Another path

Terry Phillips

You don’t have to be a boat owner to be able to ride the tide,

so-to-speak. There are several quality sailing clubs in our harbor that

make boats available to club members.

The Lido Sailing Club has been in existence since 1971 and is probably

the largest sailing club in Newport. They provide a fleet of

approximately 25 boats to their membership, which now totals in excess of

600 members.

Some of their boats include Catalina 25’ 27’, 30’, 36’, 38’ and a 42’.

How about a kayak for two, a Duffy 18’ or a Lancer 44’.

Norm Rest, owner and operator of the Lido Sailing Club provides the

inexperienced boater with instruction, safety education and navigational

training.

Intermediate and advanced boaters (currently boat-less) can join the club

without taking additional training sessions, by presenting their boating

history and maybe being required to take a brief boating quiz.

You can use a boat without the normal slip rental fee, cost of insurance,

the monthly payment and that nagging marine nightmare of daily repairs

and maintenance.

Considering the number of days you use a boat vs. the number of days it

sits at the dock unused, the nominal rental fee to take a boat for a

weekend is certainly attractive.

As an example, if you used a Catalina 36 for six weekends a year or 18

days, Lido’s prices would be in the range of only $3,200 to $3,600 for

the entire year.

Considering Newport slip rental at around $13 per foot, times 36 feet,

times 12 months a year, that total alone is over $5,600 annually. Add on

a monthly boat payment, insurance and maintenance, bottom cleaning, fuel

and other hidden nautical expenditures and you can see the advantage.

Although some of the boats are sparsely appointed and won’t have the

photos or other accessories that often make privately owned boat more

personal, just bring a box of pillows, plates and portraiture and don’t

tell your guests that they’re aboard a “rental.”

This is another great holiday gift for that special boater in your life

as membership fees are only $250. The Lido Sailing Club is located at the

base of the Lido Island Bridge at 300 Via Lido, Newport Beach. For

information, call (949) 675-0827.

It’s hard to believe that December has arrived and summer is in

hibernation. This means the Newport Harbor Parade of Lights and silly

people wearing little red stocking caps with fluffy balls attached,

descending upon our local shore.

Be prepared for the lack of parking spaces, inlanders causing traffic

jams and not-so-experienced boaters trying to navigate between thousands

of boats while consuming copious amounts of alcohol.

People - please make sure this is a safe and happy time for all by having

a professional designated skipper aboard if you are in a partying mood.

Don’t forget the third race of the Hot Rum Series will be held January

16. For information, contact Fred Masino at (949) 723-5107.

On February 19 and 20, the Southern California Yachting Association will

present the 71st annual Midwinters 2000. SCYA was formed in 1921

therefore this is probably the elder statesmen of races.

For information on the Midwinter 2000 contact SCYA at (562) 433-7426 or

Race Chairman, Wallace Cook at (714) 680-6669.