* 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.

SPECIAL EVENT

The Newport Beach Nautical Museum will host “Night of Winners,”

which will honor the 2003 perpetual trophy winners of the Tommy

Bahama Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race. The event will be from 6 to 9

p.m. March 13 at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 151 East Coast

Hwy. Tickets cost $20 to $25. Information: (949) 673-7863, ext. 350.

The 1812 American Privateer Schooner Lynx is offering educational

programs for fifth- and eighth-grade students based on state

standards. The Lynx operates from the Scout Seabase, at 1931 W. Coast

Highway, Newport Beach. Information: (949) 723-7814,

https://www.defenseoffreedom. org.

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

Join Capt. Don Moseley on the beautiful sailing yacht Dulcinea for

a narrated Newport Harbor cruise of waterfront homes and boats, see

the sea lion colony, and sail the spectacular cool-summer, warm-fall

Southern California coastline to Laguna Beach or Dana Point. As a

private birthday, anniversary or special event? Sail, swim, snorkle,

kayak, sunbathe, watch dolphins, and dine at anchor for the

time-of-your-life vacation at Catalina Island on this well-appointed,

U.S. Coast Guard inspected vessel. ASA sailing instruction and

certification. Business conference facility. Information: (949)

632-3736.

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum offers Fall Bus Tours to the

San Diego Maritime Museum. The bus leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at

approximately 4 p.m. Enjoy a no-host lunch at the Fish Market. The

cost is $20 per person. Information: info@nhnm.org.

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.