200 boats to dock for Newport show
Newport Beach, a city known for its deep-seated boating culture, might seem the ideal host for the largest collection of big yachts west of the Mississippi River. And this weekend, sailing fans will get a chance to see just that.
More than 200 yachts and other boats will weigh anchor in Newport Harbor from Thursday to Sunday as the 42nd Newport Boat Show raises the sails on the spring boating season.
Sailing is a pastime often passed from generation to generation, especially in Newport Beach, said Duncan McIntosh, who has organized the Newport Boat Show for decades.
“Newport is a unique market because it’s noted there’s a lot of money here,” McIntosh said.
And with price tags on luxury yachts ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to several million, it takes money to buy one.
The annual show will draw avid boaters, some looking to purchase a shiny new yacht or replace an aging one and others checking out the latest in boating technology and accessories.
The event will offer more than 400,000 square feet of floating dock exhibits and boardwalk displays, plus a selection of electronics and other gear for sailing enthusiasts.
The yachts on display will range from 25 to 115 feet and include many new models that have not been seen on the West Coast, McIntosh said. Visitors will be able to step aboard and compare features.
Among the notable boats scheduled for the show:
• Horizon V80: The first of its kind in the United States, the 10-person luxury yacht is designed for anglers, divers and water sportsmen. It has a four-stateroom, en-suite layout.
• Mag Bay 33: The craft’s 33-foot center console combines the latest stepped hull technology with traditional lines.
• Bavaria 420 Virtess Coupe: The luxury 44-foot coupe features three staterooms, a skylight, two restrooms, a fully equipped galley, an entertainment center and movable furniture in the cockpit.
“For the consumer, we offer an opportunity for them to see more vessels in two or three days than they could see in six months driving around,” McIntosh said. “They can compare, walk back and forth between vessels and find something they like.”
If you go
What: 42nd annual Newport Boat Show
Where: Lido Marina Village, 3420 Via Oporto, Newport Beach
When: Noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $15 for adults, free for children 12 and younger
Parking: Free parking Thursday and Friday at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church, 798 Dover Drive. Free parking Saturday and Sunday at the Hoag Health Center on Superior Avenue, with free shuttle service to and from Lido Marina Village every 15 minutes. Parking at the structure in Lido Marina Village will cost a minimum of $20 per vehicle per day.
Information: newportbeachboatshow.com