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

* 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.

SAILING CLASSES

Orange Coast College is offering new credit and noncredit sailing

classes this spring. Most classes are five weeks in length, and boats

range from Lido 14 dinghies to large ocean racers, even keelboats.

Cruising seminars are also being taught. The OCC Sailing Center is at

1801 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 645-9412 or visit

occsailing.com.

Sailing Fascination offers classes in boating safety and sailing

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

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 cost from $100 to

$125. (949) 645-9412.

BOAT RENTALS

With Marina WaterSports at the Balboa Fun Zone, you can enjoy

nautical experiences from mild to wild. Take a self-guided tour of

the bay in your choice of power and sail watercraft, jump the ocean

swells in a Sea-doo jetboat, put you sport-fishing skills to the test

in a fully equipped Boston whaler, or soar above it all on a parasail

flight along the Newport coast. Complimentary ice and beverages are

included with all electric 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, providing group activity for corporations, birthdays,

nonprofit organizations and group outings. The hunt packages include

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

cost of a hunt begins at $225 per boat and catering is available at

an additional rate. For hunt reservations, call (949) 673-7200.

Pedal boats, electric boats, body boards, kayaks, inflatable

rafts, catamarans, beach furniture and wetsuits are available for

rent at Resort Water Sports at Newport Dunes. (949) 729-1150.

Gondola Adventures/Newport, 3101 W. Coast Highway, offers one- and

two-hour gondola cruises. A one-hour tour with champagne is $70. A

two-hour tour with dinner and champagne is $180. Pickup is available

at waterfront restaurants. (949) 675-4984.