* WHAT’S AFLOAT is published periodically....

* WHAT’S AFLOAT is published periodically. If you are planning a

nautical event, submit the information to the Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay

St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by e-mail to

dailypilot@latimes.com.

GONDOLA TOURS

Gondola Romance offers daily tours of Newport Harbor during lunch

and dinner. Call (949) 675-4730. The tours go out of Lido Marina

Village, 3400 Via Oporto, Newport Beach.

KAYAK TOURS

The Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Nature Preserve hosts

two-hour kayak tours of the Back Bay at 10 a.m. every Sunday at 2301

University Drive, Newport Beach. $20. Kayaks made available through

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. Call for reservations. (800)

585-0747.

HORNBLOWER CRUISES & EVENTS

Hornblower offers weekend dinner dance and Sunday champagne brunch

cruises on Newport Harbor that celebrate imaginative cuisine and

pampered service. 2431 W. Coast Highway, Suite 101, Newport Beach.

(949) 631-2469.

SUNDAY COOKIE CRUISES

The Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters hosts cruises around Newport

Harbor from 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Sunday at 3101 W. Coast Highway,

Newport Beach. $20, includes cruise, parking, cookies and sodas.

Reservations required. (949) 650-2412.

SAILING TEAMS

Orange County employers can bring their employees out to Newport

Beach on weekdays to enjoy a day of sailing courtesy of Orange Coast

College. The School of Sailing and Seamanship now offers a chance for

groups to work with the on-board instructor on different sailing

techniques while they get advice on how to perform well in business.

No sailing experience necessary. One-day classes range from $100 to

$125. (949) 645-9412.

SAILING CLASSES

Sailboat rentals and private lessons are available at Marina

WaterSports in the Balboa Fun Zone. Advanced classes include

navigation, big boat, powerboat, introduction to heavy weather and

first-mate instruction. (949) 673-3372; the Blue Dolphin Sailing

Club, (949) 644-2525; or Lido Sailing Club, (949) 675-0827.

Sailing Fascination offers classes in boating safety and sailing,

year-round for people with disabilities. Free. (949) 640-1678.

BOAT RENTALS

Balboa Boat Rentals can put you on the water in many ways, with

single and double kayaks, electric boats, 14-holder sailboats, pedal

boats and runabouts for offshore use or cruising the bay. Balboa Boat

Rentals also holds two-hour scavenger hunts aboard the electric bay

boats that provide group activity for corporations, birthdays,

nonprofit organizations and group outings. The hunt packages include

boats, trivia questions, maps, Polaroid cameras and supplies. Cost

for the hunt begins at $225 per boat and catering is available at an

additional rate. For hunt reservations call (949) 557-5100, Ext. 12.

For general information, call (949) 673-7200.

Electric boat rentals are available by the hour at Duffy Electric

Boats, 2001 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. All boats are equipped

with window enclosures and CD players. Ice and cups are provided.

Reservations are suggested. An hour rental is $70. (949) 645-6812.