Review
"Few students or small-craft design are rolling in dough, but there is no question that with a list price on Amazon.com of around $100, and slightly less from other sellers, Performance by Design, should still be an addition to your bookshelf. A reference book that will remain valuable to a designer, builder, or surveyor for his entire career is not only an excellent investment is also an essential tool of the trade. If you are involved with high-speed craft, in any capacity, grab a copy as soon as you can." -- Dudley Dawson Professional BoatBuilder magazine (Feb/Mar 2015)
"The book is a unique compilation of such material. Blount knows his stuff and that is why his book should have wider appeal than his target audience. Boat builders and keen owners are sure to appreciate its pearls. They will particularly appreciate the fact that Mr Blount designed 'Destriero', which averaged 53 knots on its transatlantic record run." -- Work Boat World (March 2015)
"Performance by Design is a new book by hydrodynamics guru Donald L. Blount, founder of the eponymous naval architecture firm based in the US State of Virginia. During his 50-year career Blount designed high-performance yachts, like "Destriero", which crossed the Atlantic in 1992 at an average speed of 53.1 knots and is still the record-holder. Essential reading for superyacht naval architects, designers, and even brokers. The author shares his profound knowledge of hydrodynamics for high-speed ships in this 342-page hardback." -- Boat Exclusive: The World of Superyachts (January 2015)
"The book is well presented with many high-quality figures, tables and useful worksheets. For those wanting to learn about performance craft design it provides step-by-step guidance on the decisions required. For the more experienced designers and naval architects, it provides considerable insight into the design process from one of the most experienced performance craft designers in the industry." -- Dominic J Taunton, Southampton University, Ship & Boat International (A Publication of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects), May/June 2015.
"This is truly a monumental work, without precedent in its detailed and thorough coverage of the subject. The author has succeeded where others, however well-intentioned, have dropped by the wayside. He has compiled in one place both a summary of the state of the art of high-performance craft hydrodynamics and a guide for the future. This is more than a reference book that will sit on a shelf to be taken down once or twice a year; rather, it is an indispensable tool for the totality of a naval architect's career,There can be no better investment," -- Lou Codega, Marine Technology (July 2015)
From the Author
My intent has been to share the technical information, decision criteria, rules of thumb, and the opinionated experiences which have helped me in making choices for developing marine craft intended to operate beyond displacement speeds. Chapter One is a reprise of my article "Original Speed," (
Professional BoatBuilder magazine, June/July 2008) followed by nine chapters of science, my skewed views of science, a few things I don't understand, definitions of things on which no two naval architects will agree, design criteria which have been my friend, and guidance on design procedures embracing technology.
About the Author
Donald Blount has worked as a naval architect in the marine industry since 1954 while studying part-time to earn his mechanical engineering degree. The diversity of working opportunities provided real-world experiences for practical knowledge of hydrodynamics for the design of high-performance vessels. His early years began with model testing at a Navy research facility learning about predicting hull resistance which was followed by experimental validation. He then moved on to sea trials of ships, submarines and high-speed craft.
High-speed craft became his passion in the late 1960s when he volunteered to provide direct technical support to naval combatants operating in littoral waters. This passion has not waned with continuing work for research to extend technology and design of military vessels for special operations.
Eventually, in 1988 Donald established his design firm, Donald L. Blount and Associates, Inc. offering naval architecture and marine engineering design and consulting services. His company continues to conduct research to extend both hydrodynamic and aerodynamic technologies to support the design of performance marine vessels. This book captures the knowledge base of this naval architect with the hope of enticing students to follow the passion of high-performance marine vessels operating in open seas.