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 ...
🎙️ Finding the Current: Trapper Haskins on Building a Boat, Paddling South, and Rediscovering Himself ⛵
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...