NanoCruising

When it comes to small boat cruising, few people embody the spirit of creativity and practicality like Roy Schreyer . Having spent a lifetime exploring the maze of islands that make up Georgian Bay , Roy knows firsthand the joys and challenges of life afloat. But it wasn’t just his own passion for sailing that shaped his path — it was also the perspective of his wife. Traditional sailboats didn’t quite fit her comfort level, so Roy did what many of us only dream of: he designed a boat that solved the problem. The result was the Dianne Rose , a 17’ x 8’ towable houseboat that manages to be small, functional, and incredibly comfortable for extended exploration. It’s a design that proves comfort and adventure don’t have to be mutually exclusive. In this episode, Roy shares: How his wife’s perspective influenced his designs. Why a composting toilet can be a surprisingly practical — and even well-loved — addition. His principles for designing and building strong, efficient small...

 What if your paddleboard wasn’t just a way to explore — but a way to transform your life? That’s exactly what journalist and author Dan Rubinstein set out to discover in his inspiring book Water Borne . Armed with a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), he launched from Ottawa and paddled south all the way to New York, then west toward Lake Erie. Along the way, he found not just adventure, but lessons in resilience, kindness, and the deep connection between people and water. In our latest podcast episode, Dan joins us to talk about his journey, his book, and what he calls the incredible benefits of blue space — the idea that being on the water is even more restorative for our physical and mental health than any other natural environment. What We Cover in This Conversation: 📖 Water Borne : how the book came together and the adventures behind it. 🏄‍♂️ Getting started with paddleboarding — and why it’s more accessible than many people think. 🌎 Local action for global change: h...