Author: Nick Mines

Having sailed for most of my adult life, I retired (took a step back) from my companies Atom and Thorp which continue in my partial absence, producing really excellent work and run by gifted teams of loyal employees. I now sail my Southerly 135 and crew on various friends yachts, just enjoying being on the water. I continue to 'nudge the tiller' at the studios, probably more often than really necessary or welcome!

2026 winter jobs

For a change, there was not a long list of jobs when ‘lifted’ this year, so it was just, wash off, antifoul, an adjustment to the keel slot flap, anodes, propspeed and a good polish. Yacht owners will be familiar with fouling on the log impeller necessitating regular cleaning with the resultant water in the... Continue Reading →

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Newport niceties

As is the Hejira tradition, I have invited the crew (?) to make a contribution to the blog and, having now read their musings, I think I will leave the account to them
 I think it would be helpful, however, to give some background to their characters. Richard Cracknell (Crackers) is my preferred, reliable crew... Continue Reading →

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Ship Out

Peter had taken himself off, (by taxi would you believe – less than half a mile!) to the warmth of his apartment in the marina for the night while Richard and I froze on board in -4 degrees after the heating had been turned off for the night. It was turned back on in the... Continue Reading →

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Ship Inn

One of the compelling qualities of Southerly yachts such as ‘Hejira’ is the ability to access shallow, rarely visited locations and dry out, upright when the tide recedes. It is then possible to escape the ‘hubbub’ of yachting activity and enjoy more natural surroundings. Every time that I have driven across the bridge onto Hayling... Continue Reading →

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