Who we are
Grist Designs is a family-owned naval architecture and vessel design consultancy committed to delivering professional service, practical solutions, and responsive support. We work closely with individuals, businesses, and government organisations to provide high-quality outcomes in a timely and professional manner.
Our goal is to help clients achieve successful projects through clear communication, technically sound design, and reliable industry expertise.
We pride ourselves on creating vessels and aluminium kits that are straightforward to build and efficient to fabricate. Every design is developed with the builder in mind, reducing unnecessary complexity and streamlining construction.
All work is undertaken by qualified Naval Architects, giving clients confidence that their project benefits from professional engineering principles, sound design practices, and a thorough understanding of vessel performance, construction, and compliance requirements.
At Grist Designs, we believe great vessel design combines practical construction, on-water performance, and long-term value for our clients.
HERITAGE
Founded by Adam Radford in November 2023, Grist Designs was the realisation of a lifelong ambition. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, Adam was introduced to boating from an early age by his father, Craig "Noddy" Radford, who is well known throughout Australian fishing circles.
While fishing was the initial attraction, Adam's fascination with boats quickly became apparent. His childhood was filled with sketches of vessels, particularly the iconic Western Australian cray boats that continue to inspire him today. What began as an interest soon became an obsession.
After graduating from the Australian Maritime College with a degree in Naval Architecture in 2018, Adam built his experience working with some of Western Australia's leading shipbuilders and naval architecture consultancies. During this time, he contributed to the design and delivery of more than 60 vessels ranging from 5 to 42 metres in length.
At a pivotal point in his career, and with the unwavering support of his partner Nikki, Adam took the leap and established Grist Designs. Today, that same passion for boats, practical design, and quality workmanship drives every project undertaken by the business.
Vision
At Grist Designs, we are passionate about challenging the notion that aluminium boats cannot deliver the same seakeeping qualities as their fibreglass counterparts. While classic fibreglass boats will always hold a special place in our hearts, the versatility and durability of aluminium offer enormous opportunities when combined with thoughtful naval architecture.
In recent years, much of the Australian aluminium boat market has prioritised static stability above all else, often at the expense of ride comfort and overall performance. We believe these qualities should not be mutually exclusive.
Every vessel is unique and deserves careful consideration during the design process. Hull form, weight distribution, stability, trim, and layout must work together to create a boat that performs as intended. A vessel that trims correctly at rest, provides a functional and practical working environment, and delivers a smooth, predictable ride will ultimately be safer, more capable, and more enjoyable to operate.
Our goal is simple: to design boats that perform exceptionally on the water, are practical to own and build, and allow their owners to spend more time enjoying their vessel and less time dealing with compromises.