Exploring Life & Business with Kay & Parker Dale of Port & Proper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay & Parker Dale.

Hi Kay & Parker, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Port & Proper really began as a natural extension of both of our lives. My husband Parker was born and raised in Newport Beach, he’s third generation on the harbor, and grew up immersed in yacht club culture, from learning to navigate these waters at a young age to eventually building a professional career as a licensed captain. For him, the harbor isn’t just a place, it’s part of his identity.

My background is a little different but complementary. I come from an operations and hospitality world, with experience scaling businesses and a deep appreciation for creating thoughtful, elevated guest experiences. I’ve always been drawn to the details, the way something feels, the way people are welcomed, and how an experience can leave a lasting impression.

For a long time, Parker was working as a licensed merchant mariner on large vessels, traveling internationally, often to China and back, which meant long stretches away from home. When we had our daughter in 2024, everything shifted. She adores her dad, and it became really clear that we wanted to build a life where he could still be on the water, doing what he loves, but in a way that kept him close to home and present for our family.

Around that same time, we started looking more closely at Newport Harbor and realized there was a gap. On one end, you have traditional yacht clubs, beautiful, but often inaccessible, requiring significant financial commitment or boat ownership. On the other end, you have casual, high-volume rentals that don’t reflect the elegance Newport is known for. There wasn’t really anything in between.

Port & Proper was created to bridge that gap.

We wanted to bring back a sense of timeless Newport, something refined, intentional, and community-driven, while making it more accessible to a new generation. What started as a single boat concept quickly evolved into a broader vision: a boutique charter experience paired with a clubhouse-style membership model that gives people a taste of yacht club life without the traditional barriers.

Where we are today is still the beginning, but it’s been incredibly exciting to see the response. From early charters to growing interest in membership, it’s clear that people are craving something more elevated and more meaningful on the water. We’re building Port & Proper not just as a business, but as a brand and community that reflects the legacy of Newport Harbor, while shaping what it can look like moving forward.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting something commercial in Newport Beach is incredibly challenging, especially when you’re committed to doing everything the right way and fully above board from day one.

Operating on the water comes with layers of permitting, compliance, insurance, and coordination that most people don’t see. Every step forward requires patience and precision, and there’s very little room for error. It’s not just about having a great idea, it’s about navigating a system that demands diligence, persistence, and a deep respect for the rules that protect the harbor.

On a more personal level, building this as a husband-and-wife team while raising a young daughter has been both incredibly rewarding and incredibly demanding. There’s no real separation between work and life, we’re building something we deeply believe in, but it requires constant attention, problem-solving, and adaptability.

We’ve also had to be very intentional about protecting the brand from the beginning. It would be easy to lean into volume or discounting, especially early on, but that would dilute what we’re trying to create. Staying committed to a more refined, elevated experience, even when it’s the harder path, has been a conscious decision.

None of it has been effortless, but every challenge has made the business stronger, more thoughtful, and more aligned with our vision.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Port & Proper?
Port & Proper is a boutique charter company and private boat club based in Newport Harbor, offering a more refined and intentional way to experience being on the water.

We specialize in elevated harbor charters, intimate, beautifully curated experiences that feel more like stepping onto your private “pocket yacht” than renting a boat. From the moment guests arrive, everything is designed to be seamless and thoughtful. We personally greet our guests, assist them down to the vessel, and create an atmosphere onboard that feels polished but comfortable, from proper glassware and clean design to a smooth, guided experience through the harbor.

What truly sets us apart is that we’ve eliminated the friction that typically comes with booking a boat day. I’ve always hated the idea of showing up to a charter with your hands full, lugging grocery bags, worrying about who forgot the ice or the cooler, or realizing halfway through that something was missing. We built Port & Proper so that never happens.

Everything is already taken care of.

From alkaline water and fresh ice to a fully stocked refrigerator, every detail is included. We incorporate fresh florals, curated tablescapes, gold cutlery, and even a firepit onboard for evening charters. Down to the plaid hard-top and the smallest finishing touches, everything has been thoughtfully considered so our guests don’t have to think about anything at all.

We didn’t want elegance to be itemized – we wanted it to be the standard.

Alongside charters, our boat club membership offers a more consistent way for locals to enjoy the harbor. It’s designed for people who love being on the water but don’t necessarily want the responsibility of boat ownership. Members get a seamless, repeatable experience, something that feels like a natural extension of their lifestyle.

Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is the feeling we’ve created. Everything is cohesive and intentional, from the aesthetic to the service to the overall tone. It’s elevated without being unapproachable, and that balance has been incredibly important to us from the beginning.

And while we’re currently focused on growing our charter and club offerings, we do have our eyes on something more long-term, a small, harborfront clubhouse concept that would bring everything together in one place. That’s still in the works, but it’s very much part of the vision.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One resource that really impacted me was the book “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.

I remember sitting up in bed reading it and having one of those moments where everything just clicks. It shifted the way I think about building a business, not just focusing on what we’re doing day-to-day, but asking a bigger question: what are we actually building that will last?

That idea of legacy really stayed with me. I started thinking about what feels timeless, what endures long after trends come and go. That’s actually where a lot of our brand identity came from. Even something as specific as our plaid aesthetic was intentional. It’s a pattern that dates back to ancient Scotland, yet you still see it everywhere today. It’s classic, it’s enduring, and it carries a sense of tradition.

That became a guiding principle for Port & Proper. We’re not trying to create something trendy, we’re trying to create something that feels like it’s always belonged in Newport, and hopefully still will years from now.

At the end of the day, we’re building this not just for right now, but for our family and our future. Something our children can look back on and be proud of, something that outlives us in its own way. That perspective influences almost every decision we make.

Pricing:

• 200 – 250/hour for public Charters
• $6,000 annual membership (2 charters a month + added benefits and 13th month free)
• $75/hour for captain

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.portandproper.com
• Instagram: portandproper
• Facebook: portandproper
• Yelp: https://www.m.yelp.com/biz/port-and-proper-newport-beach