pay J/30 class dues online and enter their US Sailing number get a custom link to get this discount with their data already entered.

Finally, we will be sending out an email with a request for 2012 class dues by the end of January.   Class dues will remain at $50 for each owner/co-owner and $25 for associate membership (crew members).   If you have not received an email message by 1 February, please contact us to be sent a custom registration link for your boat.  We ask that everyone please support the class and pay dues, so we can continue to build the momentum with resources such as the web site, forum and National Championship.

Happy Sailing!
Bill Kneller & Dave Erwin