NanoCruising

Some sailors stumble into a community, and others create one. Eric Miller did the latter when he launched Raid Erie 2025 , a brand-new small boat event on the waters of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. Eric describes his local region as a “desert of small sailboats.” There weren’t many dinghy sailors around, but instead of giving up, he decided to build an oasis—a gathering that could draw out the hidden sailors and attract newcomers to the joys of small boat cruising. In this episode of the podcast, Eric shares: How he fell in love with sailing and why it has stuck with him. What sparked the idea to organize Raid Erie in a place not known for dinghy sailing. Behind-the-scenes of organizing the event —from planning to outreach to making it welcoming for all. The results of Raid Erie 2025 : who showed up, how it unfolded, and the sense of community it created. Attracting new generations of sailors , and why this matters for the future of small boat cruising. His future...

When you head out on a small-boat adventure, preparation can be the difference between smooth sailing and an unexpected headache. In this episode, Kelly Trafford shares his personal cruising checklist—a well-tested, real-world guide that covers everything from trailering your boat to anchoring for the night. We go through each section in detail—navigation, mooring, safety, galley, motor, dinghy, and more—sprinkled with stories, best practices, and a few hard-learned lessons from Kelly’s time on the water. This is a fun, practical conversation that’s perfect for sailors who want to cruise with confidence. And the best part? >>>   You can download Kelly’s checklist to use for your own trips right here  <<< Join the conversation in our  Facebook group Subscribe to our mailing list  to be notified of new episodes www.nanocruising.com Seas Your Own Adventure  🌊⛵

If you've ever sailed a Wayfarer—or even just admired one from shore—you’ll appreciate this episode’s guest: Matt Sharman . A lifelong devotee of this classic dinghy, Matt’s story begins with a family hand-me-down Wayfarer and turns into decades of cruising, teaching, and supporting the Wayfarer sailing community. Matt isn’t just a sailor—he’s also the force behind Aero Luff Spars , a company that produces one of the lightest and most compact foresail furling and reefing systems out there. It's a favorite among small boat sailors who want reliability without excess weight or complexity. We talk about how this innovation came to be and how it fits perfectly into the world of dinghy cruising. But it’s not all about gear. Matt shares: His early Wayfarer sailing experiences Memorable cruises and the joy of camping aboard How he introduces newcomers to the sport through lessons and outreach His support of the active Wayfarer Facebook community His reflections on mee...

At NanoCruising, we’re always interested in innovations that make small boat adventures more accessible, practical, and sustainable. In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Sean Petterson , CEO and co-founder of SuperSede , to talk about a material that could reshape DIY boatbuilding: SuperSede Marine Board , a next-generation alternative to marine plywood. What is SuperSede Marine Board? SuperSede Marine Board is made from recycled plastic , designed as a waterproof, structural solution for marine projects. For small boat builders and DIY enthusiasts, this means no worries about rot, no need for epoxy sealing, and fewer tools required to shape and work with the material. It’s a fresh option for those building boats in garages, backyards, or even apartments. Why It Matters for Small Boat DIY Sean talks about his path into boating and how the idea for SuperSede came from a desire to simplify boatbuilding while reducing environmental impact. For small boat builders and cruis...

If there’s one thing that small boat cruising brings in abundance, it’s community—and Dan Roeder is right at the heart of one of the most active and passionate groups in North America: the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron (Florida) . In the latest episode of the podcast, Dan shares how he found his way into the group, eventually becoming a key organizer and advocate. The Squadron may have a modest website, but its heart beats loud and clear through its highly engaged Facebook group, where sailors from all over Florida (and beyond) connect, plan, and share their love of life under sail. In this episode, we cover: Dan’s journey into the world of trailer sailing The wide variety of boats within the group—from Wayfarers to SCAMPs to custom builds Regular events, group sails, and overnighters that keep the community active Favorite cruising grounds across Florida’s coasts and inland waters Why small boat sailors form such tight-knit, helpful, and adventurous communities ...

In this week’s episode of the NanoCruising podcast, we talk with writer, musician, and small-boat voyager Trapper Haskins , whose journey down the Mississippi became both an epic adventure and a deeply personal turning point. His memoir, Crooked River , chronicles the 2,000+-mile paddle and sail in a hand-built Mississippi Yawl—all the way to New Orleans. But the story goes far deeper than boatbuilding and river travel. As Trapper approached his 40th birthday, he realized that life hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped. The trip—first conceived as an adventure—evolved into something much more: a way to reclaim joy, find peace, and reconnect with his own sense of purpose. In this candid and moving conversation, Trapper talks about: Building the boat with his own hands The highs and lows of paddling to New Orleans How the journey helped him navigate a difficult life transition The writing of Crooked River and how it helped him process the experience This is an episode about m...