Captain's Log: On the Rocks

Patricia Rockett's 38-foot Sea Fox isn't your typical fishing boat. Instead of tackle boxes and rod holders, the bow is loaded with cushions where her two Labs, Maisy and Kinsale, claim their spots for every trip. It's a setup that perfectly captures the Rockett family's approach to boating—practical, comfortable, and always inclusive of their four-legged crew members.

Patricia's path to the water started with her husband, who grew up boating from age five. "My husband grew up on the water and he started with boats at 5 years old. Mostly motor boats. He learned how to sail," she explains. "I've always liked boats and water. When we got married we've always been out on the water."

Their boat's name, "On the Rocks," reflects their sense of humor "It was a play on words with our last name being Rockett. We have a bar in the house that's called On the Rocks so we incorporated it," Patricia says. The name connects their life at home with their adventures on the water.

Whale Watching and Day Trips

Ask Patricia about her favorite boating memories, and whale watching tops the list every time. "Going out whale watching. Spending an entire day out on the ocean. Out in Stellwagon," she says. 

Stellwagen Bank, the underwater plateau between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, serves as their regular destination for spotting humpbacks, fin whales, and minke whales. But their Sea Fox does double duty. "We take the boat down to Boston to meet friends for lunch for the day," Patricia mentions, showing how they use their boat for both nature adventures and social outings.

The Dogs Come First

What makes their setup unique is how they've adapted their fishing boat for their Labs. "Typically it would be a fishing boat but we don't fish. We use the front to put a bunch of cushions for our two labs to have a spot on the boat," Patricia explains. 

When Patricia was asked what product she wished The Custom Captain made, of course it included the four legged members of the crew.  "Dog collars. We always have our dogs with us and it would be cute to have the boat name on the collars everywhere they go."

Vacation Planning Revolves Around Water

Boating has fundamentally changed how the Rocketts plan their time off. "It gears our vacation," Patricia says simply. For fifteen years, they've been renting boats wherever they travel, turning typical tourist trips into water-based explorations.

"We went to the Greek islands last year and rented a boat," she recalls. But their real favorite is the Virgin Islands. "Virgin Islands is our favorite place to bar hop, the water is crystal clear and warm. We just love it." The ability to island-hop by boat, stopping at different bars and restaurants accessible only by water, represents exactly the kind of freedom that drew them to boating in the first place.

Practical Advice from Experience

Patricia's advice for newcomers comes from two decades of experience reading weather and water conditions. "You have to love it to really enjoy it. The weather can turn on a dime so you have to be prepared to enjoy it in all elements. It could be blazing in the harbor and then freezing out on the open water."

This isn't just about having the right gear—it's about having the right mindset. Boating demands flexibility and genuine enthusiasm, especially in New England waters where conditions can change quickly.

The Right Gear Matters

When it comes to equipment, Patricia has found her absolute must have from The Custom Captain. "We love dri-fit fishing hoodies.  I'll wear them as a sunshield as well as for warmth.  We wear them all the time," she says.  "I love having the boat name on it. It makes it so cool to have our logo on it when we wear it out and about when we travel."

Simple Pleasures

Patricia's description of a perfect day on the boat  is a warm and sunny, calm day to cruise around and enjoy the ocean. The typical summer day everyone loves. 

"Being on the water is the best. No matter where we are, it's our go to," she adds. Whether they're whale watching off Stellwagen Bank, bar hopping in the Virgin Islands, or just cruising around their home waters with Maisy and Kinsale on their cushioned perch, the Rocketts have found where they are most at home. 

After two decades of boating together, Patricia and her husband have created exactly the kind of life they want—one where the next adventure is always just a boat ride away, and where their Labs get front-row seats to every journey.