* 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.

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 $75. (949) 645-6812.

Pedal boats, electric boats,

boogie boards, kayaks, inflatable rafts, catamarans, beach

furniture and wetsuits are available for rent at Resort Water Sports

at Newport Dunes. (949) 729-1150.

Gondola tours are offered by the Gondola Co. of Newport, 3400 Via

Oporto, Suite 102-B. The $75 cost includes a basket of bread, cheese,

salami, ice, glasses, a blanket, music and a Polaroid picture. Wine

is also available. (949) 675-1212.

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.

Irvine Coast Charters in Lido Marina Village offers two-hour

electric boat cruises with a gourmet dinner. $180 for two persons.

(949) 675-4704.

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.

CRUISES

Electric Boat Tours offers two-hour cruises of Newport Harbor ($75

per cruise). Round-trip hotel or off-the-water restaurant shuttle

service is available. Pick-up from restaurants with docks is also

available. Chartered and catered tours. (949) 291-1953 or

www.wattsontheharbor.com.

The Newport Landing Belle is available for weddings and

receptions, cocktail and sightseeing cruises, and meetings. The cost

is $500 for the first two hours, plus $150 for each additional hour.

(949) 361-3640.

Fun Zone Boat Co. runs a 45-minute cruise (adults, $6; children,

$1) and a 90-minute cruise (adults, $8; children, $1) departing from

Balboa Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. A

60-minute showboat sunset cruise (adults, $6; children, $1) leaves

the Fun Zone at 7 p.m. daily. Private charters are available. (949)

673-0240.

Catalina Passenger Service runs 45-minute harbor cruises (adults,

$6; children, $1) and 90-minute cruises (adults, $8; children, $1),

departing from Balboa Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. daily and on the hour until 7 p.m. (949) 673-5245.

Cruise the harbor aboard the Electra, a 100-foot Classic Fantail

vessel. Charters with catering are available for up to 145

passengers. (949) 723-1069.

A three-course dinner and dancing while cruising the harbor are

available at 8 p.m. Fridays and at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays at Hornblower

Cruises & Events, 2431 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. The fee is

$59.95 per person on Fridays and $64 on Saturdays. Brunch cruises

also are available. (949) 631-2469.

The Catalina Flyer departs from Balboa Pavilion at 9 a.m. daily

and returns from Catalina Island at 4:30 p.m. $36 round-trip for

adults; $20 round-trip for children. Reservations are recommended.

(949) 673-5245.

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.

The Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters offer cruises around Newport

Harbor from 12:30 to 2 p.m. every Sunday at 3101 W. Coast Highway,

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

Reservations required. (949) 650-2412.

FISHING

Fishing classes leave Balboa Pavilion at 6 a.m. and return at 4

p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. $125. (949) 673-2810.

Get to the Newport Pier early to watch the dory fishing fleet

return with the fresh catch of the day. Fish are prepared for sale at

McFadden Square, an open-air market.

Fishing supplies and boat charters (open party and private) are

available at Davey’s Locker, 400 Main St., Balboa (949) 673-1434; and

Newport Landing Sportfishing, 309 Palms, Suite F, Newport Beach (949)

675-0550.

Day and night fishing charters for groups or singles are available

at Bongos Sportfishing on Balboa Peninsula. (949) 673-2810.

KAYAKING/CANOEING/SCUBA

Imua Outrigger Canoe Club invites adventure-minded adults to canoe

Newport Harbor Hawaiian style. No experience required -- they’ll

teach you all you need to know. Dress for the beach and bring a towel

every Saturday at 10 a.m. at North Star Beach, 1 White Cliffs Drive,

Newport Beach. For more information, call (714)432-1236.

Beginning sea kayaking, rolling clinics and private lessons are

offered at Paddle Power, 1500 W. Balboa Blvd., Balboa. Kayak and sea

ski rentals also are available. (949) 675-1215.

Two-hour kayak tours begin at 10 a.m. Sundays from Newport Dunes.

The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children. Kayak rentals and

classes also are available. (949) 729-1150.