MIKE WHITEHEAD
Ahoy.
April is a busy month with boat shows and sailing regattas,
leading us into the summer season. Right now, sailors are competing
in the Governor's Cup Regatta in Long Beach, before the focus shifts
to Newport Harbor next week. It is that time again for the Newport to
Ensenada Race, with the starting gun firing at noon on April 22.
The Newport to Ensenada Race is notably known as the largest
international yacht race in the world, and organizers are expecting
more than 500 boats in 23 racing classes.
This year, you will be able to hear a live update from Ensenada
when Mary Longpre from the Newport Ocean Sailing Assn.'s press office
will call in to my radio show on Saturday. Mary will let us know who
has finished and how the racers are progressing in the Pacific as
they head south.
The racers will return home in time for the next weekend, when we
have two boat shows in Newport Beach. Duncan McIntosh Company will be
hosting the Newport Boat Show at Lido Marina Village. At the same
time, Southern California Marine Association has the Boat Show at the
Dunes.
I hope you are not confused as to which show to attend, but my
recommendation is to visit both shows for a fun-filled weekend. I
will be doing a live broadcast at Lido Village on April 30, doing my
radio show and filming a TV episode where you might have the chance
to get on the air. Additionally, entertainment will be provided by
Newport resident Doug Prichard and his band the Mojitos.
No matter which show you attend, boat sales are on still on the
rise, especially with more people moving into the larger yachts.
However, the brokers are scrambling to find slip space, as buyers are
demanding somewhere to dock their vessels prior to purchasing the
boat. Slip space is at a premium in Southern California, and Newport
Harbor is dedicating the highest slip rent that I have seen along the
coast.
We are not alone with the demand for slips, as Florida is starting
to recognize the loss of boat slips to developers, and as such, the
loss of water access. Cities and counties in Florida are very
concerned, as they have discovered the huge economic value that
boating brings to an area. The loss of boating is reflected in the
lowered revenue streams from direct and indirect sources.
Newport is facing the same challenges as more of our harbor's
shoreline is transformed by development. The need for water access
and the need for boat slips are issues that must be realized before
our harbor's waterfront is lined with condos.
