Graham and Schlageter

Graham & Schlageter was the influential Chicago-based naval architecture partnership of Scott Graham and Eric Schlageter, formed in 1978 and active through the mid-1990s, specializing in MORC, IOR, and one-design racing keelboats that blended speed, simplicity, and production efficiency. Graham, a University of Michigan graduate with Sparkman & Stephens experience, and MIT-trained aerospace engineer Schlageter, brought complementary skills in hull optimization and rule-beating design, producing iconic boats like the Tartan 10 (300+ built, largest U.S. one-design keelboat class), S2 7.9 (500+ built, multiple MORC Nationals), S2 9.1 (MORC one-design), and Mumm 30 (1991 IOR World Champion). Known for light-displacement planing hulls, wide sterns, and strict class fairness, their designs dominated Great Lakes and national regattas while remaining builder-friendly for yards like Tartan and S2. The duo dissolved around 1995, with Graham joining Farr Yacht Design and Schlageter pursuing custom and America’s Cup projects, but their legacy endures in active fleets and the enduring popularity of the Tartan 10 and S2 9.1 classes.