While retired Long Beach harbormaster Joe Pitisi captains the vessel Happiness is …, his 4-month-old golden retriever puppy, Rooster, has other plans. “He [Rooster] thinks it’s time to take the helm from the captain,” says Pitisi.
Captain Benford mans the wheel of his 1961 14-foot Glasspar. A local company when it began, Bill Tritt started building Glasspar boats with fiberglass hulls in 1947 in Costa Mesa. Eventually, the company was sold to Larson Boat Works. Vintage Glasspar boats are favorites with many boaters!
Cali, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu and poodle rescue from Arizona, loves to sail aboard with her owner Paul Newman. “Being adopted within weeks of our 2009 Carver 47 MY arriving from Florida, naming her became obvious,” says Newman. “She thinks she is the captain, however, rarely barks out orders.” Newman also comments Cali is a great car companion, calmly making the six-hour trip to set sail.
Tuna the Boating Bulldog has traveled more than 8,000 nautical miles, not including his countless adventures kayaking and paddleboarding. His owner, Kipp Ots, says “He absolutely loves any water activity and we can no longer say the ‘F’ word (Fish) without him going completely bonkers. He often wears himself out to the point of exhaustion, finding the most peculiar places to nap, making for some funny photos.”
Kona, an 8-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback and German shepherd mix, spends a day out with her owner Brandon Post on one of their frequent boating trips in Huntington Harbour. Post says, “[That day] we came across a whale cruising the harbor and helped him find his way out to sea!” An islander, Kona resides in Avalon when she’s not exploring the ocean.
Pictured here, Malaika Grace, a 10-and-a-half-year-old American Hairless Terrier, explores beautiful Newport Harbor aboard her Harbor 20. Her owner, Debra Haynes, says, “She is my heart and soul. Since I am allergic to dogs with fur or hair, I have her because she is a hairless breed. She is a good girl and a great sailor!”
One of the perks of California is that the weather can be summer-like in the month of February. Here Brandy, a 12-year-old golden retriever, enjoys the sunshine aboard Knot On Call while visiting Avalon on Catalina Island.
Turbo, pictured on his boat navigating San Diego Harbor, loves to chase and bark at seals. His owner, Kerry deAvila, swears Turbo believes they are dog mermaids!
Benny lives aboard a 43-foot Bayliner with his family, James and Laura, on the San Joaquin River. One of his favorite activities is kayaking on the vast, wide open river Benny calls his backyard. A stickler for safety, Benny always wears his life vest on a kayaking adventure!
A five-year-old French bulldog, Titus loves to take excursions on his owner’s 1981 Catalina 27 in the San Pedro Channel, and always takes necessary safety measures and precautions including wearing a safety jacket. According to owner, Mitch Manker, Titus believes it’s his own boat. Manker says, “At the dock he [Titus] periodically does ‘rounds’ to make sure everything is ship-shape from stem to stern.”
Trixie enjoys all SoCal boating life has to offer – including sun, fun and the ocean breeze blowing in her fur – aboard her favorite skiff, Mischief Managed.
LouSea, a Bichon Frisee, recovers from a long day at sea by taking a nap on the deck.
Huey the Shar-Pei chases dolphins aboard his 36-foot sailboat, Molana. One of his favorite voyages is traveling from Oceanside, where Molana moors, to Avalon in Catalina.
Capt. Cooper sets sail on Pilar, a 1979 60-foot Hatteras sportfisher, from his home port of Cabrillo Isle Marina in San Diego. A 12-year-old Boston terrier, he loves to accompany his 8-year-old sister and owners Martha and Jose Suarez to Catalina Island several times a year.
Bentley, a 19-year-old Bichon Frise, is caught resting on the bow of his 34-foot CHB trawler, Sea Jack, after a long day. Boating and swimming in Avalon are two of his favorite pastimes with his owners, Carolyn and Paul McDonough.
