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...
If you’re passionate about dinghy cruising or just beginning to dip your toes into the world of small-boat adventures, our latest interview is one you won’t want to miss! We had the honor of sitting down with Roger Barnes , president of the Dinghy Cruising Association and the highly respected author of The Dinghy Cruising Companion. Known globally for his profound knowledge and contributions to dinghy cruising, Roger has inspired countless sailors with his practical advice, adventurous spirit, and dedication to the craft. In this first part of our two-part interview series, Roger takes us on a personal journey through his own discovery of dinghy cruising. We explore his selection process for his beloved Ilur dinghy, a design that’s well-suited to his style and needs, as well as his advice on the essential features that make a great cruising dinghy. His reflections on choosing a boat are sure to resonate with anyone who’s faced the question of which design to sail. One of the stand...