Meet Robert (Bob), our General Manager (pictured above right), and long-standing employee at Offshore Spars, who has dedicated over 18 years to crafting composite spars for the marine industry. Bob has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's reputation as a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber spars for boats. He has mastered the intricacies of carbon fiber technology, a material that demands precision, patience, and a thorough understanding of its properties. His ability to keep the quality standards high and his devotion to our loyal customer base has made him an invaluable asset to Offshore Spars. He also draws attention to the main advantages of using a carbon fiber mast vs aluminum.
Bob's connection to Offshore Spars was a twist of fate. He left the construction industry and was searching for a new career, and while looking through newspaper ads for jobs, he saw an opening at Offshore. Despite initial hesitation due to having no prior experience in the marine industry, he applied for the job and when he hadn’t heard anything back, he gave us a call: “He wasn't going to hire me, and since I bothered him, he's like, you know, you're the only person who's ever called.” Just like that, he was hired, which goes to show that a proactive step might just do you the world of good! Bob demonstrated a natural aptitude for working with carbon fiber and quickly rose through the ranks.
Bob's journey at Offshore Spars began in the lamination department, where he was responsible for preparing and assembling the raw materials used to create composite parts. This involved carefully wrapping carbon fiber sheets around aluminum mandrels, ensuring precise alignment and tension. The process is meticulous and requires a keen eye for detail, as even small errors could have significant consequences. However, within just three months, Bob's talent and dedication earned him a promotion. He worked through various roles, including fabrication, assembly, and quality assurance. While Bob's initial involvement with sailing was purely professional, his time at Offshore Spars has fostered a deep appreciation for the industry. Invited by a client to join a sailing trip, Bob discovered a newfound passion for the marine industry and now owns a power boat of his own.
Bob's expertise in carbon fiber for boats is evident in his enthusiasm for the material. He believes that the question of carbon vs aluminum masts is self-evident. Carbon fiber is the superior choice for spars due to its exceptional properties:
“Back in the early 90s is when offshore really took off in the carbon fiber industry. Before that, everything was aluminum. We get a lot of those back, and over time, they just break because everything is welded. It's corrosive. If it's a saltwater boat, it's definitely corroded and caused big problems. Here in the Great Lakes, the corrosion doesn't happen as much. But you know, things do happen, like the welds start to crack. So we do service those still, we get them to come in here and we'll re-weld them and we'll repaint them to make them look better. But you could just look at the quality of it, and it's just, it's night and day difference.”
Bob’s main advantages of a carbon fiber mast vs aluminum for boats are:
Bob's career at Offshore Spars has been filled with a variety of challenging and rewarding projects, but one that stands out as a particular favorite is the Hoek 126. This vessel required specialized fabrication techniques and design elements, including custom locks and unique components that Bob had never encountered before. The project presented significant challenges, but Bob and his team successfully delivered a high-quality product that showcased their expertise in composite manufacturing. Another memorable project was the Swan 120, a year-long undertaking that involved building a large-scale composite structure. Despite Offshore Spars' frequent collaborations with Swan, the sheer size of this particular boat presented a unique challenge and a memorable highlight of Bob's career.
With a strong foundation built on years of experience and innovation, Offshore Spars is poised for continued growth and success. Bob is particularly excited about several upcoming projects, including the Wiley 80 and TP 52 mast and booms. These boats represent the latest advancements in marine technology and will showcase Offshore Spars' ability to deliver high-performance carbon fiber solutions.
Our commitment to customization and innovation is a key factor in its success. By working closely with clients to understand their specific needs, we can tailor our products to meet the most demanding requirements. This approach has helped Offshore Spars establish a strong reputation in the marine industry and attract a loyal customer base.
Bob's journey at Offshore Spars is a testament to his passion, dedication, and willingness to learn. The varied nature of the work and our ability to build strong relationships with clients have been key factors in Bob's decision to stay with us for 19 years (and counting!).
He said “We're currently working with a team for an 80-foot mast, a Wiley 80, and we sat down with them (the yacht owner and his wife) for three hours. And, you know, some was personal conversation, just life in general, and some was about what he wants out of this project. People really respond well to that kind of interaction. Now, I think, you get less of that these days, especially when everything is so online that having that sort of personal touch, it goes the extra mile, doesn't it? They can work with us like it’s nothing. They don't have to be afraid to ask us for something.”
As Bob continues to shape the future of Offshore Spars, we can look forward to even more remarkable achievements in the years to come.
From all of us at Offshore - Thank you, Bob!
To learn more about the services Bob and his team offer, read our article. To book a consultation, visit our Contact Us page where a team member will be happy to help.
