* WHAT’S AFLOAT is published periodically....

* 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

[email protected].

SAILING CLASSES

Orange Coast College

is offering new credit and noncredit sailing classes this spring.

Most classes are five weeks in length, and boats range from Lido 14

dinghies to large ocean racers, even keelboats. Cruising seminars are

also being taught. The OCC Sailing Center is at 1801 W. Pacific Coast

Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 645-9412 or visit occsailing.com.

Sailing Fascination offers

classes in boating safety and sailing year-round for persons with

disabilities. Free. (949) 640-1678.

Orange County employers can bring their employees out to Newport

Beach on weekdays to enjoy a day of sailing courtesy of Orange Coast

College. The School of Sailing and Seamanship now offers a chance for

groups to work with the on-board instructor on different sailing

techniques while they get advice on how to perform well in business.

No sailing experience necessary. One-day classes cost from $100 to

$125. (949) 645-9412.

BOAT RENTALS

With Marina WaterSports at the Balboa Fun Zone, you can enjoy

nautical experiences ranging 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 your 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 included with all electric boat rentals. (949) 673-3372.

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

Electric Boat Tours offers two-hour cruises of Newport Harbor ($75

per cruise). Round-trip hotel or off-the-water restaurant shuttle

service is available. Pick-up from restaurants with docks is also

available. Chartered and catered tours. (949) 291-1953 or

www.wattsontheharbor.com.

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.

Fun Zone Boat Co. runs a 45-minute cruise (adults, $6; children,

$1) and a 90-minute cruise (adults, $8; children, $1) departing from

Balboa Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. A

60-minute showboat sunset cruise (adults, $6; children, $1) leaves

the Fun Zone at 7 p.m. daily. Private charters are available. (949)

673-0240.

Catalina Passenger Service

runs 45-minute harbor cruises (adults, $6; children, $1) and

90-minute cruises (adults, $8; children, $1), departing from Balboa

Fun Zone every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and on the

hour until 7 p.m. (949) 673-5245.

Cruise the harbor aboard the Electra, a 100-foot Classic Fantail

vessel. Charters with catering are available for up to 145

passengers. (949) 723-1069.