At first glance, packrafting doesn’t seem like it belongs on a sailing podcast. There’s no mast. No sail trim. No tacking angles to debate. Just a lightweight inflatable boat that rolls up into a backpack. But after sitting down with Luc Mehl , author of The Packraft Handbook , it became clear that packrafting shares far more DNA with NanoCruising than you might expect. What Is Packrafting? A packraft is a small, durable inflatable boat designed to be carried over land and launched into remote water. You hike in. Inflate. Paddle. Deflate. Walk again. It’s a craft built for transitions — land to water and back again. That alone changes how you think about routes. Small Craft, Big Thinking The parallels to small-boat sailing are hard to ignore. Packrafters talk about: Reading water carefully Managing exposure and weather Keeping gear minimal and functional Planning exits and contingencies Respecting cold water Sound familiar? Like dinghy cruising or expe...
A Passion for Small Boats and Smart Design Michael Storer has made a name for himself in the world of small boat design. His creations, such as the Oz Goose and Oz Racer, have gained a strong following among DIY boatbuilders and NanoCruisers. But how did he get started? In the latest episode of the NanoCruising podcast, we dive into Michael’s journey—his early sailing experiences, how he developed his design philosophy, and the first boat he ever designed. Learning from the Best at DuckFlat Wooden Boats (Australia) One of the most fascinating parts of Michael’s story is how he learned boat design—not through formal training, but by working as a technical consultant for DuckFlat Wooden Boats (Australia) , where he had access to hundreds of different designs. This hands-on exposure gave him a deep understanding of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to small, efficient boats. Michael’s background in engineering and problem-solving helped him refine his approach, leading t...