Send us a text Few sailors embody the spirit of small-boat adventure like Howard Rice. In this first of two episodes, Howard shares what drives him to journey to the ends of the Earth — from his early training expeditions in a Klepper kayak to the careful preparation of his SCAMP dinghy for one of the most remote and demanding sailing challenges on the planet: Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn. We dive into his motivations, the philosophy behind his voyages, the logistics of shipping a small boa...
Send us a text Roy Schreyer has spent a lifetime exploring the waterways of Georgian Bay and beyond, but his journey took a new direction when his wife found traditional sailboats less than comfortable. The result? The Dianne Rose, a compact, towable houseboat that combines practicality, comfort, and simplicity — proof that great design comes from real-world needs. In this episode, Roy shares how his wife’s perspective shaped his approach to boat design, why a composting toilet can be a game-...
Send us a text What happens when you combine adventure, advocacy, and a paddleboard? Dan Rubinstein set out on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) journey from Ottawa to New York and onward to Lake Erie, and along the way discovered more than just miles of water — he found community, kindness, and a deeper understanding of how “blue space” can transform our mental and physical health. In this inspiring conversation, Dan shares: Why time on the water is even more powerful than other natural spaces fo...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Eric Miller, the energetic sailor and organizer behind Raid Erie 2025. Eric shares how he first fell in love with small boat sailing and why he felt compelled to create a small-boat event in northern Ohio—a place he calls a “desert” for dinghy sailing. We dive into the story of how Raid Erie came together, what made it such a success, and the lessons Eric learned while turning his idea into a thriving event that drew sailors of all ages. He tal...
Send us a text From anchors to outboards, trailering to the galley, Kelly Trafford joins us to walk through his tried-and-true cruising checklist—packed with practical tips, safety must-dos, and lessons learned the hard way. This episode is a goldmine for small-boat cruisers who want to be ready for anything on the water, and it comes with a downloadable copy of Kelly’s checklist so you can put it to work on your own adventures. Cruising Checklist ---------------------------------------...
Send us a text Wayfarer guru, teacher, cruiser, innovator—Matt Sharman shares a lifetime with one iconic boat. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Sharman—a lifelong Wayfarer sailor whose journey began with a hand-me-down boat from his uncle and evolved into a deep, lifelong connection with one of the most beloved dinghies ever built. Matt shares stories from his cruises, his work introducing newcomers to the sport, and his active role in the Wayfarer community—both on the water and online...
Send us a text In this episode of the NanoCruising Podcast, we sit down with Sean Petterson, co-founder and CEO of SuperSede, to explore a game-changing innovation in boatbuilding: a sustainable, recycled-plastic alternative to marine plywood. Sean shares his own journey into boating and how it led him to help develop SuperCede Marine Board—a structural material designed for boats and marine projects that’s waterproof, durable, and easy to work with. We dive into why this material is especial...
Send us a text Dan Roeder, current lead of the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron (Florida), joins us to talk about the vibrant life of a small boat cruising community. In this episode, Dan shares his personal journey into the group, the variety of boats that show up to their events, and the shared joy of trailer sailing. We explore: The inclusive and welcoming culture of the SquadronFavorite cruising grounds around FloridaAnnual events and meetups that bring the community togetherWhy small ...
Send us a text Trapper Haskins, author of Crooked River, built his own Mississippi Yawl and paddled it all the way to New Orleans—but the real journey was internal. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Trapper shares the story behind building his boat, the inspiration behind the trip, and how navigating the river helped him navigate a personal crossroads. We dive into the highs and lows of the adventure, the craftsmanship behind his boat, and the mental and emotional clarity that ...
Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by legendary small-boat adventurer and author Stephen Ladd, known for his remarkable books Three Years in a 12-Foot Boat and The Five-Year Voyage. We dive into the origins of his epic journeys, including designing and building his own 12-foot microcruiser Squeak and navigating thousands of miles of wild and remote waterways—from the Mississippi to the jungles of South America. Stephen shares what it takes to live aboard such a small craft, how he and...
Send us a text In Part 2 of our deep dive with legendary boat designer John Welsford, we go beyond the SCAMP and explore what's next. John shares exciting news about a new 7-meter ocean-going boat currently on his drawing board and introduces us to Scallywag, a design born from sailors dreaming of a SCAMP... with accommodations. We also hear some incredible stories from the field—including Welsford designs voyaging to Tierra del Fuego and playing a part in community building in East Timor. Jo...
Send us a text In this first of two special episodes, we sit down with legendary New Zealand boat designer John Welsford, the mind behind some of the world’s most beloved small boat plans—including the hugely popular SCAMP (Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project). John shares the fascinating story of how he got into boat design, how SCAMP came to be, and what makes a good first boat for those curious about building and cruising small sailboats. We also dive into some of the key principles that ...
Send us a text In this special episode, we sit down with award-winning Canadian filmmaker, author, and adventurer Dianne Whelan, whose film 500 Days in the Wild documents her epic solo journey across the entire 24,000 km of the Trans Canada Trail — by canoe, on foot, and in deep conversation with the land. But this episode goes beyond just the miles and the route. Dianne shares how she discovered a deep love of canoeing, the unexpected lessons from six years on the trail, and how the journey ...
Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Eric Zilbert, Commodore of the Potter Yachters, one of the largest trailer-sailor clubs in North America. Eric shares his sailing origin story, how he found his West Wight Potter 19, and what drew him to the welcoming community of Potter sailors. We dig into the differences between the Potter 15 and Potter 19, hear about some of Eric’s favorite adventures, and get practical advice for anyone looking to get started with trailerable micro-cruiser...
Send us a text In this second episode with boat designer Michael Storer, we dive into his innovative small boat designs and the unique advantages of canoe-style sailboats. Michael also shares insights into Real Simple Sails, his company dedicated to making high-quality, affordable sails for home-built boats. Beyond design, we explore his philosophy on small boat sailing—why simplicity, efficiency, and accessibility are key to maximizing adventure on the water. If you're interested in designin...
Send us a text Michael Storer is one of the most influential small boat designers today, known for his lightweight, high-performance, and easy-to-build designs like the Oz Goose and Oz Racer. But how did he get started? In this first of two episodes, Michael shares: ⛵ His fun and unconventional introduction to sailing 📐 How working as a technical consultant for DuckFlat Wooden Boats (Australia) exposed him to hundreds of designs and shaped his approach to boatbuilding 🛶 Why...
Send us a text What if you could set sail without a trailer, a boat ramp, or even a dock? In this episode, we dive into the world of paddle sailing with Justin from the YouTube channel Travel By Water. Justin shares how he got started in this minimalist form of NanoCruising, the boats he's built and used, and the surprising advantages of paddle sailing over traditional trailer sailing. We also cover key techniques like sailing upwind, staying stable, and essential safety considerations. Wheth...
Send us a text In the second part of our conversation with legendary small boat sailor Sven Yrvind, we explore the challenges, philosophies, and innovations behind his lifetime of solo sailing. He recounts his arrival in fog-bound Newfoundland, the unexpected road trip his boat had to take. We also discuss: ⛵ The materials behind his Cape Horn–rounding boat 🌊 Critical factors in small boat seaworthiness 🌀 His unique ventilation system designed to function even if capsized 💭 Solo sailing, lon...
Send us a text In this first of two episodes with legendary sailor and boatbuilder Sven Yrvind, we explore his incredible journey from growing up on a small Swedish island to becoming one of the most respected figures in small boat voyaging. 🌊⛵ Sven shares: ✅ His early years and first daring trip to Denmark in a tiny boat. ✅ The evolution of his famous self-built boat Bris and what inspired its design. ✅ His time working in the U.S. and writing for Cruising World. ✅ Collaborating with legend...
Send us a text In this inspiring episode of NanoCruising, we sit down with Christine Bergen, proud owner of a Sparrow 16 and an active member of the Lewis-Clark Sailing Association. Christine shares her journey of finding and setting up her boat, highlighting the unique features that make the Sparrow 16 perfect for her adventures. We dive into her most memorable excursions, exploring the stunning lakes of Northern Idaho, the Salish Sea, and the San Juan Islands. Christine also gives us an in...