The Harbor Column:

Have you wondered what the inside of John Wayne’s former yacht, the Wild Goose, looks like or had the urge to stand at the helm to gaze out the bridge windows while dreaming you were cruising on the high seas with the Duke standing by your side? Some people will tell you that the boat is haunted, especially by the crew who hear and notice strange things when no passengers are aboard.

Well, now you can tour the Wild Goose, which is a 136-foot converted minesweeper. Hornblower Cruises will have the Wild Goose dockside during the Lido Yacht Expo for you to tour each day until 3 p.m.

“Wild Goose has been an icon in Newport Harbor for nearly 50 years,” said Duncan McIntosh, producer of the Lido Yacht Expo.

So here is your chance to tour the yacht and see the largest in-water boat show west of the Mississippi River.

The Lido Yacht Expo is at Lido Marina Village, with the temporary docks extending from the village into the small turning basin. The docks are filled with more than 200 boats, outfitted with luxuries that would rival a five-star hotel. Climb aboard the beautiful Marquis 59’s Avalon edition, or an Ocean Alexander, or how about European designed Johnson 75. But let’s not forget the local Duffy Electric Boat, too.

You have today until Sunday to visit the 31st annual Lido Yacht Expo with free parking and a shuttle service Saturday and Sunday from the Hoag Health Center on Superior Avenue.

The remaining show hours are from noon to 7 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $12 for adults and free for children 12 and younger. Go to www.boathousetv.com or www.lidoyachtexpo.com for more information.

Tip of the week is to join us for my live radio broadcast from the Lido Yacht Expo this Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon.

Our broadcast booth will be on the cobblestone street across from Electra Cruise’s offices, and special guest musician Doug Prichard will be entertaining everyone with his ukulele just before the show and during the commercial breaks with his ukulele and ensemble of songs.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com .