True Kit boats can now be found almost anywhere in the world.

From Mediterranean anchorages to remote lakes in New Zealand, from fjords to tropical cruising grounds, these inflatable catamarans have quietly spread around the world.

But every now and then, a story appears that really puts a boat to the test.

One of our favourites comes from Alluring Arctic, a YouTube channel run by a sailing couple documenting life in some of the most remote waters on Earth.

Their home is an aluminium expedition sailboat called s/v Lumi, and their backyard is the Arctic.

And for exploring the shallow rivers and icy lagoons of Alaska, they chose a True Kit Navigator

Meet the Sailors Behind Alluring Arctic

The channel is run by Juho Karhu and Sohvi Kangasluoma, a Finnish couple who live aboard their expedition sailboat and explore the Arctic world full-time.

Juho is the skipper, filmmaker and problem-solver on board. When he isn’t filming their adventures, he is often repairing equipment, planning the next passage, skiing remote slopes or collecting scientific field data related to snow and ice.

Sohvi, his partner, is both a sailor and a researcher. She works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland, studying the changing Arctic environment and the human stories connected to it.

Together they sail aboard s/v Lumi, a rugged aluminium Nouanni 44 expedition yacht they rescued from a neglected boatyard in California before refitting it for Arctic exploration.

Their YouTube channel documents what life really looks like sailing in the Arctic. Not cocktails on beaches. But ice, wind, glaciers and some of the most remote anchorages on the planet.

A Mini Boat in a Big Wilderness

In one of their videos, “Mini Boat. Mega Ice – Our Adventure in Remote Alaska” Juho and Sohvi launch their True Kit into waters that most people would never imagine taking an inflatable boat.

Glacial rivers rush down from the mountains, carrying sediment that turns the water opaque grey.

Floating ice drifts past.

Strong currents twist through narrow channels.

It is exactly the kind of place where most people assume you need a rigid expedition boat.

But watching the Navigator move through the water tells a different story.

The small inflatable catamaran glides through shallow river mouths, slips between chunks of ice, and carries them safely into remote lagoons that larger boats simply could not reach.

For a boat that packs down into a bag, it is a sight we are pretty proud of.

Real-World Testimonial: Why the True Kit Navigator Works for Expedition Sailing

“For us, a dinghy isn’t just a way to get to shore—it’s a core part of how we explore.”

After sailing from California to Alaska and spending multiple winters in harsh, remote conditions, Juho and Sohvi rely on their True Kit Navigator 300 as an essential extension of life aboard s/v Lumi.

Their environment is far from typical. Landings often mean sharp rocks, extreme tidal ranges, and rugged, undeveloped shorelines—conditions that demand far more than a standard inflatable dinghy.

“The biggest factor for us was weight. We need to be able to carry the dinghy over rocks and above the tide line, sometimes even alone. With the Navigator, that’s actually possible.”

That lightweight design doesn’t come at the expense of durability. Even after extended use in freezing temperatures and rough terrain, their Navigator has required no repairs, with seams, tubes, and reinforcements holding up exceptionally well.

They also highlight the efficiency of the catamaran hull, which allows the boat to plane easily with a small 5hp outboard—keeping the entire setup simple, compact, and easy to manage onboard.

“The combination of lightness and durability is exactly what we were looking for—and it’s proven itself in real expedition conditions.”

For Juho and Sohvi, the True Kit Navigator isn’t just convenient—it’s the ideal expedition dinghy, enabling them to reach remote shorelines, handle extreme conditions, and support their lifestyle in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Why the Catamaran Design Works Here

The reason the True Kit performs so well in environments like this comes down to its catamaran hull design.

Traditional inflatable dinghies use a V-shaped hull that pushes through the water. In fast-moving currents or standing waves, that resistance can make the boat harder to control.

The inflatable catamaran platform used by the Navigator works differently.

Instead of one deep hull, it uses two narrow hulls that move cleanly through the water. This design creates several advantages that become especially noticeable in challenging environments.

Stability in Moving Water

The twin hulls provide a wide stance on the water, making the boat naturally stable even when the surface becomes unpredictable.

In glacial river entrances where standing waves form, that stability keeps the boat level and controlled.

Shallow Water Capability

Glacial rivers are constantly shifting. Sandbanks move, channels change, and the water is often far shallower than it looks.

Because the Navigator rides higher in the water than many traditional inflatables, it can safely explore areas that heavier boats cannot reach.

Efficient Hydrodynamics

The catamaran design produces less drag, allowing the boat to move efficiently even with relatively small outboards.

That efficiency is one reason many explorers, sailors and anglers are increasingly drawn to the platform.

You can explore the full design of the boat on the True Kit Navigator product page.

A Tender That Travels the World

For Juho and Sohvi, the True Kit Navigator 300 is not just a toy for exploring rivers.

It is a practical tool that supports life aboard their sailing yacht.

Every cruising sailor depends on a tender.

It is the vehicle that connects the boat to the shore. It carries supplies, equipment, fishing gear and sometimes even the crew themselves through challenging conditions.

The challenge is always the same:

A tender must be lightweight enough to store easily, yet capable of carying real water.**

That balance is exactly what True Kit inflatable boats were designed to achieve.

With our inflatable construction, the boat can be packed away or lifted easily onto a yacht’s foredeck/davits. But once launched, its catamaran platform provides far more usable deck space and stability than many traditional inflatables.

That is why it has become increasingly popular among sailors searching for reliable yacht tenders and dinghies.

Fishing, Exploring and Reaching the Unreachable

One of the most interesting things about watching the Alluring Arctic videos is how often the small tender becomes the key to exploration.

The sailboat might anchor in a protected bay, but the True Kit is what allows them to explore beyond it.

Up rivers. Into narrow lagoons. Along shallow shorelines.

For anglers and explorers, this flexibility is incredibly valuable.

The wide, stable platform makes it ideal for standing and casting, which is why many owners now use the Navigator as an inflatable catamaran for fishing.

Built to Handle Harsh Environments

Of course, an adventure boat must also be durable.

True Kit inflatables are constructed from high-quality Valmex® PVC, a premium fabric known for its resistance to abrasion, UV exposure and extreme weather conditions.

This durability becomes particularly important in environments like Alaska.

Freezing water, sharp glacial debris and rapid weather changes are all part of daily life in the Arctic.

Yet watching Juho and Sohvi’s footage, the Navigator handles these conditions with ease.

It is a reminder that modern inflatable construction is far stronger and more capable than many people expect.

 

If It Works in Alaska…

Most True Kit owners are not planning expeditions to the Arctic Circle.

They are sailors, anglers, explorers and families who simply want a reliable boat for their local waters.

But seeing the True Kit Navigator navigate glacial rivers in Alaska puts those everyday conditions into perspective.

Cold mornings in a marina.

A windy shoreline.

A shallow lake.

Compared with the environments shown in the Alluring Arctic videos, those conditions are almost gentle.

And that is exactly the point.

If a small inflatable catamaran can operate confidently in one of the most remote and challenging environments on the planet, it will have no problem handling your next adventure.

Start Your Own Adventure

The story of Juho and Sohvi is a reminder that great adventures often start small.

A boat. A remote anchorage. And the curiosity to see what lies beyond the next shoreline.

If you are considering a new tender or exploration boat, the first step is choosing the right platform. The True Kit Navigator was designed exactly for that purpose.

You can learn more about the range or find the model that fits your needs using the Choose Your True Kit boat, whether you are exploring a quiet harbour, a hidden fishing spot, or a glacial river in Alaska…

The right boat opens the door to places most people never reach.