About Arksen

"In a world of transition, Arksen is a statement of intent. To go a different way…"

Jasper Smith, Arksen CEO

The power of adventure 

Arksen was created to push the boundaries of adventure, delivering new opportunities for the next generation of explorers. Our class-leading products and life-changing experiences are designed for life’s greatest journeys, while simultaneously supporting ocean conservation.

Inspired by the stories of great ocean explorers from the past – Nansen, Cousteau and Heyerdahl – we design for the curious, engineer for the extremes and build with a complete lack of compromise. Because it is in our most freewheeling, untethered and challenging moments that we feel most alive.

A world in transition

This is a world of extremes. Around 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was bombarded by other planets, with temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees Celsius. Then, 234 million years ago, it rained…non-stop, for two million years. 

Those rains created our oceans and all the ingredients to support life. Now the transition continues, this time driven by profound environmental and cultural change. We cannot prevent, but we can prepare for what comes next. And we can relish the challenge.

As technology continues to advance, Arksen lives where the engineered meets the elemental. And at the heart of everything we do is a desire to create adventures that inspire support for our core mission: conservation of our oceans. 

Imagine if Earth was Paradise, but no one realised.

TROELS KLØVEDAL, DANISH WORLD TRAVELLER

Formed at sea

Arksen was created when founder Jasper Smith and his son Stormy were sailing a boat off the coast of Greenland. Inspired by the sights and sounds of this most wild but fragile of places, they decided to start an adventure revolution.

Having spent many privileged years climbing and sailing together with Jasper’s other son Harper, they set out to democratise adventure. To open the door to life-changing experiences and build a growing community of like-minded individuals.

The company traces its roots back to 1965, when Jasper’s father, Ron Smith launched Mini Moke specialist Runamoke. It has now grown into an entire adventure ecosystem for the next generation.

Engineered emotion

You can engineer product attributes, but can you engineer emotion? At Arksen, we believe we can. Our class-leading explorer yachts, overland vehicles, outdoor apparel and expert-led expeditions are designed with one purpose: to create moments that make your spine tingle.

We may be a young company, but our expertise runs deep. Our extraordinary team has crossed every ocean, climbed the highest peaks and dived the blue holes. We celebrate a cross-industry design ethos and collaborate with companies that with centuries of combined experience in marine, overland, apparel and expeditions to create a new level of adventure.  

Our long-standing partnerships transcend industries and include Ring Powercraft, Humphreys Yacht Design, Wight Shipyard Company, Design Unlimited, Aivan, Garmin, Yamaha, Polartec, Pertex, Schöler and Majotech.

Borders? I have never seen one. But I have heard they exist in the minds of some people.

THOR HEYERDAHL, NORWEGIAN ADVENTURER

Guarding the future

The ocean is our North Star, and we are dedicated to supporting its future health. Our products are engineered to last a lifetime, but our philosophies and philanthropy will help the planet last many millions more. 

We aim to protect resources by designing for the entire lifecycle, engineering for simplicity, function and longevity. We use efficient hybrid technologies. Robustly resourced materials. And deliver solutions that are reliable, replaceable and recyclable at end of life. 

We also aim to inspire collaborative change. Through our 10% for the Ocean programme, we unite more than 70 global charities and funds hundreds of projects. And with our Sea Time Pledge, we encourage owners to provide time on their vessels for valuable research.

We exist to inspire a new generation. The mavericks. Those with a glint in their eye.

JASPER SMITH, ARKSEN CEO