NanoCruising

What makes a sailor truly capable? Is it having the latest electronics? A bigger boat? More gear? Or is it something less tangible—experience, judgment, and the confidence that comes from being self-reliant? Those are some of the questions I explored with André-François Boudreau in the latest episode of the NanoCruising Podcast. André-François is a sailor, adventurer, survival expert, and the designer of Gorfnik , one of the most unique NanoCruisers I've come across. Originally, I expected our conversation to focus equally on survival and sailing. Instead, we found ourselves spending much of the episode talking about Gorfnik, the philosophy behind its design, and why small boats are capable of much more than most people imagine. The Thinking Behind Gorfnik Gorfnik wasn't designed to be flashy or luxurious. It was designed with purpose. Every choice reflects André-François' belief that a small boat should be simple, dependable, and capable of taking care of its skipper when ...

Some people are boat builders. Some are designers. Some are entrepreneurs. And then there's Sam Devlin of DevlinBoat . After decades of designing and building hundreds of boats, his philosophy can be summed up in four simple words: "I like boats" It sounds almost too simple, but after spending an hour talking with Sam on the NanoCruising Podcast, it becomes clear that those four words explain nearly everything about his career. Sam didn't set out to chase trends or build the biggest boats. He built the boats that interested him—boats that solved problems, inspired adventure, and made people want to get out on the water. That genuine curiosity has produced an astonishing variety of designs, from tiny cruisers to capable expedition boats. One of the things I enjoyed most about our conversation was hearing how his designs evolved over time. Every boat has a story, and many of those stories begin with a sailor asking, "What if...?" We also talked about how the b...

What makes a boat truly good for adventure? Bigger tanks? More gear? More comfort? In the latest episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sat down with Flavien Gaulard, founder of Kaori Concept , to talk about a very different approach to boat design—one centered around simplicity, sustainability, and practical sailing. Building Boats in the Philippines One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was hearing about Flavien’s experience building boats in the Philippines. The Story Behind Kaori Concept Flavien also shared how Kaori Concept got started and the philosophy behind the company. Rather than chasing complexity or luxury, the focus has been on creating boats that encourage people to actually get out sailing. Boats that are manageable, efficient, and enjoyable to use. That idea fits naturally with the NanoCruising mindset. The Kaori 550 A big part of the episode centers around the Kaori 550 and the thinking behind its design. We talked about: Why smaller boats still make s...

    Texas 200, Small Boats, and Adventures with Eric Dahlkamp    The Texas 200 is one of the ultimate small-boat challenges—long, unpredictable, and a real test of preparation and skill. Few sailors have tackled it multiple times, and even fewer have done it while documenting the lessons along the way.    Enter Eric Dahlkamp: a sailor, builder, and adventurer who has taken on the Texas 200 several times, built and upgraded a range of boats, and learned first-hand what it takes to succeed.      How It All Started     In this episode of NanoCruising , Eric shares how he got into sailing and the journey that led him to small-boat adventures. From his earliest experiences to designing and rebuilding boats, he’s cultivated a philosophy of simplicity, practicality, and enjoyment on the water.      Boats, Builds, and Upgrades    Eric has a history of taking boats apart, tweaking them, and turning them into capable...

Google asked me today if I wanted to create a game, I said sure. So here is the NanoCruising Launch game. Feel familiar?

The West Wight Potter 15 has earned a reputation as one of the most capable small cruising boats out there. Simple, tough, and surprisingly seaworthy for its size—it’s built a loyal following over the years. In this episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sat down with Larry Rumbol, the UK builder of the Potter 15, to dig into the story behind the boat—and what makes it work so well. The Story Behind the West Wight Potter 15 We start with the origins of the design and its creator, Stanley Smith . Larry shares some great historical context around how the boat came to be, and the thinking behind its design. It wasn’t about speed or flash—it was about creating a small boat that could handle real conditions and still be accessible. That philosophy still defines the Potter today. What Makes the Potter 15 So Capable? One of the big themes in the conversation is how well the boat punches above its weight. We talk about: Stability and seaworthiness Simplicity in design Why it w...

Not all sailing has to be fast, technical, or full of adrenaline. Some of it is quiet. Unhurried. Just being out there. In this episode of the NanoCruising podcast, I sat down with Brian Clauson, the voice behind the Ruddy Duck Sailing Adventures YouTube channel. If you’ve seen his videos, you know the feeling—calm, simple, and easy to settle into. Starting with the Boat We started at the beginning—how Brian found his boat and what got him out on the water in the first place. Like a lot of us, it wasn’t some grand plan. It was a step-by-step process. Finding something that worked, getting out there, and figuring things out as he went. That thread runs through the whole conversation. Why Start Filming? At some point, Brian decided to bring a camera along. Not to build a channel. Not to chase views. Just to document the experience. That’s part of what makes Ruddy Duck Sailing feel different. It’s not trying too hard. It’s not overproduced. It’s just a record of time on the...