Overnight Raft Set-Up & Blower Adaptors | Gear Garage Live Show

Overnight Raft Set-Up & Blower Adaptors | Gear Garage Live Show

From Gear Garage Live Show by Whitewater Guidebook

March 5, 2026 · 37 min

About this episode

Zach discusses safety clinics, customer service issues at River Hardware, and the suitability of a 13'9" raft for overnight trips.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach discusses new one-day safety clinics, dives into the "horrible" customer service at River Hardware, and analyzes whether a 13'9" raft is suitable for multi-day trips. Episode Summary Zach starts the show by introducing a new concept: "a la carte" rescue instruction through Northwest Rafting Company. These one-day clinics allow boaters to focus on specific skills, like throw bags and mechanical advantage, without the time commitment of a full three-day course. He explains that building skills incrementally every year is often more effective than trying to cram everything into one long session. A significant portion of the show is dedicated to a very honest look at his side project, River Hardware. Zach explains that because he is so busy running his main outfitting business, River Hardware offers no customer service. He addresses a viewer's frustration regarding blower adapters for Craftsman tools, explaining the challenges of designing custom parts for every brand and suggesting that those who want traditional support should…

People in this episode

Host: Zach

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Northwest Rafting Company, River Hardware, NRS

Products: Craftsman tools, 13'9" Wing Raft

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