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Trapper Haskins, author of Crooked River,  built his own Mississippi Yawl and paddled it all the way to New Orleans—but the real journey was internal. In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Trapper shares the story behind building his boat, the inspiration behind the trip, and how navigating the river helped him navigate a personal crossroads.

We dive into the highs and lows of the adventure, the craftsmanship behind his boat, and the mental and emotional clarity that can emerge when we fully commit to something difficult and uncertain. It’s a moving tale of self-reliance, reinvention, and finding purpose on the water.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a reset—or just building a boat and heading south—you’ll want to listen to this one.

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In this episode, I’m joined by legendary small-boat adventurer and author Stephen Ladd, known for his remarkable books Three Years in a 12-Foot Boat and The Five-Year Voyage. We dive into the origins of his epic journeys, including designing and building his own 12-foot microcruiser Squeak and navigating thousands of miles of wild and remote waterways—from the Mississippi to the jungles of South America.

Stephen shares what it takes to live aboard such a small craft, how he and his partner Ginny voyaged across oceans and rivers, and the emotional highs and lows of long-term small boat travel. We talk about boat design, staying safe, finding joy in simplicity, and how these intimate journeys can lead to deep personal transformation.

If you’ve ever dreamed of casting off in a tiny boat and heading into the unknown, this episode is for you.

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In Part 2 of our deep dive with legendary boat designer John Welsford, we go beyond the SCAMP and explore what's next. John shares exciting news about a new 7-meter ocean-going boat currently on his drawing board and introduces us to Scallywag, a design born from sailors dreaming of a SCAMP... with accommodations.

We also hear some incredible stories from the field—including Welsford designs voyaging to Tierra del Fuego and playing a part in community building in East Timor. John weighs in on the debate between junk rigs and balanced lug sails, and offers his hopeful perspective on the bright future of small boats and their builders.

If you love design talk, big ideas, and small seaworthy boats—you won’t want to miss this one.

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Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵

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In this first of two special episodes, we sit down with legendary New Zealand boat designer John Welsford, the mind behind some of the world’s most beloved small boat plans—including the hugely popular SCAMP (Small Craft Advisor Magazine Project).

John shares the fascinating story of how he got into boat design, how SCAMP came to be, and what makes a good first boat for those curious about building and cruising small sailboats. We also dive into some of the key principles that guide his design work—especially his focus on safety and seaworthiness for real-world adventures.

If you've ever thought about building your own microcruiser or just want to hear the wisdom of one of the greats in small boat design, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🛠️ Mentioned in the episode:
 • What makes SCAMP so unique
 • His most approachable design for new builders
 • Why safety is more than just flotation
 • Design tips for adventurous sailing on a budget

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to start sketching your dream boat!

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In this special episode, we sit down with award-winning Canadian filmmaker, author, and adventurer Dianne Whelan, whose film 500 Days in the Wild documents her epic solo journey across the entire 24,000 km of the Trans Canada Trail — by canoe, on foot, and in deep conversation with the land.

But this episode goes beyond just the miles and the route. Dianne shares how she discovered a deep love of canoeing, the unexpected lessons from six years on the trail, and how the journey became more than just an expedition — it became a path to reconnection, healing, and respect for Indigenous knowledge and the Earth itself.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to slow down, unplug, and listen more closely to the natural world, this conversation will resonate. Dianne’s insights are both powerful and poetic, and her story reminds us that adventure isn’t just about movement — it’s about meaning.

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In this episode, we sit down with Eric Zilbert, Commodore of the Potter Yachters, one of the largest trailer-sailor clubs in North America. Eric shares his sailing origin story, how he found his West Wight Potter 19, and what drew him to the welcoming community of Potter sailors.

We dig into the differences between the Potter 15 and Potter 19, hear about some of Eric’s favorite adventures, and get practical advice for anyone looking to get started with trailerable micro-cruisers. Whether you’re already a trailer-sailor or just small-boat curious, there’s plenty here to inspire your next journey.

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In this second episode with boat designer Michael Storer, we dive into his innovative small boat designs and the unique advantages of canoe-style sailboats. Michael also shares insights into Real Simple Sails, his company dedicated to making high-quality, affordable sails for home-built boats. Beyond design, we explore his philosophy on small boat sailing—why simplicity, efficiency, and accessibility are key to maximizing adventure on the water. If you're interested in designing, building, or optimizing your own small boat, this episode is packed with expert insights!

Tune in now to hear from one of the most influential minds in DIY boat building!

#SmallBoatSailing #DinghyCruising #BoatBuilding #MichaelStorer #RealSimpleSails #CanoeSailing #NanoCruising #AdventureSailing

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Show Notes:

Michael Storer Boat Plans and on Facebook

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Michael Storer is one of the most influential small boat designers today, known for his lightweight, high-performance, and easy-to-build designs like the Oz Goose and Oz Racer. But how did he get started?

In this first of two episodes, Michael shares:
 ⛵ His fun and unconventional introduction to sailing
 📐 How working as a technical consultant for DuckFlat Wooden Boats (Australia)  exposed him to hundreds of designs and shaped his approach to boatbuilding
🛶 Why his first-ever design was a sailing canoe—and how that set the stage for his future innovations

Michael’s passion for accessible, high-performance small boats is contagious, and this conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in boat design, NanoCruising, or DIY boatbuilding.

#NanoCruising #SmallBoatDesign #SailingPodcast #DIYBoatBuilding #MichaelStorer #DinghySailing #BoatDesign #MicroCruising #MinimalistSailing #OzGoose #OzRacer

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Show Notes:

Michael Storer Boat Plans and on Facebook

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What if you could set sail without a trailer, a boat ramp, or even a dock? In this episode, we dive into the world of paddle sailing with Justin from the YouTube channel Travel By Water. Justin shares how he got started in this minimalist form of NanoCruising, the boats he's built and used, and the surprising advantages of paddle sailing over traditional trailer sailing.

We also cover key techniques like sailing upwind, staying stable, and essential safety considerations. Whether you’re looking for an ultra-portable adventure or a new way to explore the water, this episode is packed with practical advice for getting started in paddle sailing.

Tune in and discover why paddle sailing might just be the ultimate way to travel by water. 🌊⛵

#NanoCruising #PaddleSailing #MicroCruising #TravelByWater

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Show notes:

Travel By Water on YouTube

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In the second part of our conversation with legendary small boat sailor Sven Yrvind, we explore the challenges, philosophies, and innovations behind his lifetime of solo sailing. He recounts his arrival in fog-bound Newfoundland, the unexpected road trip his boat had to take.

We also discuss:
⛵ The materials behind his Cape Horn–rounding boat
🌊 Critical factors in small boat seaworthiness
🌀 His unique ventilation system designed to function even if capsized
💭 Solo sailing, loneliness, and his philosophy of life
🌏 His next ambitious voyage—where is he heading, and why?

Sven’s perspective on sailing and life is unlike any other. Tune in for a fascinating conversation with a true pioneer of small boat adventure.

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Seas Your Own Adventure 🌊⛵