NanoCruising

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 bui...

 For the past year, one of the most common messages I’ve received has been: Do you have NanoCruising T-shirts? The short answer used to be no . The longer answer was that I didn’t want to rush into it. NanoCruising has always been about doing more with less , being thoughtful about our choices, and avoiding unnecessary clutter — whether that’s boats, gear, or, yes, stuff. But after a lot of looking, testing, and thinking, I’m happy to say: NanoCruising now has a small online shop — starting with a T-shirt I genuinely feel good about offering. Why a NanoCruising T-Shirt? This isn’t about “branding” or selling things for the sake of it. The NanoCruising community has grown into something special — builders, sailors, adventurers, tinkerers, and people who believe that small boats can lead to big adventures . Wearing the shirt is simply a quiet way of saying: I get it. No loud graphics. No hype. Just a nod to a shared way of looking at the water. Eco-Friendly, On Purpose If we were goi...

Designing and building a small boat is one thing. Taking it offshore is something else entirely. In the latest NanoCruising episode, Perry returns to the podcast to talk about what happens after the tools are put away and the lines are cast off. His Ocean-Capable Small Sailboat has now completed real sea trials, including a substantial offshore run, and those miles have provided the kind of feedback that only the ocean can deliver. This episode isn’t about defending a concept or proving critics wrong. It’s about learning — the honest, sometimes humbling process of discovering how a boat behaves once theory meets wind, waves, and fatigue. Why Sea Trials Matter in Small Boat Design For nano-cruisers and small boat builders, sea trials aren’t a formality — they’re the real beginning of the design process. No amount of dockside admiration or online commentary can replace hours spent steering, trimming, resting, and observing how a boat responds in open water. Perry explains how earl...

If you spend any time in the world of small-boat adventuring, one name comes up again and again: Graham Byrnes of B & B Yacht Designs . His Core Sound 17 has become a legend—fast, capable, and surprisingly comfortable for its size. It’s a go-to boat for expedition sailors tackling everything from the Everglades Challenge to long coastal passages and inland explorations. In this episode of the NanoCruising Podcast , I sit down with Graham himself for a deep, fascinating look at where his designs come from and how they earned their reputation. 🌏 From Australia to the US: A Life Shaped by Boats Graham shares stories from his upbringing in Australia and the formative sailing experiences that shaped his thinking. We talk about the unlikely chain of events—starting with meeting his wife—that brought him to the United States and, eventually, to creating one of the most respected small-boat design shops around. His early projects, including the Bay River Skiffs, planted seeds that wo...

  …and here’s why we decided to do it. If you’ve been following NanoCruising for a while, you know this whole project has been a labour of love from day one. It started as a simple idea: create a space where dinghy cruisers, trailer sailors, micro-cruisers, and all the small-boat dreamers out there could connect, learn from one another, and hear stories from the adventurous (and occasionally eccentric) folks who make this community special. The podcast has grown— way more than I expected—and that’s entirely because of you. Your listens, comments, shared stories, and encouragement are the reason I keep chasing down new guests, editing late into the night, and trying to keep this whole NanoCruising thing afloat. So… after a lot of reflection (and more encouragement from listeners than I expected), NanoCruising is now on Patreon. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/NanoCruising Why Patreon? Running a podcast—even a tiny one about tiny boats—comes with real monthly costs: Hosting th...

 Some adventures begin with a chart, some with a dream — and some with a 13-foot dinghy and a willingness to face the wild edges of the world. In this episode, I sit down with Geoff Macqueen , the author of the newly released book Cruising Wild , to talk about his remarkable small-boat journeys, including his piecemeal but determined circumnavigation of Tasmania in his home-built Welsford Houdini . If you've ever wondered what it’s like to cross the Bass Strait in a tiny dinghy, capsize mid-crossing, or pick a weather window on one of the most rugged coasts on earth, this is an interview you won’t want to miss. Building the Boat: The Houdini That Started It All Geoff begins by sharing the origins of his Houdini — why he chose the design, what drew him to an open dinghy as his cruising platform, and what it was actually like to build a boat capable of taking on conditions that many sailors wouldn’t approach in much larger craft. His Houdini wasn’t just a boat; it became the ...

For many of us, sailing around the world feels like a distant dream — something for those with large yachts, deep pockets, and endless time. But Serge Testa proved otherwise. In the 1980s, this unassuming Australian sailor built a tiny aluminum yacht just 11 feet, 10 inches long , and quietly set out to circumnavigate the globe. His boat, the Acrohc Australis , was a marvel of minimalist design. Every control could be operated from inside, allowing Serge to batten down the hatches when the seas turned rough — and rough they often were. Over 500 days , he completed his voyage and entered the record books for the smallest boat to ever sail around the world . In this episode, Serge shares the story behind his legendary voyage: how he built his boat, prepared for life at sea, and what he learned about himself along the way. We talk about the kindness of people he met, the challenges of solitude, and the joy of simplicity. We also hear from his wife, Robin , who offers her own take on S...