WHAT’S AFLOAT
* WHAT’S AFLOAT runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a rotating basis.
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SAILING CLASSES
A nautical lecture and slide show will be presented at 7 p.m. March 16 at
the Lido Isle Clubhouse, 701 Via Lido Soud, Newport Beach. Admission is
$5. For more information, call (949) 675-4406.
Eleven spectacular Puget Sound educational cruises have been scheduled
for this summer aboard OCC’s Norwester, a classic 75-foot wooden motor
yacht that introduced actor John Wayne to yachting five decades ago. It
will mark the third summer that Norwester has taken students and
community members on cruises through Puget Sound. Excursions are set to
run June 17-24, June 30 -July 6, July 8-14, July 16-22, July 28-Aug.3,
Aug. 5-11, Aug. 14-19, Aug. 25-31, Sept. 2-8; Sept. 12-20 and Sept.
23-Oct. 1. For reservations and costs, call (949) 645-9412.
A non-credit class that teaches intermediate-level sailors skills
necessary to operate a mid-size auxiliary cruising boat will be offered
this spring by OCC’s Sailing Program. Titled “Bareboat Chartering,” the
class will be taught aboard OCC’s Islander 36, “Andiamo.” The course is
limited to six students. The class meets Saturdays, March 18, 25, April 1
and 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the schools’ Sailing Center, 1801 W.
Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Registration is $215. For more
information, call (949) 645-9412.
OCC’s Sailing Program has scheduled two non-credit “Introduction to
Shields” sailing classes in March and April. The course is a transition
course, taking students from small boats to keel boats of 27 to 30 feet.
The five-week classes meet on successive Saturdays or Sundays, from 9:15
a.m. to 1 p.m. One course begins Saturday March 18 and the other starts
on Sunday, March 19. They will conclude the weekend of April 15-16.
Registration is $105. OCC’s sailing center is at 1801 W. Pacific Coast
Highway, Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 645-9412.
A five-part advanced shields class will be offered in March and April by
OCC’s Sailing Program. The course is designed for sailors with
intermediate shields skills. The class meets on Saturday afternoons,
March 18, 25, April 1, 8 and 15, from 1:15 to 5 p.m. at OCC’s sailing
center, 1801 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Registration is
$125. For more information, call (949) 645-9412.
Learn to sail or windsurf at Resort Watersports. You can also rent
windsurfers and 14-foot sailboats at $15 per hour. Call (949) 729-1150.
Sailboat rentals and private lessons are available at Marina Sailing in
the Balboa Fun Zone. Advanced classes include navigation, big boat, power
boat, introduction to heavy weather and first-mate instruction. For more
information, call (949) 673-7763, the Blue Dolphin Sailing Club at (949)
644-2525 or the Lido Sailing Club at (949) 675-0827 for rentals.
CRUISES
The Newport Landing Belle is available for weddings/receptions,
cocktail/sightseeing cruises and meetings at a cost of $250 an hour
(minimum two hours) and $150 each additional hour. For charters, call
(949) 361-3640.
Enjoy a lavish Sunday brunch aboard the Pavilion Queen. Harbor cruise
begins at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $28 per adult, $15 per child. For more
information, call (949) 673-5245.
Individuals and small groups can enjoy Saturday and Sunday champagne
brunch cruises with food from the Cannery. Cruises run from 10 a.m. to
noon and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $31 per person. The Cannery also
offers a dinner cruise for groups of 30 to 60. Cost is $63.50 per person.
For more information, call (949) 675-5777.
Fun Zone Boat Co. runs 45-minute cruise (adults $6, children $1) and a
90-minute cruise (adults $8; children $1), departing the Balboa Fun Zone
every half-hour, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A 60-minute showboat sunset cruise
leaves the Fun Zone at 7 p.m. at a cost of $6 per adult and $1 per child.
Private charters are available. For more information, call (949)
673-0240.
Catalina Passenger Service also runs 45-minute harbor cruises (adults $6,
children $1) and 90-minute cruises (adults $8, children $1), departing
the Balboa Fun Zone every half-hour, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on the
hour until 7 p.m. For information, call (949) 673-5245.
Cruise the harbor aboard the Electra, a 100-foot Classic Fantail vessel.
Charters with catering are available for up to 145 guests. For more
information, call (949) 723-1069.
Enjoy a three-course dinner and dancing while cruising the harbor. Friday
and Saturday night voyages depart at 7 p.m., Hornblower Dining Yachts,
2431 Pacific Coast Highway. Cost is $56.95 per person. Brunch cruises are
also available. For more information and reservations, call (949)
631-2469.
The Catalina Flyer departs the Balboa Pavilion at 9 a.m. and leaves
Catalina Island at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $33 for an adult round trip and
$16.50 for a child’s round trip. For reservations, call (949) 673-5245.
FISHING
Fishing classes leave Balboa Pavilion at 6 a.m. and return at 4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday each week. Cost is $125 per person. For more
information, call (949) 673-2810.
Get to the Newport Pier/McFadden Square early to watch the Dory Fishing
Fleet return with the fresh catch of the day. Fish are prepared for sale
at the open-air market.
Fishing supplies and boat charters (open party and private) are available
at these locations: Newport Landing Sportfishing, 309 Palms, Suite F,
(949) 675-0550; Falco Fishing Charters, (714) 832-7708; and Davey’s
Locker, 400 Main St., Balboa, (949) 673-1434.
Day and night fishing charters are available for groups or singles. Call
Bongos Sportfishing Headquarters on Balboa Peninsula, (949) 673-2810.
WHALE WATCHING
Davey’s Locker operates whale-watching cruises daily through the end of
March. Operating hours are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m., noon
and 2:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The cost is $14 for adults, $12
for seniors, $8 for children ages 4 to 12, and no charge for kids 3 and
under. Special discounts are available for groups of 12 or more,
community youth groups, service organizations and schools. Private
charters also available. Guaranteed sightings of whales or dolphins, or
all passengers will receive a free pass. Davey’s Locker is at 400 Main
St., Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 673-1434.
Bongo’s Sportfishing Charters offers private party whale-watching
excursions daily. The cost is $125 for one hour, with a six-passenger
maximum and a three-hour minimum. Bongo’s is at 2130 Newport Blvd.,
Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 673-2810.
Newport Landing Sportfishing offers a low-cost way to whale-watch, from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekends and holidays.
The cost is $14 for adults, $8 for seniors and children under 12. Special
discount rates are available for schools, churches and community youth
groups. Newport Landing is at 309 Palm St., Newport Beach. For available
dates and information, call (949) 675-0550.
Fun Zone Boat Co. guarantees whale or dolphin sightings during its
excursions, or the next trip is free. Daily trips weekdays are at 10 a.m.
and 1 p.m. and weekends at 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. Cost is $14 for
adults, $12 for seniors, children ages 3 to 11 are $8, ages 2 and under
are free. Groups rates also available for schools, youths and groups of
15 or more. Discounts available on the Web at o7
www.newportwhalewatching.comf7 . The Fun Zone Boat Co. is at the Fun
Zone in Newport Beach. For reservations, call (949) 673-0240.
KAYAKING/CANOEING/SCUBA
Beginning sea kayaking, rolling clinics and private lessons are offered.
Kayak and sea ski rentals are also available. For more information, call
(949) 675-1215 for Paddle Power, 1500 W. Balboa Blvd.
Two-hour kayak tours begin at 10 a.m. Sundays from Newport Dunes. Cost is
$20 per adult, $15 per child. Kayak rentals and classes are also
available. Fro more information, call (949) 729-1150.
Single ($10 per hour) and double ($15 per hour) kayak rentals are
available in the Balboa Fun Zone. Call Balboa Boat Rentals, (949)
673-7200. Paddle Power also provides kayak, surf ski and canoe rentals.
For more information, call (949) 675-1215.
Back Bay canoe tours are offered by Upper Newport Bay every Saturday.
Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Shellmaker Island. For more information, call (949)
640-6746.
The Newport Aquatic Center offers sweep rowing (one oar), sculling
classes (two oars) and canoe rentals. Classes run for four weeks and cost
$75. Introductory clinics are also available Saturdays and Sundays at a
cost of $10. For more information, call (949) 646-7725.
The Aquatic Center, 4537 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, offers scuba
training consisting of six evening and two weekend day classes. Cost
ranges from $200 to $310. The center also offers scuba rentals, special
trips, repairs and air fills. For more information, call (949) 650-5440.
At Dive-in Scuba, 2482 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa, certification classes
for beginning to instructor level scuba divers are available. Other
services offered include local boat charters, equipment sales, rentals
and repairs. For more information, call (949) 631-9288.
BOAT RENTALS
Sail airborne outside the harbor, pulled by a motorboat, courtesy of
Balboa Para-sailing near the Balboa Fun Zone. A 90-minute trip costs $45.
For more information, call (949) 673-1693.
Spend a day relaxing in a motorized lounge chair rented from Resort
Watersports inside Newport Dunes for $25 an hour. Pedal boats, electric
boats, boogie boards, kayaks, inflatable rafts, beach furniture and wet
suits are also available. For more information, call (949) 729-1150.
Balboa Boat Rentals offers pedal boat, sailboat, motorboat and electric
boat rentals in the Balboa Fun Zone. For more information, call (949)
673-7200.
Rent a party pontoon, chaparral runabout or family pontoon at Anchors
Away Boat Rentals in the Balboa Fun Zone. For more information, call
(949) 673-3372.
The Harbor may not be Venice, but you can always pretend. Spend an hour
on a gondola tour offered by the Gondola Co. of Newport, 3400 Via Oporto,
Suite 102B. Cost is $75. Price includes a basket of bread, cheese,
salami, ice, glasses, blanket, music and a Polaroid picture. Wine is
available for purchase. For more information, call (949) 675-1212.
Gondola Adventures/Newport, 3101 Coast Highway, also offers one- and
two-hour gondola cruises. A one-hour tour with champagne costs $70. A
two-hour tour with dinner and champagne costs $180. Pickup at waterfront
restaurant is available. For more information, call (949) 675-4984.
Irvine Coast Charters in Lido Marina Village offers two-hour electric
boat cruises with a gourmet dinner. Cost is $180 for two people. Other
cruises are available, complete with free champagne. For more
information, call (949) 675-4704.
Zip through the water on a sea motorcycle -- it’s called a Seadoo -- at a
cost of $65 for a single/double-seater. A three-seater is available at
$75 an hour. For more information, call Walk on Water (949) 675-6800. It
is next to the ferry on Balboa Island.
Streamline, center-console fishing boats may be rented at Balboa Boat
Rentals on Balboa Peninsula. These new 19-inch boats are equipped with
live bait tanks, fish-finders and VHF radio. Available by hour and
half-day rates at $170. Full-day rates are $240. U-Drive offshore boats
equipped with VHF radios can be rented by the hour, half-day or full-day.
Rates range from $40 per hour to $195 for the day. Call Balboa Boat
Rentals at (949) 673-7200.
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