Newport Boat Show floats past recession

Boating enthusiasts are heading down to Newport Harbor this weekend to see what’s docked and what’s for sale.

The 41st annual Newport Boat Show has vessels of all sizes on display in Lido Marina Village. Dubbed the premier yacht show of the West, it started with about 50 boats and now boasts more than 200.

The exhibition began Thursday and continues through the weekend, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. About 15,000 are expected to attend throughout the four-day run.

Good weather is expected, which makes the show’s longtime organizer, Duncan McIntosh, happy.

“The mood seemed to be very good on the docks in terms of people interested in looking at boats,” said McIntosh, who also chairs the city’s Harbor Commission.

He noted that the show is seeing a strong lineup this year and more new products than in the past 10 years — and he would know best.

McIntosh has organized every Newport Beach Show since its inception in 1973. Doing that involves plenty of prep work and logistics, including building temporary docks to house all the vessels coming into the harbor.

“You’d think you’d get used to it, but you don’t,” he said.

Sales also seem to be improving since the recession, McIntosh said.

“I’d just like to see people buy boats right now,” he said, “and we’ve started to see that with the last two or three shows.”

The “bread and butter” of the Newport Boat Show are vessels in the 40- to 60-foot range, such as cruisers, motor yachts and sport fishers.

Then there’s the Argo, a 108-foot luxury yacht that “will take your breath away,” McIntosh said. “It’s really quite spectacular.”

Exhibitors will also be on hand to show their products for those not in the boat-buying market.

Admission is $15 and available on-site and online. Children younger than 12 are admitted for free if accompanied by an adult.

Free parking and shuttles to the show are available at Hoag Health Center, 520 Superior Ave., Newport Beach. Parking in the Lido Marina Village structure is $20 per day.

For more information, call (949) 757-5959 or visit https://www.newportinwaterboatshow.com.

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If You Go

What: 41st annual Newport Boat Show

Where: Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

How much: $15. Children 12 and younger are free