In Rats 2: Roaches and Missionaries, Rafael Coumbe delivers a gritty, atmospheric adventure filled with danger, survival, redemption, and the raw beauty of the Sea of Cortez.
The Sea of Cortez is a character in itself, shaping every challenge and triumph. Known by Jacques Cousteau as “the world’s aquarium,” it comes alive with breathtaking beauty and raw power.
Rats 2 is a story of resilience, showing how ordinary people find the strength to keep going through life’s toughest challenges. Rafe’s journey reflects the enduring power of the human spirit.
Rats 2 explores redemption through characters seeking forgiveness and second chances. It shows that true redemption is found in the quiet choice to keep showing up for others.
Rafe Coumbe, a man running from his past and toward a fresh start in Mexico. arrives in Guaymas to refit his sailboat and disappear into the quiet life of a cruising sailor, but witnesses a brazen kidnapping that pulls him into a web of missing women, dangerous cartels, and a mystery that stretches the length of the Gulf of California. With the help of an unlikely band of allies—a grizzled yacht club commodore, a young boy with a thirst for adventure, and a woman searching for her lost sister—Rafe must navigate treacherous waters both on and off the sea. From the dusty streets of La Paz to the wild islands of the Midriff, he discovers that some ghosts refuse to stay buried, and that redemption comes at a price.
Rafael Coumbe came to the Sea of Cortez to disappear. Instead, he found himself fighting for something bigger than his own survival, a fight that would take him from the sun-scorched streets of Guaymas to the wild islands of the Midriff, and into the heart of a conspiracy that refused to stay buried.
Rats 2: Roaches and Missionaries is a story of grit, loyalty, and the cost of doing what’s right when everything tells you to run.
Rafael Coumbe grew up in the mountains of Northern California, where he was riding horses long before most children learned to read. His love of the outdoors sparked a lifelong passion for adventure, exploration, and storytelling.
In 1975, he joined the United States Navy, serving for 20 years as a Naval Air Crewman and Rescue Swimmer before retiring in 1995. During his military career, he circumnavigated the world three times and served during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the First Gulf War, and the War on Terror. Although he never fired a shot in anger, one of his proudest achievements was saving the life of a fellow sailor off the coast of Oceanside, California. As an aircrewman, he also participated in anti-submarine operations.
Rafael’s passion for sailing began in 1976 through a Navy sailing course in San Diego and has remained a lifelong pursuit. He also holds a private pilot’s license and began writing stories in high school, often drawing inspiration from his experiences on the sea and in the air.
The Sea of Cortez is stunning—and unforgiving. From rogue storms to hidden reefs, the Gulf demands respect from every sailor who crosses her waters. In this post, we explore the real-life dangers that inspired the harrowing voyage in Rats 2.
Rafe, Tommy, Tomas’, none of them set out to be heroes. But sometimes the people you least expect are the ones who show up when it matters most. A look at the characters who prove that courage comes in many forms.
There’s a ghost ship roaming the Gulf. Fast, silent, and deadly—the locals call it “the dragon.” In this deep dive, we unravel the mystery behind the vessel that haunts the waters of Rats 2: Roaches and Missionaries.
Join Rafe, Tommy, Laura, and an unforgettable cast of characters as they navigate danger, loss, and the hope that keeps them afloat. The waters are treacherous, but the rewards are immeasurable.
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