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John Harris & Chesapeake Light Craft: Building Small Boats, and a Life Around Them (Part 1)



Some companies grow because of clever marketing. Others grow because they quietly do things right for a very long time.

Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) belongs firmly in the second category.

In this first of a two-part conversation on the NanoCruising podcast, I sit down with John C. Harris, founder of CLC Boats, to talk about how a love of small boats turned into one of the most influential small-craft companies in the world — and why their designs continue to resonate with home builders, dinghy cruisers, and expedition sailors alike.

From Small Boats to a Big Idea

John’s story begins, as many NanoCruising stories do, with a genuine fascination for small boats. Not yachts or grand projects — but boats that regular people could actually build, use, and adventure in.

In this episode, John walks us through the early history of Chesapeake Light Craft, how the company grew from modest beginnings, and the deliberate choices that shaped its direction. We talk about the realities of building a business around boatbuilding, and why CLC focused so strongly on kits, plans, and support rather than exclusivity or prestige.

Understanding the Home Boat Builder

One of the most compelling parts of this conversation is John’s insight into who actually builds boats — and why.

He shares how CLC learned to design not just for performance or aesthetics, but for real people with limited time, space, tools, and confidence. We explore the different types of builders, from first-timers to experienced hands, and how good design can quietly guide someone toward success.

This philosophy explains why CLC boats are often described as approachable — without ever being simplistic.

The PocketShip and the Dream of Going Further

No conversation with John Harris would be complete without discussing the PocketShip — a boat that has captured the imagination of countless sailors dreaming of big journeys in small packages.

Without giving too much away, we explore why the PocketShip struck such a chord, what it represents, and how it fits into CLC’s broader design philosophy.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode isn’t just about Chesapeake Light Craft. It’s about how thoughtful design, patience, and respect for the end user can shape an entire corner of the sailing world.

If you’ve ever:

  • Dreamed of building your own boat

  • Wondered what separates a good design from a great one

  • Felt drawn to small boats because they feel possible

…this conversation will resonate.

🎧 Listen to Part 1 of the John Harris interview on NanoCruising now, and stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive deeper into specific designs, philosophies, and what the future holds for small boats.


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Seas Your Own Adventure ⛵

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  1. James McMJanuary 9, 2026 at 6:37 AM

    Great interview with John Harris of CLC on the latest pod cast.
    I've admired his work of years and have dreamed of building many of his designs, There are so many to choose from, settling on one was hard. Also the time, place and situation always seemed to never quite click.
    However, last year I built a Waterlust Sailing canoe, with the outrigger kit. I was surprised how well it went together , it is basically a big 3-D jigsaw puzzle. Figuring out the parts of the kit not detailed in the instructions (it's a Pro-kit, so that was expected) proved to be part of the fun.
    I'm hoping to use it to explore inland waterways and canal systems, as it can be used as a camping cruiser.

    ReplyDelete

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