Meet The Customer: Nikos

 

Welcome to the latest edition of the “Meet the…” series, where we spotlight someone special within our Boatworld community - a supplier, partner, customer, or manufacturer - highlighting their unique contributions and the relationships that make our journey in the boating world special.

FROM CUSTOMER TO STORYTELLER

 

Every so often, a story from one of our customers perfectly captures the spirit of adventure that we love. Nikos’s recent trip to the Isle of Skye is one of those stories. After he shared a stunning photo of his Boatworld 330 Pro moored in a calm Scottish bay, we knew we had to hear more. His real-world experience, passion for exploring, and willingness to share his journey is exactly what makes the Boatworld community so special. Together, our passion is getting out on the water, sharing our experiences, and, of course, being one big happy Boatworld family.

The 330 Pro pulled up on a quiet bay, with the Scottish Highlands in the distance and not another soul in sight.

MEET THE CUSTOMER Q&A

 

Meet Nikos, a passionate angler and adventurer who recently put his Boatworld 330 Pro to the ultimate test on a fishing trip to the Isle of Skye. His full trip report, "Exploring Skye by Inflatable Boat," was born from this journey. We caught up with him to ask a few questions.

What was the most unexpected part of the trip for you? Did anything surprise you about the way the boat handled the conditions? Honestly, the most unexpected part was how confident I felt out there. We were in the thick of Skye’s ever-changing moods. One moment calm, the next like someone had turned on a wind machine, but the boat handled it like a champ. I thought I’d feel a bit twitchy on the open water with an inflatable as it was my first time, but it gave me no reason to doubt it. Stable, responsive, and surprisingly steady even when the sea got a bit choppy.

Was there any specific gear that turned out to be unexpectedly useful, or something you would highly recommend? A good quality hand pump. Might not sound exciting, but when you're out there and need to top up pressure after a cold night or before heading back in, it's a lifesaver. Also, the launch wheels were a game-changer. I’d have struggled getting the boat in and out on my own without them. They saved my back!

Can you recall a funny or challenging moment from the trip that didn’t make it into the blog? Yes. I managed to leave my oars on the beach after returning. Only realised once I’d packed everything up and was halfway down the road back to our cottage. Had to turn back and do the walk of shame to retrieve them, hoping no one had claimed them as giant midge swatters—one of those ego-humbling moments where you think you’ve got everything sorted... until you don’t.

Looking back, what would you say to someone hesitant to try inflatable boats for sea fishing or coastal exploration? Don’t write them off. I was sceptical too. Thought they were only suitable for lakes (lochs here in Scotland) or short jaunts... but they’ve come a long way. If you pick the right boat and treat it with respect, it’s surprisingly capable. Plus, you don’t need a trailer, a marina berth or a second mortgage to own one. It’s freedom in a bag. Just mind the rocks and you’re golden.

Thank you very much, Nikos!

The Carbon Pro 365 on the water, with my mate holding a hefty pollock after a solid fight.

Now here's his story

Exploring Skye by Inflatable Boat: A Fishing Adventure with the 330 Pro 

If you’re wondering just how far a soft inflatable boat can take you, the Isle of Skye in Scotland is a brilliant place to find out. At the end of May, I headed north from Glasgow with a couple of mates, our fishing gear, and two boats: a Boatworld 330 Pro and a brand new Boatworld Carbon Pro 365 that my friend brought along. We weren’t entirely sure what to expect from the weather or the fishing, but we knew we wanted time on the water.

The plan was to fish, explore, and generally make the most of a long weekend on the water. And we did. But somewhere along the way, I took a quick photo of my boat moored off Ardvasar. Calm water, blue sky, the kind of moment you almost don’t want to post because no one will believe the weather. Boatworld spotted it. A few messages later, I agreed to write about the trip. 

Here it is: a few thoughts on inflatable boats, outboard choices, things I forgot to pack, and what actually happens when you try to fish your way around Skye with no anchor and too much enthusiasm. 

 

Setting Off: Inflated in Minutes, Ready for Anything 

One of the best things about inflatable boats is how easy they are to launch. More importantly, they fit in the boot of a car alongside a questionable amount of fishing gear. No trailer, no ramp, no stress. We pulled up at Armadale Bay Beach, just along from the ferry pier where the daily crossing from Mallaig comes in, and got straight to it. Boat out, pump on, gear thrown in. We were on the water not long after.

I was genuinely impressed with how quickly the 330 Pro came together. It inflated in minutes, sat steady even when fully loaded, and felt solid from the first moment it left the shore.

Also worth noting was my mate’s Carbon Pro 365. It took a bit longer to set up, partly because it was fresh out the box and partly because he insisted on adjusting everything twice, particularly the outboard. That said, it’s a tidy bit of design. Streamlined, loads of space, and it looked right at home on the water. Between the two boats, we comfortably had space for four of us, plus all the gear. It meant we could spread out, explore different spots, and shout fishing updates across the water without being in each other’s pockets.

 

The Right Kind of Power for a Boat This Size 

I’d recently paired the 330 Pro with a new Mariner 8HP short-shaft outboard, and this trip was its first proper test. It delivered. With two adults, a pile of fishing kit, and enough food to sink a kayak, we cruised comfortably along the coastline, hugging the Sound of Sleat. It got up on the plane without fuss and ran all day without making a dent in the fuel tank. 

For this boat, it felt spot on. Enough power to cover ground, light enough to lift on and off without assistance, and easy to trim when nosing into shallow spots or dragging up on a beach. 

My mate’s Carbon Pro 365 was running a Mercury 20HP, and to be fair, it was an absolute rocket. More power, more size, and it looked like it belonged in a Bond film. The Carbon handled it effortlessly. Fast, stable, and made our little convoy feel a bit more serious. Arguably overpowered, definitely entertaining.

 

Fishing, Kind Of 

Fishing was the main purpose. Or at least that’s what we kept telling people. We had some decent success early on, Pollock from the kelp beds, a couple of cod in deeper water, and the usual ‘small guys’ along the coastline. We kept things simple. Soft plastic lures, spinners and jigs, nothing fancy. The sea was doing enough showing off on its own. 

Truth be told, there were long stretches where the rods didn’t even touch the water. Between the sea stacks, dramatic scenery, and the kind of shifting light that makes everything look cinematic, it was hard to stay focused on fishing. We ended up just drifting, taking it all in, and pointing at rocks that probably had names we never bothered to learn. At one point, a Typhoon jet started doing training passes overhead. Sharp nosedives followed by full-throttle climbs, looping back for another go each time. It was unexpected, loud, and completely brilliant. We stopped what we were doing and just watched. It was incredible! 

We were still technically fishing, but at this point, it was mostly drifting, sightseeing and snack rotation. Which brings me neatly to the one bit of kit I really should have brought but forgot: an anchor. 

 

The Great Anchor Mistake 

Right, the confession. I didn’t pack an anchor. Not illegal, but definitely bad practice. 

Fishing without one is fine in theory. Until you actually hook something and realise you’ve drifted halfway to Mallaig. An anchor would have saved us a lot of throttle nudging, creative oar work, and mild arguments about which direction we were moving. We got by, but it made things harder than they needed to be. 

On the Sunday, the swell had picked up. Nothing dangerous, but enough to keep pushing me back towards the rocks every time I tried to hold position. It got a bit ridiculous. The only thing I really nailed that day was wearing decent waterproofs. 

That said, drifting did lead us into some beautiful spots we might not have reached otherwise. But next time, I’ll be going prepared. 

I’ve got my eye on this 3.2 kg grapnel anchor from Boatworld. It’s the right size for a boat like the 330 Pro, compact enough to stash away, and strong enough to actually hold position when the tide and swell start making decisions for you.

 

28 Nautical Miles, No Drama 

Across three days, we logged just over 28 nautical miles. Nothing heroic, but a decent stretch for two inflatables and a bit of guesswork navigation. No mechanical issues, no gear failures, and no drama, unless you count running out of snacks halfway the first day. 

The best part? Not once did I wish I had a trailer or a bigger boat. Being able to pack everything into the car and launch straight from the beach meant we could head wherever we liked, whenever we felt like it. No bookings, no ramps, no stress. 

 

Kit That Earned Its Keep 

A few bits of kit made a real difference on this trip: 

• Boatworld seat bag – Essential. After five hours afloat, these were easily the MVPs. 
• Oars and rowlocks – Surprisingly handy, especially for creeping into rocky inlets without firing up the engine. 
• Electric pump – Made setup quick and painless, helping us hit the water early. 
• Spare fuel tank – Covered plenty of distance without stress. Good peace of mind.
• Navigation app – I used  Orca Boat GPS  on my phone, and it was spot on. A must-have if you’re exploring a new coastline. 

The 330 Pro handled everything we threw at it. From hauling gear and hugging the coast to full-throttle crossings in open water, it felt stable, solid, and totally unfazed by shifting wind or tide. 

 

What I’d Do Differently 

It wouldn’t be a proper trip without a few lessons learned: 

• Bring an anchor. Seriously. 
• Add rod holders. Leaning them against a fishing box works... until it doesn’t
• Pack a tarp or something for shade. Skye gave us everything. Sunburn one hour, soaking the next. 
• Other than that? No complaints. The setup worked, the boat delivered, and the whole thing was a class experience.

 

Final Thoughts: Inflatable Freedom 

This trip proved what I’d hoped going in, that inflatable boats aren’t just for flat lakes or fair-weather paddlers. The 330 Pro, paired with an 8HP outboard, is more than capable of proper coastal exploring. It’s compact, dependable, and gives you all the freedom of boat ownership without the hassle. 

If you're thinking of heading out on your own adventure, I’d say go for it. Just make sure you bring an anchor... and more snacks than you think you’ll need. 

Big thanks to Boatworld for the solid kit, and for spotting the photo that kicked all this off. If you’re thinking about trying a trip like this, check out the 330 Pro or Carbon 365. They more than earned their place in the boot.

 

Inspired by the trip? Check out the Boatworld 330 Pro and the Carbon Pro 365 that made it all possible.

And don't make the same mistake as Nikos! See the 3.2 kg Grapnel Anchor he has his eye on.

Stay tuned for the next edition, where we’ll introduce you to another incredible member of the Boatworld family. Who will it be? You’ll have to wait to find out! Do you want to find out more about someone else we work with? Comment below to let us know and we'll see what we can do!