THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Ahoy,

The summer boating season is approaching, and the month of April has three big events to start the boating fever. First, there are two boat shows, and at the end of the month is the Newport to Ensenada Race.

Now underway is the Southern California Marine Assn.’s 16th annual Orange County Boat Show. This is a good show to view your favorite boats, personal water crafts and accessories in an indoor venue. However, free demo rides will be offered during the boat show at a nearby lake Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check with participating boat show exhibitors for details and to make an appointment. The show is at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend, and you can surf to www.orangecountyboatshow.com for more information.

You probably have noticed the temporary docks being built in Newport Harbor at Lido Marina Village. This major project is for the Newport Boat Show, which opens Wednesday through Sunday.

This year, the Newport Boat Show is celebrating its 35th year as the premiere in-water big-boat show in the West, and this year’s show is bigger.

You can view more than 300 boats with most boats in the water. I will be broadcasting my radio show live at the Newport Boat Show April 12, so stop on by to meet the Boathouse Girls.

You can surf to www.newportinwaterboatshow.com, and I highly recommend you use the free parking and free shuttle bus.

Tip of the week is to put noon April 25 on your calendar when I invite everyone to join me at Lookout Point Park at the bluffs above Big Corona, Corona del Mar State Beach.

Once again, I will be enlightening the spectators as to what is happening on the water for the start of the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. However, I will not be alone as Chandler Bell, my radio show manager, will join in on the commentary too as we explain about the race, personal ocean experiences, and my famous jokes.

Newport Ocean Sailing Assn. Commodore Gator Cook has assured me he has hired the same professional sound company that provided both the public address system and sound engineer who did a good job the prior couple of years.

Remember to tune in at 11 a.m. Saturday to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” on KLAA-AM (830).

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.