NanoCruising : the small boat cruising podcast (dinghy cruising & trailer sailing)

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you take a little Mirror dinghy and decide to sail it from the UK all the way to the Black Sea? Well… you get one heck of an adventure. In this episode of the NanoCruising Podcast, I talk with Sandy (A.J.) Mackinnon , author of The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow —the wonderfully entertaining story of his remarkable journey in a tiny Mirror dinghy. Sandy takes us back to the beginning: how he got into sailing, where the idea for the voyage came from, why he chose such a small boat, and what it was actually like to set off on an adventure that would take him far beyond anything most people would consider a reasonable dinghy cruise. We talk about the people he met, the unexpected situations along the way, the challenges of travelling such a long distance in such a small boat, and some of the many adventures that eventually became The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow . And if you've read the book, you'll know that Sandy has a wonderful sense of humor. There are plenty of laughs along the way as he looks back on the voyage and the somewhat questionable decisions that made it such a memorable adventure. This is Part One of our conversation. In the next episode, we'll continue with Sandy and talk about his newly published follow-up, The Reals of Gold , which is the sequel to it. Because sometimes, you really don't need a big boat to have a very big adventure. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail What if the best sailing event is one where nobody is trying to win? In this episode of the NanoCruising Podcast, we head to the Lake Pepin Small Boat Messabout , one of the Midwest's best-known gatherings for small boat sailors. I'm joined by longtime Lae Pepin Messabout participants Tim Ingersoll and Bill Paxton to talk about what makes this event so special. The Lake Pepin Messabout isn't about racing, competition, or proving who's got the fastest boat. It's about showing up with a small boat, getting out on the water, and enjoying the company of people who simply love messing about in boats. Tim has been to the event many times, and together we talk about the boats, the sailing, the people, and the easygoing atmosphere that keeps bringing sailors back year after year. There's something wonderfully simple about an event where the goal isn't to win anything. It's to sail, explore, swap stories, meet old friends, make new ones—and maybe spend a little too much time talking about boats. If you've ever wondered what a small boat gathering is really like, or you're looking for an event where you don't have to race, compete, or have the "perfect" boat, this episode will give you a taste of the Lake Pepin spirit. Sometimes, the best sailing is just messing about with good people. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the NanoCruising Podcast, I sit down with André-François Boudreau—sailor, adventurer, survival expert, and designer of the unique Gorfnik NanoCruiser. Although we planned to cover a range of topics, the conversation naturally wandered—as good conversations often do. We spent a lot of time exploring the thinking behind Gorfnik, why André-François believes small boats are remarkably capable, and what it means to design a boat around simplicity, self-sufficiency, and real adventure. Along the way, we also discuss survival, preparedness, risk, and the mindset that helps sailors become more capable and confident on the water. Whether you're interested in small boat design, self-reliance, or simply hearing from someone who's spent a lifetime thinking about adventure, this episode offers plenty of food for thought. You'll also find links in the show notes to André-François' book, Wilderness Secrets Revealed , and his presentation at the Global Bushcraft Symposium if you'd like to explore more of his work. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail Boat designer and builder Sam Devlin has spent decades creating some of the most recognizable small cruising boats around. But behind the hundreds of designs is a remarkably simple philosophy: he just likes boats. In this episode, Sam shares how he got his start, what drew him into designing and building boats, and the principles that have guided his work throughout his career. We discuss how the boating market has evolved over the years, what makes a good boat, and why simplicity still matters. Along the way, Sam tells the hilarious story behind the Nancy's China design and reflects on the joy of creating boats that inspire people to get out on the water. Whether you're fascinated by boat design, dreaming of your next project, or simply love hearing from one of the great minds in small craft, you'll enjoy this conversation with one of boating's most respected designers. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sit down with Flavien Gaulard, founder of Kaori Concept , to talk about small boats, sustainable boatbuilding, and designing for real-world adventure. We dive into Flavien’s experience building boats in the Philippines, how he started Kaori Concept, and the philosophy behind the Kaori 550. Along the way, we explore the advantages of small boats, the tradeoffs between simplicity and comfort, and why thoughtful design matters so much in small craft cruising. It’s a fascinating conversation about building boats with intention—not just for performance, but for usability, sustainability, and the kind of sailing many of us actually dream about doing. If you enjoy small boat design, camp cruising, or hearing how new ideas take shape in the sailing world, this one’s worth a listen. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail Eric Dahlkamp has been chasing small boat adventures for years—from building and updating his own boats to taking on some of the most challenging small-boat events out there. In this episode of NanoCruising, we talk with Eric about how he got started sailing, the boats he’s built and upgraded—including the legendary 13’ trimaran Squirt—and his experiences in the Texas 200 . He shares his tips on how to prepare, what to expect, and what matters most when tackling this iconic small-boat event. If you’re curious about small boat cruising, racing, or just want practical advice from someone who’s been there multiple times, this episode is full of insights you won’t want to miss. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail The West Wight Potter 15 has a bit of a cult following—and for good reason. In this episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sit down with Larry Rumbol, the UK builder of the Potter 15, to dig into the story behind the boat. From its original designer, Stanley Smith, to the real-world experiences that shaped how the boat evolved over time. Larry shares historical insights, lesser-known stories, and—just as importantly—practical advice on what works, what doesn’t, and what you can do to improve the boat for cruising. If you’ve ever owned a Potter, considered one, or just enjoy small boats with real character, this is a fascinating look at a design that has stood the test of time. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail Sailing doesn’t have to be fast, extreme, or complicated. In this episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sit down with Brian Clauson, the voice behind the Ruddy Duck Sailing Adventures YouTube channel. If you’ve come across his videos, you know the feeling—calm, unhurried, and quietly immersive. We talk about how he found his boat, what pushed him to start filming in the first place, and how the channel grew over time without losing that relaxed, authentic style. It’s a conversation about more than just sailing. It’s about slowing down, enjoying the process, and sharing the experience without overthinking it. If you’ve ever thought about documenting your own sailing—or just wondered what it’s like behind a channel like this—you’ll enjoy this one. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail Learning to sail is one of those things that’s harder to explain than it should be. You can read about it, watch videos, listen to podcasts—but at some point, you just have to go. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Peter—80 years young and sailing for over six decades—to talk about how people actually learn to sail. We dig into his early days, the mistakes, the small breakthroughs, and the kind of quiet wisdom that only comes from time on the water. This isn’t a step-by-step lesson. It’s a conversation about the process—what helps, what doesn’t, and how to make it your own. Alongside the episode, I’ve put together the NanoCruising Learning to Sail booklet—a simple, practical companion you can use as you’re getting started, or helping someone else take their first steps. If you’ve ever thought about learning to sail—or wondered if you’re doing it “right”—this one’s for you. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 nothing separating the crew from the elements except skill, preparation, and determination. We talk about: Why they decided to take on the Race to Alaska Preparing a high-performance catamaran for a 700-mile endurance event Human propulsion and creative problem solving What breaks offshore — and how you fix it mid-race The realities of cold water sailing and fatigue The Race to Alaska attracts some of the most creative and determined small-boat sailors anywhere. This conversation is a great look at the mindset required to take on a challenge where finishing alone is an achievement. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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. We talk about: What packrafting actually is The kinds of environments it opens up Why it attracts a certain kind of adventurer How small, portable boats change the way you think about distance And what sailors can learn from a paddle-powered approach This isn’t a sailing episode in the traditional sense. But it’s very much about small craft, thoughtful progression, and expanding the definition of what “cruising” can mean. If you’re curious about adventure beyond the mast — or simply interested in how different small-boat cultures approach risk and exploration — this conversation might surprise you. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 emerges: small boats are not a limitation — they are often the best training ground. The discussion ranges from: Learning to sail in small craft The role of racing as an education Why getting on the water early matters more than perfection First boats — and whether to build or buy And how the internet quietly helped revive and connect the small-boat world At its heart, this episode is about progression. Not heroics. Not extremes. But steady growth, thoughtful preparation, and the idea that sailing can still be accessible — if we let it be. If Part 1 asked why these events exist, Part 2 asks how sailors grow into them — and what that means for the future of small boats. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 they exist, how they came to be, and what kind of adventure they’re trying to create. From there, we dig into the differences — format, scale, boats, and mindset — and the kinds of people these events tend to attract. We also spend time on the Great Lakes themselves. The “easy inland sailing” myth comes up quickly, as we talk about cold water, fast-changing weather, big fetch, and why the lakes demand just as much respect as any ocean passage. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation, focused on origins, philosophy, and context. Part 2 will go deeper into lessons learned, preparation, and what it’s really like out there when things stop going to plan. If you’re curious about expedition sailing, small-boat adventure racing, or pushing your comfort zone closer to home — this one’s for you. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 influences still echo through his work today. We also dive into the fascinating outrigger sailing canoe built for Tula’s Endless , what it means to design something truly one-off, and why not every great boat should have plans. Listener questions lead us into a broader discussion about the current small-boat landscape, why we may be living in a golden age of boat designs and accessible plans , and what the future looks like for people who want to build and sail small. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, restraint, and why small boats continue to invite big ideas. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 have always been at the heart of John’s work. John shares insights into the different kinds of boatbuilders he designs for, how CLC supports first-time builders, and what truly makes a good small-boat design — beyond just performance or looks. Of course, we also dive into one of CLC’s most iconic designs, the PocketShip , and why it continues to resonate so strongly with sailors drawn to capable, human-scale cruising boats. This episode is part business story, part design philosophy, and part celebration of small boats — and it sets the stage perfectly for Part 2. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 water, what stood out once conditions became real, and how sea trials shape the next round of decisions. Perry reflects on the balance between ambition and practicality, why testing matters more than opinions, and how incremental refinement is part of designing a capable small cruising boat. This episode is a thoughtful look at experimentation, learning by doing, and the mindset required to turn unconventional ideas into seaworthy reality — a conversation that will resonate with designers, builders, and anyone curious about pushing small boats beyond the expected. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 the course record. Graham explains the design principles that made the Core Sound 17 such an unusually capable expedition boat, why the cuddy version differs in important ways, and what he’s learned from the many adventures his boats have taken sailors on. He also offers practical advice for small-boat cruisers—especially his core belief: be prepared . A great conversation with one of the most influential designers in modern small-craft sailing. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 how he recovered and kept going. We talk about: Building a Houdini and preparing it for real-world adventure The reality of crossing the Bass Strait in a 13-foot open dinghy The capsize — what caused it, what he learned, and what every small-boat sailor should know How the idea for a full circumnavigation of Tasmania took hold Navigating the west coast — wild, exposed, often uncharted, and unforgiving The mental game of being alone, waiting out weather, and deciding when to push on Why Geoff now enjoys cruising in company, and what small boats offer that bigger boats can’t It’s an honest, insightful conversation about adventure, risk, resilience, and the special joy of traveling slowly in a tiny sailboat. If you’re drawn to dinghy cruising, expedition sailing, or stories of perseverance in the wild, you won’t want to miss this one. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 true doer who fixes problems as they come and keeps moving forward. Serge also tells us what came after the Acrohc Australis — including building bigger boats, new adventures, and why small-boat sailing still holds a special place in his heart. A timeless conversation with a sailor whose story continues to inspire adventurers around the world. 🌊 ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

Send us Fan Mail 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 based in Japan , Howard continues his lifelong pursuit of craftsmanship and adventure, building both SCAMPs and traditional Japanese fishing boats in his workshop. He also shares his reflections on what comes next — the future of small boat voyaging, and his own evolving relationship with the sea. This episode is a rare blend of hard-won experience, deep philosophy, and raw adventure from one of small craft sailing’s true pioneers. ----------------------------------------------------- Join the conversation: Facebook group Mailing list Patreon More at: www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵