Offshore Rafting

07/15/2026

THE ONE BOAT STOPPED IN FOR ANOTHER VISIT…

this time with supposed air leaks. The valves are fine, and we found no leaks in the tubes. We’ll monitor the pressure relief valves over the next few days, and will repeat our customary inspection process 3 more times tomorrow.

The deck is damaged; that aft piece is really smushed!

The detached accessories are no big deal, but water intrusion at seam/tube-to-bottom junctures is a bit more serious. Thankfully, what we’re seeing is minimal.

We don’t want to start ripping the boat apart to go on a scavenger hunt for what are now “seepy” areas. I WILL recommend that we place patches at these “intersections”, then seal the entire bottom where the tubes and bottom fabric join.

07/15/2026

GALA FINAL REVIEW…

When glued PVC seams blow due to over-inflation, the fabric often gets stretched. As you can imagine, that creates a bit of a challenge with regard to regluing the seam without any puckers, wrinkles, or bubbles.

I have tricks to sort of negate that stretch, and had to use those here. The factory lateral seam had a wonky cut at the edge; it didn’t make for great coverage where it meets the vertical seam. I made a minor adjustment to get that to sit a bit better.

Adding the sealant to the seam prior to placing a reinforcing patch, or gluing the seam strips back, is a smart move. We now have a repaired seam with 4 reinforcement measures in place:

1. Exterior sealant along the seam (extending well beyond the area of damage,

2. The seam reinforcing strips,

3. The reinforcing/cosmetic patch; and

4. Exterior sealant around the perimeter of the entire work zone.

As a courtesy, we gave the vessel a quick cleaning to remove grime and to brighten the rubrail.

07/14/2026

APEX FINAL REVIEW…

The boys estimated they handled 60 tack downs. We had to deflate/inflate many, many times during the course of this repair. Each round revealed something else that had dried out and let loose.

I was very pleased with the way the boat cooperated during the seam repair and inside patching stages. I think I had the “major surgery” portion wrapped up in 3 days (allowing for cure time after each round of gluing).

Bill is great about monitoring air pressure, so I can rest easy knowing he won’t over-inflate.

What looked like a lost cause is now a seaworthy vessel once again!

07/14/2026

WORKFLOW WITH CAPTAIN BERT…

this morning. It is LOVELY to have good communication on a vessel!

Bert masterfully navigated us out of our slip, and into the slip next to us, so that we could have a heavy anchor hoisted off the deck.

From there, we took a short jaunt over to the fuel dock at a nearby marina where we’re staging for tomorrow’s haul out. Tied up, hooked to shore power, and secured the vessel in record time. Easy peasy!

07/13/2026

GALA INSPECTION…

We have torn fabric, and DIY, at the blown seam.

07/09/2026

WE ARE ALL GUILTY…

of taking things (and people) for granted. Driver Bert, whom many of you have met, didn’t become a “fast friend”. By that, I mean he wasn’t a person I immediately recognized as someone I’d know and cherish for the rest of my days.

He wanted to know if this chick knew her stuff, and I wanted to know if he’d fit in with the way things roll at the shop.

It probably took us 6 months to earn each other’s trust, but once we’d surmounted that hurdle, both of us were able to operate in “full throttle mode” to achieve our objectives.

Our crew is comprised of members who’ve toiled away in other careers. Each member is a craftsman. I love that about them!

Driver/Captain Bert is now a cherished friend, and has been for quite some time.

He has his own pursuits, but always prioritizes Offshore Rafting.

Recently, the shop experienced the slow-up that customarily arrives in August. Offshore Rafting is a tiny business, and needs constant workflow in order to survive.

Captain Bert, in his inherent drive to provide for his family, and friends, offered me work on a newly-purchased motor yacht in order to allow me to meet my personal financial obligations.

I have been sitting with fingers crossed FOR YEARS that Bert would choose me as one of his “lackeys”. I’m in! I’m loving it! I’m also a captain, but I lack the MacGuyverness of our Bert. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from a master of all things, and am thankful for the chance to prove my worthiness to my buddy in HIS realm of work.

I take him for granted on the daily. His kindness and compassion woke me up to the fact that doing so isn’t right. I will bust ass for this man as he has done for me. He is deserving of the very best this life can offer.

07/06/2026

IN HONOR OF AMERICA’S 250th…

we’re providing a $250 discount for the first boat that arrives at the shop this week.

As Bob Weir would say, “AND THE RACE IS ON”!

Call 252-571-0421 to schedule your repair appointment.

Grateful Dead - The Race Is OnRecorded Live: 10/29/1980 - Radio Ci...

07/03/2026

HIPPIE 4th OF JULY WEEKEND…

and best wishes for a raucous celebration of America’s 250th from the crew at Offshore Rafting!

Should you have an “oopsy”, I’ll be working. Call 252-571-0421 to snag an appointment slot.

06/30/2026

CARIBE FINAL REVIEW…

Howard sold me the boat, but mentioned to Bert that he might want to buy it back after repairs were complete.

Howard, his new bride, and I chatted about their wishes and the condition of the vessel. The couple understood that the boat wasn’t gonna be gorgeous (the DIY and delam crushed that dream early on). The transformation, though, does look mighty fine!

The boys neglected to get an inspection video, because we all initially figured this would be a project boat for us. Picture barnacles galore, Flex Seal paint, shredded fabric, and some failed DIY patches.

The rubberized paint will make even the best painter look like a bumbling DIY du***ss, BUT IT IS PRECISELY WHAT THIS BOAT NEEDED.

Driver Bert is delivering tomorrow. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say about the reaction to the big reveal!

06/30/2026

AB FINAL REVIEW…

Chris gave us approval quickly, so I was able to hit the ground running with prep and priming. The weekend provided adequate cure time. We did our final clean up this morning, and Chris is hauling her away this afternoon!