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 Duckworks exposed him to hundreds of designs and shaped his approach to boatbuilding 🛶 Why his first-ever design was a s...

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 textIn 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 legendary mul...

Send us a textIn 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 insid...

Send us a textIn the second part of our conversation with Roger Barnes, president of the Dinghy Cruising Association and a leading voice in the world of dinghy cruising, we dive into his favorite cruising grounds and the growing popularity of his inspiring YouTube channel. Roger shares insights on the unique joys of dinghy cruising compared to yacht sailing, how the DCA supports adventurers, and tips for overcoming hesitation to embark on your own small boat journeys. Plus, we get a glimpse o...

Send us a text In this captivating first installment of our two-part conversation with Roger Barnes, renowned president of the Dinghy Cruising Association and author of The Dinghy Cruising Companion, we dive into the life and insights of a true dinghy cruising pioneer. Roger shares his journey into the world of dinghy cruising, the thoughtful selection of his trusted Ilur, and key features he believes make for an ideal cruising dinghy. We also discuss his highly-regarded Dinghy Cruising ...

Send us a text In this episode of NanoCruising, we dive into the innovative world of Perttu Korhonen, a prolific boat designer from Finland. With over 20 unique designs under his belt, including portable kayaks, ultra-compact sailboats, and his renowned Ocean Explorer, Perttu shares the inspiration behind his creations and the thought process that guides his designs. Join us as we explore his favorite cruising adventures, gain insights into crafting a boat for small, ambitious journeys, ...

Send us a text In this episode, we chat with Kelly Trafford, the founder of the Cam-Am Dinghy Cruising Association. Kelly shares his journey in creating a cross-border community for dinghy cruisers and his vision for connecting like-minded sailors across North America. We discuss the inspiration behind the association, strategies he used to grow the group, the benefits of being part of this unique community, and some of the most memorable events that have brought members together. Plus, ...

Send us a textIn this inspiring episode, we sit down with Andrew Bedwell, an adventurer aiming to break the record for the smallest boat to cross the Atlantic. After a setback with his first attempt from Newfoundland to England, Andrew shares how he’s turning failure into fuel by designing and building an even better vessel for his 2025 voyage. Join us as we dive into his fascinating journey—from finding his first tiny boat, to overcoming challenges, to the ambitious design elements of his ne...

Send us a textIn this episode of NanoCruising, we sit down with author and adventurer David Norwell to explore the fascinating journey chronicled in his book A Complex Coast. David shares stories from his epic kayaking expedition along the rugged coastlines of Vancouver Island to Alaska, offering personal reflections, ecological observations, and cultural insights along the way. We dive deep into the themes of environmental awareness, personal growth, and the profound connection bet...

Send us a text In this second episode with Alan Mulholland, the adventurer behind the Wave Rover YouTube channel, we dive into his remarkable story of resilience and renewal. After being hit by a rogue wave, Alan returns to Canada during the height of COVID, Alan faced one of his toughest challenges yet. However, with the support of his growing YouTube community, Alan found inspiration to commission a new boat designed specifically for his future voyages. Join us as we discuss how he wor...

Send us a textIn this episode of NanoCruising, we sit down with Alan Mulholland, the creator of the popular YouTube channel RoversAdventures, maybe better known as Sailing Wave Rover. Alan shares his fascinating journey from training with the Royal Canadian Navy to becoming a dedicated small boat cruiser. We dive into the story of how he built his first boat, sailed to Hawaii and the South Pacific, and designed his own windvane. Alan also details the modifications made to his Contessa 26 for ...

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Doss, an inspiring woman sailor who has become the unofficial ambassador of the Guppy 13 sailboat. We explore her journey of discovering the Guppy 13, her thrilling first outing, and her participation in the Texas 200 small boat event. She also shares tips for long-distance trailering, her unforgettable experience during the Salish 100, and even recounts the challenges of being knocked down at sea. We wrap up with the fascinating hi...

Send us a textIn this episode of NanoCruising, we sit down with Bruce from the YouTube channel Sailing Wayfinder. Bruce shares his incredible journey from living on a keelboat to embracing the minimalist world of dinghy cruising. We dive into the stark differences between offshore racing and dinghy adventures, and hear about Bruce’s most ambitious trip to the Great Barrier Reefs in Australia—an adventure that captivated viewers worldwide. Bruce also offers valuable insights on preparation, sa...

Send us a textIn this thrilling follow-up episode, we continue our conversation with the legendary windsurfer, Jono Dunnett. After his record-breaking windsurfing journeys around Britain and Europe, Jono embarked on his most ambitious challenge yet—circumnavigating Japan.Join us as Jono shares the trials and triumphs of navigating the complex seas of Japan, from battling unpredictable weather to overcoming the language barrier in a foreign land. We also dive into why Jono is committed to docu...