"WE ONLY SELL BOATS THAT WE ARE PROUD OF"
FOUNDER, ROD DAWSON
THE TRUE KIT BRAND
We’re committed to developing quality boats and offering them at great value all over the world. 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.
Our Next Chapter: Europe
For over a decade, True Kit has been trusted by customers around the world. While our boats are proudly designed and tested in New Zealand’s challenging coastal conditions, they’ve already proven themselves in every corner of the world - from the Southern Oceans to the Arctic Circle.
In that time, we’ve seen hundreds of True Kit owners across Europe using their boats in every way possible - from alpine lakes to the Mediterranean coast. Most use them as tenders for larger yachts in the Med, while others head out for a quiet day of fishing or exploring.
Our new European distribution centre is the next step - making it faster and easier for customers across the EU to access the same lightweight, high-performance inflatables that define the True Kit brand. With local support for delivery, after-sales, and service, owning a True Kit in Europe will soon be simpler than ever.
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
