BARK B-260P Inflatable Boat – Two-Person Boat with Protective Rubbing Strake (260 cm, Reinforced)

The BARK B-260P is a specialized version of the popular B-260, designed to be even more resistant to wear and tear and impact in real-world use. The added protective strake is a thick rubber strip factory-adhered along the outside of the boat’s hull – exactly where contact with external objects most often occurs. These could be the edges of docks, rocky banks, overhanging branches, or even another boat when rafting up. With the B-260P, you can approach any shore with confidence that your boat has an “armor.” This rub strake not only serves a protective function but also acts as a fender that cushions bumps and prevents the boat from skidding off – very useful in waves or currents when docking. In all other respects, the B-260P shares the DNA of the B-260: the same dimensions, the same setup with slatted floor and seats, the same excellent stability and lightness. The weight is about 1 kg more than the standard B-260 (due to the added band), but that’s negligible given the benefits it brings.

Key Advantages:

• Increased Durability: The protective strake significantly extends the life of the boat, especially if you frequently boat in harsh conditions. You can confidently drag the boat onto a concrete ramp or a gravel shore – the rub band takes the abrasion while the PVC remains unscathed. In minor collisions with walls or rocks that are almost inevitable with heavy use, the boat is safeguarded from punctures or scuffs. This makes the B-260P an investment that pays off over time because the boat will look and function like new for longer. It’s built to endure where others might start showing wear.
• Advantage for Hunting & Rough Terrain: The boat is favored by hunters who often take it into brushy areas and reed beds. The strake protects the tubes from sharp reeds or branches. It also muffles sounds on impact – the boat is quieter when bumping against stones, which is key for remaining undetected. If you use the boat to retrieve game or fish near shore, it can rub against rough ground without leaving marks. For duck hunters or marsh explorers, the B-260P handles scrapes and bumps as part of the job, letting you focus on the hunt rather than the boat.
• Resilience to Sun & Heat: An interesting side-effect of the rub strip is that it adds a layer of material that partially shields the main PVC from direct sun on the side of the boat. The dark strip heats up, but it protects the glued seams from UV to some extent. This can help with reduced thermal stress on the tubes (field experience shows that boats with a rubbing strake sometimes hold pressure slightly better through temperature swings, as the tubes might not heat up as dramatically). It’s a subtle benefit but it’s there – anything that protects the material from UV is a plus for longevity.
• Safer Rafting & Mooring: If you often tie your boat alongside another or come boat-to-boat with a friend, the rub strake acts as a built-in fender between the two. It reduces the risk of damage not only to the B-260P but also to the other vessel. Likewise, if you’re transporting people, they can board/disembark over the side that’s protected – there’s less chance a foot will scratch or puncture the tube thanks to the rubber strip. For camp or expedition use with multiple inflatables bumping around, this feature is invaluable.
• Preserved Mobility: All these reinforcing features do not come at the cost of mobility – the boat remains easy to set up and store. The rub strake is shaped and doesn’t interfere with rolling the boat up for the bag. The rowing performance is unaffected; if anything, the strake adds minimal weight and almost no drag since it’s smooth and rounded. Users of the B-260P note that it rows just as lightly and swiftly as the standard B-260. So you get extra toughness without losing the nimbleness or portability – a win-win for power users.

Recommended Uses & Applications:

• Frequent Landing & Camping: If you plan routes with repeated beachings at different sites – for example, exploring an archipelago of islands or multiple shore spots on a lake – the B-260P is your boat. You can land on any shore (sandy, pebbly, muddy) without special mats or worries – the rub band will guard the boat. For campers who travel to new waters and stop to paddle along the way, the B-260P can handle intensive setup/pack-down cycles and variable conditions. It’s meant to be used, not babied.
• Fishing Around Rocks & Structures: For spinning or spearfishing near rocky coastlines (say, in reservoirs with rocky banks or sea bays), this boat lets you get very close to structure without fear. You can position the boat literally inches from a rock for the perfect cast – if it nudges, nothing catastrophic happens. That gives you a tactical advantage in fishing. Also, if you snag a lure or need to retrieve something from a snaggy area, you can maneuver with less hesitation. The boat’s tough side will handle contact so you can focus on the fish.
• Use as a Tender/Dinghy: The B-260P can serve as a tender for a larger yacht or base camp. Because of the protective strip, it’s well-suited for that role, as tenders often rub against the mothership and endure knocks – the strake prevents damage. At the same time, the preserved lightness makes it easy to hoist aboard or onto davits. Many yacht owners look for durability and low maintenance in a tender, and the B-260P provides exactly that – you won’t worry about scraping against the hull.
• Training & Club Use: In clubs or programs where boats are intensively used by many people (scouting groups, youth camps, water sports centers), the B-260P will handle rougher handling. Kids can drag it up a beach or bump it against a dock – the durable rub strip can take a lot of abuse. This extends the life of the equipment and increases safety during training – instructors don’t have to constantly warn “be careful of the boat”, letting learners focus on skills and fun.
• Rough Work Environments: Similarly, if you intend to use the boat for work (like environmental surveys, maintenance tasks on water, etc.), the B-260P is built for the job. It can bump into concrete pilings, metal pipes, or trash debris without puncturing. It’s also easier to keep clean and repair (if ever needed) because of the external band protecting key areas. It’s a reliable partner for those who see a boat as a tool to get a job done in various conditions.

Why Choose BARK B-260P?
The BARK B-260P is the logical choice for those who prioritize longevity and toughness. If you love using your boat actively and don’t want to worry about every scratch, this model gives you peace of mind. The B-260P inherits all the great traits of the B-260 – stability, lightness, functionality – and adds an armadillo shell around them. The BARK brand has thought about practicality: this rub strake is not a luxury, but a necessity for many – and it’s applied professionally (glued seamlessly without edges that create drag, and tested for strength). The difference in price compared to the standard model is easily offset by the saved potential repairs or replacements over time. With the B-260P, you get a product “made for work” – a boat that’s built to withstand the challenges of the wild. It will maintain its looks and performance longer, which also increases its resale value should you ever choose to upgrade (which rarely is necessary). With BARK’s 3-year warranty, you have the assurance of build quality. The B-260P is more than a leisure boat – it’s a dependable partner that won’t let you down when the going gets tough, be it retrieving in bad weather or pulling off a rocky shore in a hurry. By choosing the BARK B-260P, you’re opting for strength and security without sacrificing comfort and performance. It’s a no-nonsense boat for people who need their gear to be as resilient as they are.