Yacht expo shoves off

NEWPORT BEACH — From space-age aesthetics to 75 feet of luxury, this weekend’s Lido Yacht Expo promises to tantalize the senses of almost every boater.

“There’s a boat for every type of person,” said Scott Bruce, a yacht broker for Newport Beach-based MarineMax, which, according to Bruce, is the world’s largest boat dealer.

At noon today, the 28th annual on-the-water boat show, founded by Newport Beach resident and former boat dealer Duncan McIntosh, kicks off at the Lido Marina Village. The expo’s first goal is to introduce potential buyers to the boat of their dreams, particularly high-end large yachts. But the show’s organizers also want it to be fun for browsers.

“Number one, it’s just like other auto or car or home shows — we’re here to sell boats,” the show’s spokesman Don Franken, said. “Number two, shows like this are a great American tradition…. It’s a lifestyle and an outing. It’s not just going to the boat show; people make a whole day of it.”

It won’t be strictly business at the show, with the appearance of the 78-foot trimaran Earthrace, which runs on biodiesel fuel. In March, the boat will depart from Barbados to try for the world record for traveling around the world. The crew hopes to make it in under 65 days, although the record is 75, so anything under that would do just fine, said the boat’s skipper Pete Bethune.

The 3,000-gallon tank can take the boat anywhere from 2,000 to 14,000 nautical miles and runs on fuel made traditionally from vegetable oil. The boats can also run on oils from fish oil, algae and other plants, Bethune said.

The boat was designed as a “wave-piercer,” meaning it can cut through waves up to 50 feet high in the open seas. So far, the crew has seen it take on 40-foot waves during big storms.

It will be back to business for boat dealers who will be on hand to answer the questions from shoppers. Many of the boats at the show are for sale, and those interested in the big boys will get a chance to check out 2007 models making their debuts at the show, including Columbia Yachts’ new 4,000-pound, 30-foot sailboat the Escudero. The high-performing sport yacht has a very low resin content on the laminate, which means it is easy to store and transport, Columbia President Vince Valdes said.

“It’s light enough that most yacht clubs can lift it out of the water,” he said. “Most boats that fit on their lifts are much smaller.”

It’s also touted as a competent racer — Valdes estimated it has raced 1,200 miles in 12 weeks — and a comfortable ride with three cabins. The sport yacht can run anywhere from the factory-direct price of $105,000 to a well-equipped version for $132,000.

Most of the boats are not for the penurious, but some of the vessels are more lavish than the next. A 70-foot castle-on-the-sea from John Berry Yachts is making an appearance this weekend. The $2.25-million price tag on Dynamite reflects the custom woodwork and granite countertops throughout. The four-bedroom vessel has two helms — one indoor and one outdoor — a galley with a full-sized refrigerator and a barbecue on the upper deck.

Most of the dealers agreed that this show is an important one for business. Organizers estimated that as a direct result of the show — purchasing a yacht is much like purchasing a home, meaning it usually takes time and financing to complete the transaction — anywhere from 50 to 100 boats are sold each year.

“This is one of the biggest shows,” said Anita Mays, general manager of Newport Boats. “It’s a good time of year too; it’s easier to get slips and financing because banks have special programs and it’s a good time to get practice time in before next summer.”

Mays estimated Newport Boats will do about $7 million in sales as a result of the Lido Yacht Expo. Although some people will come cash-in-hand, most of the sales will be a combination of people who had been looking at boats prior and make a decision this weekend, to those who may make a purchase in the coming months after perusing the selection. Regardless of their decision, McIntosh said that although most of the people who will walk the docks during the course of the weekend are seasoned veterans, others are just getting their feet wet.

“Once you get hooked, you’re hooked,” he said.

IF YOU GO

Lido Yacht Expo, the 28th annual fall boat show at the Lido Marina Village

3424 Via Oporto, on the water at Lido Way and Newport Boulevard

Noon to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

$10 for adults, free for kids 12 and under

www.lidoyachtexpo.com