Colin Mudie

Colin Mudie (1926–2020) was a distinguished naval architect and a monumental figure in the history of the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC). As one of the club's Founder Members, Mudie was part of the original cohort that established the organization in 1954. His commitment to the club was lifelong; he served as the OCC's very first Rear Commodore and was later honoured for over 50 years of dedicated service during the club's 60th-anniversary celebrations.

Mudie's reputation for offshore sailing was cemented in 1952, two years before the OCC's founding, when he crewed for Patrick Ellam aboard the 19ft Sopranino. Their successful Atlantic crossing proved that small, well-designed yachts could safely traverse oceans—a core principle that would define the OCC's membership criteria.
As a designer, Mudie's influence was vast, ranging from the Westerly Nomad to legendary tall ships like the STS Lord Nelson and STS Young Endeavour. His work often focused on accessibility and sail training, ensuring that the joys of ocean voyaging were available to all. Within the OCC, Mudie is remembered not just as a master of maritime design, but as a pioneering adventurer who helped shape the spirit of modern long-distance cruising. For example, in 1958 Colin, his wife, and 2 others attemted to cross the Atlantic in a hydrogen ballon. When forced to ditch mid Atlantic the ingeniously designed gondola (Colin had designed) became the boat they used to reach the Caribbean.