THE HARBOR COLUMN:Boating gets busy

Ahoy.

This weekend, I am predicting a change in the sea conditions from last weekend’s prefect conditions on the water. Looks like the seas are building to possibly 6 feet in some areas that are not protected by the eight Channel Islands, and swells will be a mixed set coming from the west and south. The swell heights are building at Point Conception, but it’s the wind gusts that are creating small-craft advisories for the seas north of Santa Barbara. The fog will continue to be present in the morning hours, and there’s a very slight chance of sprinkles on Saturday. I hope that the daylong haze will burn off this weekend.

This is a busy month for boating events, and starting next Thursday is the Southern California Marine Assn.’s 15th annual Orange County Boat Show. The show will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center from April 12 to 15. Go to www.orangecountyboatshow.com for more information.

Then we have two separate events in Newport Harbor on April 21 at the Newport Sea Base and at Lido Marina Village. Come one, come all to opening day at the Newport Sea Base, and families can join in on all the activities ranging from Harbor 20 sailboat rides to the Andy Fitzpatrick Regatta (do you remember Andy?). Plus, you can enjoy lunch at the great barbecue with Newport Beach firefighters holding the spatulas. Go to www.newportseabase.org for details.

Just down the bay from the sea base is Lido Marina Village where the Newport Boat Show returns to celebrate its 34th year as the West’s premier big-boat, in-water show.

I am told that this year’s show will have the largest display of big boats and yachts west of Ft. Lauderdale.

A nice feature for the boat show is the free parking and shuttle service for all the show’s days from April 18 to 22. Learn more at www.newportinwaterboatshow.com .

But wait, there’s more. April 27 marks the start of the Lexus Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, deemed the largest international yacht race in world. If you have never seen hundreds of sailboats tactfully (pun intended) fighting against each other to cross the starting lines, then I invite you to join me at Lookout Point Park above Big Corona (Corona Del Mar State Beach) before noon. I will be an announcer and will talk about the race, the boats, what class is starting, and of course, my tales from being on the high seas. Chandler Bell will assist me, and we might have a special guest or two to enlighten the crowd.

I will keep you updated as we sail through April, but remember your boat’s personal property taxes are due this month.

The tip of the week is for those of you heading up to Long Beach next week with your boat to watch the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Race. You should be prepared for additional security measures in the harbor. Long Beach and Coast Guard officials will be on alert, and I foresee conducting vessel inspections during the race.

If you are going to the Long Beach Marina, you should use the main entrance next to the Los Angeles River and refer to chart No. 18751. Also, I highly recommend that you follow any directions given by security personnel when cruising in Long Beach Harbor.

Tune in to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” from noon to 1 p.m. Saturdays on KLAA-AM (830). Join me with my motley crew, Chandler Bell and Eric Hovland, as we talk about all things boating.

Safe voyages.