* 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, 1375

Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; by fax to (949) 646-4170; or by

e-mail to lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Southern California Marine Assn.’s 2005 Boat Show, is the

second annual, one-of-a-kind marine festival and consumer boating

event, which will span the 100-acre waterfront Newport Dunes

recreational boating marina and aquatic center is being held through

Sunday. Dealers like Olympic Boat Centers, Wasatch Marine, Newport

Boats, Johnston Yacht Sales, Bayport Yachts and H&S; Yachts will be

showing more than $150 million of the country’s largest and newest

yachts and sailboats including major brands of big boats from makers

like Carver Yachts, Cruiser Yachts, Meridian Yachts and Boston

Whaler. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6

p.m. Sunday at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay

Drive, Newport Beach. Cost of admission is $10. Children younger than

12 may attend free when accompanied by an adult. Information: (888)

BOAT-INFO or https://www.scma.com.

The 32nd annual Newport Boat Show, which will take place through

Sunday, features luxury yachts in a unique setting. Boats at the show

will include luxurious yachts, cruise-worthy motoryachts, serious

offshore sportfishers and long-range trawlers from top U.S. and

international builders. The show will showcase mainly luxurious

powerboats, with a few spectacular sailboats also included. The show

will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m. at Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach. Admission is $10;

children younger than 12 are free. Information: (949) 757-5959 or

https://www.goboatingamerica.com.

Opening Day for the season at the Newport Sea Base, a youth

maritime center for the community, will include family activities for

all ages: Discover the 100-year old tallship Argus; Go sailing on a

Nomad 17’ with Vanguard Sailboats; Take a water taxi to Estuary

Discovery Day at the Back Bay Science Center; Hands-on fun with the

PEAK program from REI and Leave No Trace; Join the Port Royal

Privateers for pirating mischief and games; Learn to be a water

scientist with Inside the Outdoors; Tour the Harbor Patrol Fire

Boats; Challenge the Sea Scouts in their knot tying and marlinspike

skills; and sea squirt crafts: licorice knots, signal flags, marine

life, and boating safety. The event will begin at 10 a.m. April 30 at

the Sea Base, 1931 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. Information: (949)

642-5031.