Background

BACKGROUND

McGrath-Knapp successfully applied for an OTEC (Ocean Technology Enterprise Centre) Grant from the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Ocean Technology for start-up companies in the area of Ocean Technology, after having been vetted through a series of presentations to local and regional business, research and industry professionals.

Robert McGrath and Christian Knapp have previous experience working in the marine and yachting industries in the following fields: Offshore Mooring Systems, Tug and Supply Vessel Design, Classification Society Operations, Composite Construction, underwater vehicle/glider research, operation and maintenance, Sailing Vessel Design and Construction

Following the establishment of McGrath-Knapp, the co-founders had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in advanced composite construction during the recent build of the 105’, SODEBO, Trimaran (link) at Boatspeed in NSW, Australia (link). This trimaran has been designed to challenge the round-the-world solo speed sailing record in January 2008.

This practical work experience combined with previous theoretical practice gives McGrath-Knapp an up-to-date perspective on yacht design and construction with an emphasis on modern composites.