NanoCruising : the small boat cruising podcast (dinghy cruising & trailer sailing)
Dive into the exhilarating world of small boat cruising with NanoCruising, where each episode sets sail on a voyage of adventure, exploration, and maritime tales. From nautical insights to firsthand experiences, come aboard for a podcast that fuels the spirit of independent seafaring and the pursuit of unforgettable journeys. Join us as we navigate the open waters, uncover hidden coves, and share the stories of intrepid sailors who embrace the thrill of small boat voyages. www.nanocruising.com
Episodes
The Race to Alaska is one of the most unusual and demanding events in modern sailing: roughly 700 miles from Washington State to Alaska with no engines allowed.
In this episode I’m joined by Jeff Williams, who along with teammate Mike VanHoy will be competing in the next Race to Alaska as Team Snowflakes aboard a 20-foot Tornado catamaran.
Their boat is fast, light, and uncompromising — no cabin, no heater, and nothin...
In this episode, I sit down with Luc Mehl, author of The Packraft Handbook, to explore a small craft many sailors may not know much about: the packraft.
At first glance, it’s a lightweight inflatable boat that fits into a backpack. But beneath that simplicity lies something very familiar — self-reliance, route planning, weather awareness, risk management, and the quiet satisfaction of reaching places under your own power.
...
In Part 2 of our conversation with the organizers behind three Great Lakes RAIDs, we move beyond introductions and into the deeper questions: how do you design adventure that is challenging — but not reckless? How do sailors grow into events like these?
We talk about designing safety into expedition-style sailing, and how participants can gradually build the skills and confidence needed for bigger water. A recurring theme...
In this episode, I’m joined by the organizers behind three major Great Lakes small-craft adventure events to explore what makes each one unique — and what unites them.
- Eric Miller for the Erie Expedition Challenge and Raid Erie (Facebook )
- Jeff McPheeters for the GLEC and RB950 (RB950 Instagram, GLEC Instagram)
- Kelly Trafford with CanAm on facebook
We start with introductions to each event and their raison d’être: why...
In Part 2 of my conversation with John Harris of Chesapeake Light Craft, we wander off the beaten path — and that’s very much the point.
We talk about some of CLC’s more fringe and less-discussed designs, including Autumn Leaves, and why certain boats exist more as ideas, experiments, or personal projects than as polished kits. John shares the designers who shaped his thinking — Philip Bolger among them — and how those in...
Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) has been shaping the world of small boats and home boatbuilding for more than three decades. In this first of two episodes, I sit down with John Harris, founder of CLC Boats, to explore how a passion for small craft turned into one of the most influential boatbuilding companies in the world.
We talk about the early days of CLC, the challenges of building a niche business, and why small boats h...
What happens when a bold small-boat idea finally leaves the dock?
In this follow-up conversation, Perry returns to NanoCruising to share the results of real-world sea trials of his Ocean-Capable Small Sailboat. After months of building and planning, the boat has now logged serious miles offshore, offering honest feedback that no design software or dockside discussion can replace.
We talk about how the boat handled in open ...
In this episode, I sit down with Graham Byrnes of B & B Yacht Designs—the designer whose Core Sound 17 became a legend in small-boat adventuring. Graham shares his early days growing up and sailing in Australia, how meeting his wife led him to the United States, and the origins of B & B Boats.
We dive into his first WaterTribe Everglades Challenge and his second attempt—the now-famous 2006 race where he shattered ...
In this episode, I’m joined by Geoff Macqueen — sailor, adventurer, and author of Cruising Wild, his newly released account of circumnavigating Tasmania in his self-built Welsford Houdini dinghy.
Geoff takes us deep into the story behind his boat, the spark that led him to attempt a Bass Strait crossing, and the moment everything went wrong: an unexpected capsize in notorious waters, and the detailed, honest retelling of ...
In this special episode, we talk with Serge Testa, the Australian sailor who set a world record by circumnavigating the globe in an 11-foot boat — the Acrohc Australis. Serge shares how he designed and built his tiny aluminum yacht, what life was like during his 500-day voyage, and the lessons learned from years at sea.
We also hear from his wife, Robin, who offers her candid perspective on the man behind the record — a t...
In this second part of our conversation with legendary sailor Howard Rice, we journey with him deep into the wilds of Tierra del Fuego — where he sailed through the same treacherous channels that once confounded Joshua Slocum. Howard recounts the intense reality of navigating the “Milky Way,” his unexpected rescue in one of the most remote regions on earth, and the untold story of the footage that never became a film.
Now...
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.
We dive into his motivations, the philosophy behind his voy...
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 approa...
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 ...
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 in...
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.
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 ro...
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...
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 Squadron
- Favorite cruising grounds around Florida
- Annual ev...
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 ...
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