We’re always chatting to True Kit owners about what they actually love when they’re out using their boats for real. One thing that comes up again and again, especially from people living the van life or RV lifestyle, is how genuinely portable and practical these boats are for spontaneous adventures.
Matt Santora captured it perfectly in a short video filmed beside his converted van with a genuine rundown of why this little catamaran has become such a big part of their fishing and exploring life.
5 Standout Features of True Kit
Here are the five standout features Matt highlights — and why they matter so much when your boat needs to live in the back of a van or on the roof of an RV.
1. Self-Bailing Transom – No More Messy Decks
Traditional inflatables tend to hold onto water, fish blood, and debris. At the end of a long day, it’s a pain to clean. Matt loves how True Kit’s self-bailing transom sorts this instantly. Hit the throttle, and everything washes straight out the back. Simple, effective, and exactly what you want when you’re miles from a hose.
2. Heavy-Duty Handles, Ropes & D-Rings – Built for Real Handling
The bright red handles are easy to spot and grab, even when everything’s wet. The thick perimeter rope makes it simple to pull the boat up the beach or onto a trailer. And the solid D-rings scattered around the boat are perfect for clipping down gear, securing rods, or rigging temporary tie-downs. Everything feels properly over-engineered for the kind of abuse that comes with remote fishing trips.
3. 3-Second Quick-Release Seat – Speed Matters
When you’re packing up to chase the next spot or heading home before dark, you don’t want to faff around with bolts and tracks. Matt points out how the seat pops in and out in about three seconds. That kind of speed makes a real difference when your whole setup needs to fit back into a van quickly.
4. Tough, Non-Slip Open Deck – A Proper Fishing Platform
True Kit Tactician - Fishing Kayak
The thick rubber deck can take dropped lures and rough treatment without puncturing. It gives a stable, grippy surface for moving around and casting in every direction. No annoying rub rails digging into your leg,. either. It feels more like a small floating dock than a typical inflatable — exactly what you want when you’re sight fishing or spending hours on the water.
5. The Clever Wrap-Around Storage Bag – Finally, A Bag That Actually Works
Most inflatable bags that come in are super frustrating to use. If your fold isn’t perfect, the boat will never go back in. True Kit’s flexible envelope-style bag with folding wings solves this. Quick loose pack for moving to the next campsite, or cinch it down tight for proper storage. It removes one of the biggest daily frustrations of owning a portable boat.
Portability That Actually Changes How You Fish
What Matt’s video really shows is freedom. Being able to throw a proper fishing boat in the back of a van or on the roof of an RV opens up so many more places you can reach. Remote beaches, hidden coves, lakes you’d otherwise drive past — the True Kit makes them accessible without needing a big trailer or a second vehicle.
It’s not just about being light. It’s about being genuinely practical for people who live and travel with their boats. That’s why so many van-lifers, RV owners, and weekend adventurers keep coming back to True Kit.
If you’re looking for a portable fishing boat that actually fits your lifestyle instead of complicating it, have a watch of Matt’s quick video above. The five things he loves say it all.
