Newport Sea Base gets a turbo boost

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

I have received many offers from readers to crew aboard my

eight-foot Sabot in the upcoming Transpac Race to Honolulu, which I

mentioned in last Friday’s column.

I am going though the resumes now, but I do not think that I will

be up to par with the Newport Sea Base’s recently donated maxi turbo

sled Scout Spirit, a 78-foot Reichel Pugh.

I believe this is the first time that a sailboat from the Newport

Sea Base has entered the 1,125-nautical-mile race from Marina del Rey

to Puerto Vallarta. Call it beginner’s luck, but the crew took home

the top prize with their correct time.

I have learned to never underestimate local sailor and Sea Base

supporter Dave Janes, who co-skippered Scout Spirit along with Jay

Steinbeck. Janes is an experienced big-boat racer on waters near and

far, and now he has graciously helped a program that will benefit

Newport Sea Base.

In my opinion, this marks a new era for the Sea Base, a complement

to the quality programs that have been offered for decades to

thousands of youth that would not otherwise have the opportunity. A

huge accomplishment, you bet, and my skipper’s hat is off to Janes

and the Newport Sea Base for taking the gamble to plot a new,

exciting course.

Now, do I have to compete against Scout Spirit in my Sabot during

the Transpac?

On another note, the National Marine Manufacturers Assn. reported

that sales picked up on high-end boats for exhibitors at the

association’s winter boat shows.

The positive trend started in the first quarter in 2004, and sales

for boats 40-feet and up are continuing to be popular with consumers.

“Recent economic indicators, such as improved consumer confidence

numbers, higher than expected job growth and predictions for a sound

economy in 2005, have encouraged consumers to invest their

discretionary dollars into buying new boats,” said Thom Dammrich,

president of the association.

The combination of positive sales trends and participation in

boating activities benefits the boating communities.

The economic value of boating was confirmed in an article from

Trade Only Today about Palm Beach County in Florida.

A study released this month showed that the county’s marine

industry generates an estimated $1.35 billion in economic benefits to

the local economy.

“Boating is big business in Palm Beach County,” said Marine

Industries Assn. of Palm Beach County President Lou Daniello Jr. in

the article.

Wow, just think that California leads the nation in the number of

registered boats.

I wish we had a study to show how much of an economic impact

boating is, not just to the Newport Harbor area but all of Orange

County.

TIP OF WEEK

The movers and shakers of the marine community are meeting again

this month. You can join in to discuss issues like commercial permit

17.10 and hear updates from the mooring committee, Harbor Resources

and Harbor Patrol.

Harbor Commissioners John Corrough and Seymour Beek will give us

updates on Marinapark and the Harbor Commission, respectively.

Newport Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg will update us on the City

Council.

Let’s not forget the legendary fishing industry, as Norris Tapp,

manager of Davey’s Locker, will discuss issues affecting their

industry.

The Marine Committee meeting is scheduled from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

on Tuesday in the conference room at the Newport Sea Base, 1931 West

Coast Hwy.

If you have any questions, give the Newport Beach Chamber of

Commerce a call at (949) 729-4400.

A forewarning that my radio show will be broadcasting live from

the Newport Boat Show next month, and I will be filming the broadcast

to air on cable companies throughout Southern California.

I would like to thank the remote sponsors on board so far,

including the Daily Pilot, Bluewater Grill, Boating & Waterways,

Maritime Institute, BoatUS, and Cisco Systems.

Tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation, “Capt.

Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show.” It airs every Saturday from

noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell and

Eric Hovland by calling the listener line at (888) 344-1170.

Safe voyages.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your harbor and marine-related thoughts and story suggestions by

e-mail to mike@boathousetv.com or visit https://www.boathousetv.com.