A Day in the Life of a Newport Beach Yacht Captain
Matt McKinley isn’t your typical yacht captain. As the owner of Hi39 Vessel Services, he doesn’t wear a pressed captain’s uniform with three stripes or play the part of the traditionally formal yachtsman. Instead he dons a full beard, wears a quarter zip, and carries the calm confidence of someone who’s seen every kind of day on the water. He cares far more about giving his clients a safe, fun, relaxing voyage than he does about the formality that often comes with yachting.
Which is why he starts every boating day the same.
Before most people in Orange County have sipped their first coffee, he’s already at the marina getting his hands dirty: uncovering the vessel, rinsing it, drying it off.
He starts by stripping the covers, rinsing off the layer of salt that settles overnight, and giving the hull a quick towel-off if the morning moisture is heavy. Towels are rolled. Surfaces wiped. Lines checked twice.
“It's basically asset management,” he says. “I like to make sure everything’s functioning before anyone arrives.”
While the crew members arrive to load provisions, he’s doing what captains do best: mulling around the yacht, checking things, quietly eliminating problems before they start.
And woven into that routine is the gear that sets the tone for the day.
Gear That Works as Hard as He Does
For a captain who’s constantly moving between marinas, moorings, and fuel docks, Matt doesn’t have patience for gear that slows him down or eats up space on the boat.
Between inflating toys, managing lines, and helping guests, he’s constantly carrying things around the vessel. For that, he reaches for one thing every single day: CASSI bags. He has one in every size.
“I love these bags. I use them as tool bags around the vessel. They’re soft, so if I’m carrying a drill, I know it won’t scratch anything. I use the bigger ones for towels.”
For Matt, protecting the vessels he manages is always top of mind. When you’re responsible for assets this size, nothing can be left to chance. Every tool, every fender, every piece of equipment has a job to do… and it has to do it well.
Which is why he uses TITAN Dock Bumper to protect the vessels he manages from the docks.
“At any moment I can take TITAN off the dock, roll it up, and bring it with me to a new marina,” he explains. “I just hang it, and suddenly docking is simple again.”
Matt has TITAN Dock Bumpers in every size, and for his biggest yachts, he’ll string them along the dock like a soft runway, creating a cushioned landing zone for a boat that size.
Luxury may be what guests see and feel, but behind the scenes it’s a game of space management and smart decisions… and the right gear makes all the difference.
“With the old rubber fenders, one would take up the space that four inflatable fenders take now. On a yacht, interior space belongs to the clients, not the crew. The more inflatables we can use, the better.”
From Prep to Play
Once guests are welcomed aboard, Matt sets course for Catalina Island or Emerald Bay. That’s when the day shifts from preparation to play.
“As soon as we get there, we start inflating the MISSION REEF mats and paddleboards,” he says.
Families spill into the water the moment he drops the inflatables. Kids belly-flop onto the REEF mat. Parents claim a corner of the REEF Splash with a drink. Grandparents dip their feet in without ever having to tread in the ocean itself.
Matt sees the magic firsthand, and it’s the best part of his day.
“Some people won’t go in the ocean because they’re afraid,” he said. “But REEF mats get even the most hesitant guests to enjoy the water. That’s what I love about them.”
If you ask him his favorite Mission product, he won’t hesitate.
“The REEF Splash is the only toy anyone ever needs on a boat. It holds around 2,700 pounds and stays stable. People lose their minds over it.”
The Work Behind the Scenes
Once the vessel starts its journey home, the guests settle in for sunset cocktails. But for Matt, the work picks right back up.
He deflates the REEF mats and paddleboards, then sets them on the swim platform to drain and dry in the last bit of daylight.
“I don’t like putting wet equipment in bags,” he admits, “but sometimes we’re in such a rush we have to throw it straight into the quarters.”
And if that’s the case, he’s back the next morning—rinsing, drying, storing everything properly. The TUKO Cleaning Kit comes in handy here. His crew uses it to clean and reset the vessels and keep the inflatables looking new.
For Matt, the gear he chooses isn’t about bells and whistles… just like his captaining style isn’t about formality or looking the part. For him, a day on the water is all about having fun and creating unforgettable days for his clients.
“There are so many formal things about yachting,” he says. “That’s not me. I beat to a different drum. I care about function and gear that works.”
At the end of the day, this is what Mission gear is built for: people like Matt who carry the weight of a perfect day long before guests ever step aboard. Because when the right gear is in place, the water becomes what it was always meant to be: a place to relax, play, and make memories. And that’s exactly the kind of day Matt shows up to create for his clients, sunrise after sunrise.
If you’re a boat dealer, marina, or yacht service provider looking to offer smarter, easier, captain-approved gear, we’d love to partner with you.
Learn more about becoming a MISSION dealer by filling out the form below.
