Honoring Noble History

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - April 26, 2023

After nearly four years, the popular Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival is returning to the Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) June 9-11, and will be open to the public June 10, 2023.

The event was established in 2015 by the late Ralph Rodheim, a BYC member, community leader, and wooden boat enthusiast, who envisioned the festival as yachting’s equivalent to a Concours d ’Elegance, a competition of elegance where prestigious vessels are displayed and...

NEWPORT BEACH - Apr 28, 2020

It is with regret that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Steering Committee has deemed it advisable to reschedule the 2020 NBWBF to June 12th, 2021.

Those captains/owners that would like a refund should contact Marcos Weinstein, Boat Acquisition Committee Chair and he will see that this is done. Should you wish to keep your fee on file, we will ensure that it is applied properly to next year’s event. Yacht America will remain...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Feb 5, 2020 

On June 13, 2020, the 7th Annual WBF hosted by Balboa Yacht Club will celebrate the timeless elegance, traditions and design of wooden hull boats. Nearly 4,000 guests, boat owners, restoration experts, spectators, media, marine businesses and community leaders will converge to marvel at the field of exceptional vessels in the water and on land.

Submit your application to enter your show-ready wooden boat to be showcased at this year’s event. The “Early Bird”...

NEWPORT BEACH - June 2, 2017

For those who love boating, or just want to see some classic boats, the annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival June 9-11 at the Balboa Yacht Club is not to be missed.

Dubbed the Concours d’Elegance of yachting, it showcases the most diverse and valuable collection of wooden boats in California.

The vision of founder and Newport Beach resident Ralph Rodheim, who passed away earlier this year from ALS...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Jan 14, 2020

Looking for something fun to do on the second weekend of June? The Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival will be held at Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) located at 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar. This is yachting’s equivalent of a Concours d’Elegance and a “must-see” event open to the public; you won’t want to miss it!

Last year nearly 4,000 visitors attended the free event, which also offers complimentary shuttle and water taxi...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Jan 19, 2020

Once again, sailing yacht America graces Newport Harbor with her 2nd appearance at the Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival. America will offer FREE tours during the festival as well as sailing opportunities for those who would like to cruise with her crew. 

Without exaggerating, AMERICA is the world’s most famous racing yacht.  It is also one of the most beautiful yachts in the world. The reason is simple. The original...

NEWPORT BEACH - March 8, 2017

It’s time for proud boat owners to show off their hard work and love of wooden boats. The Fourth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival at the Balboa Yacht Club will be the must-go-to place for gathering 50 of the best wooden hull boats on the West Coast the weekend of June 10-11, 2017. Applications can now be submitted for entry into the Festival.

Sail, power, and human-powered “show-ready” boats of...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - June 2, 2017

Newport Beach, California, will be the site for a family reunion of the nautical kind June 9-11, 2017. The Rybovich Rendezvous is expected to draw several meticulously maintained classic Rybovich boats – and hundreds of admiring spectators – to the west coast’s Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival.

Founded in nearby West Palm Beach in 1919, Rybovich & Sons Boat Works splashed its first custom-built...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Feb  13, 2018

Like many of you, I absolutely adore boats. Big, small, fast, slow, sail, power – there’s nothing better than being on the water, especially here in our beloved Newport Harbor. All things boating is all good by me. My favorite boat name of all time: Navigo Ergo Sum, Latin for “I sail (navigate, travel by sea), therefore I am.” Brilliant.

It should come as no surprise that one of my favorite annual events in town is our very own Newport Beach Wooden...

NEWPORT BEACH - Feb 5, 2017

Word came today from Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Rosansky that 2010 Citizen of the Year Ralph Rodheim passed away over the weekend. He was 73.

Ralph had been battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) for the past several years, and although he had been getting around in a motorized wheelchair, Rosansky noted that Ralph continued to be an active part of the community...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - March 8, 2017

The Fourth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival is the weekend of June 10-11, 2017.

Admission is free to the public who can celebrate the maritime heritage of Newport Harbor and wooden boats past and present with a fun-filled day for the whole family. The 95-year-old Balboa Yacht Club created the event in the tradition of waterfront festivals by providing a yearly gathering place for boaters and shipwrights to display...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - April  24, 2017

A special program on the life and legacy of Dennis L. Holland: the Man, his Ships and a Legacy of History. Journalist Eric Longabardi and Dennis Holland Jr. the only son of the late longtime Newport-Mesa resident Dennis Sr. will present a program that will feature the life and times of master shipwright and local resident Dennis L. Holland. Holland’s iconic life was centered around building, restoring, and preserving boats, autos and other pieces...

THE LOG, May 26, 2016

NEWPORT BEACH — Wooden boat aficionados will once again have an opportunity to spend a day admiring classic makes and models during the third annual Balboa Yacht Club Wooden Boat Festival, June 4.

Experienced boaters as well as novices will come together to enjoy a day filled with maritime craftsmanship during the event scheduled from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Balboa YC, 1601 Bayside Drive. Up to 50 of the “most unique...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Jan 20, 2017

The Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival welcomes Electra and her crew, the privileged few operating this iconic yacht and proud to offer the excellent service that has become a time-honored tradition. Electra is the flagship of Electra Cruises of Newport Beach and she is certified with the U.S. Coast Guard, will accommodate up to 100 guests, and comes equipped with all safety features required by law.

Join us in this amazing tour of this Newport Harbor icon...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - March  8, 2017

The Balboa Yacht Club is the go-to place for seeing 50 of the best wooden hull boats on the West Coast, including legendary 100 foot Electra, Rybovich sportfishing boats, 85 foot schooner Astor, 82-foot historic schooner Curlew, canoes to launches, power, sail and human powered watercraft of all sizes and shapes.

Vote your favorite in each People’s Choice Awards category. There will be live music, food, renowned marine...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - Jan 10, 2016

Spring is in the air and it’s time for proud boat owners to show off their hard work and love of wooden boats. The Balboa Yacht Club will be the must-go-to place for seeing 40 of the best wooden hull boats on the West Coast Saturday, June 4, 2016.

Sail, power, and human-powered “show-ready” boats of all sizes are eligible and those accepted will be displayed in the water and on land at the bay front club...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - May 11, 2016 

The public is invited to celebrate the unique multifaceted maritime heritage of Newport Harbor and wooden boats past and present during the 3rd Annual Balboa Yacht Club (BYC) Wooden Boat Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Experienced boaters as well as novices will come together to enjoy a day filled with maritime craftsmanship, art, exhibits, delicious food and drink, and lively music. The event...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - June  14, 2016

Our featured artist, Lorelle Miller, is our gracious contributor of her original artwork of the 2016 BYC Wooden Boat Festival. The painting was sold during the silent auction; a great benefit to the festival benefactor.  To that we give a standing ovation and thanks as big as the sea.

lorelle-millerDuring the show, Lorelle spent her day talking with festival guests, selling nautical seascape paintings and – if that wasn’t enough – painting another seascape...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - June 6, 2015

The Second Annual Balboa Yacht Club Wooden Boat Festival attracted people by boat, kayak, paddleboard, shuttle and foot for a look at 42 exceptional wooden boats, ocean sailing on schooner America, marine art and even rope tying. Classic Yacht Association, Wooden Hull Yacht club and Challenged Sailors San Diego were represented and over 2,000 people from throughout California enjoyed the exhibitions, food and boats kept lively by the Dave...

NEWPORT BEACH, CA - May 8, 2015

The Balboa Yacht Club is the must-go-to place for seeing exceptional wooden hull boats on the West Coast, Saturday, June 6, 2015, including the tall ship 139-foot schooner America–replica of the first winner of the America’s Cup. The one-day event is free to the public. 

Boats of all shapes and sizes will be displayed in the water and on land from 10 am to 4 pm at the waterfront club. Contenders for...

TENAKEE SPRINGS, ALASKA - March 3, 2015

Hidden away in the small town harbors of the Alaska bush lies the most interesting variety of old boats you are ever likely to find anywhere. Sometimes I think they accumulate here by the same natural process that causes most of us people to settle out in the bush, a case of both boats and people coming to rest – usually after many miles and a long time looking – in a place that welcomes them and even joggles around a bit to make space for...