Designing Safety, Building Sailors, and Why Small Boats Still Matter In Part 1 of this conversation, we introduced three Great Lakes RAIDs and explored why they exist. In Part 2, we go deeper — into how sailors grow into events like these, and how adventure can be challenging without being reckless. One theme keeps resurfacing: designing safety into difficulty . These events aren’t about bravado. They’re structured in ways that encourage progression. Routes, checkpoints, community oversight, and shared experience all create a framework where sailors can stretch their abilities without stepping blindly into risk. Building Up to Big Water No one wakes up ready for a multi-day expedition-style event. Growth happens gradually. We talk about: Starting small — short trips, familiar waters Learning through repetition Building confidence in incremental steps Understanding weather, fatigue, and self-awareness The message is clear: adventure is something you build towa...
If you enjoyed Part 1 of our conversation with legendary boat designer John Welsford , you’re going to love what’s in store for Part 2. In this episode, John takes us further into his world of small boat innovation and adventure. We kick things off with a look at the new 7-meter ocean-going boat he’s currently designing—something he hasn’t talked much about publicly until now. It’s a boat meant to cross oceans with confidence, while still staying true to Welsford’s core design philosophy: safety, practicality, simplicity, and real-world performance. From there, we dig into the story behind his new design “Scallywag,” which was born out of a desire for a microcruiser like the SCAMP—but with accommodations for longer journeys and sleep-aboard comfort. It’s a design many have been waiting for, and it reflects the continued evolution of small cruising sailboats. John also shares some fantastic anecdotes about his designs out in the wild. We hear about a SCAMP in Tierra del Fuego , and...