Splashing on the small screen

June Casagrande

“American Boater” has made its first splash, and its ripple effect

is being felt from Santa Barbara to Oceanside.

The Newport Beach-based boating show debuted on June 29 on

KDOC-TV, which airs on cable station 56 for AT&T;, Cox and Adelphia

subscribers, and airs on VHF station 26 as well. The fledgling

program puts a local spin on a global obsession -- boating -- by

taking viewers on a different tour each week of the world of boating.

The half-hour show includes a close-up of a nearby boating

destination, information for boat buyers and a safety segment.

“The whole idea of the show is to explore boating destinations and

to promote the boating lifestyle -- all with a California flavor,”

said Chris Lyons, executive producer.

At 8 a.m. every Saturday, host Mark Bermheimer takes viewers on a

journey to a different destination for California boaters. The show’s

premiere featured Lake Havasu, Nev. Newport Harbor has also been

highlighted as a destination, with a special focus on our own Newport

Harbor Nautical Museum.

Segments that will air in coming weeks will focus on the Catalina

Island’s isthmus and Marina del Rey.

“It’s lots of good information for boaters, but it’s also very

much tailored toward people who are thinking about buying a boat,”

Lyons said. “There are a lot of people who think they can’t afford a

boat but who want to enjoy some of the lifestyle. Maybe people who

dreaming of one day owning a boat and getting out on the water. This

shows them ways they can, from renting a kayak for $15 to buying a

new Bayliner for less than $10,000.”