All Aboard
Ultimate all-round brand, Nash, doesn’t just boss it when it comes to end tackle, bite alarms, rods, bivvies and bedchairs—it knows how to throw together a pretty bad-ass boat too.
Over the decades Nash has conquered all corners of the carp fishing market. From reinventing how we live on the bank (thanks, Titan) to how we sleep (thanks, Sleep System), to how we move our kit around the lake (God bless the Power Barrow).
Now they’ve decided to make their mark in the inflatable boat market and have three introductory models for you to have a look at: the Boat Life Inflatable RIB 180, 240 and their bigger, harder brother, the 320. All three models have been manufactured to the highest standards, made from top quality materials (which have been dyed in a lovely carpy olive green colour) and have been specially designed with the modern boat angler in mind.
Whilst the sizing may differ (the 180 will take a max load of 250kg; the 240 350kg and the 320 a massive 525kg!), the materials and build quality is pretty much the same across the models. All three boats come with literally everything that you need to launch straight away. Principally, that includes the boat itself, rugged carry bag (yep, you can actually carry the 180 on your back—good luck hauling the 320, mind!), oars, wooden seat, a foot pump to inflate, plus a puncture repair kit.
That repair kit is a bit of a moot point, thanks to each of the boats having a toughened 0.9mm PVC base beneath 0.7mm PVC tubes for increased strength and resilience. The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) deck slats offer more protection against floor damage and there are three extra thick rubbing strips on the base and side walls to protect against damage from moorings, concrete or natural banks.
Whilst you’ll be able to pick the size which best fits your needs, a quick overview would be: the 180 is designed for undercover baiting operations and quietly drifting over your spots; the 240 is a perfect middle-of-the-road boat; whilst the 320 is a different beast: it’s aimed for the biggest and most hostile venues, where you need to take a lot of kit.
1. Boat Life Inflatable RIB Air Deck
This heavy-duty air deck is the perfect companion for your boat should you require increased stability and a more solid base in more demanding conditions. It neatly, simply—and quickly—lays on top of the CFRP slat flooring. From £109.99
2. Boat Life Electric Air Pump
Of course, you could use a foot pump (good luck doing it with your mouth!) but for ease and speed, this purpose-designed electric pump can’t be beaten. It even features a ‘Pressure Memory’ so you can re-inflate the desired amount for each chamber without having to input a target pressure each time. £139.99
3. Boat Life Electric Engines
We were already in love with Nash’s electric Power Barrows. Now they’ve used that knowledge and experience to produce two fully electric engines, one pumping out 45lb of thrust and the other 65. £259.99 and £299.99
