The greatest boat shows on Earth

MIKE WHITEHEAD

Ahoy.

It is the boat show month, and the next two weekends you can walk

on board the boat of your dreams.

Yacht brokers suggest that the interest rates are still low and

that next year’s models are being introduced. Additionally, important

for those serious buyers is that if you entered into an agreement to

purchase before Oct. 1, then the offshore-delivery rules are still

the same.

Next month, the 90-day rule is increased to one year, but we are

still not certain on the specifics of the changes to the law. I will

have more details on the offshore-delivery changes once the Franchise

Tax Board figures out the law.

This weekend is the Southern California Marine Assn. International

Sail & Power Boat Show at the Long Beach Convention Center and

Downtown Marina. The show started Thursday and runs through Sunday ,

and tickets are $10 each. You can call (888) BOAT-SHOW for more

information, or go to https://www.internationalsail

andpowerboatshow.com/ index.htm.

Then, starting Thursday is the 26th annual Lido Yacht Expo known

as the West’s premier in-the-water “Big Boat” show at the Lido Marina

Village. This show is produced by Duncan McIntosh Co. Many of you

know Duncan McIntosh or at least his magazines. He publishes Sea

Magazine and Go Boating Magazine, and he just recently acquired The

Log Newspaper. The show runs from Thursday to Oct. 3, and tickets are

$10 for adults, and children 12 and younger are admitted free. You

can call (949) 757-5959 for information or go online at

https://www.goboating america.com/boatshows/lido 2004. We will be

giving away a limited number of free tickets on tomorrow’s radio

show.

While we are on the subject of new yachts, I have noticed a change

in issuing marine insurance from the major boating insurance

companies. Since the cost of boats over 40 feet has risen to

$500,000, so have the requirements for insurance. The insurance

companies are requiring the new owners to be approved to operate the

yachts, or the insurance is void. As such, I am instructing new yacht

owners about vessel operations, maneuvering, docking, systems and

electronics. When the new yacht owners prove to me that they can

operate their vessels, I submit a letter to the insurance companies

stating their proficiency.

Since California does not require a recreational boater to have

any type of a boating license or education, insurance companies are

requiring the operators to be competent. The underwriters are on the

hook for that vessel once the deductible is met. A $10,000 deductible

is common. Keep in mind that professional captains have to be

licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard or on state-operated lakes by the

Department of Boating and Waterways.

All boaters should attend classes or private instruction on how to

operate their vessels. Even if your vessel is a rowboat, you should

know the navigational rules plus the whistle signals and day shapes.

Several organizations offer classes, including Maritime Institute,

OCC, Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Also, visit online courses like https://www.boatsafe.com/

nauticalknowhow/boating, https://www.boatus.org/online course, and

https://www.dbw. ca.gov/Safety_edu.htm. At least stop by the Harbor

Patrol office and pick up the pamphlets on safe boating and

California’s boating laws.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Classic boat owners can join in the Corona del Mar Centennial

Celebration Patriotic Boat Parade. I have been asked to emcee the

boat parade on Saturday, Oct. 16, and I know the committee is seeking

participation from classic boat owners, especially if your boat is

100 years old and still floating. Who knows what the oldest boat is

in Newport Harbor?

Boat owners are encouraged to call (949) 675-0501 or go online at

https://www.cdm2004.com for more information about the parade. Big

Corona will be the main viewing area for those on ashore.

Recognized as the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation,

“Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” airs every Saturday

from noon to 1 p.m. on KCBQ-AM (1170). You can join me, Chandler Bell

and Eric Hovland on my radio show by calling the listener line at

(888) 344-1170.

* MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating and harbor columnist. Send

him your thoughts and story suggestions by e-mail to

[email protected].