About Shortack

Who We Are

Shortack is an independent naval architecture and marine technical support group serving yacht, workboat, and maritime infrastructure programs.

We operate as a distributed team of experienced naval architects, engineers and technical specialists with deep backgrounds in composite structures, aluminum vessels, shipyard support and production documentation. Collectively, our team brings more than a century of combined marine industry experience across Europe and North America.

Our focus is straightforward: disciplined engineering, practical documentation, and reliable delivery under real program constraints.

Our Team

Shortack operates as a distributed group of naval architects, engineers and technical specialists with experience across composite yacht construction, aluminum workboats and industrial marine structures.

Our team includes professionals with backgrounds in:

• Large-scale composite yacht programs

• Coast Guard and class-certified vessels

• Structural analysis and laminate development

• Production drawing development and shipyard technical office support

We assemble teams based on program requirements, maintaining flexibility while ensuring senior-level oversight on all deliverables.

Our Background

Shortack was formed to provide high-level naval architecture and technical office capability without the overhead of a traditional large consultancy.

Our work spans:

• Custom and production yachts

• Small passenger and patrol vessels

• Aluminum and composite structures

• Shipyard technical office reinforcement

• Industrial marine and infrastructure projects

We have supported programs ranging from early concept development through class approval, certification and production-phase execution.

Our experience includes composite structural development, stability analysis, production drawing generation, CNC-ready output, documentation control alignment, and fabrication support.

We are equally comfortable working alongside established technical offices or leading defined engineering packages directly.

How We Work

Shortack integrates into existing teams.

We understand that active marine programs are rarely linear. Schedules compress. Scope evolves. Documentation must align with class, flag and yard sequencing. We operate within those realities — reinforcing internal teams without disrupting established workflows.

Engagements are structured, scoped and accountable. Deliverables are aligned with production requirements, not theoretical output.

We are remote by design, allowing us to support shipyards and design offices on both sides of the Atlantic with efficient turnaround and controlled overhead.

The Name

The name Shortack comes from sailing.

A “short tack” is a maneuver used when working upwind in confined water — when space is limited and conditions demand precision. It requires timing, awareness, and disciplined execution.

The name reflects how we approach projects:

Clear direction. Controlled movement. Measured response under pressure.

Continuity & Mentorship

Shortack builds on decades of experience in naval architecture, composite development and marine engineering.

We are shaped by the mentorship of respected naval architects and engineers who dedicated their careers to disciplined structural design and integrity in marine construction. Their influence continues in how we approach analysis, documentation and professional conduct.

Our foundation is technical rigor, long-view thinking, and respect for the craft.

What Clients Can Expect

Clients working with Shortack can expect:

• Clear communication

• Structured deliverables

• Technical depth without unnecessary complexity

• Respect for schedule and production realities

• Alignment with class and regulatory frameworks

We are not a volume consultancy. We take on programs where disciplined engineering makes a measurable difference.

Founders

Shortack was founded by naval architects with backgrounds in high-performance yacht development, composite structures and shipyard-based technical office operations.

The firm is led by professionals whose experience spans custom and production yacht programs, composite structural development, aluminum vessel engineering and industrial marine support across Europe and North America.

Senior leadership remains directly involved in all projects, ensuring technical continuity and disciplined engineering oversight from concept through delivery.