"WE ONLY SELL BOATS THAT WE ARE PROUD OF"

FOUNDER, ROD DAWSON

True Kit Navigator - inflatable yacht tender
inflatable catamaran landing craft - True Kit Discovery

THE TRUE KIT BRAND

We’re committed to developing quality boats and offering them at great value.  We engage with our customers directly and share their passion for getting out on the water.  We pride ourselves on our service and our True Kit community love to show off their boats.  True Kit boats are enjoyed by people all around the world.  We aim to deliver an exceptional user experience.

As a country, New Zealand is an ocean going nation, it’s where we play, it’s who we are. We are surrounded by beautiful coastlines and diversity of waters from open harbours to tranquil alpine lakes.  We couldn’t ask for a better testing ground for our products.  And we aren’t scared to try new ideas.  

True Kit Tactician on a fishing mission on a remote river

We are immensely proud of our boats.  A True Kit boat can fit almost anywhere - which means you can take them everywhere. Your on-the-water adventure awaits.
Rod Dawson, owner of True Kit

OUR STORY

I have been around boats all my life.

I learnt to sail at a young age around the eastern bays of Auckland.  Every spare moment after school or during holidays I would be out on the water.  Initially it was just for fun, but then the competition hooked me. I have raced boats all over the world and been involved at the highest level.

I have always had a real interest in boat design and the performance of all types of boats. The Americas Cup is a hub of development and it was a great learning experience sitting alongside some of the world’s leading boat designers.

I could see people were having problems with their inflatable boats; either they were too heavy to move, they were too bulky or complicated to set up or the quality wasn’t good enough.  

Our testing program set out to solve these problems.

We wanted to create something unique with inflatables.  Performance, functionality and aesthetics were all paramount.  We have brought across many of the principles from high-level yacht racing like attention to detail, safety and reliability.  We test every design before it goes out onto the market. Owner, Rod Dawson

“BELIEVE ME, MY YOUNG FRIEND, THERE IS NOTHING - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING - HALF SO MUCH WORTH DOING AS SIMPLY MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS.”

― KENNETH GRAHAME, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

MEET THE CREW

True Kit Discovery on a fishing mission
inflatable catamaran landing craft - True Kit Discovery
True Kit Discovery - inflatable catamaran yacht tender
True Kit Tactician - portable fishing kayak on a river
True Kit Discovery on a fishing mission
inflatable catamaran landing craft - True Kit Discovery
True Kit Discovery - inflatable catamaran yacht tender
True Kit Tactician - portable fishing kayak on a river
Testimonials

Thanks a bunch rod. I took my girls, 5 & 7, out on the lake at twilight last night. We had a blast!! So great to have this boat with us on our camping trips now! Thanks for all the future memories!!

MARTY GAETZ, USA

"We’ve had our boat for a few weeks now, and I can honestly say we love it. It’s super stable and planes easily. It is super light, so loading it correctly matters, but that is super easy to do.”

Dennis C.